What is a Bengal?
Loved by those who appreciate its inquisitive and loving nature, the Bengal is a medium to large domestic cat most renowned for its richly colored, highly contrasted coat of vivid spots or distinctive marbling. The Bengal is the only domestic cat breed that can have rosettes like the markings on Leopards, Jaguars and Ocelots.
Bengals are generally confident and devoted companions. They get along well with other pets when properly introduced and enjoy being part of a family. Active and interactive, Bengals are curious and athletic and maintain a kitten-like energy and attitude well into their senior years. These affectionate cats engage their owners in play, learn tricks, learn house-rules, or just like to be close. Some Bengals are generally talkative while others prefer to wait for the right time to communicate. Many Bengal Cats have an affinity for water and will enjoy watching you brush your teeth, while others are keen to join you in the shower.
The charm of the Bengal personality may only be eclipsed by its beauty. While the most recognized color and pattern is the brown spotted or rosetted tabby (which is reminiscent of a Leopard-like color and pattern) Bengals come in two basic pattern flows: the spotted/rosetted and the marbled. The marbled pattern looks more like the extended blur of a Clouded Leopard's markings.
Many people are captivated by the wild expression on a cuddly kitten that comes from the distinctive tabby facial markings and large oval, nocturnal eyes. The highly contrasted markings appear in all Bengals no matter the pattern and color, even in the seal lynx point or black silver tabby with their "snow leopard" appearances. While most Bengals have green, yellow or gold eyes, the lynx points have blue eyes and the minks have aqua eyes. Some Bengals have "glitter," a sparkle at the tips of the hairs visible when the light catches them. To mimic the look of a wild cat, Bengals have wide noses with prominent nose leather (the skin on the tip of the nose), and the muzzle is completed with prominent whisker pads. With too many color and pattern combinations to fully describe here, it is safe to say that everyone will have their favorite and there are enough varieties to tickle each person's fancy.
But wait until you feel a Bengal. First, you will encounter the pelt-like plush coat that is like the coat on no other domestic cat. Ranging from rabbit-like softness to the resilience of the densest hand-tied rug, the Bengal fur is an unexpected treat. Underneath that plush, patterned coat, Bengals are well-muscled-even the females, which are smaller than the males-with long bodies and thick tails to provide balance.
Observing the Bengal Cat in motion is the best way to appreciate its unique combination of strength and elegance. More like a basketball player than a gymnast, the grace of a Bengal cannot be denied when it is simply walking across the back of your sofa or getting ready to pounce on the teaser toy in interactive play. And yes, the Bengal can take a spectacular spill, just like that basketball player landing after an amazing dunk.
Like all domestic cats, the Bengal Cat traces its origins to non-domestic ancestors. However today's domestic Bengal Cat comes only from breeding Bengals to other Bengals and requires no specialized care. You need only open a fashion or style magazine to appreciate that throughout history there are indications of a profound human fascination with the large and small wild felines that inhabit the jungles and forest of the world. In 1963, Jean S. Mill crossed the domestic cat with the Asian Leopard Cat, a spotted, five to twelve pound, shy non-domestic cat species from Asia. This was the first effort to use hybrid offspring to create a breed of domestic cat with the loving nature of the best fireside tabby and the striking look of Leopards, Ocelots and Jaguars. The modern Bengal breed traces to cats bred by Mrs. Mill in the early 1980's.
information from CFA's Website
Bengals are generally confident and devoted companions. They get along well with other pets when properly introduced and enjoy being part of a family. Active and interactive, Bengals are curious and athletic and maintain a kitten-like energy and attitude well into their senior years. These affectionate cats engage their owners in play, learn tricks, learn house-rules, or just like to be close. Some Bengals are generally talkative while others prefer to wait for the right time to communicate. Many Bengal Cats have an affinity for water and will enjoy watching you brush your teeth, while others are keen to join you in the shower.
The charm of the Bengal personality may only be eclipsed by its beauty. While the most recognized color and pattern is the brown spotted or rosetted tabby (which is reminiscent of a Leopard-like color and pattern) Bengals come in two basic pattern flows: the spotted/rosetted and the marbled. The marbled pattern looks more like the extended blur of a Clouded Leopard's markings.
Many people are captivated by the wild expression on a cuddly kitten that comes from the distinctive tabby facial markings and large oval, nocturnal eyes. The highly contrasted markings appear in all Bengals no matter the pattern and color, even in the seal lynx point or black silver tabby with their "snow leopard" appearances. While most Bengals have green, yellow or gold eyes, the lynx points have blue eyes and the minks have aqua eyes. Some Bengals have "glitter," a sparkle at the tips of the hairs visible when the light catches them. To mimic the look of a wild cat, Bengals have wide noses with prominent nose leather (the skin on the tip of the nose), and the muzzle is completed with prominent whisker pads. With too many color and pattern combinations to fully describe here, it is safe to say that everyone will have their favorite and there are enough varieties to tickle each person's fancy.
