Toyger

Last updated
Toyger
Toyger - Cornish Rex presentation show Riihimaki 2008-11-16 IMG 0101.JPG
OriginFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Breed standards
TICA standard
GCCF standard
LOOF standard
Domestic cat (Felis catus)

The toyger is a breed of domestic cat, the result of breeding domestic shorthaired tabbies (beginning in the 1980s) to make them resemble a "toy tiger", as its striped coat is reminiscent of the tiger's. [1] The breed's creator, Judy Sugden, has stated that the breed was developed in order to inspire people to care about the conservation of tigers in the wild. It was recognized for "registration only" by The International Cat Association in the early 2000s, and advanced through all requirements to be accepted as a full championship breed in 2012. [2] [3] There are about 20 breeders in the United States and another 15 or so in the rest of the world, as of 2012. [3]

Contents

In 2020, 469 toygers are registered on the Pawpeds Database. [4] [5]

History

The breed began development in the 1980s in the U.S. when Judy Sugden, a breeder looking to find the difference between the mackerel markings in tabbies, noticed distinctive markings in one of her cats. [6] These tiny spots occurring on the temples of the face (an area normally devoid of distinct pattern) proved genetically that the circular tiger face pattern could be possible in a domestic cat. After importing a tom from the streets of India with noticeable spotting breaking up the usual tabby lines on the top of the head, the quest to develop a toy-tiger began in earnest. About forty domestic cats from various countries were selected over several years as foundation stock, including Bengals, unpedigreed domestic short-haired cats with stripes, and at least one cat imported from India for its ear markings; [2] each provided a specific desired trait or reinforcing ones already chosen (especially the striped appearance).

Judy Sugden was the daughter of Jean Mill (maiden name Jean Sugden). [7] Jean Mill succeeded in creating the Domestic Bengal cat. [8]

Judy Sudgen in French TICA show 2007 Judy Sudgen in French TICA show 2007.jpg
Judy Sudgen in French TICA show 2007

In 1993, TICA accepted the Toyger for Registration and in 2000 advanced them to new breed exhibition classes, granting them full recognition as a championship breed in February 2007. [10]

In 2020, TICA recognized Toyger Club as a TICA chartered club. [11]

Breed standards

The following is adapted from the 2008 TICA breed standard for the Toyger: [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Shorthair</span> Breed of cat

The British Shorthair is the pedigreed version of the traditional British domestic cat, with a distinctively stocky body, thick coat, and broad face. The most familiar colour variant is the "British Blue", with a solid grey-blue coat, pineapple eyes, and a medium-sized tail. The breed has also been developed in a wide range of other colours and patterns, including tabby and colourpoint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bengal cat</span> Breed of cat

The Bengal cat is a breed of hybrid cat created from crossing of a Asian leopard cat, with domestic cats, especially the spotted Egyptian Mau. It is then usually bred with a breed that demonstrates a friendlier personality, because after breeding a domesticated cat with a wildcat, its friendly personality may not manifest in the kitten. The breed's name derives from the leopard cat's taxonomic name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Mist</span> Breed of cat

The Australian Mist is a breed of cat developed in Australia. It is a cross between the Abyssinian cat, the Burmese cat, and the Australian Tabby cat. The Australian Mist has a distinct and unique coat pattern hence the name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicolor cat</span> Cat having fur of two colors

A bicolor cat is a cat with white fur combined with fur of some other color, for example solid black, tabby, or colorpointed. There are various patterns of bicolor cat. These range from the Van-patterned through to solid color with a throat locket or medallion. Bicolor coats are found in many cat breeds, as well as being common in domestic longhair and domestic shorthair cats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonkinese cat</span> Breed of cat

Tonkinese is a domestic cat breed produced by crossbreeding between the Siamese and Burmese. Members of the breed are distinguished by a pointed coat pattern in a variety of colors. In addition to the modified coat colors of the "mink" pattern, which is a dilution of the point color, the breed is now being shown in the foundation-like Siamese and Burmese colors: pointed with white and solid overall (sepia).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat coat genetics</span> Genetics responsible for the appearance of a cats fur

Cat coat genetics determine the coloration, pattern, length, and texture of feline fur. The variations among cat coats are physical properties and should not be confused with cat breeds. A cat may display the coat of a certain breed without actually being that breed. For example, a Neva Masquerade could wear point coloration, the stereotypical coat of a Siamese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ragdoll</span> Breed of cat

The Ragdoll is a breed of cat with a distinct colorpoint coat and blue eyes. Its morphology is large and weighty, and it has a semi-long and silky soft coat. American breeder Ann Baker developed Ragdolls in the 1960s. They are best known for their docile, placid temperament and affectionate nature. The name 'Ragdoll' is derived from the tendency of individuals from the original breeding stock to go limp and relaxed when picked up. The breed is particularly popular in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombay cat</span> Breed of cat

The Bombay cat is a short-haired breed of domestic cat. Bombays are glossy solid black cats with a muscular build, and have characteristic large bright copper-golden eyes. The breed is named after the Indian city of Bombay (Mumbai), referring to the habitat of the Indian black leopard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oriental Shorthair</span> Breed of cat

