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
