| Highlander | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other names | Highlander Shorthair |
| Foundation bloodstock | Domestic cats with shorttails and 1 curled cat from Canada |
| Breed standards | |
| TICA | standard |
| ACFA/CAA | standard |
| Notes | |
As of May 1, 2025, the Highlander Shorthair and Highlander Longhair breed is a recognized championship breed in TICA, ACFA, CFF and LCWW. The Highland Lynx is not recognized as part of the Highlander breed and that name was discontinued in 2004. It is not used in conjunction with the Highlander breed. | |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
TheHighlander (also known as theHighlander Shorthair, and originally as theHighland Lynx) is a newbreed of cat. The unique appearance of the Highlander comes from the deliberate cross between theDesert Lynx and theJungle Curl breeds, also recently developed.
The Highlander originated as acrossbreed of the experimentalDesert Lynx breed and theJungle Curl, to add the latter's curled ears to the former.[1][2] They arebobtailed or short-tailed, have spotted or classic bullseye markings, mackerel and resemble thebobcat.[1][3] The Highlander has a long sloping forehead and blunt muzzle with a very wide nose.[3] The eyes are wide-set and the ears are upright with a slight curl and a slight turn in the backward direction.[3] The body is substantial and very muscular.[3] Females can grow to between 10 and 14 pounds (4.5 and 6.4 kg), and the males between 15 and 20 pounds (6.8 and 9.1 kg).[2] Despite the "big-cat look", the Highlander is a human-oriented, friendly and playful cat, and very active and confident.[2] The Highlander displaystabby/lynx point or solidpoint coloration in various colors. Bicolored cats are not allowed in the breed standard. Although some cats arepolydactyl, it is not part of the standard and it is a disqualification in the show ring.[4]
The Highlander breed refinement began in 2004, to distinguish the breed better from its foundation stock, and to seek competition status in majorbreed registries.[3] The name Highlander was adopted in late 2005.[3] Starting May 1, 2008, the breed was recognized byThe International Cat Association (TICA) for competition in the Preliminary New Breed class,[3] and in 2016 was moved up to Advanced New Breed.[5] TICA divides Highlanders into two varieties, under the names Highlander Shorthair (HGS) and simply Highlander (HG) for the longer-haired variation.[3][6] In 2022, the Highlander was accepted as a championship breed in the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA).[7]
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