Conference misery::feline_v1

    Hi Lisa,
    
         Contact Nancy DC at USDEV::NDC (hey Nancy, how'd you miss this
    one??? 8-) ).  I just visited her house last weekend and she has lots
    of pretty kitties 8-) !
    
    					- Andrea

    I was also interested in Scottish folds, and spent some time talking to
    a breeder at one of the cat shows in Boston.  She told me they are
    "wild and crazy--the kind of cat who likes to hang from lampshades." 
    That discouraged me from pursuing it.  You may want to ask about their
    personality before acquiring one.

    Having met a few dozen Scottish Folds at our resident
    breeder, (Nancy DC's), I can vouch that none of the
    cats/kittens were "hanging from lampshades", or any
    other such nonsense......
    
    In fact, the kittens were absolutely adorable, and the
    markings on some of her cats & kittens are nothing short
    of dazzling!!!!
    
    Lynne

     I am sure Nancy will give you all of the specific details about the
    breed, but I'll give you a little input. In a litter you can have
    either folded eared kittens or straight ears. I have one of Nancy's 
    straight eared (is that a real word) kitten. Two of my friends have
    two other of Nancy's straight ears. My kitty, Angus, is a loving little
    devil. Little doesn't quite describe him. He is 6 1/2 months old and
    already weighs 11 lbs (everyday you can see him grow). His sisters are
    about 1/2 his size.  We think his British Shorthair background has 
    kicked in. 
    
    In general Scottish Folds are very playful and mischivious. Angus
    loves tormenting my other other 3 cats and the greyhound. He loves
    to hop in the dog's bed and scare him. He likes to help me crochet,
    and he especially likes to watch me eat dinner. Purring loadly and
    curling up in  bed next to me are some of his other talents. Of course
    his greatest talent is eating, his nickname is the eating machine.
    His sister Ceiligh is much calmer; she is quite the lap cat. When her
    Mom isn't home he best friend is a 70 lb airdale. 
    
    I would highly recommend Scottish folds. They are sweet affectionate
    kitties!!!

    Scottish Folds have a very diverse background of cats in their lineage,
    including American Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, and British
    Shorthairs.  I don't think the Exotics are considered allowable
    outcrosses now, but the AM shortairs and Brits are still being used.
    
    Having owned a variety of purebred cats, I feel it is wrong to make
    generalizations about the personality characteristics of a breed. 
    Certain traits will hold true, but each cat is an individual and should
    be evaluated as such.  I have owned 3 Ragdoll cats, all very different
    from one another, and all three full brothers to one another!  My
    Himalayan is not the "doorstop" cat that many folks label Himmies as
    being.  He is very capable of hanging from lampshades at times and
    acting downright possessed!
    
    My neighbor owns a Scottish Fold from Nancy's line, and he is a little
    purrbox; very mellow and docile.  However, I have seen other cats from his
    lineage lean toward the other end of the spectrum.  Don't let what one
    breeder told you discourage your decision to own a Scottish Fold! 
    Visit a cattery, spend time with the kittens, and base your choice on
    what you observe and like.
    
    --Roberta (Also a Fold fancier!)   

    For more information about Scottish Folds, please use our keywords. 
    Type "show key/full scottish_fold" at the notes prompt and it will
    provide you with a list of topics that discuss this breed.
    
    Jo

    re: .5 -
      Thank you Roberta and others who have said such nice things about
    Scottish Folds.   Roberta, I couldn't have said it better myself.
    And you are right about the ESH's, they are no longer allowable.
    
    I can trace my cats back to Suzie, the original scottish fold
    thru a Kitjim cat - Kitjim's Billy 2 Bob of Framor.  He has some
    Exotic SH in his past as well as British and American SH.
    
    My folds are reasonably active and very playful.  I can't say as
    I've ever seen them hang from lampshades, but they are known to
    climb Shadow's tokyo cage on the outside and tease him.  (Shadow
    is my stud male - CFF's 10th best kitten last year-  yes I'm bragging).
    
