Highland Lynx Cats

Highland Lynx cats are curious, people-oriented cats. The Highland Lynx cat breed originated from crossbreeding Desert Lynx cats and Jungle Curl cats. The Desert Lynx is a cross between Bobcats and domestic cats. Jungle Curl cats are a bred from curled ear African jungle cats.

A Highland Lynx cat gets its curled ears from the Jungle Curl cats. Highland Lynxes look remarkably similar to Desert Lynx cats with the exception of the curled ears of the Highland Lynx. Despite the wild appearance of the Highland Lynx cat breed, these cats are typically friendly and very sociable.

The bodies of Highland Lynx cats are medium to large in size and muscular. Their torsos are rectangular in shape. The legs of Highland Lynx cats are medium in length with the back legs being longer than the front. Like the Desert Lynx cat breed, Highland Lynx cats may be polydactyl, meaning that they may have extra toes. The toes of Highland Lynxes, especially longhaired Highland Lynxes, may be tufted. Highland Lynx cats may be longhaired or shorthaired.

Like the Desert Lynx cat breed, the heads of Highland Lynxes are wide and shaped like an inverted pear. Eyes of Highland Lynxes are large and set well apart. A Highland Lynx cat has wide ears. The ears may be tufted. Ears of Highland Lynxes should have a smooth backwards curl. The tails of Highland Lynx cats must be at least two inches long.

This is one of the cat breeds recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) as a preliminary new breed. This means that unlike cat breeds that have been accepted for championship status, Highland Lynx cats cannot earn titles or points, but they can be shown at TICA sponsored cat shows. The cat breed name for the TICA registry is the Highlander. Highlanders may eventually be accepted for championship status.

According to their breed standard for Highlanders, the coats of Highlanders can be spotted, pointed, or classic with spots and swirled spots. A Highlander had a sloping forehead and wide nose. The muzzle should be full and wide. A Highlander cat is athletic and heavily boned. Male Highlander cats tend to be larger than the females.