Merle (Bubbledancer of Doodah), originally from Wichita, Kansas
Gismo, currently with Frans Berkvens in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Scottish Folds a spontaneous mutation arising from the british shorthair that occuring in the 1950's. All kittens are born with their ears slightly crinkled and they straighten out at a few weeks of age. At that age, Scottish Folds have their ears crinkle forward, giving them the distintive Scottish Fold look.
The mutatation is dominant, but when homozygous appears to be associated with kinked tails and other defects. Consequently, responsible fold breeders always breed straight ear Scottish Folds to folded-ear folds, or directly out-cross with British Shorthairs. Long haired Scottish Folds are sometimes refered to as Highland Folds.
Scottish Folds are generally small, compact cats with apple-shaped heads. They tend to be very quiet - most of them only meow when stepped on. They enjoy drinking from drips and water in general. They are "moderately" affectionate cats - they will follow from room to room, but do not like to sit in laps. The enjoy hard pets, chin rubs, and forced air heating.
Folds are excellent car cats, content to sleep or look out the window.
Sorrel Bengal (Breeder: Ashley Gudgel of Alberqueue, NM)
Snow Bengal with kittens (Breeder: Ashley Gudgel of Alberqueue, NM)
Bengals look a lot like small leopards. They can get very large, have vertical jumps of up to 14 feet, like to sleep on top of doors (reminds them of a tree limb) and play in water. They are very fast, somewhat talkative, and make interesting cooing noises. They are generally fairly independent cats, but when the Abby in them surfaces, they will want to be petted for a long period, and can be quiet insistent. As Felix shows below, Bengals occasionally cop an attitude.
Bengals come in many colors. Above is shown two sorrels and a snow leopard (homozygous recessive albino) mother. Common features includes an "M" on the forehead, black tail tip, quilted wisker pads.
The maine coon cat is a large (up to 25 lb) long hair cat originally from the Northeastern United States. Their most distinctive feature is their huge ear tufts and long wiskers. The males also tend to have wonderful baritone voices. They are a talktive and independent breed.
There are no breeders of Maine Coons in the Pittsburgh area.