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The Scottish Fold cat represents the strong and incredible country of Scotland. The American Shorthair represents North America and is adored by a large fan base. This is a great and in-depth comparison since these two cat breeds have significant differences between each other!
This article tackles traits such as their physical appearance, lifespan, intelligence level, and temperament. So, when comparing the American Shorthair vs Scottish Fold, which feline is the best?
When considering American Shorthair vs Scottish Fold, the American Shorthair is the superior feline. While both cat breeds have rich histories, the American Shorthair is energetic, a strong individual, and has notable hunting skills.
Cat Product Note: I will talk about and recommend some cat products in this article, which will hopefully provide your cat with a more enriching life. These are Amazon affiliate links, so I receive a commission from Amazon, with no added cost to you. These are my honest recommendations, so if you are interested in checking them out, please click below!
For Scottish Fold Cats:
- I recommend this cat stroller on Amazon for Scottish Fold cats since it is quite versatile (affiliate link): Click Here.
- The cat condo / cat tree that I like on Amazon (affiliate link) for Scottish Fold cats: Click Here. This is the cat tree that I own for my Domestic Shorthair cat, Charlotte, and she loves it!
- This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Scottish Fold cat since it provides an excellent space that is safe for lounging outside (affiliate link): Click Here.
For American Shorthair Cats:
- The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because it is robust and can go anywhere (affiliate link): Click Here
- The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because my similarly-sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here
- This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the American Shorthair cat since it provides a safe environment for this cat to jump, climb, and hang out (affiliate link): Click Here.
We go into more detail about the different considerations in deciding between the Scottish Fold vs American Shorthair below!
Scottish Fold Cat Appearance vs American Shorthair Appearance
Let’s start by discussing the appearances of Scottish Fold cats and American Shorthair cats.
Scottish Fold Cat Appearance
Scottish Fold cats have one characteristic that makes them stand out among all other cat breeds. The ears fold over on these cats, which is what gives them their names. Scottish Fold cats are a medium-sized cat that has a compact build. They can weigh between 6 and 13 pounds.
The short-haired Scottish Fold has a dense fur coat with a soft texture. The long-hair Folds may have a tail plume, toe tufts (fur clump that sticks out on the paws), and a ruff (resembles a mane around the neck, people often compare it to a lion’s mane).
Scottish Fold Cat Colors
Scottish Fold cats can come in all different colors and patterns, including white, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, and more! The eye colors can be dependent on the coat that shows.
American Shorthair Appearance
The American Shorthair cat has a short, thick, dense coat and comes in numerous colors, patterns, and shades.
The eyes can be blue, hazel, copper, gold, green, or odd-eyed. It has a medium-size build, with the female weighing 8-12 pounds on average and the male weighing over 12 pounds.
The American Shorthair is heavily boned with a broad chest and strong jaws. Its legs are thick and robust, and it has a round face with short, well-spaced ears. The ear tips are rounded.
American Shorthair Colors
The American Shorthair can be found in these colors:
- White
- Black
- Blue
- Red
- Cream
- Blue Cream
- Chinchilla
- Tortoiseshell
- Came
- Brown
- Golden
- Silver
The patterns can be found in Tabby, Bicolor, Tortoiseshell, Solid color, Tricolor, and Shaded.
Scottish Fold Cat Hypoallergenic vs American Shorthair Hypoallergenic
Are Scottish Fold Cats Hypoallergenic?
No, Scottish Fold cats are not hypoallergenic. So, if you have cat allergies, do not expect that this feline breed will not affect your allergies.
Do Scottish Fold Cats Shed?
Yes, Scottish Fold cats shed. Even though Scottish Fold cats typically have short hair, it is also very thick and dense. Though this breed does shed only moderately, if you get in contact with their fur during snuggles, you will react to it as it is very thick.
Are American Shorthair Cats Hypoallergenic?
American Shorthair cats are not hypoallergenic. You should expect that this cat breed will affect your cat allergies if you have them.
Do American Shorthair Cats Shed?
American Shorthair cats usually shed moderately. These cats have short but dense hair, and you should expect them to shed moderately throughout the entire year. This means that you will want to be ready for the shedding hair if you plan to own an American Shorthair cat.
Our article discussing cats that shed a lot includes vital information on the American Shorthair and other higher shedding cat breeds: Click Here.
Maintaining a Scottish Fold Cat’s Fur Coat
Scottish Folds do not require too much special grooming. It would help if you brushed your cat at least once per week. My advice is to start young since it will get your cat used to the process. I find that a glove brush is great since my cat (a domestic shorthair named Charlotte) thinks she’s being petted.
