The Bengal Catthe best of two worlds The Bengal cat is a hybrid cat breed. It is the result of the crossing of a domestic cat with an Asian Leopard Cat, a small wild cat. The Bengal inherited its exotic, leopard-like markings and sleek, muscular body type from its wild ancestors, and its gentle disposition and mild manner from its domestic forefathers. The Bengal is a great representative of both worlds, so if you want to enjoy the wild and the domestic at the same time, a Bengal is just for you. The Bengal is a relatively new cat breed. The first reports of crosses between Asian Leopard Cats (ALCs) and domestic cats date back to the 1930s. However, Jean Sudgen, later Jean Mills, has been credited with developing the Bengal breed during the 60s and 70s. Interestingly, several domestic cat breeds have been used for Bengal breeding, including the Abyssinian, British shorthair, Bombay, Burmese, and Egyptian Mau. In 1977, Bengal cats were first registered with the American Cat Fanciers Association (AFCA) as an experimental breed. Later - in 1983 - The International Cat Association (TICA) introduced the Bengal as a new cat breed. Both these organizations along with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) accept the Bengal for registration. However, Bengals of early generations (F1, F2, F3) are not considered to be domestic cats and are not allowed to be registered or to be shown. These early generation Bengals still retain wild characteristics and are not consider good pets. Currently, the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) does not accept the Bengal (of any generation) for registration or shows. Even though these spotted cats are still rare, they have grown in popularity ever since they were first introduced to the public. Name origin When we hear the name Bengal, images of the fierce Bengal tigers come to mind. However, the Bengal gets its name from the scientific name of the Asian Leopard Cat, which is Prionailurus bengalensis. And indeed, the Bengal looks more like a leopard than a tiger. Physical traits and behavior The Bengal is a medium to large cat. The adult females weigh from 7-12 pounds on average. Bengal males weigh from 11 to 19 pounds. Sleek and strong, they indeed look like wild cats. The Bengal’s coat is dense but soft to the touch, and it’s either marbled or spotted. The markings are well defined and include spots, rosettes (bi-color markings) and stripes. The Bengal can live an average of 15 years. Color patterns The Bengal comes in different color variations, including:
Bengal behavior These “wild” kitties are extremely intelligent, fun-loving and of good disposition. Bengal cats are also social and affectionate, making them great pets. So if you want to enjoy the beauty of the wild cats, but want a tamed kitty, then the Bengal will be perfect for you. Bengal-inspired gifts If you know a Bengal-cat lover, consider these gift ideas: -- Bengal-themed magnets and coasters -- Calendars -- Plush toys And for more ideas, visit our Bengal gifts page here. If you just adopted a Bengal cat and are searching for a name for him or her, check the Bengal cat name page, here.
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