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Foldex vs Scottish Fold
The Foldex is a Scottish Fold and Exotic Shorthair cross, with folded ears on only about half of its kittens. Both carry the same cartilage and bone concern.
Verdict
These two are close, and availability and registry status decide it. The Scottish Fold is Common, a CFA breed since 1978, and defined by its folded ears. The Foldex crosses the Scottish Fold with the Exotic Shorthair, giving a plush, round-faced cat of which only about half have folded ears. It is Very rare and not recognised by the CFA. Both carry the fold-linked cartilage and bone disorder and kidney disease, so health testing and local rules matter for either. Choose the Scottish Fold for the better-known breed, and the Foldex if you want the Exotic mix.
Choose the Foldex if
- You want a plush, round-faced calm cat from an Exotic cross.
- You accept that only about half the kittens have folded ears.
- You can rely on breeder health testing.
- You live where fold-eared breeding is allowed.
Choose the Scottish Fold if
- You want a well-known breed that is Common and easier to find.
- You want a breed with a CFA championship standard.
- You are prepared to follow strict breeding and vet advice.
- You will ask your vet about heart disease as well as bone and kidney disease.
Where they are alike
Both are medium, plush, quiet cats that score low for energy and top marks for small homes. Both rate well with children and other pets.
Side by side
| Foldex | Scottish Fold | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | Quebec, Canada | Scotland |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg) | 6-13 lb (2.7-6 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | — | About 11-15 years in healthy cats; severely affected cats may do worse |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Plush, dense coat; the standard permits any length | Dense, plush coat that stands off the body; a longhair variety also exists |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA | Championship breed since 1978 |
| How common | Very rare | 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, and people who react to cats are likely to react to this one. | — |
| Suits | Someone who knows the breed's welfare debate, wants a calm round-faced cat and can rely on breeder health testing. | A person or family who values a quiet, round-faced cat and is prepared to follow strict breeding and vet advice. |
| Less suited to | Anyone in a place that restricts fold-eared breeding, or who wants a breed with established, independent health records. | 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 |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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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