Highlander Cat

The Highlander is the complete package, beautiful, domestic yet it has a distinctly different and wild look, it is loving, entertaining, physically sound, and is so much fun.

Highlander Behavior/Personality

This is a very adaptable and loving breed that is equally happy in a very active or a very quite home. They get along well with children and other pets.

Highlander Breed Standard/Physical Description

What first draws your attention to the Highlander is its incredible ears. Standing tall, open, and with a slight backwards flare, they bring to mind the large tufted ears of the Canadian Lynx. The dominant curl gene in the Highlander breed makes the ears more noticeable and exotic in appearance. The Highlander's ears have more of a vertical crimp than a horizontal one. Having this vertical crimp makes the ears stand tall and open. The ears should not fold back into a tight curl. This breed's chin and muzzle are also very noticeable. The muzzle, long and squared-off with large whisker pads and resting on top of a well-defined deep chin, evokes the image of a wild cat.

This breed has substantial body structure and is a large cat. Watching a Highlander move is pure beauty as their long hind legs flex and the heavy, pronounced muscles ripple between their shoulder blades, reminiscent of the wild cat. The Highlander's feet are most impressive; they are large with prominent knuckles, built for the stamina for which the Highlander is known, and some have extra toes (polydactyl) that make the feet appear even larger.

Anchored on the muscular hips of the Highlander is a natural short tail. Ranging in length from 1 inch to hock length, it should be thick and preferably articulated. Though a straight tail is preferred, sometimes slight twists and kinks may be detected. Many times there will also be a noticeable fat pad at the end of the tail.

Highlander History

The Highlander breed, although new, has a deep-rooted foundation. In 2006, a group of dedicated, responsible breeders decided to protect and reinforce the value and worthiness they saw in the cats they were breeding.

The foundation of the Highlander breed rests specifically on the Highland Lynx, a breed that is currently unaccepted by any recognized professional organization. With their curled ears, short tails, and sometimes polydactyl feet, these cats have captivated the hearts of people nation wide. Highland Lynx have been selectively bred with domestic short hairs to maintain and, in some cases improve, the viability of the breed.