Five Things You Didn’t Know about the Scottish Fold Munchkin
Although most people who are cat lovers, would say that all cats are cute and adorable, there is just something about the Scottish Fold Munchkin cat breed that makes you go, “Awwww!” This is a very different looking breed of cat that will make you stop and look twice, and wonder what kinds of genetic issues the cat has.
The short-legged cat with folded ears is not one you will soon forget. The Scottish Fold Munchkin cat came about by way of a natural genetic mutation and it started with a white cat named Susie who was born with an unusual fold to her ears. The lineage of little Susie began in 1961 when she had a litter of kittens of her own. One of the kittens was bred with a British Shorthair, and on and on until the traits were well embedded and the look became its own breed. Here are five things you didn’t know about the Scottish Fold Munchkin cat.
1. Multiple types of folds
The ears of a Scottish Fold can vary in the way they bend. Some cats are born with a single fold to the ear, while others are born with a bend halfway up the ear, and others have a double fold, making the fold a little tighter. Some cats are born with a triple fold, which lie close and tight to the head. These are typically the most desired cats in the breed, for showing in cat shows.
2. Originally known by a different name
When the breed originated, they were referred to as lop-eared cats, but later the name was changed to the Scottish Fold due to where the breed originated, in Scotland. It was paying tribute to their country and heritage. There is a short and long hair version, and the long hair version is known as a Highland Fold in some associations.
3. Imported to the US a decade later
The Scottish Folds made their way over to the US in 1971. By the mid-1970s, most cat associations in the North American region were recognizing the cats as a breed all its own. The breed can be crossbred with two types of shorthairs and retain their distinctive characteristics, either the American Shorthair or the British Shorthair. What is ironic, is that this breed of cat is not recognized as an actual breed in the very country it originated, due to the concerns that the fold of the ears may lead to ear problems, such as infections or deafness, as well as the fact that the fold in the ear is related to a cartilage issue.
4. They are always in different silly positions
The Scottish Folds are known for always posing in funny and odd positions. You can walk in a room and find your Scottish Fold in a different position. These cats love to sprawl out in the frog position, sit up like a meerkat on their hind legs, lay on their back with all four feet in the air. It is probably one of the cutest characteristics of this breed, their funny little lounging positions.
5. They have a favorite activity
The Scottish Fold cat is such a friendly breed and loves their human so much, that it does not matter what you are doing, they want to be a part of it. While some cats have a favorite toy or activity they love to do, like climb up to high places, chase things, play with things they can bat at, or other activities, this breed of cat is just so content to be with his human that that is exactly his favorite thing to do, anything that involves his human. They just love attention.
You can also read:
- Why Should you Consider a Scottish Fold Cat?
- 20 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know about Scottish Fold Cats
- A Complete Price Guide for the Scottish Fold Cat
- 20 Scottish Fold Facts You Didn’t Know
