British Shorthair
Small upright ears, very dense plush coat, heavy round body.
Breed notes
Scottish Fold vs British Shorthair
Round faces, big eyes, plush coats: Scottish Folds and British Shorthairs are easy to mix up. Here is the quickest way to tell them apart, side by side.
Side by Side
The same pose, two breeds. Notice the ears first.
Scottish Fold
Ears folded forward and down, round face, a little lighter build.
These pictures are illustrations of each breed, not our cats.
Four Quick Differences
Ears. The Scottish Fold's ears fold forward and down, giving the head an owl-like, rounded outline. The British Shorthair's ears are small, set wide apart and upright.
Build. British Shorthairs are compact, heavy-boned and very solid. Scottish Folds are medium-sized and rounded, usually a little lighter.
Coat. The British Shorthair is known for a very dense, plush coat that feels like velvet. Scottish Folds can be short- or long-haired with a soft coat.
Personality. British Shorthairs are often described as calm and fairly independent; Scottish Folds as gentle and happy to stay close to their family. Every cat is an individual.
The fold comes from a gene that also affects cartilage, which is why Scottish Folds have breed-specific health considerations. Read our health and care page.
Our Scottish Kittens in Miami
We raise Scottish Fold and Scottish Straight kittens at home in Miami. See real photos of the kittens who are with us now.
Scottish Fold kittens in Miami · Scottish Straight kittens in Miami · All kitten profiles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to tell a Scottish Fold from a British Shorthair?
Look at the ears. A Scottish Fold's ears fold forward and down against the head; a British Shorthair's ears are small but always upright.
Why do Scottish Folds and British Shorthairs look so alike?
The Scottish breed began in Scotland in 1961 with a folded-ear farm cat named Susie, and British Shorthairs were used to build the breed. That shared ancestry gives both a round face, round eyes and a sturdy, cuddly look.
Is a Scottish Straight the same as a British Shorthair?
No. A Scottish Straight is a Scottish cat with upright ears, and it can look very much like a British Shorthair. Only registration papers confirm a pedigreed breed.
More breed notes: Scottish Straight vs British Shorthair, Scottish Fold vs Scottish Straight, and fluffy kittens: Ragdoll, British or Scottish.