Maintaining an American Shorthair’s Fur Coat
The American Shorthair cat’s fur is dense and relatively easy to maintain. All it needs is to be brushed once or twice a week to eliminate any loose fur.
It is unnecessary to bathe this breed too often, although sometimes bathing a cat will help control shedding fur. Ideally, you should get the cat used to the bath from a young age to become comfortable with the process.
Scottish Fold Personality vs American Shorthair Cat Personality
The Scottish Fold cat has a distinct personality from the American Shorthair, so they are worth comparing.
Scottish Fold Personality
Scottish Fold cats love human beings. They love to express how they feel, and they can be quite active. Your Scottish Fold cat will love to play and have company.
Scottish Fold Left Alone
I would not leave a Scottish Fold cat alone for long periods because they want to be around humans so much. Scottish Fold cats do not do well when left alone for long periods. You may want to get another feline to keep your Scottish Fold company.
If you do get another cat, I recommend a Domestic Shorthair cat like my feline, Charlotte. There are almost always plenty of Domestic Shorthair cats ready for adoption, and they make sweet pets. I am delighted with my Domestic Shorthair cat.
We discuss what happens when you leave cats alone and miss their owners in our article: Click Here.
American Shorthair Personality
The American Shorthair is easy going and gets along with people. It doesn’t crave too much attention, although it wouldn’t mind if it is given the same.
The American Shorthair cat is on the quiet side with its meows. It is easy to keep this breed amused; whether it is with a paper ball or a multi-colored string, it will find a reason to get amused!
American Shorthair Left Alone
The American Shorthair cat is comfortable being left alone or brought around different people in the family. Since they are comfortable being left alone, this makes them an excellent option for single people, spend a decent part of the day away from the house or just only want one cat!
Scottish Fold Cat Intelligence
Scottish Folds are smart cats. These cats do have high intelligence, but they can be challenging to train. These cats are more affection oriented, which means that they are hard to teach to be alone.
If you do leave them alone, they will want hours of attention when you return. However, these cats can be adaptable if you need to leave them alone in the house.
American Shorthair Intelligence
The American Shorthair is not known to have high cat intelligence. There seems to be some debate about how intelligent this cat breed is; however, it looks like this cat is one of the less intelligent breeds from my point of view. It is possible some people feel this way due to the American Shorthair being easy-going.
We mention the American Shorthair and other cat breeds with lower intelligence in our article on the subject: Click Here.
The American Shorthair loves being challenged with new games. Give it new puzzles or introduce it to interactive toys, and it will significantly enjoy itself!
It enjoys showcasing its hunting skills. This is no surprise since initially, it was bred for keeping away vermin and rodents from food stores!
Scottish Fold Cat Lifespan vs American Shorthair Lifespan
There are significant differences (but a little bit of overlap) in each of these cat breeds’ feline lifespan.
Scottish Fold Cat Lifespan
The average Scottish Fold Lifespan is 14 to 16 years. There are some stories about Scottish Fold’s living longer than this, but in general, this is the expected lifespan.
American Shorthair Lifespan
The normal American Shorthair Lifespan is 15 to 20 years. This is a pretty healthy lifespan, and you should have many quality years with your American Shorthair.
Enriching Your Feline’s Life
Merely owning a Scottish Fold or American Shorthair cat is not enough. As a good cat owner, you will likely want your cat to live their best life possible.
Let’s explore some ways to enrich your cat’s life:
Give your Cat Affection
Being affectionate and giving your feline friend a little more affection is crucial to the bond between humans and cat. A loved cat is usually a content cat (and probably purring!).
Cats might not show their love back like some other animals, but it certainly doesn’t mean they don’t need that love. Felines just express themselves in different ways.
An excellent example of this is my feline friend, a domestic shorthair cat named Charlotte, who just followed me around the house. It turned out that she just wanted some pets. I spent some time giving her affection, and she was purring a lot.
Cats can benefit from your love and affection so much. If you choose to ignore your kitten, it will gradually develop disinterest and may not feel lively. Most people don’t even consider this aspect of life at all. But the simplest form of affection might make your cat a happier feline!
Take Your Cat Outside
It is NOT recommended for house cats to explore outside by themselves freely; however, there are plenty of ways to take your cat outdoors with you. If your cat is curious about the outside world, you might want to take them outside with a harness and a leash.
