BRIEF HISTORY & DESCRIPTION OF THE BENGAL CAT

Origins

The name BENGAL comes from the Latin name for the Asian Leopard Cat - Felix Bengalensis.

It is a comparatively new domestic breed, first bred in the early 1970s by crossing the wild Asian Leopard Cats with certain domestic/pedigree cats, such as Egyptian Maus, Abyssinians, American Domestic Short -hairs.

This was originally done deliberately as part of a University research programme into whether it was possible to transfer the Asian Leopard Cat's natural immunity to Feline Leukaemia (FelV) to a domestic cat.

Description

The colour and markings of the Bengal cat are unique and very distinctive. There are several different patterns: brown or black spotted, brown or black rosetted, marbled and snow. The texture of the coat is also unique, which is short and plush, having the feel of satin or silk, and displaying a gold or pearl glitter effect. The tail and legs are tiger-striped.

The conformation should be very like its wild ancestors: fairly long body, of good weight, the hindquarters slightly higher than the shoulders. The head should be slightly small in relation to the body with smallish ears. When walking, the Bengal carries his tail low like his wild ancestors.

Although part of the attraction of this breed is the wild look, they have the temperament of the nicest domestic cats.

They are highly intelligent, affectionate, playful, with a very wide vocabulary!

For a much more detailed description please visit the website of The Bengal Cat Club