The breed of our furry friends influences more than their mere appearance, as personalities, health and grooming needs can greatly vary among different kinds of cats and dogs. So, before you pick out your soul mate, do a bit of research into the breed that best fits your lifestyle. Are you looking for a four-footed companion who is affectionate and playful, or an animal that is intelligent and independent? Below, we celebrate two delightful breeds that are unique and undoubtedly adorable!

Scottish Fold Cat

 Like many pure breeds, the Scottish Fold cat has a distinctive appearance, as it is one of the few feline breeds that have ears that don’t stand up straight, hence the name.  Their ears actually fold forward, giving their face and adorable and unique rounded appearance.  Of course, their looks aren’t nearly as important as their temperament, which is a winning one.

According to the experts, Scottish Folds are affectionate, introverted, intelligent, loyal animals.  They tend to form extremely close bonds with their owners and are not nearly as independent or aloof as some other feline breeds. In spite of this fact, they generally do not require excessive amounts of attention. Scottish Folds can be left alone for hours even days and they won’t act out. They are perfectly content being on their own. Because of their playful nature and intense loyalty to their owners, there are few feline breeds that make better family pets. They even enjoy a nice game of fetch every now and then!

Known as a hardy breed with a life expectancy of 15 years, the Scottish Fold can have serious health problems. This generally happens when both parents contribute the “folded ear” gene. In this instance, the kitten may develop a genetic disorder called osteodystrophy, which is a lot like osteoarthritis and can cause serious deformities of the leg, tail, and back bones. The good news is that the vast majority of these attractive cats are properly breed and do not suffer from these debilitating and chronic maladies. The Scottish Fold is a shorthaired cat with a dense coat, which means it requires minimal grooming. At most, you should use a steel comb to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris about once a week. Because they enjoy the company of their owners, grooming these cats is often a breeze.

 

Scottish Terrier dog

One of the most popular and sought-after of the small breed dogs, Scottish Terriers are spunky, intelligent, and intensely loyal pets. They are also adorable and have an above average life expectancy of around 13 years.

The Scottish Terrier has a great, spunky personality, but it can also be moody and difficult to train. These pooches also tend to be quite vocal, which makes them good watchdogs, but may also cause sleepless nights for their owners. They also have a penchant for digging holes and chasing things, which means that you must always keep an eye on them.  At the end of the day, the average Scottish Terrier is a high-maintenance pet, though who could stay mad for long when looking at that adorable face?

Like many pure breeds, Scotties are susceptible to a number of chronic diseases, including Scottie Cramp (a digestive disorder), Cushing’s syndrome, flea allergy, jaw problems, and liver disease. The good news is that each of the aforementioned illnesses are quite rare and can often be successfully treated. Scotties have dense, wiry outer coats that require regular grooming, especially if they are allowed outside. Grass, dirt, wood chips, and other debris can and often does get trapped in their thick coats and cannot be removed without brushing. Most owners use a steel comb to remove this debris a couple of times each week.

Fun facts

If there was ever a canine politician, it would probably be a Scottish Terrier. Did you know that Scotties have held the illustrious title of “First Dog” two times?  One of the greatest presidents in American history, Franklin D. Roosevelt, adored his Scottie, Fala, so much so that he was buried beside him.  Probably the most famous presidential pet, Fala was frequently photographed by the press and became an important part of FDR’s public image. There are even two statues of the famous canine, one in Washington D.C. and the other in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Former President George W. Bush also owns two Scotties that are often seen by his side.

So tell us readers, would you ever consider a Scottish Fold Cat or a Scottish Terrier?