It’s essential to find a harness that snugly fits your pet and makes sure that they feel comfortable wearing it before they venture outside. We take a closer look at cat harnesses and if they are safe in our article: Click Here.
If your feline is more of the observer type, then a unique cat backpack or cat stroller might be more their speed. Don’t be fooled, though; these forms of going outdoors can be just as awesome as walking on a leash. Your cat gets to enjoy new scenery, new smells, and fresh air.
For more information on whether your cat might like a cat stroller, take a look at our article on the subject: Click Here.
- I recommend this cat stroller on Amazon for Scottish Fold cats since it is quite versatile (affiliate link): Click Here.
- The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because it is robust and can go anywhere (affiliate link): Click Here
Cats and Cat Condos
Cat condos or cat trees are a must for felines because they tend to live in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. Having a high spot to hang out in helps with your cat’s sense of security; they have the high ground, after all.
A cat condo is also a good spot for viewing the home’s indoor world, especially if the cat condo has integrated toys or scratching posts. Make sure that your cat tree has areas that are big and sturdy enough to hold your cat.
Our article on if cats really do like cat condos / cat trees: Click Here.
My cat, Charlotte, uses her cat condo multiple times a day. I frequently find her perched on the top platform, in the cat house, or scratching on the scratch posts – which is exactly where I want her to scratch her claws (not my furniture!).
I recommend this cat condo / cat tree for both the Scottish Fold cat and the American Shorthair cat (see links below).
- The cat condo / cat tree that I like on Amazon (affiliate link) for Scottish Fold cats: Click Here. This is the cat tree that I own for my Domestic Shorthair cat, Charlotte, and she loves it!
- The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because my similarly-sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here
Catios are Fantastic
If you have access to a backyard, you might want to buy a cat enclosure (Catio). Here are some key considerations when looking for (and using) a good Catio:
- This space should have a strong cover, and the wire should be partially buried to prevent predator attacks.
- Your cat should never be out in extreme weather conditions, and you should be nearby to watch them.
- The space should include a variety of toys and perches. If you look to purchase a Catio, you will often see places for a cat to perch or lay.
- Make sure it is easy for you to keep clean.
- Make sure your feline always has access to fresh water. Lots of people underestimate how much water a cat needs to drink. If you take your cat outside, bring water.
- This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Scottish Fold cat since it provides an excellent space that is safe for lounging outside (affiliate link): Click Here.
- This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the American Shorthair cat since it provides a safe environment for this cat to jump, climb, and hang out (affiliate link): Click Here.
Cat Grass is Healthy
Most felines love chewing on grass, so cat grass is a solid choice. Cat Grass consists of a grass mixture such as wheat, oats, or rye and is different from outdoor grass you have on your lawn.
Cat Grass contains vitamins and minerals, which are quite beneficial to the digestive system of felines. It’s a tasty, healthful snack that also provides contentment for your cat.
Our article that analyses the importance of cat grass: Click Here.
Scottish Fold Cat Health Problems vs American Shorthair Health Problems
Let’s talk about the different health issues that these two feline breeds generally have to face. This is a vital topic since a cat owner will want to know about and be prepared for their Scottish Fold cat or American Shorthair cat’s future health prospects.
Scottish Fold Health Issues
Scottish Fold cats are known to be prone to the following health issues:
- Degenerative joint disease is common in this cat breed, especially in the tail and ankles. Handle your cat softly. You’ll want to make sure you have your Scottish Fold regularly checked by your local veterinarian. Feline degenerative joint disease can affect your Scottish Fold at an early age.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that affects this cat as well. There seem to be some open questions still on whether this is hereditary for Scottish Fold cats. This health problem affects how your Scottish Fold is able to pump blood to her heart.
- Ear problems are also common in this cat because of the folds. You have to make sure they get cleaned properly and that insects, like ear mites, don’t nest in the folds. You will want to keep a close watch on how your Scottish Fold is dealing with her ears. If she seems bothered by them, its probably a good idea to take her to the veterinarian to get checked out.
American Shorthair Health Issues
The American shorthair is usually healthy; however, it may be susceptible to some diseases. You have to watch its weight carefully as it may get overweight and catch diseases such as diabetes and arthritis as a result.
You will want to watch for these health issues associated with the American Shorthair:
- Hip Dysplasia: This is a hereditary condition that may result in an American Shorthair becoming less mobile, and as a result, you could see your American Shorthair lose weight. You will want to consult a veterinarian if you suspect your feline has hip dysplasia.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): This is a common heart disease found in felines that is hereditary. A veterinary cardiologist would be a vital expert to consult in determining if your cat has HCM.