The Oriental Shorthair is a breed of domestic cat that is developed from and closely related to the Siamese cat. It maintains the modern Siamese head and body type but appears in a wide range of coat colors and patterns. Like the Siamese, Orientals have almond-shaped eyes, a triangular head shape, large ears, and an elongated, slender, and muscular body. Their personalities are also very similar. Orientals are social, intelligent, and many are rather vocal. They often remain playful into adulthood, with many enjoying playing fetch. Despite their slender appearance, they are athletic and can leap into high places. They prefer to live in pairs or groups and also seek human interaction. Unlike the breed's blue-eyed forebear, Orientals are usually green-eyed. The Oriental Longhair differs only with respect to coat length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snowshoe cat</span> Breed of cat

The Snowshoe is a rare breed of domestic cat originating in the United States of America in the 1960s. The Snowshoe is a short-haired bicolour colourpoint breed. Snowshoes were first produced when a Siamese breeder's cat gave birth to three kittens with white feet. The breeder, Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty, then began a breeding program to produce what were originally called "Silver Laces", crossing the strangely marked Siamese cats with bicolour American Shorthair cats and other breeds. Despite having existed for 45 years, Snowshoes are rare due to the difficulty of reproducing the correct coat markings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pixie-bob</span> Breed of cat

The Pixie-bob is a breed of domestic cat claimed to be the progeny of naturally occurring bobcat hybrids. However, DNA testing has failed to detect bobcat marker genes, and Pixie-bobs are considered wholly domestic for the purposes of ownership, cat fancy registration, and import and export. They were, however, selected and bred to look like American bobcats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chausie</span> Breed of cat

The Chausie is a domestic breed of cat that was developed by breeding a few individuals from the non-domestic species jungle cat to a far greater number of domestic cats. The Chausie was first recognized as a domestic breed by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1995. Within the domestic breeds, the Chausie is categorized as a non-domestic hybrid source breed. Because Chausies are mostly descended from domestic cats, by about the fourth generation they are fully fertile and completely domestic in temperament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point coloration</span> Coloration of animal coat/fur

Point coloration is animal coat coloration with a pale body and relatively darker extremities, i.e. the face, ears, feet, tail, and scrotum. It is most recognized as the coloration of Siamese and related breeds of cat, but can be found in dogs, rabbits, rats, sheep, guinea pigs and horses as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Shorthair</span> Breed of cat

The European Shorthair, called the European in FIFe and Celtic/European Shorthair in WCF, is a breed of cat. The term has also been used as an elaborate way of referring to common domestic short-haired cats of Europe, causing some confusion as the pedigree cats of this breed also should resemble the typical domestic cats of Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serengeti cat</span> Breed of cat

The Serengeti is a hybrid breed of domestic cat, first developed by crossing a Bengal and an Oriental Shorthair. Created by biologist Karen Sausman of Kingsmark Cattery in California in 1994, the breed is still in the development stages, but the ultimate aim is to produce a cat that looks similar to a serval, without using any recent wild cat blood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neva Masquerade</span> Breed of cat

The Neva Masquerade is a breed or sub-breed of long-haired domestic cat, which originates in Russia. It is the sister breed or colourpoint variant of the Siberian cat, a centuries-old Russian landrace. The colourpoint markings are the result of a colourpoint gene originally found in Siamese cats. The Neva Masquerade is believed to be derived from crossing the Siberian cat with Asian colourpoint cats, such as the Siamese or Thai, or possibly cats related to those, such as the colourpointed Persian cats. Some cat registries may classify the Neva Masquerade as a colourpoint variety or sub-breed of the Siberian cat, while others consider it to be a separate sister breed. Regardless of its classification, all Neva Masquerade cats are selectively bred and pedigreed today in all major cat fancier and breeder organisations under the Siberian (Forest) cat or Neva Masquerade. This means that all Neva Masquerade cats are purebred cats with a formally registered ancestry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tabby cat</span> Domestic cat with distinctive coat markings

A tabby cat, or simply tabby, is any domestic cat with a distinctive M-shaped marking on its forehead; stripes by its eyes and across its cheeks, along its back, and around its legs and tail; and characteristic striped, dotted, lined, flecked, banded, or swirled patterns on the body—neck, shoulders, sides, flanks, chest, and abdomen. The four known distinct patterns, each having a sound genetic explanation, are the mackerel, classic or blotched, ticked, and spotted tabby patterns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asian cat</span> Breed of cat

The Asian or Asian group, is a cat breed similar to the European Burmese but in a range of different coat colours and patterns. Long-haired Asians of all varieties are called Tiffanies. Asians are grouped in section 5 (Burmese) by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highlander cat</span> Breed of cat

The Highlander is a new breed of cat. The unique appearance of the Highlander comes from the deliberate cross between the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl breeds, also recently developed.

References

  1. BBC. "'Toyger Cats' in Birmingham". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Introduction: Toyger". TICA.org. The International Cat Association. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Breeders of Toyger Cats". Toyger Cat Society. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  4. "Toyger Pawpeds Database".
  5. "Hypoallergenic Bengal Kittens Available for Sale | Delivery to USA & Canada". www.hypoallergenicbengalcat.com. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  6. "Toyger Breed Introduction". TICA.org. The International Cat Association. 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  7. "Not Enough Room for a Tiger in Your Home? A Toyger May Be Answer". VOA. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  8. Barrington, Kate (14 January 2016). "A Detailed History Of The Bengal Cat Breed". Bengal Cats. Bengal Cats. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  9. "Tica Show Paris, Gagny 2007". users.skynet.be/toygerpaws/. 30 December 2009.
  10. "Toyger & Tica". August 13, 2018.
  11. "Toyger Club". Toyger France (in French). Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  12. "Toyger Breed Standard" (PDF). TICA.org. The International Cat Association. June 18, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2018.