Cat
Breed Description:
The Bengal is a relatively new hybrid breed of cat, which exhibits the "wild" markings (such as large spots, rosettes, and a light/white belly), and body structure reminiscent of the wild Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).The Bengal cat has a desirable "wild" appearance with a gentle domestic cat temperament, provided it is separated by at least three generations from the original crossing between a domestic feline and an Asian Leopard Cat. The Bengal cat appears to walk from the wild into the show hall. Temperament is dependable, curious, intelligent, interactive and loving. Ancestral models, felis catus and prionailurus bengalensis, create patterns reminiscent of the wild as well as patterns completely new and unique to both models. The Bengal cat is athletic, sleek and muscular; medium to large in size, allowance made for smaller females. Characteristics in the appearance of the Bengal cat distinct from those found in other domestic cat breeds given special merit. (ACFA Bengal Breed Standard)
Temperament:
Bengal cats are friendly, loving domestic cats that bear a strong physical resemblance to their Asian Leopard Cat ancestors. They enjoy the companionship of both adults and children and usually adapt to other family pets.
Weight:
10 to 15 pounds
Health Problems:
Exercise, nutritional and immunization requirements are the same as for all domestic household cats.
Living Conditions:
They may look like Leopards but the Bengal cat is a domesticated Breed. They are completely at home in doors and have been occasionally seen being walked on leashes by their owners.
Exercise:
Although they are occasionally walked on leashes cats are not completely designed for long urban walks on cement. They do enjoy exercise and will love the outdoors as much as the indoors.
Origin:
The name Bengal was derived from the taxonomic name of the Asian Leopard Cat, and not from the more widely known Bengal tiger species, which is unrelated to the Bengal's ancestry. Bengals it seems became the promotion of this breed, and this is credited to two people: Jean Mills and the Kents. This is what Jean Mills had to say as to why she chose to promote this particular hybrid cat;
"...I deliberately crossed leopard cats with domestic cats for several important reasons. At that time, wild cats were being exploited for the fur market. Nursing female leopard cats defending their nests were shot for their pelts, and the cubs were shipped off to pet stores worldwide. Unsuspecting cat lovers bought them, unaware of the danger, their unpleasant elimination habits and the unsuitability of keeping wild cats as pets. Most of the wild kittens from this era ended up in zoos or escaped onto city streets. I hoped that by putting a leopard coat on a domestic cat, the pet trade could be safely satisfied. If fashionable women could be dissuaded from wearing furs that look like friends' pets, the diminished demand would result in less poaching of wild species."
The Bengal breed is now T.I.C.A.'s most popular registered breed but it is still not fully recognized by some modern cat fancies. This is somewhat ironic considering all modern Cat Fancies can trace their existence to the original show held in 1871, a show that welcomed hybrids.
The International Bengal Cat Society (T.I.B.C.S.), the Bengal Breeders Alliance (B.B.A.) and the Authentic Bengal Cat League (A.B.C.L.) were formed. These organizations exist to promote good breeding practices, discourage unscrupulous breeders, and attempt to educate people about the Bengal breed. 