Bengal Cats
If you favor the exotic look of the big cats, a Bengal cat might appeal to you. These beautiful, sleek athletic felines are extremely intelligent, curious and loving. Although some feline enthusiasts might have some concerns about this breed's wild heritage affecting its personality, today's Bengal has been bred to be a friendly family companion that just happens to look exotic.
About Bengal Cats
Bengal cats may closely resemble the look of their wild ancestors, but don't be fooled by looks alone. Today's Bengals are prized for their wonderful, entertaining personalities, gaining themselves a reputation as great family pets.
Experimental cross breeding between wild Asian Leopard Cats and domestic house cats began in earnest back in the 1960's. The goal was to capture the look of the exotic cat, and combine it with a pleasant personality that would make it a good house pet. By the fourth generation, that goal had been achieved, resulting in the breed we know and love today.
Bengals are a bit larger than the average cat, owing to their Asian Leopard Cat heritage, and should feel quite muscular. Their heads look small in comparison to their body size, and their coats are very luxurious to the touch.
Bengal Genetics
It's interesting to look back and trace the breed's origins. The following table shows the basic cross breeding pattern that results in a true Bengal Cat by the fourth generation. In most cases, female Asian Leopard Cats were crossed with domestic male cats due to sterility problems in male progeny from the early crosses.
| Generation | Parentage | Result |
| F1 | Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) x Domestic cat | ALC Hybrid |
| F2 | F1 x Domestic cat | ALC Hybrid |
| F3 | F2 x Domestic cat | ALC Hybrid |
| F4 | F3 x F3 | Domestic Bengal |
Repeated breeding of the resulting progeny back to domestic cats was necessary in order to establish a stable temperament, weeding out the more shy yet aggressive characteristics of the wild Asian Leopard Cat while still retaining the exotic coat patterns.
Patterns and Colors
According to the ACFA breed standard, Bengal cats come in different colors and patterns. The color may be overlayed with either pattern to create a very exotic look.
Colors include:
- Brown
- Silver
- White, also called "snows"
Patterns include:
- Spotted
- Marbled
Personality
Bengal cats seem to have retained the best features from both their wild and domestic ancestors. This has resulted in pets with enormous personality. They are very interested in everything around them and love engaging in a lot of one-on-one with their human companions.
Like their wild forbears, they still show a great love for climbing trees and are quite adept at it, rarely needing assistance getting down. These feline athletes also love a good romp in the water, something many domestic cats definitely do not appreciate.
From their domestic parentage, Bengal cats have developed a calm, friendly nature, making them good candidates not only for family life, but also for the show ring. They seem more than able to take changes in stride, another asset to their character.
The Bengal's vocalizations are also quite interesting. Not only can they growl and yowl as most cats do, Bengals also make a sort of chirping noise, and they use all of these sounds to try to communicate their wants and needs to their humans.
Bengal Cat Resources
Is a Bengal the Cat for You?
Be aware that when you take on a Bengal cat, you are taking on a pet with a big personality, one who is very self-assured, open and loving, but one who is also quite capable of getting whatever it wants. These cats are fun loving and adventurous, so if you're looking for a quiet, retiring companion, better look to a tabby. Bengals require and demand active companionship.
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