Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Scottish Straight is a cat breed that originated in Scotland. It developed as a result of breeding straight-eared cats related to the Scottish Fold, but without the characteristic cartilage mutation. The first mentions of the breed appeared in the mid-20th century, when breeders noticed kittens with straight ears in Fold litters. These cats were appreciated for preserving a harmonious type, having no cartilage-related issues, and combining the British solidity with the Scottish elegance. The breed quickly gained recognition as an independent type due to its strong health, even temperament, and elegant appearance. Today, the Scottish Straight is officially recognized in many feline organizations and is widely bred around the world.
General Appearance
The Scottish Straight is a medium-sized cat with a strong, well-balanced body and soft lines. Unlike the Fold, the ears of this breed are upright, giving it an open and friendly expression. The body is rounded and muscular but not heavy; the back is straight, the chest broad, and the legs are of medium length. The head is round, with smooth transitions, pronounced cheeks, and large eyes. The coat is dense and resilient, with variations in length depending on type (short-haired or long-haired). Overall, the breed conveys elegance and balance, combining solid bone structure with softness of form, making it attractive both as a companion and a show cat.
Important Proportions
The Scottish Straight’s proportions are built on balance: a round, proportionate head, a medium-length neck, a compact body, and medium-height, sturdy legs. The head must not appear too small or overly massive relative to the body. The body length slightly exceeds its height, giving stability. The tail should be proportional—neither too short nor too long. The eyes are large, widely set, and harmonize with the ears and muzzle shape. The body should be firm and well-muscled but not heavy, maintaining elegance. All proportions must form a unified, symmetrical, and harmonious overall impression.
Temperament and Character
The Scottish Straight is known for its calm, friendly, and balanced temperament. These cats are loyal to their owners yet remain independent. They adapt well to different environments and get along easily with children and other pets. Their character combines gentleness with curiosity—they are active but not overly energetic, playful but not destructive. Intelligent and quick to learn, they can understand simple commands and household rules. Their voice is soft and used sparingly. The breed’s composed behavior makes it an ideal companion for home life.
Head
The head is round, broad, and proportionate to the body, with soft, smooth contours. The skull is well-developed but not coarse, with a gentle curve from forehead to occiput. The forehead is slightly rounded—not flat or overly high. Cheekbones are well-defined but not sharp. The profile is smooth, with a medium-length, straight nose that may have a gentle dip without a pronounced stop. The chin is firm and aligned with the nose and lips. Mature males have fuller cheeks emphasizing masculinity, while females appear softer. The head must convey harmony and completeness.
Facial Structure
The face is rounded and balanced. The muzzle is of medium length, with soft lines—neither pointed nor square. Whisker pads are moderately pronounced, giving volume to the face. Whiskers are long, strong, and slightly curved. The nose is broad and straight, its leather matching the coat color. Lips are dry and tight, with a clean contour. The chin is firm and balanced. The face must appear open and friendly, with expression shaped by the combination of large eyes and upright ears.
Eyes
The eyes are large, round, and widely open. They are set wide apart, giving an open, kind expression. The iris color should be vivid and uniform: copper or gold in solid-colored cats, green in silver or golden varieties, blue in colorpoints, and aqua in rare shades. The eyes are the dominant feature of the face and should express calmness and balance. Small, almond-shaped, or dull eyes, as well as uneven iris coloration, are faults.
Ears
The ears are straight, medium in size, with a broad base and rounded tips. They are set high but not too close together, with the distance between them corresponding to skull width. The ears should stand upright, slightly tilted forward, enhancing the open expression. The inner surface is covered with short hair, and some individuals may have small tufts on the tips. Oversized, pointed, low-set, or widely spaced ears disrupt the breed’s harmony. The ears are a key feature emphasizing the roundness of the head.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, and muscular, smoothly connecting the head and body. In males, it is thicker and more powerful, while in females it appears finer yet remains strong. The lines are smooth and rounded, emphasizing a graceful silhouette. The neck must be neither too short and thick nor too long and thin. The skin should be smooth, without folds.
Body
The body is firm, well-balanced, and medium in size. The chest is broad and deep, the back straight and strong, and the abdomen tight and not sagging. The silhouette is rounded and compact, with evenly developed muscles and a solid bone structure. The overall appearance combines power with grace. Overly long, light, or massive bodies are undesirable.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, flexible, and proportionate to the body. It has a broad base, tapering evenly to a rounded tip. The tail must be fully mobile, without kinks, knots, or thickening. Long-haired varieties have a fluffy plume; short-haired ones have dense, plush fur. The tail completes the silhouette and accentuates the breed’s balance.
Forelimbs
Forelegs are medium-length, straight, and sturdy, proportionate to the body. The bone structure is solid without coarseness, and the muscles are well-developed. The paws are round and compact with tight toes and thick pads. Weak or overly long legs, oval paws, or incorrect pasterns are faults.
Hindlimbs
The hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, strong and muscular, ensuring balance and a powerful push-off. Thighs are broad, joints strong, and hocks parallel. Paws are round and compact, matching the front ones. Cow-hocked or overly long hind legs are faults.
Movement
The gait is confident, smooth, and balanced. Movements are free and coordinated, with a level back and soft, rhythmic steps. The motion must appear graceful and steady—any stiffness, short stepping, or unsteady movement is undesirable.
Coat
The Scottish Straight may be short- or semi-long-haired. The short coat is dense, plush, and resilient with a well-developed undercoat. The long coat is soft, silky, and forms a ruff, breeches, and a plume tail. The texture must be elastic, never coarse, woolly, or sparse.
Acceptable Colors
Almost all colors are accepted in ICCF standards: solids (black, white, blue, red, cream), tabby patterns, bicolors, harlequins, vans, torties, and colorpoints. Silver and golden shades are also allowed. Chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, and fawn are disallowed. Eye color should match coat tone: copper/gold for solids, green for silvers and goldens, blue for colorpoints.
Size
The Scottish Straight is a medium-sized cat. Males weigh between 4.5–6 kg, females 3–4.5 kg. Height at withers is 28–32 cm. The build is compact and proportional, without extremes in size. The breed reaches full maturity at 2–3 years of age.
Faults
Faults include deviations that distort the breed’s harmony—narrow or overly massive heads, flat or high foreheads, weak chins, pronounced nose stops, or humps. Small, narrow, or almond-shaped eyes, incorrect ear set, light or uneven eye color, and body imbalance are also undesirable.
Disqualifications
Severe faults leading to disqualification include incorrect bite, jaw deformation, immobile or kinked tail, skeletal deformities, eye defects (heterochromia when not allowed, dull color), or disallowed coat colors (chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn). Cats showing aggression, fear, or genetic abnormalities are also disqualified.
Important Notes
The Scottish Straight must retain its distinct type—not be confused with the British Shorthair or Scottish Fold. Breeding should preserve the round head, large expressive eyes, and straight ears. Kittens develop their final type and eye color around 10–12 months. Seasonal coat density changes are acceptable. Only healthy cats conforming to ICCF standards may be bred.
Conclusion
The Scottish Straight embodies elegance, harmony, and balance—featuring a round head, straight ears, large eyes, and a sturdy yet graceful body. In the ICCF system, it is recognized as an independent and valuable breed requiring precise standard adherence. Only ICCF-documented cats confirming pure origin may participate in shows or breeding. The breed symbolizes strength in gentleness and simplicity in elegance, reflecting ICCF’s commitment to maintaining its purity, recognition, and development worldwide.
