What Is a Highlander Cat?

The Highlander is a rare and striking domestic cat known for its exotic appearance, athletic build, and engaging personality. With a long, sloping profile, loosely curled ears, and expressive natural short tail, the Highlander immediately draws attention. While their look is impressive, it is their playful, people-oriented nature that truly sets them apart.

Highlanders are medium in size and come in both medium and long hair varieties. They are confident, social, and thrive on interaction with their families.

In May 2025, the Highlander officially achieved Championship status in The International Cat Association (TICA), marking a major milestone in the breed’s development and long-term preservation.

Development of the Highlander began in 2004, with the goal of creating a domestic cat that carried a powerful “big cat” look while maintaining a gentle, family-friendly temperament.

In 2005, the name Highlander was established as breeders focused on defining the breed and working toward recognition within TICA—one of the largest and most respected cat registries in the world.

The Highlander was developed from carefully selected domestic cats and not from any existing TICA-recognized breed. Early foundation cats were previously registered under the name Highland Lynx through REFR, a registry not recognized by TICA. To pursue championship recognition, breeders refined the breed under TICA standards, and the name Highlander was adopted.

TICA accepted the Highlander into the Preliminary New Breed class on May 1, 2008. After years of preservation breeding, refinement, and show participation, the breed was awarded TICA Championship status in May 2025.

Today, the Highlander holds Championship status with TICA, CFF, and ACFA, highlighting its continued development and preservation.

Despite their wild appearance, Highlanders are often referred to as the clowns of the cat fancy. They are playful, energetic, and highly social cats that enjoy being involved in daily life.

Highlanders are known to:

• Love interactive play and chase games
• Enjoy human company and attention
• Greet family members and visitors
• Be relatively quiet vocally but expressive through movement and body language

Their activity level contributes to the strong musculature that defines the breed, while their affectionate nature makes them excellent companions.

The Highlander is a substantial, athletic cat with distinctive features.

Head & Expression

• Long, sloping forehead
• Medium to large eyes, slightly flattened oval, set on a bias
• Wide nose with large nose leather
• Strong, boxy muzzle and deep chin

These traits create a head that appears longer than it is wide, giving the breed its intense, exotic expression.

The Highlander is classified as a small to medium-sized breed, with adult weights typically ranging between 5 and 20 pounds when altered. Size can vary based on genetics, lineage, gender, and overall structure, and no specific adult size can ever be guaranteed.

Earlier generations of the breed included some larger-bodied cats; however, the modern Highlander is not considered a large or giant breed under current breeding standards. Responsible breeding prioritizes balanced structure, sound health, and correct breed type rather than exaggerated size.

As the breed continues to develop, ethical preservation efforts focus on maintaining proper proportions and long-term wellbeing, ensuring Highlanders remain active, athletic, and healthy companions.

Ear Standard

Curled or softly curled ears are a defining feature of the Highlander breed.

Straight ears are considered non-standard.

The Highlander standard requires straight feet. While the polydactyl (PF) gene is still present in parts of the breed’s history, polydactyl feet are considered non-standard in the Highlander breed.

Polydactyl cats may have more than the typical 18 toes 

The Highlander is known for its Natural Short Tail (NST).

• Standard tail length: 1 inch, up to a maximum of 2 inches
• Kinks, curls, and articulated tails are allowed
• Rumps may be considered
• Long tails or docked tails are non-standard

The Highlander’s tail is highly expressive and may wag from excitement or playfulness, adding to the breed’s unique charm.

The Highlander is a powerful, athletic cat with a gentle disposition, playful personality, and distinctive appearance. Now recognized as a championship breed, the Highlander reflects years of dedicated preservation breeding and responsible development.