August 30, 2024, 2:01 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
The Highlander cat is an experimental, new breed of cat. There are many rumors about its origins, which even include the (unlikely) crossbreeding with a lynx. Here’s what you should know about the cat with a shortened tail and twisted ears.
Origin
The Highlander cat is an experimental breed from the USA and was first described in 2004. It was initially called the Highland Lynx or Highlander Shorthair. It should not be confused with the British Longhair, also nicknamed Highlander.
The Highlander cat is an extremely experimental breed originating from the unrecognized Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl breeds. The standard states, “The cats used to develop the breed were carefully selected from the native gene pool and not from an existing recognized breed.”
Many reports state that lynxes were involved in their breeding, but this is genetically impossible. Instead, their ancestors are cats of the domestic cat breeds Pixiebob and American Curl. The International Cat Association (TICA) has recognized them as a “provisional new breed” since 2008.
Appearance & coat
The Highlander cat inherited the shortened tail of no more than one inch (2.54 centimeters) in length from the Pixiebob. In addition, the tail is said to be thick, sometimes kinked, and curly. Furthermore, TICA notes that the Highlander cat’s tail is an expressive feature, wagging with joy, much like a dog’s. The breed standard omits the fact that the shortened tail results from selective breeding.
Another distinctive feature of the Highlander cat is its outwardly bent ears, reminiscent of the American Curl. Unlike the Scottish Fold, these should still be functional according to general knowledge. Only the top third is said to bend slightly upwards, which still allows the ear to move.
The muzzle should be box-shaped, with a strong chin. These features make the Highlander cat appear wider than it actually is. Nevertheless, it has a muscular, strong body and long hind legs. The coat is either long or short; the Highlander is preferably bred with a wild-type pattern (tabby).
Character & disposition
Despite its somewhat wild appearance, the Highlander cat is considered peaceful. The TICA even describes it as a clown among cats, which is very playful and loves to hunt. They are also considered to be open-minded towards people and are said to approach visitors without much shyness.
Although Highlander cats are not considered to be cats that meow a lot, they are very energetic. You should, therefore, plan regular, extensive play sessions with your Highlander cat.
Training & activity
According to the TICA standard, the cat needs regular hunting play sessions to define its strong muscle tone and to exercise. However, cats should not be offered only these games, as they can become completely overstimulated. They should, therefore, also be encouraged to play intelligence games and many other cat-friendly games. Due to their human-oriented and affectionate nature, Highlanders may enjoy learning tricks or benefit from clicker training.
Correct husbandry & care
As the Highlander bonds closely with its owner and needs a lot of interaction, it is better not to leave it alone all day. Cats with similar physical traits, such as a shortened tail or other handicaps, may be particularly well-suited companions for socializing. This is because the Highlander is restricted in its everyday communication by the shortened limb and could, therefore, be bullied by healthy cats. Other handicapped cats are usually more tolerant in this respect.
Diet
There are no major differences in diet between Highlanders and other cats. The Highlander needs a complete diet with a 95 percent protein content. This should be spread over several small meals a day and made of high-quality ingredients. If you want to give dry food, it should consist largely of meat and not grain, as cats find grain very difficult to digest.
Susceptibility to certain diseases
As the Highlander cat is still a very young breed, not too much is known about breed-related diseases. However, it is clear that the shortened, possibly curved tail can cause abnormalities in the spinal cord and nerves. The extent to which the twisted shape of the ears affects them has not yet been clearly established. However, the ears should always be examined thoroughly, and care should be taken when cleaning them if they are abnormal.
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The Highlander cat, at a glance
- Character: active, loves hunting games
- Size: medium to large
- Weight: 4-7 kg for females, 4.5-9 kg for males
- Coat: short or long, usually with a tabby pattern
- Grooming: medium effort
- Special features: An experimental breed with traits that may raise ethical concerns, and still relatively new