One of the most controversial and popular breeds is the Scottish Fold: should these cats really not be bred?

The Scottish Fold has been officially recognized in1978, and according to the compilation of the American Cat Fanciers' Association, it has been among the 10 most popular breeds for the last 4 years. Like the Munchkin, the Scottish fold is also the basis of heated debates between cat people. Opponents say that its special characteristics predispose it to a number of diseases, while breeders deny that any characteristic problem affects the drooping ear that other cats do not.

The British Veterinary Association, for example, has warned that breeding of the breed should be stopped due to health risks. If you are thinking about getting one, be sure to read more!

Are the life of the Scottish Fold cats short and painful?

In 1961, a kitten named Suzie was born in a litter on a farm in Scotland, whose ears were flat on her head. The owner decided to start breeding the line in 1966. 12 years later, he was recognized as the winner at an American exhibition, and from there, nothing could stop him on his way to conquer the country.

However, not everything went completely smoothly even then. In the 1970s, the British Governing Council of the Cat Fancy decided not to register the Scottish Fold, citing ear abnormalities and hearing problems; this is still in effect today. In the United Kingdom, their popularity plummeted at that time.

Its distinguishing feature is its tiny ears, which are believed to be the source of many problems. And these greatly shorten the life of the cat and worsen their quality of life. Droopy ears are caused by cartilage deformity. However, this mutation does not only affect the ears in their case! The breed can also predispose to incurable and extremely painful diseases such as arthritis or other diseases affecting the cartilage, bones and joints. Also, according to behaviorists, one of the cat’s most important means of communication, its hearing, is also negatively affected by the position of its ears, which also results in a much poorer quality of life.

Its popularity skyrocketed again when Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran started posting about their beloved Scottish Fold with droopy ears. It is true, however, that even then there were those who did not look favorably on this. Both presenters received plenty of hot and cold for keeping and popularizing the controversial breed. However, most people did not think about the consequences of such a unique mutation.

Are we irresponsible and only looking after our own interests?

Supporters of the breed argue that a responsible breeder would never mate two Scottish Folds. They are usually mixed with American Shorthair or British Shorthair. In their opinion, congenital health problems can be filtered out with this.

Experts trump this by claiming that a cat with these ears also carries the genetic mutation, which damages its health and therefore its quality of life. In many situations, their case is compared to French Bulldogs and similar flat-faced dogs. Opponents believe that fashion trends encourage us to make irresponsible decisions. Indeed, the flat ears give these cats a particularly sweet appearance, but it is unfair and immoral to subject them to suffering because of their appearance.