Highlander

It was born in the United States from crossing two experimental breeds, the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl, to add the curled ears of the latter to the lynx look of the former. Work to fix it began in 2004, the name Highlander was adopted in late 2005, and in May 2008 TICA admitted it as a preliminary new breed; in 2016 it moved up to advanced new breed and in 2022 the ACFA accepted it for championship. It is a large, very muscular cat with a short or bobbed tail, a long sloping forehead, a blunt muzzle, a wide nose and upright ears that curl slightly backwards. Despite its wild-cat look, it is very people-oriented: playful, trusting and active.

Weekly brushing for the shorthair and twice a week for the semi-longhair. It needs plenty of play and room to jump: tall, well-anchored scratching posts, because it is heavy. Clean the ears gently, without forcing the curl, which is delicate in kittens. If it is polydactyl, check the claws on the extra toes, which can grow into the pad.

It is a young breed and there are no large health studies. The spinal problems of the Manx have not been described, but the vet should check the kitten's tail and gait. Many cats are polydactyl, which does not usually cause problems except with the claws. Watch its weight: a large, overweight cat puts a lot of strain on its joints.