Отлично ✅
Делаю официальный перевод ICCF стандарта породы “Шотландская кошка” — полностью, без сокращений, строго по структуре оригинала, в таком же формате, как перевод “Чаузи” и “Шартрез”.
Начинаю с первой части (до раздела “Important Proportions”).
Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Scottish cat is a relatively young breed, whose history began in 1961 in Scotland, when a farm cat named Susie gave birth to a kitten with uniquely folded forward ears. This event marked the beginning of the development of a new breed, later named the “Scottish Fold.” Selective breeding was subsequently carried out using British and American Shorthair cats to strengthen the traits and improve health. As a result, two varieties emerged: the Scottish Fold (with folded ears) and the Scottish Straight (with straight ears). The breed quickly gained worldwide recognition for its unusual appearance and gentle temperament. Today, the Scottish cat is one of the most popular breeds in the world and is highly valued within the ICCF system as a harmonious and elegant breed.
General Appearance
The Scottish cat is a medium-sized animal with a harmonious and well-proportioned build. The body is muscular yet compact, with rounded lines and strong bone structure. The head is rounded with soft contours, a short, straight nose, and full cheeks. The distinguishing feature of the Folds is their ears, folded forward and downward, giving the breed its recognizable appearance; Straights have upright ears that are also small and rounded. The eyes are large, round, and wide-set, with a soft, friendly expression. The limbs are of medium length, with rounded paws, and the tail is proportional and flexible. The coat is dense and soft, either short or semi-long. The overall impression should convey a balance of roundness, strength, and elegance.
Important Proportions
All proportions of the Scottish cat should emphasize harmony and roundness. The head is round and proportionate to the body, with full cheeks and a strong chin. The nose is short, straight, and smoothly transitions from the forehead. The eyes are large, wide-set, and should occupy a significant part of the face. The ears of Folds are small, soft, and folded forward; in Straights, they are upright, neat, and equally harmonious. The body is compact and muscular, not elongated or massive. The limbs are of medium length with rounded paws. The tail is of medium length, flexible, and fully mobile. The proportions must maintain balance between elegance and solidity, which is a primary ICCF requirement.
Behavior and Character
The Scottish cat is calm, well-balanced, affectionate, and friendly. It quickly bonds with its owner, enjoys attention but is never intrusive. The breed is characterized by a soft voice and stable temperament. It coexists easily with children and other animals and is not prone to aggression. These cats are moderately active but prefer peaceful play and comfortable resting spots. Both Scottish Folds and Scottish Straights share a friendly and gentle nature. They are curious, intelligent, and adaptable, with a strong ability to sense their owner’s mood. In character, the Scottish cat is an ideal companion — affectionate, serene, and emotionally stable, making it one of the most even-tempered breeds valued in the ICCF system.
Head
The head of the Scottish cat must be perfectly round, compact, and proportionate to the body. The skull is broad with smooth lines, free from flatness or angularity, which highlights the breed’s softness. The cheeks are full and pronounced, especially in mature males, giving the cat its characteristic “plush” expression. The forehead is rounded, and the transition to the nose is smooth, without a defined stop. The nose is short, broad, and straight, lending the profile a gentle appearance. The chin is firm and even, harmoniously blending with the muzzle, neither receding nor overly prominent. Overall, the head should create an impression of roundness, harmony, and softness — a key feature of the ICCF standard.
Facial Part
The facial part of the Scottish cat is soft, expressive, and round. The cheeks are full, creating a kind and affectionate expression. The muzzle is short but not excessively flat, maintaining proportion and harmony with the head’s overall shape. The nose is broad and straight, with a smooth transition from the forehead, not long or pointed. The lips are neat and well-defined; the mouth is small but cleanly contoured. The chin is strong and even, balancing the profile and giving completeness to the face. Smooth, rounded lines are essential. The facial part must convey openness and friendliness, consistent with the harmonious type defined by the ICCF.
