Los Angeles cat breeder Judy Sugden has been working since the late eighties to breed a housecat that resembles a tiger. The result is the “Toygerâ€, a registered breed she is still working on.
The breed standard for the Toyger, as registered with TICA, is a big-boned, pumpkin-colored animal with a whitened belly. Ideally, its stripes mimic those of its powerful role model, flowing up from the stomach and down from the spine, and forming concentric arcs around the face.
So far, there are 400 registered Toygers, but none that exemplify all the registered attributes. She hopes to have a perfect specimen by 2010. Link
The article talks about the breeder crossing cats with Bengal cats trying to isolate the traits she's looking for. It doesn't mention anything about what she does with the cats that don't meet her criteria nor the kittens born with genetic problems.
I'm not a cat lover, but I think these are terrific.
I honestly doubt that they do anything unethical with the kittens that don't fit the ideal, aside from keeping them from passing on their genes in the purebred line.
In fact, ideal for the new breed or not, I'm sure there are some VASTLY pretty Toyger 'rejects'...
i just love kitties
kitties are very cute
I LOVE KITTIES!!!!!
The ones unfit for development of the breed are neutred and sold at a dicount. For genetic strength of the line and for diversity, "outcrosses" are done, where a toyger is bred to a regular cat, possibly one with traits they are interested in to perfect the breed. Once again, the undesireables are neutered and sold (even more cheaply than the pure toyger rejects).
Genetic knowledge has been improving animal husbandry and it's only getting better. Ever toyger's lineage is probably well documented (the unspayed breeders, anyway). Also, record all instances of genetic illnesses in toygers. Belive me, these people have ambitious breeding goals for their new breed, and I don't think they want something as unsavory as a genetic flaw in their "creation".
Let me just say that I saw a news article about toygers and fell in love with them, and then I did my research.
I have read many articles, opinions, etc. on the internet about them and I think that the reasons that the breed was started is just plain stupid. I just think it is utterly obsurd to have a cat that is going to look like a mini-tiger. They are pretty cats NOW, but they are going to be stupid looking 2 years from now. Man.. The dumb stuff people do.
So these people that would pay $4000 for a toyger are not people that would set foot in an animal shelter. I've had many an argument with people like this but their response is why would they take on someone else's problem. Its similar to the sentiment that these same people would never buy a used car because its someone else's headache. These people really believe (and yes they are stupid for believing it) that non pure-bred animals have behavioral problems, and that purebred animals are somehow superior.
It's something we all just need to get used to. And look at the bright side, that's more rescue and adopted pets for those of us with a little compassion!
OR
if your to cheap to buy one these cute kittys consider going to your local pound and pick up an animal.
I like 'em. myself? to the pound! im a cheapy.=)
Ok back to cats. Quit complaining about what YOU think is "right" and just love them. The point that really needs to get across to the public and breeders is to be responsible, not where to spend your money. If you are not a breeder then your pets should be fixed and if you are a breeder you should have the animals fixed if they are not being sold for breeding. I believe you cheapy people are part of the problem because you are too cheap to have your animals fixed! Be responsible and spread the word about being responsible that is really the root of the whole problem isn't it?
I personally am planning on purchasing a Toyger outcross kitten if I can. These kittens need just as much love as any other. I agree with D20chick. And if any of you would do your OWN homework you would know that these breeders want to be sure they are creating this new breed according to the standards they have set, so all the kittens for sale are almost always spayed or neutered. The only way you can get one that is not spayed or neutered is by paying $$$ and convincing the breeder that your goal is the same as theirs for the breed.
I believe this new breed is great for those people who want an exotic looking animal, a much better choice than buying a real wild cat or a hybrid of a wild cat that could potentially be dangerous to you, your home, or your neighbors. Look up Safari and Savannah cats those are half wild cat and half domestic cat!
The Toyger was started by breeding domestic Shorthairs and Bengals together. The Bengal has an interesting history it is believed to have some Asian Leopard Cat in its beginnings, but the modern Bengal gene pool contains genes sourced from many varieties of domestic cats - mainly Egyptian Maus, American Shorthair, Abyssinian, Ocicat, and domestic Shorthaired cats. I see the Toyger progressing along a similar route as the Bengals, basically the gene pool is being widened to acquire the particular look of a Toyger and this will also help with health, then eventually the Toyger will breed with only other Toygers just like the Bengals of today. Go to www.toygers.org and do your own research into the new breed.
By the way, why aren't you guys attacking ALL of the people who breed for show? How do you think they get their beautiful specimens? Forget it!! Let's just talk about how darn cute they all are.