The Toyger is the latest in an array of “designer cats” to have flooded the pet market in recent years. Following hot on the heels of the Bengal – another pet designed to look like a miniature wild cat but behave like a domestic companion – the Toyger is basically a genetically modified tabby. So, the question is, have they got it right? Is the Toyger worth the money? Do they live up to expectations?

History

The toyger is the result of an experiment, back in the 1980s, aimed at breeding domestic short-haired tabbies that would resemble “toy tigers”. The breeds creator, Judy Sudge – who is said to have stated the breed was developed in order to inspire people to care about the conservation of tigers in the wild – noticed some distinctively marked kittens amongst a litter she’d bred. The kittens displayed markings in an area on the head  usually be devoid of them, and it was these markings that first inspired the idea of a tiger-like tabby.

The next stage was to import a tom-cat with similar markings, which she did, in the shape of a feral cat found on the streets of India. Now that the head markings were achieved, the quest began to create the circular face-patterns also displayed by Tigers. The breeder later went on to bring the Bengal cat into the mix, in order to create a “big-cat body”.

Breeders

Breeders have used computer imaging technology to develop a model for the Toyger (see above image) and hope to have achieved this look by 2010 – meaning they should be nearing that stage already. The initial aims were to round the ears and widen the nose-bridge. In the future they hope to create smaller eyes, a cheek ruff, and a white chest.

There are still very few breeders in the world – located primarily in the United States, with just a few in the UK, and one in Australia – so the process will be a slow one and, consequently, the Toyger will be in great demand for some time yet, at least until enough breeders have been established to supply a sufficient number of kittens. This means the cost of a Toyger will probably be highly inflated for many years to come.

Life with Toygers

Toygers are said to make wonderful companions due to their great temperaments and above average intelligence. Their glittered, pelted, and dramatic coat-pattern appeals greatly to city-dwellers with a taste for the wild, and some owners even say their big bones and long toes cause them to move differently; in a manner more associated with big cats. Their laid-back nature makes them easily trainable and perfect for families and apartment owners.

The Future of Toygers

So far, the Toyger seems to be fulfilling the aims of the breeders, although much work needs to be done before anyone can truly say they resemble the Tiger facially. The coat is quite impressive, with its vibrant colour, velvety glitter and distinctive markings, but the face still very much resembles a cross between a Bengal and a domestic cat, which is disappointing. With personalities very similar to many other domestic breeds, there’s simply very little yet to define the Toyger, and certainly not enough to justify the heavy prices often charged for a well-marked kitten.

Is a Toyger Right for You?

My opinion, as a pedigree-cat breeder: if you want a “real” miniature tiger you’d be better off waiting 10 years until they’ve introduced the neck-ruff and further adapted the face. If you’re happy with the look of a domestic cat or a Bengal with a tiger-like coat, the current model of the Toyger might suit you well.

Whatever cat you choose, make sure you buy from a reputable breeder.

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