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Highlander

Cat breed

A big, athletic cat with loosely curled ears and a naturally short tail, bred for a 'gentle wildcat' look with no wild blood. Highlanders are clowns that stay playful into adulthood, often enjoy water, and greet visitors at the door.

More about the Highlander

The Highlander is a new breed of cat. The unique appearance of the Highlander comes from the deliberate cross between the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl breeds, also recently developed.

Read more on Wikipedia โ†—

Living with a Highlander

A big, bouncy clown of a cat with curled ears and a bobtail, built for a wild look but a total goofball at heart.

Personality & fit

Confident, social, and endlessly playful, Highlanders love being part of whatever's happening in the house and usually greet guests at the door instead of hiding. They tend to stay kitten-like well into adulthood and do best with people who want an interactive, engaged cat rather than a lap ornament.

Exercise & energy

High energy and athletic, these cats want to climb, chase, and play every day. Cat trees, puzzle toys, and interactive play sessions help burn off that enthusiasm, and many Highlanders happily splash around in water too.

Grooming & coat

Coat length varies from short to semi-long, but either way weekly brushing keeps shedding and mats under control. Check those curled ears regularly since their shape can trap dirt and debris more easily than a standard ear.

Training

Smart and eager to engage, Highlanders often take well to leash walking, clicker training, and puzzle feeders. Their playful nature makes training sessions feel more like games than work.

Health to watch

As a newer breed built from crosses, Highlanders don't have a long track record of documented health issues, but the curled ear trait is worth monitoring for ear health, and joint soundness is worth watching in an active, muscular cat. Routine vet checkups are the best way to catch anything early.

Good to know

This isn't a quiet, low-key cat, expect a playful, opinionated companion who wants daily interaction, climbing space, and toys that can keep up with them.

General guidance to help you get to know the breed, not veterinary advice. Always consult your vet for your own pet.

๐Ÿ  Adoptable near you

Enter a ZIP code to see Highlanders waiting at shelters near you.

Personality

PlayfulEnergeticSocialConfident

At a glance

Life span
10 - 15 yrs
Weight
10 - 20 lbs
Origin
United States

Breed traits from registry breed standards ยท summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). General guidance only, every individual pet is unique.