Longevity
Life expectancy
With attentive care, an appropriate diet and good medical follow-up, the Highland Straight can live from 12 to 16 years. Longevity depends on the quality of the breeding, the lifestyle and hereditary predispositions.
Build
A robust breed?
More comfortable than a fold in terms of joints. Long hair nevertheless requires maintenance. A well-managed indoor life generally suits it.
Watch points
What to watch for
Weight, knots, tearing, thirst, teeth. Even if it is not fold, an unusual stiffness must be checked.
Knots and hairballs : Long hair mats if it is not brushed and can cause blockages if too much hair is ingested.
Sensitive eyes : The round head promotes tearing.
Overweight : Not very athletic, it quickly gains weight after sterilization.
Kidneys : Kidney monitoring remains prudent depending on the bloodlines.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
Indoor cat. Warmth to be managed because of the coat. Comfortable winter in heated housing.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
The Highland Straight must maintain a silhouette suited to its morphology, with palpable ribs without excess. The ration must match the actual activity, age and sterilization. Regular weighing prevents overly significant variations.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Brush several times a week.
- Weigh after sterilization.
- Clean the eyes if needed.
- Check the Straight status of the parents and the kitten.
Vaccination
Highland Straight vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Highland Straight? Like all dogs, the Highland Straight receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Highland Straight is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Highland Straight vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Highland Straight?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Highland Straight
Kidneys, eyes, teeth, weight. Check that the kitten is not a fold incorrectly declared. Ask for the parents' status.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
