Highlander

Overview

The Highlander is a cat breed of moderate build with a short/long coat. It traces back to United States. It originated as a crossbreed between the Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl. It carries recent wild-cat ancestry, so check local ownership laws and choose a well-socialised, later-generation cat. Cats commonly live 12–18 years, so this is a long-term commitment.

Is the Highlander right for you?

A good match if — you want an independent companion that settles into most homes; you want a cat that enjoys being handled and held; you're a first-time cat owner; you specifically want an exotic, active cat and understand the extra needs.

Think twice if — you have no time for the grooming this coat needs; you want a low-key, easygoing lap cat.

What a Highlander needs from you

A Highlander needs a moderate amount of space, daily feeding and litter care, and fairly demanding upkeep. That longer coat needs frequent brushing to keep it free of mats. On closeness, this breed is happy to be handled.

A note on this profile

Measured per-breed temperament scores for cats are still being added. The fit notes above are based on coat, build, origin, development and general care needs — not yet on a tested personality profile.

Key facts

Origin

United States

Development

Crossbreed between the Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl

Wild hybrid

true

Body type

Moderate

Coat

Short/long

Pattern

All

What it needs from you (at a glance)

What it costs

Scaled to this breed’s roughly 5 kg and a ~15-year life, keeping a Highlander works out at about:

Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →