Miniature tiger cubs and leopards live next to humans for many centuries. Unusual cats of tiger color attract attention at specialized exhibitions. The structure of the body resembles a predatory relative living in the wild.
The origin of the breeds of cats with a tiger color
The cat family belongs to the group of mammals from the predatory order, they live around the world. Domestication and artificial breeding of new breeds pleases the presence of a pet of unusual color at home. A prerequisite is dark stripes and spots that resemble the coloring of a tiger, leopard or jaguar. Color - from yellow and sand to dark brown. The body structure resembles the predatory species of wild cats - a long tail, small paws, a head with a wide nose and a thin elongated body with a powerful neck. Tiger in miniature form.
Purebred breeds of cats of tiger color breed only in official nurseries. On average, an adult weighs from 6 to 9 kg.
By the way, our domestic Siberian cat with thick fur, which hides the true pattern, is most directly related to the tiger. The weight of an adult pet reaches 12 kg. Very true to her master.
Asian tabby
A tiger pattern is found among feline representatives of both short-haired and long-haired species.
Asian tabby cat is an animal with an exotic tiger color. The color of the coat can reach gray and silver shades, not at all reminiscent of a predatory fellow. Coloring kittens can take from several weeks to two to three months. The purchase of an expensive friend is possible only in a specialized breeding farm for pre-order.
The cost of a pet depends on the history of the pedigree, the contrast of the color and the characteristic pattern. Belonging to a particular class determines the final price. A pet class with differences from the standard color is estimated at 15–30 thousand rubles, a Brit class with minimal errors in the standard - from 30–40 without a right and up to 60–70 thousand with a right for further breeding. The show class is a tiger cat with an ideal pattern and breeding right. It costs from 80 thousand.
Toyger. Description
The elite of cats, ideally similar to the powerful "big brother". The name comes from the word "tiger". The Toyger breed was bred using the breeding method by mating a Bengal cat and a purebred Indian cat. It has ideal transverse stripes characteristic of tiger skin. The representatives of the breed have a muscular physique of a wild cat and weigh up to 7-8 kg, and cats up to 5 kg. The animals have a wide chest and strong paws, perfect color contrast.
Reproduction in nurseries of this breed is strictly controlled by the owner. Officially recognized as a toyger in 2007, animals are considered rare and valuable. A kitten can be purchased at a price of 1 to 2 thousand dollars (approximately 65-130 thousand rubles), depending on the color obtained at birth. Nurseries of pre-sterilized felts for home care are selling. Breeding work to breed the perfect miniature domestic tiger continues.
Sokoke. Description of the breed and its representatives
A medium sized sokoke cat with a marble tabby pattern on a sand background. Big ears with tassels. A slanting look gives an original expression to the elegant face of the Kenyan forests. Sokoke is an African forest progenitor of Asian cats. The breed was registered in 1993. The color feature of the tiger cat is the presence of a necklace around the neck. The color of the skin, similar to the bark of a tree, makes it distinguishable from other subspecies.
A miniature copy of the cheetah has a restless character and indefatigable energy. Strong affection for the owners and playfulness will make the pet unhappy if its owners are constantly absent or busy with work. Sokoke is ready to play around the clock, which is suitable for families with small children. Hide and seek, catching up and constantly moving around the apartment is what an active animal needs. The African origin makes itself felt with the onset of cold weather, which is hardly tolerated by this heat-loving breed.
Bengal and Egyptian Mau
The Bengal breed was obtained as a result of the artificial mating of a wild leopard cat with outbred Californian cats in 1963. The breed was registered in 1983, it is more common than Toyger.
Egyptian Mau - spectacular cats with short hair and slender legs, with the queen's grace and big eyes. Four subspecies include smoky and silver colors with black spots, honey and sand tones with brown leopard patterns.
When a sacred pet died in ancient Egypt, she was buried with honors in a family crypt or in a separate cemetery for animals. The embalmed representative of the cat family was escorted into a different world by mummified mice.
British and American breeds
The tiger color of the British cat attracts many breeders. Representatives of this breed have an obstinate character and appearance of a fabulous Cheshire cat. The animal requires a lot of free space for constant movement and a separate place for privacy. The purchase price in the nursery is about 10 thousand rubles.
The American Shorthair is an active and strong cat, ready to jump and play all day. Tiger stripes can be any color. Longevity among domestic feline species.
Scottish cat and munchkin
Scottish cats of tiger color are characterized by a marble shade of tabby color on the back and a large mark on the forehead in the form of the letter M. Yellow eyes and small ears characterize this breed. It is estimated at an average of 25 thousand rubles.
Short-legged munchkin is often found with striped coloration. Shades of stripes he come in different colors. He is very mobile and playful, likes to be in the company of young children. Short legs make him look like a dachshund. This breed has been known since the 90s. It is possible to purchase at an animal breeding farm at a price of 5 to 20 thousand rubles.
Maine Coon and Oncilla
Maine coon is the closest relative to the Siberian cat, only enlarged in size and weight. It has tassels on the ears, like a lynx. Color is very similar to brindle. A large striped representative weighs an average of about 12-15 kg.
Oncilla is a representative of wild tiger breeds living in the wild. A small copy of the jaguar, can swim and jump far. In conditions of the house, it is practically not contained, in isolated cases - in aviaries near the home.
The nature of domestic "tigers"
The character of the tiger cat is as diverse as the drawings on the skin of the animal. Representatives of cats are emotional, which is immediately noticeable in the expression of the eyes and muzzle. They are very active, quickly adapt, inquisitive and smart.
The instinct of the hunter manifests itself in a constant search for game, sometimes the animal stores food for the future. Night movement around the apartment is dictated by nature with the inherent need for security.
But not all cats have this character. Some breeds, such as the Scots and the British, are very calm and balanced. Before buying an animal, be sure to consult with the breeder. He will talk about all the features of the breed and the nature of the kitten you have chosen.
Extra care
Artificially created species of tiger breed are highly valued. Genetic studies prove a direct relationship between the genes responsible for body color and animal immunity. Breeding feline breeds, despite the fact that their wild counterparts have excellent immunity, require additional attention to nutrition and caring for the pet.
The need for annual vaccinations and additional intake of vitamins is mandatory for valuable representatives of the feline class. Monitoring the health of the eyes, heart and blood vessels will help to prevent a possible disease in a timely manner.
Representatives of many tiger breeds are distinguished by longevity, their lifespan is about 20 years with proper nutrition and lifestyle. The need for walks in the fresh air obliges the owner to consider ways and time for such events.
Food
The nutrition of a domestic predator should be varied, it includes meat and lactic acid products, vegetables, and vitamin supplements. Unable to tolerate monotonous nutrition due to their belonging to natural hunters, tiger individuals eat only fresh nutritious food. Additional care is required for long-haired cats, exposed to seasonal molting. Frequent bathing is not particularly recommended, the animals themselves clean their coat.
Striped feline representatives have become so close to humans that life without them becomes boring and uninteresting. But it’s not always worth it to “chase” the breed. Any rootless cat is able to turn into a chic handsome man, feeling the care and affection of the owner.