British Shorthair vs Scottish Fold

Verdict

These two cats are close. Both are calm, quiet, round-faced shorthairs with energy at 2, and both rate 5 for apartment living. The one thing that decides it is the fold. The Scottish Fold carries a known cartilage disorder that causes painful joints, and its breeding is debated and restricted in some places. The British Shorthair has a similar rounded, placid character without the fold, and rates 4 for independence against 3. Choose the British Shorthair if that debate worries you, and the Scottish Fold only with strict breeder and vet advice.

Choose the British Shorthair if

• You want the plush, placid look without a known joint disorder built into it.
• You are out for part of the day, since independence is 4.
• You want a very dense coat, with grooming at 2 and heavy seasonal shedding.
• You want a similar cat without any breeding restrictions to check.

Choose the Scottish Fold if

• You want a quiet, round-faced cat with folded ears.
• You accept the health debate and will follow strict breeding and vet advice.
• You will buy only from a breeder who pairs folds with straight-eared cats and shows health records.
• You want a slightly more affectionate cat, at 4 against 3.

Where they are alike

Both cats are common, quiet and gentle with children, scoring 4 each. Each lists hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease for the vet to watch.