Toyger

Breed Overview

Introduction

The Toyger cat breed stands as a testament to selective breeding, offering a captivating blend of exotic allure and domestic charm.

Often affectionately dubbed the “toy tiger,” this breed was meticulously developed to strikingly resemble its wild namesake, boasting a coat adorned with bold, tiger-like stripes.

Yet, beneath this fierce exterior lies a profoundly gentle and companionable nature, as Toygers are entirely domestic felines with no wild bloodlines in their ancestry.

This deliberate design creates a fascinating paradox: a miniature wildcat in appearance, yet a loving, intelligent, and highly affectionate companion at heart.  

The compelling appeal of the Toyger lies precisely in this duality. The recurring terminology of “toy tiger” is not merely a descriptive phrase; it encapsulates the breed’s core identity and a significant part of its unique value proposition.

By immediately establishing the contrast between their wild aesthetic and their truly domestic, affectionate temperament, the breed manages expectations effectively, highlighting that this duality is central to the Toyger’s unique appeal.

Breed History

The captivating journey of the Toyger breed began in the 1980s in California, USA, under the visionary guidance of Judy Sugden.

It is noteworthy that Judy Sugden is the daughter of Jean Mill, the original breeder credited with developing the Bengal cat.

Sugden’s ambitious goal was to create a domestic cat that not only replicated the distinctive tiger stripes but also possessed the overall appearance and, crucially, the gentle temperament of a house cat.

This aspiration is clearly reflected in the breed’s portmanteau name, “Toyger,” a clever fusion of “toy” and “tiger”.

The development of the Toyger was a meticulous process of intentional design, setting it apart as a “designer cat”.

The foundation stock for the Toyger breed involved a purposeful cross between a Bengal cat, specifically named “Millwood Rumpled Spotskin,” and a striped domestic shorthair cat known as “Scrapmetal”.

This Bengal lineage is not just a historical detail; it represents a fundamental genetic blueprint for the Toyger.

While contributing to many desirable Toyger traits such as their athletic build, intelligence, and even their unusual affinity for water, this connection also inherently carries the risk of inheriting genetic predispositions to certain health conditions prevalent in the Bengal breed.

The Toyger breed gained significant recognition from The International Cat Association (TICA), achieving registration status in 1993 and subsequently full championship recognition in early 2007. It is important to note that the breed is not currently accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).

As a relatively new and evolving breed, Toygers continue to be refined by breeders in the United States and the United Kingdom, with ongoing efforts to enhance their tiger-like markings and characteristics with each successive generation.  

Physical Characteristics

The Toyger’s physical characteristics are a testament to the meticulous “art of mimicry” employed in its development, designed to evoke the majestic presence of a wild tiger in a domesticated form.

The overall impression is that of a medium-sized domestic shorthair cat with a sleek, muscular, and long-bodied physique.

They possess substantial bones and move with a confident, athletic gait, which strikingly resembles the movements of their wild counterparts, particularly due to their low-slung posture.  

In terms of size and weight, male Toygers are typically larger, ranging from 10-15 lbs (4.5-6.8 kg), while females are slightly smaller, generally weighing between 7-10 lbs (3.2-4.5 kg).

The head of a Toyger is long, broad, and deep, forming a broad, medium-sized wedge. In profile, distinct angle changes are observed at the chin, nose, forehead, and back skull, with all contours appearing muscular and rounded.

The muzzle is proportionally long, broad, and deep, with well-defined, rounded, muscular contours. From a frontal view, the muzzle contributes to a long, inverted heart shape extending from the forehead to the pronounced, rounded whisker pads.

The nose is muscular, long, and rounded, widening towards the end to at least the width between the eyes, with a preference for greater nose leather width.

Their ears are rounded and ideally small, set as much on the side as on the top of the head. Thick furring around the temples and ears is preferred, while ear tufts (lynx tipping) are considered undesirable.

The eyes are small to medium in size, circular, with a gentle hooding of the upper inside, and slightly slanted towards the base of the ear. A rich, deep color is preferred, commonly appearing in shades of gold, green, or hazel for brown tabbies, and blue for snow tabbies.  

The body is medium to deep, long, sleek, and muscular, featuring rolling contours. It is strong, large-boned, and robust, distinctly not cobby.

The strength is particularly evident in the forequarters, and the shoulders may subtly interrupt the topline. The chest is broad and deep. The legs are of medium length, with the hind legs matching the front in length.

Their paws are characterized by long toes, prominent knuckles, and can appear quite large. The tail is notably long, thick, and muscular, often described as rope-like with a blunt, rounded tip, typically set and carried low.  

The Toyger’s coat is short, yet thick, luxurious, unusually soft, and plush to the touch, while maintaining a resilient quality.

A distinctive “glitter” is a required and highly desirable feature, enhancing their dramatic appearance.

Behavior and Personality

The Toyger’s temperament presents a delightful paradox: an exotic appearance that belies a truly domestic and deeply affectionate nature.

Despite their wildcat looks, Toygers are consistently described as active, intelligent, and profoundly companionable felines. They possess an easygoing and relaxed personality, making them highly adaptable companions within a household.

This stark contrast between their outward appearance and inner temperament is a defining characteristic of the breed, a direct fulfillment of the original breeding goal to create a cat that looks wild but possesses the gentle, manageable temperament of a domestic pet.

Bred specifically to be companion pets, Toygers actively seek human attention and genuinely enjoy interacting with and following their people throughout the home.

They are content living among humans, including children, with whom they typically get along well. They purr readily and are open and friendly even with new acquaintances.

Toygers possess abundant energy and are perpetually seeking opportunities for play and engagement. They are not typically sedentary, often found moving about the house rather than napping.