Scottish Fold Price vs American Shorthair Price
The costs for these two feline breeds can get high depending on demand and the feline’s quality. If you are looking for a high-quality Scottish Fold kitten for sale or a high-quality American Shorthair kitten for sale, you will possibly be paying over a thousand dollars!
Scottish Fold Price
Purrfect Folds
I searched for Scottish Fold cat breeders to find Scottish Fold cat costs, and I discovered Purrfect Folds. This cattery breeds and sells Scottish Fold cats with both folded ears and perked ears. Folded ears are what you would normally associate with a Scottish Fold. It looks like perked ears are the type of perked ears you would find on an average cat.
At Purrfect Folds, you can purchase Scottish Fold cats with folded ears for $1750 – $2500. You should expect to place a deposit of $875 to $1250. If you are looking for a Scottish Fold cat with perked ears, you can purchase one for $800.
You should expect to place a deposit of $400 for perked ear Scottish Fold cats. In order to place a deposit with Purrfect Folds, you should expect to provide the following information:
- Completed Contract
- Full Name
- Mailing Address
- Phone Information
- Preferred Airport if you need shipping
- PayPal contact information if it is different than the other information you already provided.
Wunderfolds
Another Scottish Fold cattery I found was Wunderfolds. This cattery also sells Scottish Fold cats with folded ears and straight ears. Here is a breakdown of the different fees for different styles of cats at Wunderfolds:
- Copper Eyes
- Straight Ears: $1500-$2500
- Folded Ears: $2200-$3400
- Blue Eyes from Color Points
- Straight Ears: $1800-$2800
- Folded Ears: $2800-$3800
- Rare Bi-Color Blue or Odd Eyes
- Straight Ears: $2500-$4000
- Folded Ears: $3500-$5000
At Wunderfolds, you should expect your purchase to include the following for your Scottish Fold:
- Age Appropriate Vaccinations
- Your Cat Dewormed
- Microchipping
- Spay or Neuter
- Free 30 Days of Pet Insurance
- TICA Registration Proof
- Lifetime Breeder Support
- Pet Gift Bag
American Shorthair Price
I did some research and found data on the prices for American Shorthair kittens for sale. There are quite a few American Shorthair cattery websites online, and I looked over 7 of them, trying to find their pricing information for American Shorthair cats; however, not all of them had cat price information on their websites.
It appears the range of pricing for American Shorthair kittens for sale is $500-$5000, with the sweet spot around $1000.
Silver Shorthairs
At Silver Shorthairs, you can expect to spend $1250 on pet quality American Shorthair kittens. Breeder American Shorthair kittens will run you $1800.
Deposits at Silver Shorthairs are pretty low at $50. This deposit is refundable up until you purchase your American Shorthair cat for sale.
Silver Shorthairs will transport kittens to their new owner. They state the usual rate for transport is about $200 but can range depending on the airline used. Sometimes, they may utilize a VIP transport option, if that is necessary. Your cat will arrive in an airline-approved carrier that you are welcome to ship back to them for a $30 refund.
Silver Shorthairs accepts different payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and checks.
Cacao Cattery
Cacao Cattery generally charges between $600-$1000 per American Shorthair kitten for sale. If you are looking for a breeder and show cat, you can expect those prices to start at $1200 and higher. So, as you can see, you will want to do some research on the type of American Shorthair cat you are looking for.
Kelloggs Cattery
At Kelloggs Cattery, you can expect to pay around $1000 for pet quality American Shorthair kittens for sale. They sell show quality American Shorthair kittens starting at $1500. If you choose to buy two American Shorthair kittens, you can expect to receive a nice discount of $100.
Deposits will run you $100 for your American Shorthair kitten. You should not expect a guarantee of receiving a cat if you do not give them a deposit. So, you will want to make that deposit.
At Kelloggs Cattery, you can expect to receive the following things with the purchase of your American Shorthair kitten:
- Spay or Neuter
- Current Vaccinations
- Registration Papers
- Health Certificate
Fenton Farm
Fenton Farm will charge you the following costs for American Shorthair kittens and cats for sale:
| Sex | Quality | Price |
| Male Kitten | Pet or Breeder | $500-$1000 |
| Female Kitten | Pet or Breeder | $500-$1500 |
| Male Kitten | Show Potential Quality | $1000-$3000 |
| Female Kitten | Show Potential Quality | $1500-$3000 |
| Male or Female Young Adult | Pet or Retired Breeder | $400 |
At Fenton Farm, you can expect to receive the following with your purchase of an American Shorthair cat:
- Vaccination
- Deworming
- Litter-Registration
- 30-day Complete Health Guarantee
- Lifetime Replacement Guarantee Against Genetic or Congenital Defects
Scottish Fold Breeders vs American Shorthair Cat Breeders
I found quite a bit of information on both Scottish Fold breeders and American Shorthair breeders when conducting research. See below!