Eyes
The eyes are large, round, and wide-set, occupying a significant part of the face and emphasizing the breed’s expression. The gaze is open, kind, and gentle. Eye color depends on the coat color: rich copper or golden shades for most patterns, green for silver varieties, and blue for colorpoints. The color must be bright, clear, and pure, free from dullness. The eyes must be symmetrical and harmonious in placement, creating a balanced appearance. Small, oval, or slanted eyes are unacceptable, as they distort the breed type. Within the ICCF system, the eyes are considered one of the most important features defining the unique expression of the breed.
Ears
The ears are the distinctive hallmark of the breed. In Scottish Folds, they are folded forward and downward, small, with rounded tips, and fit closely to the head, emphasizing its roundness. In Straights, the ears are upright, also small, widely set, and rounded at the ends. The ears must harmonize with the head and maintain a soft overall impression. Ears that are too large, pointed, or high-set detract from the breed type. For Folds, the fold must be flexible and natural, without stiffness or deformation. Within the ICCF system, ear shape is evaluated with particular strictness, as it defines the breed’s recognizable and unique appearance.
Neck
The neck of the Scottish cat is short, strong, and muscular, emphasizing the round head and smoothly connecting it to the body. In mature males, it is more massive and broad; in females, thinner and more graceful, but always in harmony. The neck should give an impression of strength and stability without breaking the rounded outline. Long or overly thin necks are undesirable, as they distort the breed type. Within the ICCF system, the correct neck is considered an essential element of the exterior, ensuring balance and compactness.
Body
The body of the Scottish cat is medium in size, compact, muscular, and with strong bone structure. The chest is broad and deep; the back is straight and smooth, merging into rounded sides. The abdomen is firm but not thin, creating an impression of balance and strength. The body must be dense and solid but not massive or elongated. In males, the torso is heavier; in females, more graceful yet always proportionate. Excessive thinness, heaviness, or an elongated torso are faults. Within the ICCF system, the body is evaluated as the foundation of the exterior, reflecting correct conformation and breed health.
Tail
The tail of the Scottish cat is of medium length, proportionate to the body, tapering toward a rounded tip, flexible, and mobile. The base is strong and thick, gradually narrowing to the end. It must remain supple and free of thickening or kinks. Straights may have a slightly longer tail, while Folds often have a shorter one, but it must always maintain correct form. Immobile, shortened, kinked, or calcified tails are unacceptable. In the ICCF system, tail mobility is a mandatory criterion for joint health and eligibility for exhibitions and breeding programs.
Forelimbs
The forelimbs are of medium length, strong, straight, and with solid bone structure. The shoulders are well-developed and smoothly integrated into the body. The paws are rounded and compact, with large, soft pads and tightly gathered toes. The limbs must give an impression of stability without heaviness. Legs that are too long, thin, curved, or weak in the joints are faults. Within the ICCF system, correct forelimbs are indicators of strong bone structure and balanced physique.
Hind Limbs
The hind limbs are slightly longer than the forelimbs, giving the body harmony and smooth lines. The thighs are powerful and muscular, with strong, flexible joints. The hocks are firm, and the paws are rounded and dense. The hind limbs must be proportional to the body and ensure stability and correct movement. Immobile joints, weak muscles, or limb deformities are not allowed. The harmony between front and hind limbs is a required ICCF trait, as it defines balance, stability, and proper motion.
Gait and Movement
The gait of the Scottish cat is soft, smooth, and confident. Movements are calm, rounded, and convey stability and harmony. When running, the cat moves gracefully, with medium-length strides, without abruptness or tension. The gait must emphasize the body’s balance and proportion. Stiffness, lameness, shakiness, or excessive lightness that conflicts with the breed’s compact type are unacceptable. In the ICCF system, movement is an important indicator of skeletal and joint health, and correct motion is a requirement for participation in shows and breeding.
