HISTORY OF THE BENGAL CAT
If you are a *big cat* lover then the Bengal may be the cat for you.
The Bengal is a breed that was originally developed from the crossing of the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) a medium sized
forest dwelling wild cat to the domestic cat with the goal of creating a companion with the stunningly exotic look of the
wild but with a dependable and loving domestic cat temperament.
The first(F1), second(F2) and third (F3) out-crossings are considered foundation cats or filials. After four or five
generations of Bengal to Bengal breedings (SBT), the breed is recognized for champion competition by most
international domestic cat associations and is the Bengal cat as we know it. In New Zealand in accordance with Bio
Security regulations Bengals must be at least 4 generations (SBT) removed from the ALC.
If you are a *big cat* lover then the Bengal may be the cat for you.
The Bengal is a breed that was originally developed from the crossing of the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) a medium sized
forest dwelling wild cat to the domestic cat with the goal of creating a companion with the stunningly exotic look of the
wild but with a dependable and loving domestic cat temperament.
The first(F1), second(F2) and third (F3) out-crossings are considered foundation cats or filials. After four or five
generations of Bengal to Bengal breedings (SBT), the breed is recognized for champion competition by most
international domestic cat associations and is the Bengal cat as we know it. In New Zealand in accordance with Bio
Security regulations Bengals must be at least 4 generations (SBT) removed from the ALC.
Photo courtesy of TIBCS
(SBT) BENGAL APPEARANCE
CONFORMATION:
The Bengal cat is a medium to large sized cat which exhibits good strong boning and a very muscular build, which is
especially obvious in the males being the larger of the two. Often the females smaller size can be misleading until she is
picked up and being able to feel the weight and strength of the cat.
Its wide nose with prominent whisker pads and large oval, almost round eyes in a slightly small head in proportion to the
body enhance the wild appearance and expressive nocturnal look. Its very slight, nearly straight concave profile, and
relatively small ears all add to the Bengals unique and distinctive appearance.
CONFORMATION:
The Bengal cat is a medium to large sized cat which exhibits good strong boning and a very muscular build, which is
especially obvious in the males being the larger of the two. Often the females smaller size can be misleading until she is
picked up and being able to feel the weight and strength of the cat.
Its wide nose with prominent whisker pads and large oval, almost round eyes in a slightly small head in proportion to the
body enhance the wild appearance and expressive nocturnal look. Its very slight, nearly straight concave profile, and
relatively small ears all add to the Bengals unique and distinctive appearance.
Brown marbled Bengals. The other pattern is the *Clouded Leopard* look of the Brown Marbled Bengal, a pattern
which is unlike any pattern seen on any other domestic cat and bears no resemblance to the classical tabby pattern in
some of the other breeds to do so is a fault. It is a combination of swirls and rosettes all flowing in a *marbleized* fashion
with good horizontal pull, and again the pattern can (and should) vary hugely from cat to cat, the beauty of a marbled
Bengal is in its uniqueness. A marbled Bengal is like exquisite artwork it should catch your eye and take your breath
away.Marbled Bengals are a special passion of ours at Prowlers Bengals.
Snow series Bengals. Spotted and Marbled Bengals also come in the Snow colours; Seal Lynx Point (blue eyed),
Seal Sepia (yellow eyed) and the Seal Mink (aqua eyed), which have ivory coloured background with contrasting
patterns. The *ideal* look of the Snow Bengal is that of the Snow Leopard.
Both the Brown and Snow Bengal coat is unique in that on a clear non-ticked coat GLITTER is often found, in sunlight
gold-dusting on the browns and pearl-dusting on the snows is clearly visible on the paws, noses and body, an extra that
causes the hand to just slide off the satiny Bengal coat and just tops off an already stunning look.
TEMPERAMENT OF THE BENGAL CAT
A Bengal Cat is athletic, lively, alert to its surroundings, nosey, intelligent, friendly, chatty and confident.