Their intelligence is a standout trait, making Toygers remarkably trainable and generally easy to handle.

Many owners have successfully taught them tricks through positive reinforcement, such as fetch, heel, shake, and sit, and they can even be taught to walk on a leash. Their quick learning ability means they can sometimes figure out how to open doors or drawers.

Toygers can be quite vocal and demanding when they desire play or cuddles, indicating a tendency to vocalize to gain attention.

Despite their strong attachment to humans, they are adaptable and generally coexist well with other felines, especially if introduced when young, as well as cat-friendly dogs and children.

Care Guide

Diet

Toygers require a high-quality, balanced diet rich in protein and essential nutrients to support their active lifestyle and maintain their muscular physique.

Given their energetic nature, they may require more calories than less active breeds.

Fortunately, Toygers are often adept at self-regulating their weight due to their high activity levels.

Exercise

Toygers are inherently active, playful, and energetic cats, frequently observed moving about the house rather than resting. They are self-motivated and typically do not require coaxing to engage in physical activity.

Interactive play sessions with their human companions are crucial for both their mental and physical health. They thoroughly enjoy cat toys and puzzle feeders that stimulate their innate curiosity and hunting instincts.

Due to their intelligence and trainability, many Toygers can be leash-trained for walks outdoors, offering an excellent avenue for exercise and enrichment.

Some even excel in feline agility courses, showcasing their athletic prowess.  

Environment & Enrichment

Given their intelligence and high energy, Toygers require a stimulating environment to prevent boredom and potential behavioral issues.

Providing a variety of toys, scratching posts, and climbing structures is essential to keep them entertained and engaged.

A significant consideration for Toyger owners is their strong need for companionship. These cats do not thrive when left alone for long periods and can experience separation anxiety. Ideally, someone should be home for much of the day.

If a busy lifestyle prevents constant human presence, providing companionship through another pet can be highly beneficial.

While Toygers are adventurous, keeping them indoors in a protected environment is generally the safest approach, though occasional supervised walks on a leash are acceptable.

Grooming

Toygers have a short, dense coat that makes them relatively low-maintenance in terms of grooming. While they are good self-groomers, a weekly brushing is typically sufficient to keep their fur healthy, shiny, and free of loose hairs, which helps reduce shedding and hairballs.

During periods of seasonal shedding, more frequent brushing may be beneficial. Bathing is rarely necessary, perhaps once every 1.5–2 months, using shampoos specifically formulated for short-haired or dark-colored cats to maintain coat shine and color contrast.  

Ear cleaning should be performed regularly, as Toygers can be prone to wax deposits.

Mental Stimulation

The Toyger’s high intelligence necessitates consistent mental stimulation to keep them engaged and prevent boredom, which can lead to undesirable behaviors.

Investing in interactive toys, such as puzzle feeders or interactive games, is highly recommended to challenge their curious minds.

Their trainability makes them excellent candidates for learning tricks and commands, comparable to dogs in their capacity to learn.

Health Concerns

Is This Breed Right for You?

FAQ

Do Toyger cats get along with children and other pets? 

Yes, Toygers are known to be highly sociable and generally get along well with children, other felines (especially if introduced when young), and cat-friendly dogs.  

Are Toyger cats difficult to care for? 

While their grooming needs are relatively low, Toygers have high needs for social interaction, exercise, and mental stimulation due to their intelligence and active nature. They require an engaged owner who can provide consistent companionship and enrichment.  

How much do Toyger cats shed? 

Toygers have a short, dense coat and are considered moderate shedder. While all cats with fur shed, their short hair makes it less noticeable than long-haired breeds. Weekly brushing can help manage loose fur.  

Can Toyger cats be leash-trained?

Yes, Toygers are highly intelligent and trainable, often compared to dogs in their ability to learn. Many owners successfully leash-train them for walks and can teach them various tricks through positive reinforcement.  

Bonus Facts

Affinity for Water

Unlike many domestic cat breeds, some Toygers exhibit a surprising affinity for water. They might enjoy playing in water bowls or watching running water, as if fishing for prey, a trait that can be linked to their Bengal ancestry.  

A “Designer” Breed with a Purpose

The Toyger is explicitly recognized as a “designer cat,” a breed meticulously crafted by human selection. Beyond creating a miniature tiger, the breed’s founder, Judy Sugden, also intended for the Toyger to raise awareness about the conservation needs of wild tigers, with some breeders donating proceeds to tiger conservation efforts.  

Ongoing Refinement

The Toyger is still considered a relatively new and evolving breed. Breeders in the United States and the United Kingdom continue to refine its features, working to enhance the tiger-like markings and characteristics with each successive generation.  

References 

BBC. “‘Toyger Cats’ in Birmingham”. www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2019.

“Toyger”. TICA.org. The International Cat Association. Retrieved September 30, 2024.

“Meet The Toyger”. Toyger Cat Society. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.

“All Listings”. Toyger Cat Society. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.

“Toyger Pawpeds Database”.

“Toyger Breed Introduction”. TICA.org. The International Cat Association. 2014. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2014.

“Not Enough Room for a Tiger in Your Home? A Toyger May Be Answer”. VOA. Retrieved 2020-04-22.

Barrington, Kate (14 January 2016). “A Detailed History Of The Bengal Cat Breed”. Bengal Cats. Bengal Cats. Retrieved 8 March 2019.

“Tica Show Paris, Gagny 2007”. users.skynet.be/toygerpaws/. 30 December 2009.

“Toyger & Tica”. August 13, 2018.

“Toyger Club”. Toyger France (in French). Archived from the original on 2022-03-16. Retrieved 2020-06-28.

“Toyger Breed Standard” (PDF). TICA.org. The International Cat Association. June 18, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 4, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.