    I sometimes wonder how much effect environment has on them.  Tony,
    from whom I got most of my cats, also (and still does) breeds Aby's.
    Nancie Belser (fold breeder from NY) also breeds exotics and persians.
    Her folds seem to be more laid back than mine.  Who knows whether its
    genetics or environment :^)
    
    In any case folds hold a special place in my heart.
      Nancy DC
    
    

    re: lampshades -  Of course, I can't speak for their behavior
    when Ms. Happy throws a pizza & beer party.  ;^)
    

    	I didn't know they used to use Exotics for breeding with folds. I
    bet they were interesting to look at. Not to change the subject, but
    why do they not allow it anymore?
    
    Mike

    
    Hi Mike!  Bailey's mom here. Before finding out from Nancy that Exotics
    were used in the Fold breeding program the seed had been planted in my 
    head after reading the Fold standard.  The "coat" section is almost
    vertbatim to the Exotic standard for coat.  As a matter of fact a while
    back I saw an Exotic that looked much more like a straight-eared Fold
    than an Exotic (would have loved to see the pedigree).  I assume the
    outcross restrictions for Folds are the same as why we can only
    outcross to Persians.
    
    BTW, I heard form MamaCin that Kai is looking FANATASTIC.  She was
    really impressed with how he looked at the show in Fitchburg. When do
    we send the champagne?
                          

    Not being a Fold breeder or an exotic breeder, I can't comment on the
    exact reason that the outcrosses aren't allowed anymore.  But, I can
    comment in a general sense about why they probably aren't allowed
    anymore.  
    
    The outcrosses are allowed when a breed is initially being started up
    to allow for genetic diversity.  Open breeding to outcrosses is usually
    only allowed in man made breeds and breeds that start from a genetic
    mutation.  Outcrosses are generally only allowed for x number of years.
    I would venture to guess that if Folds were still allowed to outcross
    to exotics, we would start seeing Folds with boning that is too heavy,
    and bodies too short, as well as with very deep nose breaks.  These
    traits aren't necessarily bad traits, but they may not be part of the
    Scottish Fold standard, and the objective is to breed cats that meet
    that written standard of perfection.
    
    Jo

    Somewhere at home I have a nice write-up on Folds, it is from one of Cat
    Fancy's magazine. If you would like I will copy it for you. 
    
    
                                Crys 

    RE: lampshades - nope, I would have to say that the "hanging from
    the lampshades" award (and the nibbling the lampshade, hanging
    from the bookcase, clearing off the entertainment center and
    hanging from the top of the knick knack shelves awards - how in God's 
    name she got there I don't know) goes to the silver tabbies.  And this 
    is all without a single drop of beer or a nibble of pizza! ;-) ;-)
    
    Mary-Michael, Misha, Mips, Belle and Dream

    I also am happy to have 2 Scottish Folds (one folded and one straight
    earred) as members of my clan.  All my lampshades are in tact as well
    as my curtains.  Although they both differ in personalities they are
    equal in gentleness, curiousity, beauty, appetites, playfulness,
    cleanliness, and they both ADORE and get along with their uncles and 
    aunt.
    
    I feel very fortunate to have met Nancy DC and Tony C. through this
    file (Tony C. through Nancy, of course) and to have Jamie and
    Dandy-lion (or "Meeps" which is what I've been calling Dandy lately) in
    my family.  Though Meeps is more people-oriented and purrs up a storm
    most of the time, Jamie too is a loving and sweet boy but just doesn't
    like a lot of handling or being a lap kitty like Meeps does.  That's
    okay though, because not all cats are lap kitties nor want to be held. 
    This is something I as a cat owner/admirer accepts no matter what
    breed.  One of my strays I took in is also not a lap cat except on rare
    occasions when he comes to me and wants extra attention.
    
    I highly recommend Scottish Folds whether they are folded or straight
    earred.  I also highly recommend mixed breeds, having 5 of those
    myself.
    
