🐱 Cat · size Medium
Highlander (cat)
Cat breed
Photo · Wikipedia FR (CC BY-SA)
Weight
5–6 kg
Size
Medium
Lifespan
12–18 ans
Energy
Moyen
Origin
États-Unis
Coat
Colourpoint or tabby
Maintenance
Faible
Training
Moyen
The Highlander (also known as the Highlander Shorthair, or Highland Lynx) is a cat breed developed in the 2000s. Its unique appearance comes from the deliberate crossing of the Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl breeds, also recently developed. Although these two breeds claim wild species lineages, they proved to be entirely domestic cat breeds.
Profile
At a glance
Energy
Modéré
Trainability
Modéré
Maintenance
Faible
Indicative profile — every animal is an individual.
⚡ Key facts in 30 seconds
L'essentiel
- 1Medium size (5–6 kg) — balance between presence and practicality.
- 2Lifespan: 12 to 18 years on average, depending on care and diet.
- 3Moderate energy — 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day is sufficient.
- 4Minimal maintenance — little shedding, occasional brushing.
Chapter 1
Getting to know the Highlander (cat)
Our selection
Dry food suited to the Highlander (cat)
Origins & history
A story told
Around the early 2000s, in the United States, Highland Lynx were developed from crossing 2 hybrid breeds: the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl (to obtain these characteristic curved ears), the objective being to obtain a cat with a wild appearance. Since May 2008, this cat has been recognized by TICA (The International Cat Association) for competition in the Preliminary New Breed class, which divides it into 2 sub-breeds: those with long hair (Highlander) and those with short hair (Highlander Shorthair). In 2016, this cat was promoted to Advanced New Breed status, which allows it to participate in competitions, but without being able to win prizes. It remains considered by the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry as a sub-group of the Desert Lynx. Despite TICA approval and the resulting visibility, the Highlander is still very uncommon outside its country of origin: the United States. There are only a few breeders in Canada and Europe.
Physical
Breed standard
The Highlander was born from a cross between the experimental breeds Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl. It has a short tail, spotted or classic markings, mackerel tabby, and resembles the red lynx. The Highlander has a long sloped forehead and a blunt muzzle with a very wide nose. Its eyes are wide-set and its ears are straight with a slight curve and a slight fold backward. Its body is substantial and very muscular. The female can reach between 5 and 6 kg, and males between 7 and 9 kg. Bicolor cats are not accepted in the breed standard.
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Some have polydactyl paws, but this is not a desired trait in cats and it has been proven to cause knee and hip problems as cats age. The Highlander has no known health problems and is fond of water. Despite its "big cat" appearance, the Highlander is a human-oriented, friendly, and playful cat, very active and confident. It displays tabby/colorpoint coloring. Although some cats are polydactyl, this is not part of the standard and is a disqualification criterion at an exhibition.
What if you adopted your future companion?
The Highlander (cat) of your dreams may already be waiting in a shelter. Hundreds of highlander (cat) (and equally wonderful crossbreeds) are looking for a family in France — every adoption starts a new story.
Editorial recommendation — no affiliate links.
Âge
What human age for a highlander (cat) ?
The calculator is already set to the breed's adult size (espérance de vie 12–18 ans). Drag the slider to see the equivalence and corresponding life stage.
Equivalent human age
28years
Adulte
Most stable period. Monthly weigh-in, annual vet visit, dental care — this determines quality of life in later years.
Method: AAFP/AAHA table: 15 human years in year one, +9 in year two, then +4 per year.
These equivalences are statistical benchmarks drawn from published veterinary tables. Every animal ages at its own pace, depending on genetics, diet and care. This calculator is neither a diagnosis nor veterinary advice.
Alert
To avoid for cat
Our database lists toxic ingredients and problematic additives by species.
- cocoa pasteModerate
- onion piecesModerate
- low-fat cocoa powderModerate
- chilliModerate
Calculator · daily ration
How much to give a highlander (cat) ?
Estimate based on the veterinary formula RER × DER, adjusted for cat. Adjust according to package recommendations.
Result
66 g
per day · 251 kcal
33 g / repas (2 par jour)
Calculation for food of 380 kcal/100g.
Appears in
Highlander (cat) in our rankings
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Highlander (cat)
Does the Highlander (cat) adapt well to apartment living?+
How long does a Highlander (cat) live?+
Does the Highlander (cat) shed a lot?+
Does the Highlander (cat) tolerate being alone?+
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For more information
Sources & official links
Supplementary documentation on reference sites — breed clubs, encyclopedias, veterinarians.
The right score for your Highlander (cat).
SokoScan calculates a personalized PawScore based on breed, age, weight and your pet's sensitivities. Free, instant.