The Origins and Evolution of the Scottish Fold: From Susie to a Worldwide Icon
Me with Scottish Fold Kitten – PawPeds G1 Course Completion
This write-up on the Scottish Fold breed, including its history, genetics, and health considerations, has been prepared as part of my PawPeds G1 homework assignment. The information summarizes research from reputable sources and reflects what I have learned about the breed’s development, responsible breeding practices, and health management.
First Identified Scottish Fold cat - Susie
The Scottish Fold is one of the most instantly recognizable and beloved cat breeds in the world. Their charming folded ears, round faces, and soulful eyes make them irresistible—but behind their signature look lies a fascinating story that blends natural mutation, folklore, science, and decades of careful breeding. Every Scottish Fold living today can trace its roots back to one remarkable farm cat named Susie, whose unique ears changed feline history.
Ancient Lore: Folded Ears Through the Ages
Long before Susie appeared on a Scottish farm, cats with unusual ears were mentioned in historical records. As early as the late 1700s, explorers and naturalists described cats in China with forward-folding or drooping ears. In 1796, The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure reported on wild Chinese cats with folded ears. Another legendary creature, the Sumxu, was said to have pendulous ears, though the accuracy of these accounts remains uncertain.
While none of these ancient cats can be directly linked to the modern Scottish Fold, these stories show that spontaneous ear-folding mutations have appeared naturally in cat populations for centuries. What makes the Scottish Fold special is that this one mutation was preserved, understood, and developed into the affectionate, lovable companion we know today.
The Real Beginning: Susie the Scottish Farm Cat
The true story of the modern Scottish Fold began in rural Perthshire, Scotland, between 1961 and 1964. It was there that a white barn cat named Susie caught the eye of a local farmer. Her ears bent forward in a soft fold, giving her an owl-like expression, paired with bright orange eyes and a gentle temperament.
Susie’s origins remain a mystery—some believe she may have had connections to Asian cats brought to the region—but what is certain is that she carried a naturally occurring mutation affecting cartilage formation.
Tragically, Susie was hit by a car after producing only one litter. Fortunately, one of her kittens, Snooks, inherited her folded ears. Snooks then became the foundation of the Scottish Fold breed.
Building a New Breed: Snooks, Snowball, and the Ross Family
The Ross family, early breeders and pioneers of the breed, worked closely with geneticist Pat Turner to better understand and expand the line. Snooks was bred to a red tabby male, producing a kitten named Snowball. Snowball was later paired with a white British Shorthair named Lady May, resulting in five folded-ear kittens.
In that first intensive year, the early breeding program produced 76 kittens—42 with folded ears and 34 with straight ears. These early generations set the basic type of the Scottish Fold:
round heads
wide-set, expressive eyes
calm, affectionate personalities
the characteristic forward-folded ears
But the journey was far from easy.
Health Challenges and the Evolution of Responsible Breeding
The folded ear gene, caused by a mutation in the TRPV4 gene, affects cartilage throughout the body—not only in the ears. Early breeders discovered that mating two folded-ear cats together could lead to serious skeletal conditions such as:
shortened, thickened tails
stiff or malformed limbs
painful mobility issues
This condition, known as osteochondrodysplasia (OCD), caused concerns strong enough that the GCCF in the UK stopped registering Scottish Folds entirely.
Fortunately, breeders learned that Fold × Straight pairings dramatically reduced health risks. Straight-eared cats—many with British Shorthair or American Shorthair backgrounds—became essential to maintaining strong cartilage, bone health, and structural soundness.
Today, responsible breeders use:
DNA testing to confirm TRPV4 gene status
Fold (heterozygous) to Straight (no gene) breeding
tail flexibility checks
skeletal X-rays when needed
Careful management of this mutation has allowed the breed to thrive without the early severe issues.
