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Alternative Name
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Basic Info

The Toyger is a breed of striped domestic cat. The Toyger is descended from Bengal cat stock crossed with domestic cats. The aim of this cross was to produce a striped ‘toy tiger’. It was recognised for ‘Registration only’ by The International Cat Association in the early 1990s. There are several breeders in the United States and one breeder in the UK working to develop the breed The Toyger is a designer cat. It is designed and bred with the demands of modern apartment life as a human companion foremost in mind. Glittered, pelted, dramatic pattern appeals to both the high-tech glamour and nature-loving, wild dreams of city-caught people while the laid back, easily trained character of these cats make them a joy to live with.

Health

Certainly general health and longevity must be of top concern to breeders and pet owners alike. Toygers are generally robust and healthy. Although it is too early in the breed to see much difference from most domestics, active lifespan seems to be similar to most random breds at about 10 to 15 years with several of the few retired early TGs born in the last ’80s still going strong.

Habitat

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Behavior

Loving, intellegent, laid-back but active and alert. Highly trainable. Gets along well with other animals and children. Some lines like other cats better than other lines at this time. Some lines are noisy at this time.

Origin

United States

History

The Toyger is a breed in development. Recognized by TICA for Registration Only early in the 1990’s, Preliminary New Breed in 2000 and lovely even now, the goals for the breed are long term and the prospect even more exciting! Several of the features proposed have never before been recognized as possible in a domestic cat. Progress is slow but steady in all areas from companionability to appearance. The Toyger will be showing in its new TICA status of Advanced New Breed May 2006.

Common Foods

cat food, milk

Ussuri

Alternative Name
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Basic Info

Conformation The ears often have “lynx” brushes. The body is muscular, but not massive. The neck is firm but not long. The legs are medium length, muscular and in proportion with firm, rounded paws. The tail has a rounded tip (like the European Wildcat). Color & Pattern The color and modified tabby pattern is a distinctive feature of the breed. It has vertical solid or merged spots on the body with lines on the forehead and two or three bronzed lines on cheeks. There should be one or more solid or broken necklaces of bronzed tone on neck and chest. Distinct lines are required on the legs with the upper part being of bronzed color and the lower part of ground color. The tail must be ringed and have a dark tip of ground color. There is a dark dorsal stripe. The flank pattern consists of stripes, rings or spots on golden-brown or goldish-fawn background and bronzed buttons on the paler belly

Health

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Habitat

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Behavior

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Origin

Russia

History

The Ussuri is a rare natural breed of cat that originates from the region of the Amur river, Russia. It is reputed to be derived from natural hybrids with small wild cats known as “Amur Forest Cats” and “Amur Leopard Cats” (Asian Leopard Cat subspecies, the same species used in the Bengal breed). Semi-wild Ussuris then hybridised naturally with Siberians and European/Domestic Shorthairs. This hybrid origin is based on conjecture and their appearance. The breed is rare even in its native Russia. A translated breed standard for this and other native breeds was published in the mid 1990s, but nothing has been heard since that time and its breed status is unclear. The Ussuri’s numbers are dwindling due to interbreeding with local domestic cats and, without a breeding programme to preserve the strain, it will disappear. However, some other Russian minority cat breeds such as the Donskoy and Peterbald, whose standards were published in English at the same time, are now actively bred in the USA.

Common Foods

cat food, milk

Wild Abyssinian

Alternative Name
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Basic Info

This shorthaired cat possesses many of the same attributes of the standard Abyssinian cat. Yet it differs in the following ways; it is generally larger in body than the average Abyssinian. Weighing any where from 9 to 17 pounds (4-7.5kg). And it also has a curious ‘M’ shaped marking on its forehead, which is described by some as a ‘frown’. Also, it has other dark markings on several areas of its body, a pattern standard Abyssinians lack. These differing markings appear as dark rings on the tail and neck and dark bars on the legs. With these features in mind, some have described the Wild Abyssinian as appearing like a cross between a Tabby Cat and an Abyssinian. With its stunning dark markings and rich golden brown coat this cat can only be described as handsome. The coat of the Wild Abyssinian is short lying, dense and fine. Its paws are large in comparison to the rest of its medium body, and are oval shaped. Its face is intermediate shaped with a pink nose and large round eyes, lacking the slant of the oriental breeds.

Health

N/A

Habitat

Europe and the United States

Behavior

The Wild Abyssinian is a wonderful addition to any household seeking an independent friendly cat. Its name is misleading as it implies a ‘wild feline’. This cat is in no way wild or feral and closely resembles the modern Abyssinian in many ways.

Origin

Italy

History

Although its ancestors originated in Singapore, this breed was developed in Italy the 1980’s. At this time it is not widely recognized. Currently established breeding programs are being maintained in Europe and the United States.

Common Foods

cat food, milk