|
Crossings between small wild cats and domestic
cats have been documented for more than a century, and some of the resulting
hybrids were exhibited at cat shows in Victorian times. At least ten species
have been used, as such matings became popular again during the 1960’s. The
Bengal evolved from an American breeding program which attempted to transfer
a wild cat’s markings to a domestic breed.
Description: Breeders strive for the look of the first-generation
bengals, which resemble the leopard cat. The working standard features
uniqueness; small, rounded ears on moderate-sized head; a wide nose; puffy,
wide whisker pad; large, oval eyes. The nose is short with a prominent
bridge an a gentle, inward curve from the bridge to the tip of the nose. The
cat has a long, muscular, substantial body. The Bengals must retain the wild
look of their forebears, and a coat pattern and color that is unique to the
cat fancy. The spots are large and horizontally aligned; they do not follow
the mackerel or classic pattern; some even have the beginnings of rosettes.
There are a variety of background colours, ranging from white to ivory to
buff, golden, or orange with contrasting darker brown or black spots.
History: The first deliberate cross is believed to have taken place
in 1963, but the breeding program initiated by Jean Mill was suspended and
not reactivated until 1981 when Dr. Willard Centerwall entered into a
partnership with Mill. The Bengal first appeared on the show circuit in
1985. The Asian leopard cat resembles a small ocelot, With longish large
spots and stripes, and weights about ten pounds. It is wild and cannot be
tamed. Occasionally, a male leopard cat will accept a domestic cat and breed
with her. The result of these breeding is a Bengal. The goal of the Bengal
breeding program is to create a domestic cat which has physical features
distinctive to the small forest-dwelling wild cats, but with the loving,
dependable temperament of the domestic cat.
Temperament: Temperament is of prime importance to this breed; these
cats must be gentle, unchallenging and amenable to handling. Any sign of a
definite challenge will disqualify the cat from competition.
Information Supplied By Southern Alberta Cat
Fanciers - Rene Copeland
Bengal :
Kittens | Breeders
| Stud Cats |
Adult Cats |
Photos |
Clubs |
Books
|
online
>>