Bengal History:

The Bengal first originated by crossing the domestic house cat with a small Asian Leopard cat to create an exotic look, with a domestic temperament. The result, a well-tempered, affectionate, and a very playful family pet, with exquisite features.

The first three generations from the initial domestic/Asian Leopard Cat mating are referred to as Foundation Cats.. F1.. F2.. F3. Four generations away from the closest Asian Leopard Cat ancestor are called SBT (Stud Book Traditional).

Cats with Character:

Although Bengals have many characteristics of a typical house feline, they also are unique in many ways:

Bengals are not vocal cats that pester their owners, but they will converse when encouraged to do so.

Bengals have an attraction to water. Many will drink from the tap if you let them, or take an uninvited dip in the bath tub with their owners, even share the shower with their human companions. Frequently, they play in their water bowls and their toys are often found floating in their water dishes.

Bengals love heights. They are accomplished climbers. A multi-level cat tree is a favourite play and resting spot for them.

Bengals love children and other family pets. Our daughter, Elanna, just adores playing with our newest members of the 'family'.

Our Orange Tabby, Oliver fancies taking naps with the  Bengals and has become a surrogate dad to all of the kittens.

A Bengal cat requires about the same care as cats of other breeds.

 

Appearance is Everything:

A  Bengal’s coat should be soft and smooth like a pelt. There are two coat patterns recognized, 'spotted' and 'marbled'.

Spotted: The popular spotted pattern closely resembles the Asian leopard cat’s appearance. Spotted Bengals have dark spots on a contrasting lighter background colour. The spots take various shapes and are arranged in a horizontal alignment over the body, or sometimes in a random configuration. Rosette spots, common to the wild leopard cats, have multishaded light centres or shadows on the dark spots. Rosettes are quite striking in appearance, and are very desirable.

Marbled: The marbled pattern is uniquely different from the spotted pattern. The desired marble pattern has a random horizontal flow on the side of the cat. Vertical stripes are undesirable in Bengals.

Colour

There are 3 Bengal colours recognized: the brown tabby, the seal lynx point, and the seal sepia tabby/seal mink tabby. All Bengals should have black or nearly black tips on their tails, and light-colored, spotted bellies. Numerous shades make up the background colour of the Bengal, ranging from golden, rust brown and orange, to sand, buff or even ivory. Spots vary from rust or cocoa and chocolate brown, to charcoal or black. Eyes, yellow to green.

Size

Bengals are from medium to large domestic feline. They weigh up to about 15 pounds, have small rounded ears and a slightly Roman nose.

To be sure a bengal cat is the right pet for you, it is important to research the breed.

For more information about the Bengal breed, contact:

• www.tica.org
• www.bengalcat.com
• www.cca-afc.com