Coat
The coat of the Scottish cat is dense, soft, and resilient, with a well-developed undercoat. In shorthaired varieties, it must be plush, evenly dense, and close-lying but retaining volume. In semi-longhaired types, the coat is silky and soft, with longer fur on the neck, chest, abdomen, and tail. The coat must appear even, healthy, and shiny. Sparse, coarse, or overly short hair without undercoat is undesirable. Within the ICCF system, the coat is considered one of the key features that define the breed’s complete and harmonious type.
Permitted Colors
The Scottish cat is allowed in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Accepted types include solid, tabby, bicolor, van, harlequin, smoke, and chinchilla. Uniform and clean colors are particularly valued. Chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, and colorpoint are not allowed. Eye color must match the coat: rich copper for most solid and tabby varieties, green for silver cats, and blue for colorpoint patterns. Within the ICCF system, color is judged with precision — clarity, richness, and harmony with the cat’s overall appearance are essential.
Size
The Scottish cat is a medium-sized breed. Males weigh 4–6 kilograms, females 3–5 kilograms. The body is compact but strong and muscular, with a solid bone structure. The height at the withers is moderate, proportionate to the body and limbs. Miniature or excessively large cats that disrupt the breed’s harmony are undesirable. The balance between roundness and strength must be maintained. In the ICCF system, size is regarded as an indicator of correct type and sound physical development.
Faults
Faults include any deviations from the established standard. Head faults: elongated or narrow head, insufficiently full cheeks, weak chin, long or narrow nose. Eye faults: small, oval, dull, or slanted eyes lacking brightness. Ear faults: overly large, pointed, high-set ears; in Folds, ears insufficiently folded or too stiff. Body faults: elongated, thin, overly heavy, or loose torso. Limb faults: too long, thin, curved legs or weak joints. Tail faults: excessively long, shortened, immobile, thickened, or calcified tails. Coat faults: sparse, harsh, dull, or lacking undercoat. Color faults: uneven, dull, or non-standard patterns. Behavioral faults: timidity, fearfulness, or aggression. These deviations lower the cat’s score and exclude it from ICCF breeding programs if pronounced.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include severe structural or health issues. Completely immobile tail, kinks, deformities, or calcification causing limited movement. In Folds — excessively rigid ears, absence of a fold, or abnormal fold formation causing deformation. Any signs of osteochondrodysplasia, such as thickened joints, limb curvature, or skeletal defects. Incorrect bite, jaw deformities, strabismus, total or partial deafness. Eyes of different shapes or colors inconsistent with coat standards. Coat faults such as hairlessness, excessive length, or non-breed type. Disallowed colors: chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, and colorpoint. Aggressive behavior or extreme fear that prevents examination. Presence of disease, parasites, infection, surgical alteration, or artificial modification. Any major deviation from breed type leads to disqualification within the ICCF system.
Important Notes
Within the ICCF system, special attention in Scottish cat breeding is given to the health of joints and the tail. Mating Fold × Fold is strictly prohibited, as it leads to severe genetic consequences such as osteochondrodysplasia, affecting tail and joint mobility. Only Fold × Straight combinations are permitted, ensuring the preservation of unique traits and breed health. ICCF experts always check tail and joint flexibility during evaluation, as it is a mandatory requirement for show and breeding eligibility. Attention must also be paid to eye expression, head harmony, and compact body proportions. Breeders must consider not only exterior but also temperament — the cat should be balanced, friendly, and gentle. ICCF emphasizes preserving breed type without compromising health, requiring careful and responsible breeding practices.
Conclusion
The Scottish cat is a harmonious, elegant, and well-balanced breed distinguished by its compact body, rounded head, large expressive eyes, and unique folded ears in the Fold variety. Its calm nature, friendliness, and adaptability make it an ideal companion. Within the ICCF system, the standard strictly defines requirements for exterior, temperament, and health, excluding any deviations. Only cats with official ICCF documentation confirming origin and standard compliance are eligible for shows and breeding programs. This guarantees breed purity, health control, and preservation of unique characteristics. The Scottish cat is one of the most popular and recognizable breeds in the world, and thanks to the ICCF system, its type and harmony are preserved for future generations.