Scottish Fold Breeders
Scottish Fold cat breeders take a ton of pride in providing high-quality Scottish Fold kittens to the people that admire them and will provide them great homes.
Purrfect Folds
Purrfect Folds is located in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, United States. A veterinarian runs it, and they breed Scottish Fold kittens with both long hair and short hair. Some of their Scottish Fold kittens have folded ears, and some have straight ears.
Purrfect Folds emphasizes quality and not quantity. Their owner is a member of the Cat Fanciers Association and serves on the Scottish Fold Breed Council. Also, Purrfect Folds has won the Cattery Excellence Award from Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).
The Scottish Fold cats at Purrfect Folds get accustomed to other people and other pets to make their adjustment to your home easier for them. They emphasized the happiness and socialization of their Scottish Fold felines.
Wunderfolds
Wunderfolds is located in Fort Mill, South Carolina. This Scottish Fold cattery is certified by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA). They state that their cats are selected for their excellent appearances and come from breed winning lines worldwide.
Wunderfolds states that their Scottish Fold kittens are raised from day one in a clean family home environment with the owner and three children. This ensures the Scottish Fold kittens receive a ton of love and socialization.
Wunderfolds prides themselves on providing a friendly and organized customer experience for their Scottish Fold customers.
American Shorthair Cat Breeders
I found several American Shorthair cat breeder websites available, but the ones that I am going to highlight here are the ones that I thought included the most quality information on their websites.
Silver Shorthairs
Silver Shorthairs is in Walla Walla, Washington, USA. Brent and Thyra received their first American Shorthair in 2004 and fell in love with this awesome cat breed.
They acquired a male American Shorthair cat and started breeding and raising these beautiful cats. Their original cattery was Talariah Cattery, which was started in an agricultural area inside Washington State wine country.
They were able to merge programs with another cattery, Silver Shorthairs.
This cattery has some great information on their website about what to expect on arrival day for your new American Shorthair cat.
Cacao Cattery
Cacao Cattery originated in 1971 and appears to be located in the Dallas / Fort Worth metropolitan area of Texas, USA.
Cacao Cattery not only breeds American Shorthair cats but also breeds American Wirehairs and has a Persian and Himalayan cat breeding program. This cattery has quite impressive accolades, becoming a cattery of distinction through Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). They have produced over 200 CFA Grand Champions and Grand Premier cats.
This cattery has a desire to improve the feline breeds they work with and want all their cats to go to loving homes. This cattery will even try to place their retired adults in quality homes as well.
The American Shorthair breeding program at Cacao Cattery started in 2003. These American Shorthairs were Silver Tabbies. The American Wirehair cat program was started at Cacao Cattery in 2010.
Due to the smaller gene pool of the American Wirehair cat, Cacao Cattery is able to breed them (outcross them) to pedigreed American Shorthair cats to widen the genetic diversity.
Kelloggs Cattery
Kelloggs Cattery is in Maple Valley, Washington, USA. The cattery is managed by Heinrich and Carly Kellogg and sits on 5.5 acres of ground.
Kelloggs Cattery has a passion for cats since they are such beautiful creatures. This cattery was a Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) Breed Council Member in 2010. This is prestigious because it means they were acknowledged as advisors on breed standards to the Executive Board of the CFA.
Fenton Farm
Fenton Farm is in Warrenton, VA, USA. Fenton Farm has a long history of working with animals since they started as a thoroughbred horse farm with two catteries.
You can tell Fenton Farm adores their American Shorthair cats. They specifically call out the characteristics they love about this cat, such as their hunting instinct, health, and intelligence.
Fenton Farm raises their American Shorthair kittens for sale in bedrooms inside their house so that they get familiarization with the sounds and activities of home life. Their cattery is climate controlled (A/C and heat) and is disinfected continuously to keep high standards of cleanliness.
Scottish Fold Cat Adoption vs American Shorthair Adoption
Scottish Fold Cat Adoption
Adopting a Scottish Fold kitten or Scottish Fold cat is a great way to give a Scottish Fold cat a wonderful home.
