The Origin of Highlander Breed:

The Highlander breed first began development in 2004 with its roots tracing back to the

Highland Lynx,. An east coast breeder developed the Highland Lynx in 1993 and although

given the name that included “lynx”, these domestic cats were not of any lynx ancestry. These

cats immediately attracted interest and a devoted following rapidly developed due to their unique

looks, size, and playful, clown-like personalities. Upon welcoming the Highland Lynx into our

homes and families we immediately realized that these cats were special, both in personality and

looks. Uniting together we worked to set up our breeding programs and develop a standard that

we all agreed to adhere to and began working to develop a cat with a “big cat look” in a purely

domestic breed.

In late 2005 we took the name Highlander to further identify our cats as a breed of their own

merit. We worked diligently to educate the public; to bring about an awareness of how special

these cats are, both in personality and looks; and mostly to earn respectability for this breed and

eventual championship status as a member of the cat fancy in one of the largest cat registries in

the world, TICA

Our foundation cats were carefully hand picked for the qualities important to our development in

producing the Highlander’s “big cat look“, with domestic short hair and domestic long hair being

allowed as acceptable outcrosses when needed. It is important to note that Highlanders have

never used any other recognized breed as an outcross.

We have carefully selected each and every Highlander foundation cat by a combination of the

unique Highlander profile that immediately draws attention to the long-sloping forehead, intense

wide-set eyes separated by a wide nose with substantial nose leather that gives the Highlander a

look of its own. The nose, muzzle, and chin form a blunt look, giving an overall boxy

appearance in profile. The Highlander has also maintained the loose curl that affects the top

1/3rd of the ear. It is not a tight curl like the American Curl, and we believe it came from a

Canadian breed called the Hemingway Curl through the Highland Lynx. These incredible

features all tie together to create the unique “big cat” look of the Highlander breed in a domestic

cat.

Highlander breeding programs continue to selectively breed to protect and enhance this

distinctive look as well as to enhance the bloodlines to keep them genetically different and pure

from other breeds.

Although their look is one of power and fierceness, Highlanders are fun-loving,

good-natured cats that constantly entertain their humans with zany antics. They enjoy being the

center of attention.

Highlander Breeders Group