 Scottish Fold Cat vs Pixie Bobcat. What are the differences between these two cat breeds? Often, the creation of a new cat breed hinges on a natural genetic mutation that occurs unexpectedly in an otherwise ordinary cat. Such was the case with the Scottish Fold. Members of the breed today can all trace their heritage back to Susie, a white cat with unusual folded ears who earned her keep as a mouser in a barn in Scotland's Tayside region. Susie might have lived her life in obscurity had she not been noticed in 1961 by a shepherd named William Ross who had an interest in cats. When Susie had kittens with a local tom, Ross acquired one of them, a female he named Snooks. In the natural way of things, Snooks had kittens, and one, a male was bred to a British shorthair. Thus began the development of what were first known as lopured cats, later as Scottish Folds, a nod to their country of origin and their defining characteristic. Other breeders became involved, and it was determined that the gene mutation for the Fold was dominant, meaning that if one parent passed on a gene for straight ears and the other a gene for folded ears, the resulting kitten would have folded ears. A gene for long hair was another gift Susie passed on to her descendants. The long-haired variety is known as a Highland Fold in some associations. By the mid-1970s, they had been recognized by most cat associations in North America. They can be outcrossed to American shorthairs and British shorthairs. Ironically, they are not recognized as a breed in their country of origin over concerns that the folded ear might lead to ear infections or deafness and because of a related cartilage problem. The Pixie Bob breed is thought to have started from the unplanned litter of a bobcat and a barn cat in 1985. The barn cat belonged to Carol and Brewer, and she named a female kitten Pixie. Pixie became the foundation mother for this breed. While there is no hard proof that Pixie's father was actually a wildcat, it is widely believed and accepted by breeders. The International Cat Association, TICA, officially recognized the Pixie Bob as a breed in 1994. It took the American Cat Fanciers Association, ACFA, up until 2005 to follow suit and accept the Pixie Bob as a recognized breed. Breeders are still hoping that the Cat Fanciers Association, CFA, will soon start accepting the Pixie Bob as a breed as well. With the way their small ears fit like a cap over their rounded head, the Scottish fold is often described as resembling an owl. The ears range in appearance from a single fold, bent forward about halfway up the ear, to a double fold, somewhat tighter, and the triple fold, lying tight to the head, which is desirable for showcats. Kittens are born with straight ears, which may or may not fold when they are about three weeks old. Wide open eyes gaze out at the world with a sweet expression. The medium sized body is also rounded, completed by a medium to long tail that sometimes ends in a rounded tip. A short haired fold has a dense, plush coat with a soft texture. The long haired variety has medium long to long fur with bridges, longer fur on the upper thighs, toe tufts, a plumed tail, and tufts of fur on the ears. They may also have a rough around the neck. The Scottish fold comes in a number of colors and patterns, including solid, tabby, tabby and white, bicolor, and particolor. Eye color depends on coat color. For instance, white and bicolor cats can have blue eyes or odd eyes, where each eye is a different color. Pixie bobs have a thick double coat which needs to be brushed regularly to avoid matting and excessive shedding. The texture is woolly, like a bobcat, and can be either short haired or long haired. Typically, pixie bobs have a mackerel or striped coat pattern. Sometimes these stripes are accompanied by rosettes, giving the pixie bob that authentic bobcat look. A pixie bob's coat can be a variety of colors, but are mostly tawny, light gray, or reddish in appearance. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code KittenLife to get 20% off. After their years, the first thing you will notice about a Scottish fold is their habit of posing in odd positions, flat out on the floor like a little frog, sitting up for all the world as if they were a mere cat on a nature program, or lying on their back, paws up in the air. And although you might assume that their ears are less mobile than those of other cats, such as not the case. Scottish Folds use those ears to communicate quite effectively, adding comments and a quiet, chirpy voice when necessary. This is a smart, moderately active cat. The Scottish Fold enjoys teaser toys that test their agility and puzzle toys that challenge their intelligence. Their favorite activities include anything that involves human interaction. There is nothing a Scottish Fold likes better than to be with their people, participating in whatever they are doing. They're a sweet cat who enjoys attention. The last thing they want is to be left alone for hours on end, so they're not the best choice unless someone is home during the day or you can give them the company of another cat. Rest assured, however, that they will expect you to play with them when you get home from work or school or at least sit down so they can get in a little lap time or curl up next to you while you watch television. Pixie Bobs may have been created out of wild passion, but for the most part, Pixie Bobs are a mellow sort of cat. Pixie Bobs love to be with their owners, but Pixie Bobs are not considered hyperactive by any stretch of the imagination. These cats enjoy laid-back hang sessions with their family and have been described as dog-like in personality. Pixie Bobs bond very strongly with their families and love taking car rides and leash walks with their loved ones. This is what makes the Pixie Bob an ideal cat for families with children. Pixie Bobs' ability to bond with their humans along with their patient personas make them excellent companions for children. Come the Scottish Folds coat weekly to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. A long-haired fold may need to be groomed a couple of times a week to ensure that tangles don't develop. Pixie Bobs do not inherently have many health issues, but basic care is a must for these large cats. An issue that can arise with Pixie Bobs is a little extra weight. Be sure to maintain your Pixie Bobs weight at a healthy point and not mistake it for him simply being a large cat. Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Trim the nails every couple of weeks. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don't run the risk of spreading any infection. Check the ears weekly, especially if they are tightly folded. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft, damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear. Keep their litter box spotlessly clean. Cats are very particular about bathroom hygiene, and a clean litter box will help to keep the coat clean, as well. It's a good idea to keep a Scottish Fold as an indoor only cat to protect them from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Scottish Folds who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such a beautiful cat without paying for it. The friendly, laid-back Scottish Fold is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. They love the attention they receive from children who treat them politely and with respect, and they like to play and are capable of learning tricks. They're happy to live with cat-friendly dogs, too, thanks to their amiable disposition. Introduce pets slowly and in controlled circumstances to ensure that they learn to get along together. Given the Pixie Bob's dog-like reputation, these cats make excellent companions for homes with other pets and with children. The Pixie Bob's devotion to its family and overall loyalty make them excellent companions for pretty much anyone. If you enjoyed this video, kindly press the like button. Also don't forget to subscribe with notifications on, so that you don't miss out on videos like this. 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