Scottish Fold Rescue
I found Scottish Fold Rescue, which appears to be explicitly devoted to adopting Scottish Fold cats in need.
Scottish Fold Rescue is incorporated in Florida, USA, and even has a board of directors. This organization arranges for fostering, medical care, and other essentials for Scottish Fold cats in need until a permanent home can be found.
Scottish Fold Rescue also educates the public around responsible pet ownership. Additionally, they operate from donations and funds put up through volunteers. Scottish Fold Rescue also has a Scottish Fold Rescue & Adoption Network, a network of volunteers who have the common goal of facilitating the rescue and re-homing of Scottish Fold cats in need.
American Shorthair Cat Adoption
Adopting an American Shorthair kitten or an American Shorthair cat is a great way to give an American Shorthair cat a loving home. It looks like the two best websites to review if you are looking to adopt an American Shorthair cat are Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (SPCR) and Rescue Me!
Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue
This group has been working to find exceptional homes for abandoned or surrendered purebred cats for 21 years! That is an incredibly long time to be doing this. Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (SPCR) allows you to search for available purebred cats on their website.
SPCR states that the approximate adoption fee for a purebred mix cat (if you don’t mind if your cat is mixed) is $75-$175. The adoption cost for purebred cats is $100-$400. The adoption cost for rare breed purebred cats is $250-$600.
These adoption fees include:
- Spay or Neuter
- Feline Leukemia/FIV Testing
- Distemper Vaccination
- Microchipping
- Deworming
- A Flea Free Feline
- Grooming
- Temperament Testing
- Dental Cleanings
- Blood Panels for Older Cats (If Necessary)
Rescue Me!
Rescue Me is an animal rescue network that looks for loving homes for many feline breeds, including American Shorthairs. One of the nice things about the American Shorthair Rescue through Rescue Me is that they show you a map of the United States of America and the available American Shorthair cats in each state (which makes it easy to visualize where the cats are).
There appear to be a lot of American Shorthair cats currently available.
Scottish Fold Sounds vs American Shorthair Sounds
Scottish Fold Sounds
Scottish Fold cats are well-known to be vocal cats with soft voices. This means you might think you hear a meow, and then you look and behold, a Scottish Fold really is meowing…just very softly! Here is a video of a Scottish Fold being vocal.
American Shorthair Sounds
American Shorthair cats are known to be less vocal than other felines. This doesn’t mean they don’t make meow sounds, but you will probably hear them meow less than other cats.
Scottish Fold Cat Origin vs American Shorthair Origin
Scottish Fold Cat Origin
Historically, Scottish Fold cats come from Scotland – specifically, a barn cat named Susie discovered near Coupar Angus in Perthshire, Scotland in 1961. People noticed that Susie had folds in her ears, and when she had kittens, they also had the folds.
The breed was later registered with the Governing Council of Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 1966. A Scottish Fold breeding program ensued, and of the kittens that were produced, a large portion of them had the trademark folded ears. Some of them had straight ears, though.
The Scottish Fold was not initially accepted as a show breed due to limb deformities and ear problems. But not long after it wasn’t accepted, it was migrated to the United States.
American Shorthair Cat Origin
The American Shorthair cat is believed to have first originated in Europe and migrated to America along with European settlers to the new world. The first American Shorthair cats were probably valued as mousers, meaning they likely were excellent hunters focusing on rodents.
The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognized a cat that was meant to represent the North American working cat breeds in 1906. This cat was first named the Domestic Shorthair but is known as the American Shorthair now. The breed was renamed American Shorthair in 1966.
Since then, catteries and breeders have looked to breed quality American Shorthair cats by selectively breeding to control today’s American Shorthair cat’s traits.
Conclusion
Both the Scottish Fold cat and the American Shorthair cat are excellent cats with awesome backstories. If you are lucky enough to have either one of these fantastic cats, I think you will be incredibly happy.
Personally, after researching this article, I think the American Shorthair cat is superior to the Scottish Fold cat. You will need to judge for yourself, though, because you might weigh different feline traits differently than I do.
If you are thinking of purchasing a Scottish Fold kitten or an American Shorthair kitten, it makes a lot of sense for you to do further research on breeders or catteries so you can be sure to get the high-quality kitten you are looking for!
If you enjoyed this article, please check out a couple of other head-to-head cat analysis:
- Exotic Shorthair vs Scottish Fold: Click Here.
- Siamese vs Burmese: Click Here.
