Compare
Exotic Shorthair vs Scottish Fold
Two plush, round-faced, quiet cats that score alike. The Exotic has a flat face; the Scottish Fold has folded ears and a known cartilage and bone disorder.
Verdict
These two are close in temperament, and the thing that decides it is the health trait that defines each. The Exotic Shorthair has a flat face, which brings breathing, eye and kidney problems. The Scottish Fold has ears that fold forward because of a gene that causes a known cartilage and bone disorder, which can be painful, and breeding is restricted in some places. Both are plush, quiet, calm cats for small homes. The Scottish Fold needs less grooming and talks a little more. Neither is a casual choice, so talk to your vet first.
Choose the Exotic Shorthair if
- You want the flat-faced Persian look in a short coat.
- You can manage face cleaning and regular vet checks.
- You keep a cool home.
- You want the quietest voice of the two.
Choose the Scottish Fold if
- You want a round-faced cat with folded ears.
- You are prepared to follow strict breeding and vet advice.
- You live where fold breeding is allowed.
- You want a slightly lighter grooming routine.
Where they are alike
Both are Common CFA championship breeds, with dense, plush coats and calm, affectionate natures. Both rate top marks for small homes and well with children and other pets.
Side by side
| Exotic Shorthair | Scottish Fold | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | United States | Scotland |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males are larger | 6-13 lb (2.7-6 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | About 11-15 years in healthy cats; severely affected cats may do worse |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Dense, plush, soft coat that stands out from the body | Dense, plush coat that stands off the body; a longhair variety also exists |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1967 | Championship breed since 1978 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 2 | 2 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 2 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 3 |
| Trainability | 3 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds steadily and people who react to cats are likely to react to this one. | — |
| Suits | A calm indoor home that wants a quiet, affectionate lap cat and is ready to pay for regular vet checks. | A person or family who values a quiet, round-faced cat and is prepared to follow strict breeding and vet advice. |
| Less suited to | A hot or humid home, a household with no time for face cleaning, or anyone worried about flat-faced cat welfare. | Anyone who does not want to take on a breed with a known, painful joint disorder, or who lives where breeding is restricted. |
| Registries that recognise it |
|
|
| Health conditions to watch |
|
|
Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026