Bengal

Personality and Temperament

With exotic looks to match its name, the Bengal cat originated as a cross between the Asian leopard cat and a domesticated cat. A number of breeds were used in the Bengal cat's development, including the Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, Abyssinian, Burmese, American Shorthair, and domestic shorthair cats. These days, members of the Bengal cat breed are the product of a cross between two purebred Bengal cats.

Playful and active, Bengal cats are excellent pets. Quite a bit less standoffish then some other wildcat hybrids, these incredible cats enjoy affection and develop close bonds with their family members. Although they might be up for a cuddle now and then, Bengal cats are anything but couch potatoes. This highly active breed needs a lot of daily activity and play to thrive.

Bengal cats love to climb and like their wild, jungle-dwelling cousins, they seek high vantage points from which to view their domain. Curious, they like to be in the middle of everything and they enjoy learning how things work.

Bengal cats are notorious for opening doors, activating light switches, flushing toilets, emptying cupboards, and more. They are eager to learn tricks, and thanks to their high level of intelligence, they’re very easy to train. Try teaching your Bengal cat "sit" and "shake paw," and games like fetch.

Care

Just like their wild cousins, a Bengal cat's diet should focus on meat, particularly if they are members of the first three generations. Most commercial kibble is not really suitable for Bengals, as it is too high in carbohydrates. High-quality canned, fresh or raw food is a good choice as it generally has a higher meat content.

History

Cat fanciers began experimenting with Asian Leopard cat hybridization as far back as 100 years ago, but the Bengal cat we know and love today didn’t emerge until the 1960s, when Dr. Willard Centerwall of Loma Linda University began hybridizing Asian Leopard cats to see whether they would pass their immunity to feline leukemia on to hybrid offspring. While immunity wasn’t passed on, something great did result from those early experiments: the beginnings of a future new cat breed.

It took decades for Bengal cats to become standardized. In 1980, Dr. Centerwall sent some of his Bengal cats to Jean Mill, who wanted to decrease the desire for fur as a fashion statement by popularizing domestic cats with exotic looks. At the same time, she hoped to reduce the demand for illegal trafficking in wild cats for the pet industry.

The breed was further developed with the addition of Tory of Delhi, a domestic street cat that was imported from India. Other breeders discovered that Egyptian Mau cats were excellent candidates for pairing with Asian Leopard cats, with the cross resulting in beautiful spotted Bengals. Some other breeds were also incorporated to help enhance spotting and refine type.

The International Cat Association (TICA) recognized Bengal cats as an experimental breed in 1983; full recognition was gained in 1993. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) granted the Bengal breed official recognition in 2016.

The Breed Standard

Body

Bengal cats are medium to large in size, with sleek, muscular bodies. The hindquarters are slightly higher than the shoulders.

Head

The head is broad, with a modified wedge shape. Rounded contours and high cheekbones are preferable. The head is somewhat small in proportion to the cat's body. Mature males may display jowls.

Ears

A Bengal cat's ears are medium to small size with wide bases and rounded tips. They are set far apart, and follow the contours of the face when viewed from the front. When viewed in profile, the ears display a slight forward tilt. While tufting is undesirable, light, horizontal furnishings are acceptable.

Coat

The Bengal cat has a short, soft, silky coat that lies close to the body. Glittering at the tips of the hair is desirable. Bengals may also have long hair. Long-haired Bengals are shown separately from short-haired Bengals.

Color

Bengal cats come in a variety of colors and patterns. Rosettes and spots may be displayed on the rosetted/tabby pattern. The marble pattern does not resemble classic tabby, meaning there is no circular pattern or bull's-eye. Rosettes and spots can be present on the marble tabby. The Bengal cat may be brown tabby, black silver tabby, blue tabby, blue lynx point, blue silver tabby, charcoal tabby, and all other tabby colors. Smoke pattern colors and melanistic pattern colors are desirable. Nose leather and paw pad color corresponds to coat color.

Eyes

The eyes have a round to oval shape. They are large and set wide apart. Lynx-point Bengal cats must have blue eyes; cats of other coat colors may have eyes of any color.

Legs & Paws

The legs are of medium long length with substantial musculature. Rear legs are slightly longer than front legs. The paws are large and ground, and the knuckles appear prominent.

Tail

The Bengal cat has a medium-length tail that is proportionate to the body. The tail is thick with a tapered end and a rounded tip.