Which breeder developed the Toyger cat breed to resemble a miniature tiger?

Judy Sugden developed the Toyger cat breed to resemble a miniature tiger.

Sugden began developing the Toyger in the United States in the late 1980s. She selected domestic cats for features associated with tigers, especially bold vertical striping, a long body, and a distinctive facial pattern. The breed was intended to evoke a tiger’s appearance without using tiger ancestry.

The name “Toyger” combines “toy” with “tiger.” Toygers are domestic cats, and their appearance comes from selective breeding among domestic lines. The breed is not a hybrid created by crossing domestic cats with wild tigers.

Judy Sugden is also connected with the Bengal breed through her mother, Jean Mill, a major figure in Bengal development. That family connection can cause confusion, but Sugden’s specific role in this question is her creation of the Toyger breed.