Scottish Fold cats are typically produced by breeding a cat with the cartilage gene (which causes the folded ears) with a normal cat. They can also result from breeding two cats carrying the cartilage gene.
When breeding Scottish Fold cats, it's crucial to select mates that are not closely related. Acceptable outcrosses include the British Shorthair and American Shorthair. Breeding with other breeds can increase the risk of skeletal deformities in the offspring. It’s particularly important to avoid breeding them with brachycephalic breeds (like Persians or Exotic Shorthairs) because this can significantly raise the likelihood of facial deformities.
The folded ears of the Scottish Fold are caused by a mutation of the cartilage gene (F gene), which is paired with a normal, upright ear gene (f gene). Or, it can be the product of two F genes being present. The F gene is the gene that causes osteochondrodysplasia, a cartilage development disorder that affects cartilage throughout the body, causing significant pain and ongoing health problems for the cat. This condition will likely affect Scottish Folds throughout their lives.
Currently, only the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in the USA recognizes the Scottish Fold. Their only permissible breeding method is to mate a heterozygous Fold (a cat with one copy of the mutated gene and one copy of the normal gene) with a normal cat (typically a British Shorthair). This breeding practice results in a 50% chance of producing heterozygous Fold kittens and a 50% chance of producing normal, straight-eared kittens. This breeding method is meant to reduce the chances of cats with severe cartilage issues, though it does not eliminate them. The welfare of these cats should always be a primary concern for breeders and owners.If you enjoyed this, try:Pet Naming
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