The Bengal Cat

The Bengal cat is a very loving, highly intelligent, friendly domestic cat that orginated in 1963 when a women named Jean Mills bred a black male domestic cat with a female Asian Leopard Cat (ALC). She took one of the female spotted kittens out of this litter and bred it back to its father. The result was the beginning of the Bengal cat breed of today.

The Bengal cat is the only spotted breed which is a direct descendant of a wild ancestor, the ALC. Its name orginates from the scientific name of the ALC (Felis bengalensis). ALC cats are a small cat found in Southern and Eastern Asia. These beautiful wild leopards are a small breed and dwell mainly in forested areas. They are very shy around strangers and not aggressive.

This relatively new breed of cat has the same nutritional and immunization requirements as any domestic cat. They use a litter box like any house cat. They are very loving, entertaining companions. Just turn off the TV and watch these cats! And don't be surprised if they join you in the shower or tub!!!

The Bengal is recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) and makes up the largest number of cats competing in TICA shows. They are also recognized by other registries such as AACE, ACF, ACFA, CCA, FIFE, GCCF, NZCF and QICC.

Colors and Patterns

There are several colors and patterns recognized in this breed. There colors are brown, seal lynx point, mink, and speia. They are also recognized in the New Breed and Color Class at TICA shows in silver, blue and solid black.

The spotted brown tabby Bengals have dark spots on a lighter background color ranging from tawny to sorrel to grey to golden or even a bright orange (rufused) and a rich mahagony. Their bellies are preferably whited with dark spots. A "glittered" pelt is also a welcome addition. This is a high shine resembling actual glitter. These are the most common of this breed.

Marbled Bengals have a swirled or marbleized pattern to their pelt. The pattern has swirls of spotted colors flowing in a horizontal design.

Rosetted cats have dark outlining around thier spots creating a third color. These are prefered but are not required.

Conformation

Bengals are short-haired cats that have large-boned and heavily muscled bodies. They have a true "pelt" rather than a regular coat. They average between about 10 to 20 pounds with the females of the breed usually being smaller. They should have a relatively "wild" look to their expression with small rounded ears. It is desireable to have a friendly domestic Bengal that has the look of its Asian Leopard Cat ancestors.

Foundation Cats

When refering to foundation cats, (that is less than five generations back to the original ALC) an "F" is used before the number of the generation. For example, an F1 is the first generation cross meaning one parent is an ALC. An F2 is the second generation with one of the grandparents being an ALC. F2 males are usually sterile. In the third generation (F3) some males are fertile. An F4 is the last generation before a cat is considered a true Bengal. Both sexes of the F4 are usually fertile.