Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Highland Fold breed has Scottish origins and represents the longhaired variety of the famous Scottish Fold cat. The first cats with the characteristic forward-folded ears appeared in Scotland in the mid-20th century. The gene responsible for this unique ear shape was established through selective breeding. Later, longhaired kittens from the same lines were recognized as a separate variety named Highland Fold. In the 1980s, the breed gained recognition from international feline organizations. Today, the Highland Fold is prized for its harmonious combination of striking appearance, gentle nature, and friendly temperament.
General Appearance
The Highland Fold is a medium-to-large-sized cat with a strong, compact, and well-balanced body. It features soft, rounded lines and a smooth, solid type without coarseness. The head is round with a soft profile, short nose, and full cheeks, giving a friendly expression. The breed’s distinctive hallmark is its small, forward-folded ears that lie close to the head, emphasizing the rounded contour. Eyes are large, round, and widely set, giving an open, gentle look. The body is sturdy, with a broad chest and short, powerful legs. The tail is of medium length, flexible, with a rounded tip. The coat is long, dense, and silky, forming a ruff and decorative furnishings.
Important Proportions
The Highland Fold is defined by balanced proportions and overall harmony, with each feature blending into the breed’s characteristic roundness. The head should be proportionate to the body, neither elongated nor heavy. The neck is short and strong, smoothly merging into the torso. The body is compact and almost square in format, with a broad chest and straight backline. The legs are short, strong, and proportionate, with round paws. The tail is medium in length, flexible, and tapers slightly toward the tip. The ears are small, evenly folded forward, maintaining the round silhouette of the head. The evenly distributed coat enhances the cat’s compact and balanced appearance.
Behavior and Temperament
The Highland Fold is calm, affectionate, and well-balanced. Intelligent and friendly, it adapts easily to various environments and forms strong bonds with people. Loyal to its owner, it enjoys attention and companionship but is never overly demanding. Highland Folds coexist peacefully with other pets and children, showing patience and gentleness. They are highly intelligent and curious—quick to learn, responsive to tone, and easily trained to household routines. Despite their tender temperament, they retain dignity and mild independence, remaining serene and devoted companions.
Head
The head is round, full, and softly contoured with well-developed cheeks. The skull is broad without flat areas, the forehead gently curved. The transition from forehead to the short, straight nose is smooth, with no pronounced stop. The chin is firm and well-developed, balanced with the overall head structure. The rounded cheeks, especially in mature males, emphasize the breed’s plush and kind expression. The profile should be smooth and harmonious, free from sharp angles.
Facial Part
The facial structure is rounded and full, with well-developed whisker pads and soft contours that create a sweet expression. The nose is short and broad, with a slight indentation at the bridge but no abrupt stop. Cheeks are prominent, chin rounded and firm. The lips are softly contoured, maintaining the circular outline of the muzzle. The facial balance gives the breed its characteristic friendly, charming look.
Eyes
The eyes are large, round, evenly set, and wide apart, giving an open and affectionate expression. Eye color is vivid and clear, harmonizing with coat color: blue in colorpoints, green in silver and golden shades, copper or amber in solids and tabbies. White cats may have blue or odd-colored eyes. The gaze is intelligent, gentle, and calm, forming the typical expressive and sweet look of the breed.
Ears
The ears are small, folded forward and downward, fitting tightly against the head without disrupting its rounded contour. They are set wide apart, with rounded tips and flexible cartilage. The fold should begin at the base of the ear, creating a neat curve that accentuates the rounded skull. Straight or overly large ears are undesirable.
Neck
The neck is short, muscular, and well developed, smoothly joining the body and supporting the large, round head. It should appear strong but not thick, preserving the cat’s compact proportions. In adults, the mane and undercoat can make the neck look shorter and more massive. The transition to the shoulders is smooth and natural.
Body
The body is medium to large, solid and muscular, with a broad chest and well-developed shoulders. The overall shape is nearly square, emphasizing balance and strength. The back is straight, the flanks firm, and the abdomen slightly tucked up. Legs are short and sturdy with round, compact paws. The Highland Fold’s structure combines strength and elegance, maintaining the breed’s signature rounded silhouette.
Tail
The tail is medium to long, well-furnished, flexible, and proportionate to the body. It tapers gently to a rounded tip and should not be thick or stiff. It moves gracefully with the cat’s body, adding to the sense of balance and softness.
Coat
The coat is long, dense, and silky to the touch, with a soft undercoat that adds volume without heaviness. It lies smoothly along the body, forming a mane around the neck and britches on the hind legs. The fur on the face and paws is slightly shorter, emphasizing the round shape of the body. The coat is weather-resistant, easy to maintain, and should have a natural sheen.
Permissible Colors
All recognized solid, tabby, shaded, silver, tortie, smoke, and colorpoint colors are accepted. Allowed shades include white, black, blue, red, cream, lilac, chocolate, and combinations thereof, such as bicolor, van, and harlequin. Eye color should correspond harmoniously to the coat.
Size
The Highland Fold is a medium-sized breed with a compact, sturdy build. Adult males weigh 4–6 kg, females 3–5 kg. The body is proportional, muscular, and balanced, with smooth contours and no signs of coarseness or fragility.
Faults
Minor faults include unfolded or asymmetrical ears, excessively large ears, elongated or too short body, sparse undercoat, or coarse fur texture. A narrow chest, weak legs, elongated muzzle, bulging eyes, or lack of coat density are also undesirable.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include straight (unfolded) ears, short or kinked tail, vertebral deformities, signs of osteochondrodysplasia, crossed eyes, jaw misalignment, or skeletal abnormalities. Cats with genetic bone disorders, aggressive or fearful behavior, or untypical appearance are disqualified from shows and breeding.
Important Notes
Only healthy Highland Folds without signs of cartilage or bone deformities are allowed for breeding. Mating two Fold-eared cats is strictly prohibited to prevent hereditary bone diseases. Breeding is conducted using Highland Straights (straight-eared cats) to ensure healthy offspring. Proper grooming, regular ear checks, and joint monitoring are essential for maintenance. The ICCF standard emphasizes harmony between physical beauty and well-being.
Conclusion
The Highland Fold is a graceful, balanced breed combining soft lines, silky coat, and distinctive folded ears. Known for their affectionate and calm disposition, these cats adapt perfectly to family life. Under proper breeding standards and care, the Highland Fold maintains excellent health, beauty, and the true breed type. It is highly valued for its harmony, gentle temperament, and devotion, representing the ideal companion and a distinguished breed within the ICCF system.
