Kittens earn their stripes

SIMON EDWARDS

14/08/2013

SIMON EDWARDS / Fairfax NZ

Toyger, bftoyger burning bright: Toyger kitten Leland, one of four to go on show in Heretaunga on Saturday.

You wouldn't want a tiger stalking the back of your sofa but what about a toyger?
Kittens with tiger markings will be the star attraction at the Hutt Feline Club's annual championship show in Heretaunga on Saturday.

In what is thought to be a first, four purebred toyger kittens will be shown for about an hour from 12pm.

Cat breeder Vee (she didn't want her surname published) has imported a toyger tom from Britain and two queens from Australia. Unlike mackerel tabbies, which have thinner and more uniform stripes, the broken, braided stripes of the toyger are more like tigers

The first four kittens are in their fuzzy fur stage, Vee said, and their tiger stripes will become even more distinctive.

Vee is expecting another litter from her second queen at the end of the month, which will likely have a more "orangey" hue.

A wide variety of other pedigree and domestic cats will also be on display, some from as far away as Christchurch.

The club was close to folding two years ago but a small group headed by one of New Zealand's youngest cat fanciers Samantha Pratt - thought to be the world's youngest qualified cat judge - have rallied and revived the club.

Hutt Feline Club championship show, Heretaunga Christian Centre, 51 Lane St, Wallaceville, 9am till 3.30pm, Saturday August 17.

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