Development and characteristics of the Bengal cat

The origins of the Bengal

The Bengal cat is issued from a wild feline, the Asian leopard cat.

Prionailurus bengalensis

The Leopard cat is as large as a domestic cat on average to slightly bigger (7 kilos). It can be found in forest areas throughout Indonesia, Philippines, Borneo, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, China and Taiwan. The Leopard Cat also can be found in Korea, India, Pakistan and Soviet Far East.
It is difficult to tame.

The offpring cats remain foundation cats for three generations after been bred to domestic cats.

Asian Leopard + domestic cat = F1
F1 + domestic cat = F2
F2 + domestic cat = F3
The F4 is considered domestic.

The Bengal we know today has kept the outstanding patterns and look of the leopard but the feroucious behaviour of the wild animal has been bred out their blood lines. This has been enforced by severe judging for bengals in shows against any slight sign of agressive behaviour. So the Bengal nowdays is actually a very gentle conpanion.

The development of the breed

Jean Mill from California bred the first Foundation cats in the sixties. There are no surviving cats from these early efforts. Instead, the modern Bengal originates from Jean’s breeding programme of 1975. The breed is relativly new and has been improved considerably in the last 15 years thanks to dedicated breeders.

Traits

To my experience, they are playful and get along usualy well with other pets and children. They are very social and not as independant/solitary as an average cat, making them ideal pet in busy households. They wouldn't be suitable in a house with no other pets where the owners are absent most of the day. They need a bit of place to play, run and jump. Be aware of precious items on open shelves....

Like the wild felines, the Bengal kittens go through a phase called fuzzies where the coat loses its clarity and contrast, only to come back after a few weeks.

Glitter is a unique Bengal feature among cats. It’s a subtle “gold dust” effect. Some of the hair is tipped with a very shiny colour that gives under a certain light at a certain angle an amazing mystical impression.

They like water. Depending on the individuals, some are just mesmerised by the kitchen tap and would try to sleep in a comfortable empty sink while others would frankly join you in your bath ! Bengals daydream about a pond with a cascade and a fish !

They are energetic cats, they need a lot of excercising. Toys and cat trees are recommended to stimulate them. Here is a toy that Bengals seem to be particularly fond of : the wheel.

Bengals can be spotted, rosetted or marbled.
The three official colours are silver, brown and snow.

GCCF Bengal standards

The Bengal should be alert, friendly and affectionate and in excellent physical condition with a dependable temperament. The Bengal’s wild appearance is enhanced by its distinctive spotted or marbled tabby coat which should be thick and luxurious. The Bengal is a large to medium cat, sleek and muscular with a thick tail which is carried low. The female may be smaller than the males.
Head and neck: Broad medium wedge with round contours, slightly longer than it is wide with high cheek bones. The head should be rather small in proportion to the body but not taken to extremes. The profile has a gentle curve from the forehead to the bridge of the nose. The nose is large and broad with a slightly puffed nose leather. The muzzle should be full and broad with a slightly rounded, firm chin and pronounced whisker pads created by the widely set canine teeth. The neck should be thick, muscular and in proportion to the body. Allowance should be made for jowls in adult males.
Ears: Medium to small, rather short with a wide base and rounded tips. Set as much on the side as on the top of the head, following the contour of the face in the front view and pointing forward in profile. Light horizontal furnishings are acceptable, but ear tufts are undesirable.
Eyes: Almost round, oval preferred, large but not bold. Set on a slight slant toward the base of the ear.
Body: Long, sleek and muscular. Large to medium and robust with the hindquarters slightly higher than the shoulders, showing depth of flank.
Legs and Paws: Legs of medium length, strong and muscular. The hind legs should be a little longer than the front and be more robust. The paws should be large and rounded.
Tail: Medium length, thick and even, with a rounded tip; may be tapered towards the end.
Coat. Short to medium in length, very dense, luxurious and unusually soft to the touch. Allowance should be made for a slightly longer coat in kittens.