As a kitten they will walk into their new home and take over your life such is their assurance in themselves. They have
strong personalities and are highly adjustable to new experiences and surroundings. Allot of Bengals are happy to and
infarct insist on travelling away on holiday with their owners.
A Bengal Cat is athletic, lively, alert to its surroundings, nosey, intelligent, friendly, chatty and confident.
As a kitten they will walk into their new home and take over your life such is their assurance in themselves. They have
strong personalities and are highly adjustable to new experiences and surroundings. Allot of Bengals are happy to and
infarct insist on travelling away on holiday with their owners.
This playfulness, highly energetic and devoted nature makes them wonderful interactive companions for children
The Bengal is a energetic busy cat, always on the go and with a real love of life. They are definitely not a couch potato
cat BUT if you want a cat that is totally devoted, interactive, fun and a valued contributing member of your family the
beautiful Bengal may be for you.
cat BUT if you want a cat that is totally devoted, interactive, fun and a valued contributing member of your family the
beautiful Bengal may be for you.
COLOURS AND PATTERNS:
The Bengals beautiful coat makes it stand out in the crowd.In New Zealand the Bengal Cat is currently recognised in two
colours the BROWN Bengal and the SNOW Bengals, and two patterns in both the colours - SPOTTED/ROSETTED and
MARBLED.
Brown Spotted Bengals have dark spots on a lighter ground colour ranging from sand or tawny to golden, very
rufused (bright orange) through to a rich mahogany.
Spotting also varies in colour, from rust or cocoa and chocolate brown, charcoal and black and should be random or
aligned horizontally and comes in several different forms from singular coloured spotting of any size, to two toned (with
the lighter colour surrounded by a darker outline) arrowheads, pawprint rosettes, half donut rosettes and donut rosettes.
The contrast to the ground colour should be extreme giving a distinct pattern and sharp edges.
Eye colour can be gold, green, or hazel.
The Bengals beautiful coat makes it stand out in the crowd.In New Zealand the Bengal Cat is currently recognised in two
colours the BROWN Bengal and the SNOW Bengals, and two patterns in both the colours - SPOTTED/ROSETTED and
MARBLED.
Brown Spotted Bengals have dark spots on a lighter ground colour ranging from sand or tawny to golden, very
rufused (bright orange) through to a rich mahogany.
Spotting also varies in colour, from rust or cocoa and chocolate brown, charcoal and black and should be random or
aligned horizontally and comes in several different forms from singular coloured spotting of any size, to two toned (with
the lighter colour surrounded by a darker outline) arrowheads, pawprint rosettes, half donut rosettes and donut rosettes.
The contrast to the ground colour should be extreme giving a distinct pattern and sharp edges.
Eye colour can be gold, green, or hazel.
Bengals form strong, loving and completely devoted bonds with their owners and this combined with their highly sociable
nature will find them having to be involved in everything that their owners are doing. This sociability extends to other
animals and Bengals get on well and form loving bonds with most animals.
nature will find them having to be involved in everything that their owners are doing. This sociability extends to other
animals and Bengals get on well and form loving bonds with most animals.
Being highly intelligent the Bengal is easily trainable, to a harness or to chase and fetch. A favourite toy will be retrieved
for hours on end and feather wands chased unfalteringly until the feathers fall out or the human gets bored of the
game, Bengals are also known to collect and hoard their treasures.
This playful nature also extends into the Bengals fondness for water and water play.......which isn't restricted to indoors
for hours on end and feather wands chased unfalteringly until the feathers fall out or the human gets bored of the
game, Bengals are also known to collect and hoard their treasures.
This playful nature also extends into the Bengals fondness for water and water play.......which isn't restricted to indoors
Asian Leopard Cat
| PROWLERS BENGALS RACHELLE FRIIS, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND Phones/Fax: 0064 3 3126487, 021 0593 981 Email: rachelle@bengalz.com, nakuba.abys@xtra.co.nz |
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