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| Although
Bengal cats look 'wildly' exotic, they are devoted, loving, people oriented
cats that truly crave and offer affection, often butting with their heads
or kneading their paws on ones lap. |
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| Bengal
cats are agile, active, highly intelligent cats, which learn quickly.
They are often described as having dog like personalities; playing fetch
and walking on a harness and leash. Like their leopard cat ancestors,
many Bengal cats display an affinity for water, playing in a tub of water
or showering with their human companion. |
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| The
Bengal cat is medium large in size, with females generally maturing at
6 to 12 pounds and males generally maturing at 10 to 18 pounds. The
Bengal cat usually reaches its mature length, height and weight by two
years of age. The Bengal cat exhibits a broad modified, eggplant
shaped head, prominent whisker pads, and vivid mascara lines. The
ears are medium set with a wide base, and should have somewhat rounded
tips. |
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| Bengals
exhibit a long, very muscular body, with hind legs slightly longer than
their front legs, giving them a "stalking" appearance, when they walk.
Their tail is of medium length, and should be thick and muscular, with
a blunt, virtually black tip. |
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The
Bengal coat is short, dense, soft and silky with a plush pelt like texture.
Some Bengals have gold or crystal tipping to the hair giving them the appearance
of having been dusted with gold or crystal glitter. The glittered
effect to the coat causes the coat to glisten and sparkly with a metallic
like sheen. |
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Bengal cat is the result of the selective breeding of leopard cats to specific
breeds of domestic cats. In the recent past, the domestic cats utilized
in the creation of the Bengal breed were the Indian Mau, Egyptian Mau,
Abyssinian, Ocicat, Burmese and Domestic Short Hair. |
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is no longer necessary to utilize these or other domestic breeds of cats
to create "new" Bengal lines. The current prevailing method of creating
"new" Bengal lines is the introduction and selective breeding of new leopard
cats to Bengal cats, thereby eliminating the domestic phenotypic traits
exhibited by the early Bengals, and thereby increasing the leopard cat
genes within the Bengal gene pool. |
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| Bengals
are often referred to by the generation they are from their leopard cat
ancestor. For example, an F-1 is a Bengal cat having a leopard cat
parent; an F-2 is a Bengal cat having a leopard cat grandparent; an F-3
is a Bengal cat having a leopard cat great grandparent, and so forth. |
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| The
International Bengal Breeders' Association (TIBBA)
and the International Progressive Cat Breeders' Association (IPCBA)
recognizes all generations of Bengals as a domestic cat. The International
Cat Association (TICA) recognizes Bengals with a three generation pedigree
of only Bengals as Stub Book Tradition (SBT) Bengals. SBT Bengals
are eligible for showing with IPCBA, TICA, the American Cat Fanciers' Association
(ACFA), the United Feline Organization (UFO), the International Cat Enthusiasts
(ICE), etc. |
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| Generally
speaking, Bengals are intelligent, self assured, outgoing, friendly, stable,
affectionate cats, interacting well with children and other pets.
These cats are domestic in their habits; they eat any good quality cat
food, and receive the same vaccinations as any other domestic cat. |
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| Quality
refers to the evaluation of the kitten to the Bengal Standard and the temperament
of the kitten. Quality affects the price of the kitten/cat.
Qualities are subjective. All Bengals should be structurally and
functionally sound. |
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Pet
Quality
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| Pet
quality Bengals exhibit some trait or traits that the breeder does not
wish to perpetuate within the breed. Examples of these traits are
a tail that is a little long, short, or thin: ears that are a little longer
or pointed: a belly that is not spotted: a coat that is excessively ticked:
a non traditional color: a locket: etc. Most often, the quality that
distinguishes a pet quality Bengal from a breeder quality Bengal is so
subtle, it can only be appreciated by a knowledgeable breeder. |
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Breeder
Quality
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| Breeder
quality Bengals exhibit traits that the breeder wants to perpetuate within
the line, some of these traits are visible, such as a thick, medium length
tail with a blunt tip: short, rounded ears: exceptional ocelli: little
or no ticking: temperament: etc. Some traits that the breeder wishes
to perpetuate within the breed are not seen, such as history of strong
genetic health within a specific line or specific recessive traits that
the kitten or cat carries. Some breeder quality kittens may exhibit
traits that fall within the pet quality category, but the breeder may feel
that the Bengal has points to offer that out weigh the other factor or
factors. |
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Show
Quality
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| Show
Quality Bengals should exhibit spectacular beauty with a temperament to
match. These Bengals exhibit a plush pelt like coat that is generally
glittered. Glitter is not a breed requirement, and cats that do not exhibit
glitter are not penalized within the show ring. Show quality Bengals
should have a "wild" look to the face, long muscular body, few or no stripes
on ribs or legs, light-backed ears, outstanding contrast, and a coat relatively
free of 'salt and peppering'. |
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