cat breeds > bengals

The Bengal is native to the United States, but genetically is a cross between a domestic cat and an Asian Leopard cat. The name "Bengal" is not derived from a place, but rather the Latin name of its wild, genetic parentage, "Felis bengalensis" (Asian Leopard cat).

This unusual cross-breed between a wild cat and a domestic cat has been described by its own breed founder as the "domestic reproduction of a leopard." Though not at all wild in temperament, this playful and affectionate breed's looks give away its genetic origins.

Bengals must be four or more generations removed from their wild Asian Leopard Cat ancestor, and have three consecutive generations of Bengal to Bengal breeding in order to be eligible to be shown in T.I.C.A. Your registration paperwork will reflect "SBT" in the registration number, which means the cat has "studbook status". Currently, SBT Bengals can be shown in T.I.C.A., U.F.O., A.C.F.A., I.C.E. and a few other Cat Associations. The early generation Bengals, which we refer to as "Foundation or Filial Bengals", such as F-1, F-2 or F-3 (one, two or three generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat) are best left to specialized breeders or properly prepared and informed owners who are equipped to take care of them. F-4's and beyond, or SBT's, are the true domestic Bengal. Nearly all of the males are sterile until the F3 generation and beyond, so there is no guarantee of fertility.

Overall Appearance ...

Weighing in at an average of 9 to 12 pounds, with the males sometimes reaching up to 15 to 20 pounds, this beautiful cat appears to be a small predator, but its nature is actually quite gentle and loyal. The Bengal's breed standard asks for a cat that is large, but not one that is larger than the largest domestic breed. Bred to retain its wild appearance, however, it carries a long, sleek and muscular body with its hind legs resting slightly higher than its shoulders. The tail is rather short, with a black tip, and is carried lower than other domestic breeds. The head is longer than it is wide. The head is topped with short, rounded ears and well-spaced, ovular eyes, bright green or gold in color. The nostrils are rounder and somewhat wider than normal domestic cats, and its whisker pads are prominent, similar to wild cats as opposed to any domestic breed.

Coloring & Patterns ...

The Bengal's most prominent feature is its beautiful spotted or marbled coat of short, dense fur, which almost resembles pelt. When spotted, the pattern is random or horizontal and stands out distinctly from the background color of tan, gold or mahogany. The marbled variety of the coat has randomly arranged, horizontal stripes, which blend slightly more with the background color, causing the "marbled" effect. In either event, the underbelly and chest are generally white, lending even more of a wild cat appearance to the breed. Spotted Bengals are more common than marbled ones, and brown Bengals are more common than snows; so most Bengals are brown and spotty and good snow marbles are quite rare. Two colors are recognized, Brown Tabby and Snow. Within each color , two patterns are recognized, Spotted and Marble. "Glitter" the high shine (usually on a clear, nonticked coat) that has been discovered and developed in the Bengal, is a welcome addition to the breed but is not mentioned in the Breed Standard and thus is not required in a Bengal. "Rosettes" the dark outlining of coat markings (both spotted and marble) around a third rich color found in many Asian Leopard Cats and other wild cat species, is a desirable, but not required, pattern in the Bengal cat.

Brown Spotted Bengals ...

The brown spotted tabbies (leopard spotted) have dark spots on a lighter ground color ranging from gray or tawny thru sorrel to golden and very rufus (bright orange) and on to a rich mahogony. NOTE: The Asian Leopard Cat is considered a brown spotted tabby in the fancy and ranges somewhat in color.

Snow Spotted Bengals ...

The seal lynx point (blue eyed) and seal sepia (gold or green eyed) spotted tabbies (snow leopard spotted) have ivory backgrounds with contrasting spots. The seal mink (aqua or green eyed) snow is a combination of one each of the above pointed siamese and the burmese sepia genes. Extreme contrast between the markings and the ground color is desirable in each spotted color.Spots of all colors and patterns vary in color, size, rosetting and intensity but preference is given to random and horizontal pattern alignment with wide spacing.

Marble Bengals ...

The classic tabby gene creates the marble bengal and represents a change of pattern from spotted to swirled or marbleized. This dramatic pattern is comprised of swirls of brown spotted colors flowing in a horizontal fashion instead of traditional spots. Preference is given to the more horizontal, flowing and "ocellot-like" patterns. The "marble" pattern can also occur in the snow colors, creating the "snow marbles".

Information and pictures provided by:
AZ Jungle Cattery

An Arizona cattery raising and showing bengals and chausies. They specialize in that wild cat look with purrfect cattitude.