One Wild Look
If there is any cat breed that is known for its coat colors and patterns, it is the Bengal cat breed. The most common coat color and pattern is the brown background with beautiful, leopard-like black rosettes and tabby markings. These cats have green, yellow or gold eyes. Cats of the Bengal cat breed tend to be medium to large size cats weighing 6-15 pounds (2.7 – 6.8 kg). They have a wild look with long, well-muscled legs and thick tails.
There are multiple coat colors and both rosetted and marbled patterns. The marbled patterns look very similar to the Classic Tabby pattern. Silver Bengals have a grey to a white background with dark grey to black patterns. Snow Bengals, which have a form of albinism, have ivory, cream, or light tan backgrounds with light brown to dark chocolate patterns. These Snow Bengals have blue or aqua-colored eyes.
The Bengal Cat Breed History
The Bengal cat breed is somewhat controversial in the cat fancier world because of its breed begins with The Asian Leopard Cat. The Asian Leopard Cat is a small wild cat, about the size of a domestic cat, but with longer legs. They are found with a variety of coat colors and patterns, one of which is a beautiful rosette pattern. Generally speaking, they are shy wild cats that don’t like to be bothered. In the 1960s, Asian Leopard cats were being studied because of their partial immunity to Feline Leukemia. As the study was completed, the cats were rehomed.
One of the recipients of a female Asian Leopard Cat was Jean S. Mill of California. It wasn’t Mill’s intention to create a new cat breed, she simply wanted the Asian Leopard Cat as a pet. Feeling that the cat might be lonely, she adopted a domestic cat that happened to be male. To her surprise, in 1963, the two cats had a litter of kittens of which only a female kitten named Kin-Kin survived.
At first, it was believed that Kin-Kin would be sterile due to genetic makeup. Then, Kin-Kin produced a litter of kittens with her domestic father. One of those kittens was very sweet, like the domestic father.
The Bengal cat breed began when Mill’s decided that she would use her cats to begin a domestic cat breed with a wild cat look. She believed that the Bengal cat breed could help solve some of the problems that the Asian Leopard Cats were facing by creating an alternative for pet owners. The Bengal cat breed name came from the Asian Leopard Cat’s scientific name, Prionailurus bengalensis.
TICA allowed the Bengal cat breed to gain championship status in 1991. Hybrid crosses are registered as “foundation cats” (F1, F2, F3) and they are not eligible for show. Only females of the foundation generations are used for breeding (males are often sterile). It takes four generations before cats of the Bengal cat breed are reliably domestic.
A Busy Body Personality
Not only does the Bengal cat breed have a wild cat look, but it also takes on aspects of the wild cat personality. Bengals are very playful and they keep their kitten-like energy as adult cat. They love to be up high and entertain their favorite people. By nature, they are very busy kitties.
Bengals are very intelligent and inquisitive, always looking to be wherever the action is. These cats love to be with their owners wherever they go. However, Bengal cats don’t often want to be lap cats. Some are talkative, some are not. If you are looking for a low-key, aloof kitty, Bengals are probably not for you. Bengals love interactive play, water (yes, water), and learning new tricks.
If you are interested in adding a cat from the Bengal cat breed to your family, check out Petfinder for adoptable kitties near you!
I’ve not met a bengal cat, but I’d like to. They are most beautiful.
Have a fabulous day and week. ♥
Mom says Bengals are pawsome cats. She used to see them all the time when she was a Cat Show Vendor.
The Florida Furkids
You can’t deny Bengals their beauty! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one in person.
Those sweeties are absolutely gorgeous and I’d love to meet one someday.
They are beauties. I have not met one, but I know a Savannah which is similar.
Bengals are cool! But they are a little high maintenance even for my human!
R pal orlin in canadian terra torry izza bengal…..we haz knot met him in de furz coz we lost R pass a port N we canna crozz de border but we can still say HI thanx two de inter webz 🙂 ♥♥
I am always amazed that people are surprised when a male and a female animal of the same species mate!
What a coincidence! Last week I saw my first Bengal in real life. He was gorgeous.
Bengals are beautiful. We had one at PAWS once — he was a real sweetheart!
Very beautiful!
No, I have not met a Bengal cat.
The cat in the first picture looks amazing. She has the colors of a wild cat, but there is something in her look that makes me think she is very sweet.
Absolutely beautiful!
Bengals are such beautiful cats. I’ve never actually met one in person, but I had a coworker who had a pair and would always share pictures and funny stories about hers. They sound like a really fun cat breed.
I have never met a Bengal cat, but now I really want to. That first photo looks like a mini-leopard. I totally can see how the breed began with a wild cat. Those eyes are just gorgeous, and when they’re combined with the leopard-like spots, that cat breed is a looker!
I have never met one but they are really beautiful animals and thank you for the history about them also
I’ve been benched with Bengals a few times at shows. They are a recent entrant to CFA which is where I usually show. They’re lovely and usually pretty friendly – it’s the only breed that has specific temperament requirements in the standard. They are definitely not for everyone- they are high maintenance, need a lot of exercise, they’re super intelligent and need to keep them challenged. They spray too.
That is a very striking cat! I’ve never seen one of these breeds before. Looks very cool.
I think next door has a Bengal, or Bengal cross. It’s a petite beauty and I took some photographs. Sadly the neighbours didn’t introduce us so I don’t know it’s name but the colouring – wow it’s just gorgeous!
Bengals are so striking! I love their beauty. I didn’t know the history behind how & when the breed was created, that’s really interesting. I’ve never met a Bengal cat in person, but I’d love to. Thanks for sharing.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
I have always been fascinated with the Bengal – such an exotic look! While I’ve never owned one, I have had the chance to meet one before. A friend of mine had one. He was a super curious and playful cat and a bit of a trouble maker, but you couldn’t stay mad at him when he did get into trouble. He was too sweet!
Great cats and very smart. If they are vocal, they are very vocal. They open doors, play hide and seek as well as hunt continuously. They have the ability to jump very high and will climb to the highest spot they can reach. We love our guy to death but there is one thing that was left from the article and that is that they are pretty expensive. Usually start about $1000 and for that price you will have to prove they are neutered before a breeder will give you the papers.