    Pat, Holly, D.P., Thai, Buffy, Middy, Jamie, Dandy(Meeps)(& Cookie)
    

    My adorable Scottish Fold, is quite mellow, lovable, easy-going, etc. 
    His breeder said that folds are more horizonal than vertical kitties. 
    That seems to be true.  He doesn't leap high like the Birmans do,
    however I did find him on top of my husband's armoire, which is almost
    5' high.  I have no idea how he got there.  He was raised with Persians
    and exotic shorthairs.  He is 1 1/2 years old and fairly small, approx
    7 lbs, even tho he loves to eat.  He is such a sweetheart, I certainly
    recommend folds, and if I had room, would love another one.  (Nancy,
    I'm glad I can't see your kitties, I'd be too tempted. ;-))
    
    Steffi

	Now I understand! Just like Exotics can only be bred to other Exotics 
in order to meet the standard. 
	That was nice of Cin to say that about Kai. I would like to get about 
1.5 more pounds on him. But you are going to have to hold off on the champange 
for a little bit. Those last few points are being very elusive.

Mike

    Mike, Exotics can be bred to other Exotics or to Persians.  They allow
    this because the standard is the same and the body type is the same. 
    Except for the coat length, Exotics and Persians are the same.
    
    Course, if you breed to a Persian, any longhaired kittens must be
    registered as Longhaired Exotics (AOV's) so in that sense I guess that
    they wouldn't fit the exotic standard.
    
    Jo

    Mike,, er um.. I think you may be too late .. I heard a "rumor",, that
    the DEMAND.. er um request was the champagne was already taken care
    of so to speak.. and of course there is also an order for Rootbeer
    in the works as well, Kai sure is a handsome guy..
    Kate, Happy, Preschie, Kissy..

    re: outcrossing to exotics -  One reason it is no longer allowed is
    that a "break" is considered a fault in scottish folds.  However, I've
    seen some folds that look like exotics without a break lately so I
    wouldn't doubt that some unscrupulous breeders still outcross for the
    coats.  
    

    
    Thanks, Nancy.  I was wondering if the cat that I saw (an Exotic
    looking like a Fold) just happened to be a fluke or if it was 
    more prevalent in the breed. I was trying to picture in my mind
    the look of a Fold with a "break"...
    
    

    I think some of the British Shorthairs have head types similar to
    Exotics (or maybe my eyesight is failing me, who knows!).  The Folds I
    have seen that were results of Brit crosses all looked more Exotic in
    type than American.
    
    -Roberta
    

    
    No Roe, I don't think it is your eyes!  British Shorthairs as well
    as Bombays were allowed in the "early days" of the Exotics.  I've had
    to do double takes on some Brits because they have looked so much like
    Exotics.  I have seen them look more like an Exotic than say, a shaded
    silver Exotic does (for obvious reasons, of course :') ).  Before I
    became aware of Exotics I was thinking of getting a British Blue for
    the reason you mentioned.  Some of them have such great head type!
    
    
    

    If the British SH's were allowed in Exotic breeding programs, that
    wouldn't affect the way Brits look unless Brits were allowed to
    outcross to Exotics.  If outcrosses are allowed for one breed to
    another, that doesn't necessarily mean that it goes the other way too.
    Do you follow me?  
    
    What I mean is, an Exotic could be registered with a Brit in it's 
    pedigree during the outcross phase.  But, unless British SH's were 
    allowed outcrosses, you wouldn't be able to register a litter of 
    Brits with an Exotic parent.  So, the outcrossing to British SH by the
    Exotics would not necessarily change the look of the British
    Shorthairs.
    
    Jo

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                               -< Meower Power >-
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Note 5022.24               Any Info on Scottish Folds                   24 of 24
SANFAN::BALZERMA                                      9 lines  25-OCT-1991 16:56
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    jo, jo, jo,---  ;'X
    
    I did not mean to imply that Exotics were used in the Brits breeding 
    program.  I was merely indicating that they do resemble each other in
    many ways.  Then again, if we were good enough for the Folds maybe the 
    Brits should have used us too! ;'X
    
    

    re: -1    I don't think the Brits need the Exotics ;^)  They have that
    gorgeous coat of theirs - much like the exotic coat.  Its the folds
    that need the help  ;^}