| The Bengal Cat |
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The Bengal Cat is a relatively new breed of cat derived from the ancestral crossing of
a domestic cat, such as the Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Burmese or Egyptian
Mau, with the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC). The first Bengal Cats were bred in 1963 by
Jean Sugden Mills, and later, in 1972, with eight female ALC-domestic offspring she
acquired from the University of California. The name "Bengal" comes from the
scientific name of the ALC (Felis bengalensis), not from the Bengal Tiger as
many believe. Because of the crossing of the domestic cat with the ALC, the Bengal
possesses the desirable wild, exotic look of the Asian Leopard Cat with the loving,
affectionate, gentle temperament of the domestic cat.
Bengals are medium to large cats with sleek, long, well-muscled bodies. Their front
legs are slightly shorter than their rear legs. Female Bengals range from 7 to 12
pounds at maturity, and males average anywhere from 11 to 20 pounds at full
growth. Their coats are short and dense with a soft and silky mink-like feel. They can
be patterned in random spots or marbled, with a variety of acceptable colors. The
coat may be "glittered," as if someone sprinkled it with glitter. For
more information on the TICA Standard of the breed, please click here.
The Bengal is currently accepted for registration by TICA, the ACFA and the GCCF.
TICA accepts registration of F1s through F3s and beyond; however, in order to be
shown in TICA, a Bengal must be at least four generations away (F-4) from its Asian
Leopard Cat ancestor.
Bengals are playful, affectionate and very intelligent. They have many "dog-like"
qualities and are easy to train. Many people have trained their Bengals to walk on a
leash, fetch, roll over, sit, stay and beg. The possibilities are endless. They also enjoy
playing in water, a trait most domestic cats don't have. Don't be surprised if a Bengal
jumps in the shower with you!
a domestic cat, such as the Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Burmese or Egyptian
Mau, with the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC). The first Bengal Cats were bred in 1963 by
Jean Sugden Mills, and later, in 1972, with eight female ALC-domestic offspring she
acquired from the University of California. The name "Bengal" comes from the
scientific name of the ALC (Felis bengalensis), not from the Bengal Tiger as
many believe. Because of the crossing of the domestic cat with the ALC, the Bengal
possesses the desirable wild, exotic look of the Asian Leopard Cat with the loving,
affectionate, gentle temperament of the domestic cat.
Bengals are medium to large cats with sleek, long, well-muscled bodies. Their front
legs are slightly shorter than their rear legs. Female Bengals range from 7 to 12
pounds at maturity, and males average anywhere from 11 to 20 pounds at full
growth. Their coats are short and dense with a soft and silky mink-like feel. They can
be patterned in random spots or marbled, with a variety of acceptable colors. The
coat may be "glittered," as if someone sprinkled it with glitter. For
more information on the TICA Standard of the breed, please click here.
The Bengal is currently accepted for registration by TICA, the ACFA and the GCCF.
TICA accepts registration of F1s through F3s and beyond; however, in order to be
shown in TICA, a Bengal must be at least four generations away (F-4) from its Asian
Leopard Cat ancestor.
Bengals are playful, affectionate and very intelligent. They have many "dog-like"
qualities and are easy to train. Many people have trained their Bengals to walk on a
leash, fetch, roll over, sit, stay and beg. The possibilities are endless. They also enjoy
playing in water, a trait most domestic cats don't have. Don't be surprised if a Bengal
jumps in the shower with you!
| The Bengal Cat |
| The Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) |
The Asian Leopard Cat inhabits the forests and plains areas of India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, with
small populations in China. Their coats are spotted or rosetted, and they often vary in
color from grey to yellowish. They're sometimes marbled. They're similar in size to
domestic cats, but with longer legs and bodies. They have thick tails that are usually
banded with black rings all the way to the tip, which is always black. Their ears
are black, small and rounded with a white spot on the back of each. They have
somewhat small heads and large eyes. Their undersides are white with spots, and their
cheek-flashes and throats are white. ALCs make their homes in hollow trees or small
caves. Their meals consist of small birds, squirrels, rodents, fish and insects. They are
generally nocturnal cats and are active at dawn, dusk and during the night.
Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, with
small populations in China. Their coats are spotted or rosetted, and they often vary in
color from grey to yellowish. They're sometimes marbled. They're similar in size to
domestic cats, but with longer legs and bodies. They have thick tails that are usually
banded with black rings all the way to the tip, which is always black. Their ears
are black, small and rounded with a white spot on the back of each. They have
somewhat small heads and large eyes. Their undersides are white with spots, and their
cheek-flashes and throats are white. ALCs make their homes in hollow trees or small
caves. Their meals consist of small birds, squirrels, rodents, fish and insects. They are
generally nocturnal cats and are active at dawn, dusk and during the night.
The Asian Leopard Cat (Photo used by permission of Abambu Cattery)
| The Bengal Cat Azanabengals Anisa (Photo used by permission of Madeline of Jesmewlanbengals) |
