Origin and Appearance
Highlanders are a newer breed of cat, created in 2004. They are recognized by TICA and were approved for championship status in 2024. Highlanders have a more wild look, with their signature curled ears and short tails, but despite their unique appearance, they are a fully domesticated breed.
Not all highlanders have a short tail. Some will be born with a normal, long or medium length tail, and these are just as beautiful as the short tailed highlanders. These gorgeous cats come in long or short fur, every color, and all eye colors are allowed. Accepted patterns are solid, tabby, and lynx. Excluded patters are bicolor and gloved/mitted. Some Highlanders will have extra toes, also known as "poly feet," although this feature is not included in the TICA breed standard. Our goal is to produce more kittens with standard, straight feet, although many of our Highlanders are still born with poly feet at this time.
Personality
A sweet natured and interactive cat, Highlanders love to play with you and follow you around. Like many cats, they enjoy wand toys and catnip mice toys. They are active, confident, curious, and attention loving! Their silly antics will never fail to keep you and your family entertained.
Health and Diversity
One of the biggest reasons I decided to raise this magnificent breed is their robust health and genetic diversity. Highlanders are a breed that permits domestic outcrossing, meaning breeders can use domestic cats in their programs to bring in new and diverse blood lines. The less diverse a cat breed is, the more health issues tend to pop up. With their high level of genetic diversity, Highlanders are one of the healthiest cat breeds around! In fact, Highlanders have no strongly associated genetic conditions at all.
Maintenance
Highlanders are relatively low maintenance cats. They tend to need a weekly cleaning of their ears and a weekly brushing. They don't normally tear or mat, although long hair cats may experience some matting if not brushed.
Highlanders are a newer breed of cat, created in 2004. They are recognized by TICA and were approved for championship status in 2024. Highlanders have a more wild look, with their signature curled ears and short tails, but despite their unique appearance, they are a fully domesticated breed.
Not all highlanders have a short tail. Some will be born with a normal, long or medium length tail, and these are just as beautiful as the short tailed highlanders. These gorgeous cats come in long or short fur, every color, and all eye colors are allowed. Accepted patterns are solid, tabby, and lynx. Excluded patters are bicolor and gloved/mitted. Some Highlanders will have extra toes, also known as "poly feet," although this feature is not included in the TICA breed standard. Our goal is to produce more kittens with standard, straight feet, although many of our Highlanders are still born with poly feet at this time.
Personality
A sweet natured and interactive cat, Highlanders love to play with you and follow you around. Like many cats, they enjoy wand toys and catnip mice toys. They are active, confident, curious, and attention loving! Their silly antics will never fail to keep you and your family entertained.
Health and Diversity
One of the biggest reasons I decided to raise this magnificent breed is their robust health and genetic diversity. Highlanders are a breed that permits domestic outcrossing, meaning breeders can use domestic cats in their programs to bring in new and diverse blood lines. The less diverse a cat breed is, the more health issues tend to pop up. With their high level of genetic diversity, Highlanders are one of the healthiest cat breeds around! In fact, Highlanders have no strongly associated genetic conditions at all.
Maintenance
Highlanders are relatively low maintenance cats. They tend to need a weekly cleaning of their ears and a weekly brushing. They don't normally tear or mat, although long hair cats may experience some matting if not brushed.