But wait until you feel a Bengal. First, you will encounter the pelt-like plush coat that is like the coat on no other domestic cat. Ranging from rabbit-like softness to the resilience of the densest hand-tied rug, the Bengal fur is an unexpected treat. Underneath that plush, patterned coat, Bengals are well-muscled-even the females, which are smaller than the males-with long bodies and thick tails to provide balance.
Observing the Bengal Cat in motion is the best way to appreciate its unique combination of strength and elegance. More like a basketball player than a gymnast, the grace of a Bengal cannot be denied when it is simply walking across the back of your sofa or getting ready to pounce on the teaser toy in interactive play. And yes, the Bengal can take a spectacular spill, just like that basketball player landing after an amazing dunk.
Like all domestic cats, the Bengal Cat traces its origins to non-domestic ancestors. However today's domestic Bengal Cat comes only from breeding Bengals to other Bengals and requires no specialized care. You need only open a fashion or style magazine to appreciate that throughout history there are indications of a profound human fascination with the large and small wild felines that inhabit the jungles and forest of the world. In 1963, Jean S. Mill crossed the domestic cat with the Asian Leopard Cat, a spotted, five to twelve pound, shy non-domestic cat species from Asia. This was the first effort to use hybrid offspring to create a breed of domestic cat with the loving nature of the best fireside tabby and the striking look of Leopards, Ocelots and Jaguars. The modern Bengal breed traces to cats bred by Mrs. Mill in the early 1980's.
information from CFA's Website
Is it the right breed for me?
As breeders we are always faced with the question. "Is this the right breed of cat for me?" , and its always hard to give a definite answer. They are a lot of work and require your undevoted attention. They are affectionate if in the right household or they can be a bit more on the standoffish side. Every Bengal is unique in terms of personality. But thats not to say they aren't the right breed for you.
When I received my first Bengal I didn't know what to expect. I had done a lot of research over the years before picking the breed of cat I wanted. At first, they intrigued me with their rosettes and how they held their posture as they walked. I started to dig further into research I soon realized that they were an active breed who laugh at your misfortunes (ask Yang she looks at me then knocks things over just to spite me then proceeds to prance around as if shes laughing) they also like jumping in the shower with me (I now have to lock the bathroom door) They know how to open doors and if your getting changed they will open the door just to spite you. This may seem negative to some which at that point I would say they are probably not the breed for you. But to crazy cat people like myself, they make me laugh and there is never a dull day in my life with these fur babies.
From rolling over for a belly scratch to mewing at you for no reason to even biting at your toes from under the sheet I akin this breed to having a temperament like a ferret. Ying thinks shes a carpet shark. Sometimes they can even start stalking habits.
We say it takes a special household to have a Bengal and its true. If you find that any of the above things make you laugh or even make you really want one for the fun days ahead consider getting one. If you are after a lap sponge please consider adopting one of the many cats that are waiting for forever homes at kill shelters and RSPCA. I myself have adopted in the past to give animals a second chance and I encourage people to when I think it may be the better option for them,
When I received my first Bengal I didn't know what to expect. I had done a lot of research over the years before picking the breed of cat I wanted. At first, they intrigued me with their rosettes and how they held their posture as they walked. I started to dig further into research I soon realized that they were an active breed who laugh at your misfortunes (ask Yang she looks at me then knocks things over just to spite me then proceeds to prance around as if shes laughing) they also like jumping in the shower with me (I now have to lock the bathroom door) They know how to open doors and if your getting changed they will open the door just to spite you. This may seem negative to some which at that point I would say they are probably not the breed for you. But to crazy cat people like myself, they make me laugh and there is never a dull day in my life with these fur babies.
From rolling over for a belly scratch to mewing at you for no reason to even biting at your toes from under the sheet I akin this breed to having a temperament like a ferret. Ying thinks shes a carpet shark. Sometimes they can even start stalking habits.
We say it takes a special household to have a Bengal and its true. If you find that any of the above things make you laugh or even make you really want one for the fun days ahead consider getting one. If you are after a lap sponge please consider adopting one of the many cats that are waiting for forever homes at kill shelters and RSPCA. I myself have adopted in the past to give animals a second chance and I encourage people to when I think it may be the better option for them,
