Introduction
Highlander cats are registered (2008 – things change) with TICA as a Preliminary New Breed. This is a rare and interesting purebred cat and proof that a cat is a genuine Highlander can be obtained by reference to TICA registration. Ask about this when considering purchasing.
Origin
The origin of this breed is interesting. Development began in 2004. The development of this cat originates in the Highland Lynx and has evolved since through selective breeding. It is useful to briefly look at the history of the breeds that make up the Highlander.
The Highland Lynx (no relation to the wild Lynx) was in turn first created on July 1st 1995 by crossing a Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl cats….
The Desert Lynx is a wild cat hybrid, a cross between the American Bobcat and a domestic cat; one of the following: American Lynx, Maine Coon, American Bobtail, Pixie-Bob or Manx.
The Jungle Curl cat is a curled eared wild cat hybrid. A cross between the African Jungle cat and a curled eared domestic cat, either the American Curl or a Canadian cat called the Hemingway Curl plus a mix of other genes from outcrosses to domestic shorthair cats such as the Serengeti, Bengal cats, Abyssinians and Jungle cat hybrids.
The Hemingway Curl is curled eared version of the famous Hemingway cats a number of which had more than the usual number of toes (polydactyl – see also American Polydactyl cat). The curled eared Hemingway cat occurred because of a spontaneous genetic mutation (naturally occurring mutation). A number of cat breeds have been created this way such as the Dwarf cats and Devon and Cornish Rex. There are others.
Another cat with unusual ears is the Scottish Fold (flat ear flaps or pinnae). Another purebred cat that is a Jungle cat hybrid is the Chausie.
The African Jungle cat is a medium to small wild cat found in countries such as Egypt, Asia, India and Sri Lanka (see Jungle Cat Range). The African Jungle cat lives off small animals such has rodents and frogs. This is similar to other smaller wild cats such as the Serval and the Ocelot.
Highlander cats – Appearance
With a wild cat in the Highlander ancestry, it is no surprise that this is a bigger than average cat with a wild look. On my calculation the average weight between males and females would be in the order of 14 lbs (based on Magic Whiskers cattery figures). This puts Highlander cats in a similar bracket to a Ragdoll or RagaMuffin cats in terms of size (but not in terms of temperament). They are solid cats. Compare cat weights (opens a new page dedicated to domestic comparison and domestic cat to wild cat comparisons).
This cat breed has short or long hair and belly spots are de rigueur. The cat’s profile is “boxy” (blunt) and the ears are as you can see curled. As is the case for the American Curl the ears curl during the early days of the kittens growth. Breeders say that the curled ears are different to the American Curl cat. The curl of the ears is not usually as tight apparently but can range from tight to loose. The curl affects the top third of the ear. It is believed that the curl originates in the mutated gene carried by the Hemingway Curl cat mentioned above.
I shouldn’t forget that the tail is “short and thick”. This is a bobtailed cat.
Character
The Highlander is a classic loving domestic cat like any other that likes to show off and greet you at the door. They are relatively quiet. Some cats are more vocal e.g. Siamese cats. They are a relatively high energy cat. This means a little more input from the person keeping this cat. A low input cat would be the Persian, for example.
Health
It would seem that the mutated gene that produces the curled ears does not bring to the cat other unwanted physical characteristics that would be termed defects. The health of this cat is therefore good in terms of underlying health. This cat would also seem to be less tightly bred than some other purebred cats, which would encourage better underlying health.
Are Highlander Cats Hypoallergenic?
I have never heard on my many travels on the internet that this cat breed is hypoallergenic. I am sure that they are not. If anyone has heard to the contrary please leave a comment. People, often cat breeders, do like to try promote their cats in some way or another and so some breeders might claim the Highlander is hypoallergenic.
Highlander cats – Breeders
This is quite a rare cat as mentioned so I would expect a relatively small number of breeders. I would like to recommend:
Magic Whiskers – link broken 10th March 2013.
Located in the USA they also breed LaPerm Cats.
Magic Whiskers were kind enough to ask me to write about Highlander cats and allow me to use their photographs for which I thank them.
Northshore Cats
Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. TICA registered.
i have a beautiful highlander kitten from lisa at rottins.com.she is a awesome breeder and person. if you are looking for a beautiful cat check out her web site
Thanks Sherry to sharing that information (and visiting). Nice to hear from you.
Today we have king of the mountain going on, kitten and Bella are competing over who gets the cat tree
Bella looks enormous. Like a wild cat.
That is the look I was going for the “Look of the Wild the Heart of the Tame” I am so use to their size I forget how much bigger my girls are than others out there. This cat pole is for the average cat and it fits the kitten just fine 🙂 The adults is a whole different story…….They overfill the shelf 😉
You certainly achieved your aim.
I unfortunately found out some things about my cats breeder. Either way, he is my beautiful boy and I love him so so much. <3
Hi Jessica. Great photo. It is nice to see your boy. He is gorgeous. Stunning appearance. Thanks for uploading the photo. Highlanders are rare so pictures of them are rare too. Nice to see a new face on this page.
Jessica I am really sorry that you had a tough time with The person you got your Highlander From.:(
But we are very happy to have you in our Highlander group on FaceBook now. Where we get to share Funny photos Of all our Highlanders and have a lot of fun too.
Hi, I am looking to adopt a Highlander. I saw them on Cats 101 with a family that had them. But can’t seam to fine a listing for the family. They lived in N.C. I live in Florida. I am disabled and want one for myself. Can you help me locate a breeder on or near Fla?
Thank you ever so much.
Margaret.
Hi Margaret, I’ll have a search right now and add to the comment so please come back!
Update: Margaret, I have searched for 15 mins without success in finding a Higlander breeder in Florida. I would bet that there are no breeders of this cat in Florida. Sorry, I failed. You might ask a question on their Facebook page. Good luck Margaret.
Hi Margaret
we do not have any breeders currently in Florida.
But I and a few of our sister catteries Do ship to Florida if you would like to come in and talk to a few breeders ? This is a place where you can find a reputable breeder ( Highlander Cats Group On Facebook )This is a closed group so you must ask to come in. Hope to see you soon.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/178956135533245/ In this room you will find 14 breeders of the Highlander cat.
Thanks a lot Sue. That was helpful of you.
Margaret, this is a link to the page on FB with breeders and owners and future owners. Just ask to be added and I will let you into the group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/178956135533245/
This is one of the future queens here at Wild at Heart.
Spectacular coat and lovely looking cat. I like the furniture too!
Thank You Michael, she is a real character very busy young girl 🙂
Mr. Wags is one of our foundation sires here at Wild at Heart Highlander produced many awesome babies.
Awesome looking cat. He looks very strong and healthy. Gorgeous coat and a great face.
Thank You….He is a real sweetheart that passes on so much of himself to his offspring. This is a photo of a couple of his offspring.