Toyger

Toyger was created in the USA by breeder Judy Sugden in the late 1980s, by crossing a Bengal cat with a striped domestic cat to recreate the Bengal tiger's striped pattern in a fully domesticated animal. The name combines the words toy and tiger.

Recognised by TICA in 1993 as a breed in development, it gained full championship breed status in 2007.

Toyger is a medium-sized cat with a muscular, elongated body that visually evokes a miniature tiger. Its most distinctive feature is its short, dense and shiny coat with dark stripes on a golden or deep orange background and a characteristic circular pattern on the forehead.

Its temperament is calm, intelligent and very adaptable. It is affectionate with the family, gets on well with children and other animals, and is considered one of the easiest cat breeds to train.

Toyger adapts well to apartment living without requiring much space, but appreciates environmental enrichment with scratching posts and interactive toys. It is active but not hyperactive: it loves daily play and contact with the family. The short coat requires only weekly brushing. Veterinary visits should include periodic heart checks.

Toyger may be predisposed to some conditions:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: thickening of the heart muscle that can affect cardiac function; periodic echocardiogram is recommended.
• Hip dysplasia: joint malformation that can cause pain; rare but reported in the breed.
• Dental problems: tartar build-up and periodontal disease requiring periodic oral hygiene.

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