Difference Between Scottish Fold Cats & American Curl Cats

Known for their unusually shaped ears, both the "American curl" and "Scottish fold" breeds of cat result from a genetic mutation. Although these two breeds have certain similarities, they have noted differences in their appearances and personalities, especially in the shapes of their unique ears. While the Scottish fold resembles a teddy bear with his flat ears, the American curl appears ever-alert, with tall, back-curled, rosebudlike ears, making these two types of cats very distinctive.

  1. History

    • The histories of both the American curl and Scottish fold have similarities, though each breed originated on different continents. The American curl resulted from a spontaneous genetic mutation in a litter of kittens, born in 1981, that were found in Lakewood, California. The Scottish fold first appeared as a stray barn cat in 1961, in Scotland's Tayside Region, whose litter shared her unique characteristics, according to PetPlace.com. To prevent genetic problems, both breeds are cross-bred with non-pedigreed British or American short-haired cats to produce kittens; the American curl can also be bred with domestic long-haired cats, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association. Not all cats of either breed will be born with curled or folded ears, as 50 percent of each litter are born with straight ears.

    Ears

    • While a spontaneous genetic abnormality is the original cause of both kinds of unusual ears, there are specific differences between the American curl and Scottish fold. In the American curl, the ears curl backward in an arclike shape, while the Scottish fold's ears fold flat and forward. An American curl's ears curl backward from 90 degrees, in the case of pet-quality cats, and 180 degrees, in the case of show-quality cats. Curl ears should not touch the back of the head or curl back toward the ear itself, according to PetPlace.com. The Scottish fold's ears fold downward and forward in a single, double or triple fold, according to the Fanciers Breed Referral List website. Show-quality folds are triple folds, which are tight against the head, giving an owl-like appearance to the cat because of her virtually flat ears.

    Appearance and Personality

    • According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, the American curl is an active breed, with an attentive personality similar to that of a dog. The cat is very sociable and dedicated to her owners. While Scottish folds are also sociable animals, they tend to be more laid-back than the American curl, according to the Fanciers Breed Referral List website. The Scottish fold has a round face with large round eyes, while the American curl has a modified wedge-shaped head with walnut-shaped eyes that are oval on the top and round on the bottom, according to the CFA. Both types of cat are moderate in size and come in both long- and short-haired varieties. Most color patterns are acceptable to show for either breed, except for color-point patterns.

    Breed Issues

    • A genetic problem runs in the Scottish fold breed, especially when two Scottish folds are bred together. This condition causes a skeletal deformity of the bones that results in limited mobility and enlarged bones, according to PetPlace.com. Check for signs of this condition, which include short legs with splayed toes and a non-flexible tail. In an American curl, at least one-third of each of his ears at the base must be rigid while the rest is curled for the cat to qualify for show-quality status, according to the CFA. Be gentle with the ears of the American curl, which have firm cartilage at their bases and should not be bent back to unnatural positions, according to the International Cat Association.