The Bengal breed originated as a human-made hybrid of the Asian leopard cat and the domestic cat. The leopard cat (Felis bengalensis ) is a cat-sized inhabitant of southern Asia and is thought to be one of the closest of the modern undomesticated cat species to the ancient common ancestor of the cat family.
The leopard cat looks very much like a domestic cat, except for the larger, snapping eyes, pronounced whisker pads, longer legs, and brilliant leopard markings. It looks, in fact, like a miniature leopard. The Bengal began its journey toward becoming a recognized breed in 1963 when breeder Jean Mill of Covina, California, bought a female leopard cat from a pet store. At that time, leopard cats could be purchased in the United States, although today it’s illegal to sell them. She wasn’t trying to create a new breed of cat—she just wanted a unique pet.
After several years, Mill thought the cat looked lonely, so she put a male domestic cat in the cat’s cage to keep her company. She wasn’t expecting a romantic relationship, but to Mill’s surprise, in 1965 her leopard cat produced a litter.
Only one kitten from the litter survived, a female hybrid that Mill named Kin-Kin. Mill contacted Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, for advice on how to handle the hybrid, and was told that Kin-Kin was probably sterile. That, also, proved false. Kin-Kin grew up, mated with her father, and produced two kittens. One was all black and had inherited the wild leopard cat temperament—it refused to let anyone near it. The other, a spotted male, inherited the sweet disposition of a domestic. After some consideration, Mill decided that creating a crossbred breed would benefit the plight of the leopard cats. Mill was dismayed by the plight of orphaned leopard cat cubs taken by hunters and sold to American pet stores. The cats generally ended up in zoos when the cubs grew to adulthood and reverted to their wild ways. Mill wanted to provide the American market with an acceptable spotted substitute.
In the first crossings of leopard cat to Domestic Shorthair, the male kittens were infertile, as is the case with many hybrids. The females were usually fertile as were the male kittens in subsequent generations. However, many of those first hybrid kittens grew up to be nervous cats of uncertain temperament, similar to their wild relatives. It was only after the cats were several generations away from the leopard cat that the Bengal’s temperament became more predictable.
The standard for the Bengal, unlike other cat breeds, includes a description of the cat’s ideal temperament, describing it as confident, alert, curious, and friendly. Any sign of definite challenge disqualifies the cat in order to prevent temperament problems from being perpetuated in the breeding stock. TICA requires that show cats be bred Bengal to Bengal for at least four generations to ensure a docile temperament.
However, in some associations the Bengal is still considered the party crasher at the cat fancy cocktail party. The CFA does not accept any breeds with wild blood and only five associations (TICA, CCA, UFO, TCA, and CFF) allow Bengals to be shown. ACFA accepts Bengals for registration but does not allow them into the show halls because of concerns about the temperament of the breed. Reported concerns include extreme timidity, aggression (several judges were bitten), and a basic wariness of people and other animals.
Personality
The Bengal may look like a wild cat, but breeders insist that the
Bengal is as lovably friendly and docile as any full-blooded
domestic cat. Fanciers describe Bengals as playful, gregarious, and
energetic cats that have a generous dose of feline curiosity and
that want to be involved with their owners. Not intimidated by
water, they will sometimes join their owners for a swim, as long as
it’s on their terms.
Although show-quality cats must be four generations away (F4) from the leopard cat to be shown, previous generations of Bengals are sold as pets; therefore, it’s important to know what you’re buying when acquiring a Bengal. Before purchasing a second generation (F2) or third generation (F3) Bengal, be sure that the cat is free of temperament problems.
Conformation
The Bengal’s spots are aligned horizontally rather than in random or
tabby configuration. Rosettes formed in a part-circle around a
redder center is the preferred look. Emphasis is put on the contrast
between the spots and the background color; the edges should be
sharp and pattern distinct for a show-quality cat. In the marbled
pattern, the markings are derived from the classic tabby gene, but
the overall look is random, giving the impression of marble.
Bengals often possess a “glitter gene” that gives the fur an iridescent glow, as if covered with warm frost. Three recessive coat variations have been developed: the snow leopard, the marbled, and the snow marbled. These types are still quite rare.
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The goal of the Bengal breeding program is to create a
domestic cat that has physical features distinctive to the
small forest-dwelling wild cats, but with the loving,
dependable temperament of the domestic cat.
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Long and substantial, but not oriental or foreign; boning
robust, never delicate; very muscular.
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Broad modified wedge with rounded contours; muzzle full and
broad with large, prominent whisker pads and high, pronounced
cheekbones; nose large and wide, slightly puffed nose leather;
nose has a very slight concave curve.
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Medium small, basically short ears, with wide base and rounded
tips; set as much on side as top of head.
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Oval; may be slightly almond-shaped; large; set wide apart.
Color: Seal lynx point—blue; seal sepia tabby or seal mink
tabby—aqua (blue-green).
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Thick, tapered at end with rounded tip.
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Length short to medium; texture thick, luxurious, and
unusually soft to the touch.
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Brown tabby, seal lynx point, seal sepia tabby/seal mink
tabby.
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Any sign of definite challenge. Withhold all awards: Belly not
spotted; paw pads not consistent with their color group
description, or if paw pads not all the same color.
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None.
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