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    (ALC) Asian Leopard cat

The Bengal cat was first bred in the United States and was originally created by crossing an Asian Leopard cat with a domestic cat. Originally Egyptian maus, Abyssians or Ocicats amongst others. A first generation cross is called an F1, an F2 is the progeny of one F1 parent and one domestic parent ( nowadays a Bengal) and an F3 has one F2 parent and one domestic parent.

F1 males are usually sterile , F2 and F3 males also often have fertility problems. The early stages of breeding programmes are therefore usually carried by crossing female Asian Leopard cat hybrids with male domestic cats.

The fourth generation and beyond can be considered a domestic animal, and is officially a Bengal rather than a Leopard cat hybrid. Given that the breeding programme will have been explicitly aimed at producing good pets, the resulting Bengals should display the beautiful markings and unusual behavior of the Asian Leopard cat, whilst inheriting the domestic cats social nature and adaptability to human lifestyles.

The goal in developing the domestic Bengal cat breed was to preserve a strong physical resemblance to its beautiful ancestor and at the same time, the new domestic breed was designed to be a pleasant and trustworthy family companion.

Therefore, the conformation of the Bengal is definitely reminiscent of its ancestors.

The general build of an Asian Leopard cat (Felis bengalensis) is similar to a normal domestic cat but with somewhat longer legs and a longer back. They have a relatively small head with a short narrow muzzle, large eyes (because of their nocturnal habits) and a thick tail of about 11 to 14 inches in length. Body length varies between 25 to 32 inches and they weigh between 7 to 15 pounds.

Size and weight can vary between sub-species in different geographical regions but the males are generally heavier than the females.

From the fourth generation on they are well socialized and ready to join in the hustle and bustle of normal family life. Although this is often not usual with cats, they are particularly good with dogs viewing them as 'just someone else to play with' Bengals are intelligent and athletic, they seem to look on everything around them as 'can this be played with?'

Their playful natures make them an ideal companion for the younger members of the family, who usually can do anything with them.

The Bengals head is broad and rounded and is slightly longer than it is wide. The nose is broad with a puffed nose leather. The muzzle is full and broad with a very light coloured, strong rounded chin and pronounced whisker pads created by the wide set canine teeth. The ears should be preferably medium to small with a round base and rounded tips, pointing forward in profile. The eyes are oval, almost round. They are large but not bold and set on a slight slant toward the base of the ear. The tail is ringed or spotted with a black tip.

The Bengal is a large, sleek and very muscular cat with its hind quarters slightly higher than its shoulders with a thick tail that is carried low. The Bengal should be alert and affectionate. Its wild appearance is enhanced by its distinctive spotted or marbled coat which should be thick and luxurious, almost silk or satin like.

There are both black and brown spotted and black and brown marbled Bengals, as well as snow spotted and snow marbled Bengals. The spotted pattern on the Bengals tends to flow horizontally and rosettes often occur. They also have wide, dark and distinctive necklets on the throat together with a bold chin strap which may go from one side of the jaw to the other, similar breeds do not have this.

Marbled Bengals have a unique pattern of random horizontally aligned swirls which are not found in other breeds of cat.

The voice of the Bengal is totally different from any other breed of cat. It has been described as a cooing or chirruping. They are an extremely vocal breed and have a wide vocabulary that can on occasion be quite strident especially in unfamiliar situations and surroundings. This is in no way aggressive behaviour, just an individual means of expression.

Bengals also love to play with water, Bengals seem to have preserved the self assurance and confidence essential to their wild ancestors whilst acquiring an affectionate disposition and an extremely energetic, playful nature.

The overall impression is of a miniature leopard with a loving, fearless and dependable temperament, extremely sociable and playful who interacts well with other household pets.