A big, boldly-built cat with distinctive curled-back ears and a naturally short bobbed tail, bred to look wild while being thoroughly friendly. Athletic, clownish and endlessly playful.
- Origin
- United States
- Category
- shorthair
- Lifespan
- 10–15 yrs
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 4.5–9 kg
- Coat
- Short or long, dense and weather-resistant
- Colours
- Tabby and many patterns
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The Highlander is a young breed, first developed in the United States in 2004 from crosses of the Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl lines. Despite its untamed, lynx-like appearance it is an entirely domestic cat with no recent wild ancestry required for registration. Breeders set out to combine three eye-catching features — curled ears, a short bobtail and a powerful, spotted body — into a sturdy companion cat. It is recognised as a developing breed by registries including TICA, and comes in both shorthair and longhair varieties.
🧼 Care & grooming
An easy-care coat needs only weekly brushing (a little more for the longhair version). What the Highlander really needs is an outlet for its considerable energy: tall cat trees, interactive play and puzzle toys keep this athletic, intelligent cat happy. It loves water and company, so it does best in a busy household where it won't be left alone for long stretches.
🩺 Health notes
As a newer hybrid breed the gene pool is still developing, so buying from a reputable breeder who screens breeding cats is important. The curled ears should be checked and cleaned gently, and as with any large, active cat, maintaining a healthy weight protects the joints. No single breed-defining inherited disease is firmly established, but routine preventive care applies.
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