How the Breed Evolved: From One Cat to Worldwide Diversity
While modern Scottish Folds still carry Susie’s round face, folded ears, and sweet temperament, decades of selective breeding have introduced wider variety in:
coat length
colors
patterns
facial structure
Persians contributed long hair and softer facial features; Siamese added colorpoints and blue eyes; British Shorthairs enhanced plush coat texture; American Shorthairs brought classic tabby patterns. As a result, today’s Scottish Folds include both:
Scottish Fold (folded-ear)
Scottish Straight (upright-ear)
All remain part of the same breed family, sharing core traits: affectionate, calm, gentle, and deeply attached to their families.
Influential Catteries and Their Impact
Several catteries have played key roles in the establishment and development of the breed:
The Ross Family (Scotland)
The original founders who developed the very first breeding program using Snooks and Snowball. Their work established the foundational type of the Scottish Fold.
Amber Snow Cattery (United States – Marilee Griswold)
In the United States, Amber Snow Cattery, founded by Marilee Griswold, has been instrumental in research and education about Scottish Folds. Marilee’s work focused on the TRPV4 gene, which causes the folded-ear trait, helping breeders understand how to preserve it safely. Her studies showed that the TRPV4 gene affects cartilage development, causing the ears to fold and sometimes affecting bones and joints. Cats with two copies of the gene (homozygous) can develop serious skeletal problems. To reduce these risks, responsible breeders pair a folded-ear cat (heterozygous, with one copy of the gene) with a straight-ear cat, producing a mix of folded-ear and straight-ear kittens while keeping them healthy. In a controlled study at Amber Snow Cattery, 22 Scottish Folds were examined using DNA testing and X-rays. Ten folded-ear cats were heterozygous, and 12 straight-ear cats had no TRPV4 variant. Independent reviewers scored the X-rays, showing that folded-ear cats had only slightly higher skeletal “severity scores” than straight-ear cats, far milder than previously reported. Marilee Griswold’s work, including her published research on Osteochondrodysplasia, provides important guidance for breeders and owners worldwide (read her study here). I have personally attended her lectures, which gave me valuable insight into the genetics and health considerations of the breed.
RumFold Cattery (Russia – Nadejda Rumentzeva)
Known for expanding the breed’s color range, including rare sepia and mink. RumFold’s educational resources and emphasis on careful, ethical breeding have influenced breeders worldwide.
The Scottish Fold Today: Character and Popularity
Scottish Folds are adored for their gentle, people-oriented nature. They love companionship, enjoy soft vocalizations, and rarely display aggression. Playful but not hyperactive, they adapt beautifully to families, children, and other pets.
Their popularity in the United States skyrocketed after their introduction in 1970 and the CFA’s championship recognition in 1978. Today, they’re one of the most popular breeds—helped along by social media and celebrity owners like Taylor Swift.
However, this popularity has also led to irresponsible backyard breeding. Many breeders still:
pair Fold × Fold
skip DNA testing
breed without understanding the TRPV4 gene
This endangers the health and future of the breed, making responsible, ethical breeding absolutely essential.
Health Issues in the Modern Breed
While modern Scottish Folds are generally healthy, the breed has several known risks:
1. Osteochondrodysplasia (OCD)
• Caused by TRPV4 mutation
• Preventable with proper Fold × Straight breeding
• Managed through DNA testing
2. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
• Genetic
• Testable via DNA or ultrasound
3. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Screened via echocardiograms
4. Ear-related concerns
May require regular cleaning due to moisture retention
5. Occasional digestive or constipation issues
Often manageable through diet and hydration
Responsible breeders use DNA panels, echocardiograms, and health tracking to ensure strong breeding lines.
Scottish Folds Around the World
The breed is now widespread, with imports into the U.S. commonly coming from:
Russia
Ukraine
Turkey
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
China
Various European countries
These imports help preserve genetic diversity while broadening color and pattern options.
The Legacy Continues
From one extraordinary farm cat in Scotland to a globally cherished breed, the Scottish Fold’s history is a remarkable blend of chance, genetics, and human devotion. Modern Scottish Folds still resemble Susie in their gentle expression and affectionate personality, yet decades of selective breeding have introduced elegance, variety, and improved health practices.
Every Fold alive today carries a small piece of Susie’s legacy—a reminder of how a single natural mutation grew into one of the world’s most beloved feline breeds.