The Bengal is a relatively new hybrid breed of cat, which exhibits the "wild" markings (such as large spots, rosettes, and a light/white belly), and body structure reminiscent of the wild Asian Leopard Cat. The Bengal cat has a desirable "wild" appearance with a gentle domestic cat temperament, provided it is separated by at least three generations from the original crossing between a domestic feline and an Asian Leopard Cat.
The name Bengal was derived from the taxonomic name of the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC), as shown to the right, and not from the more widely known Bengal tiger species, which is unrelated to the Bengal's ancestry.
There is a common misconception that Bengals are large cats, but they typically fall within the size range of a conventional domestic feline. Females are generally in the 7 to 10 pound range and males fall between 9 and 12 pounds. It is not uncommon to have a male that reaches 15 – 18 pounds. They are large-boned, well-muscled cats with the male in particular being extremely muscular. Non-altered males often continue to put on muscle mass up to two years of age.
Bengal cats are a hybrid breed developed over several generations through a program of selectively crossbreeding domestic cats, possessing desired features, with Asian Leopard Cats and ALC hybrids. In the first three generations, males are almost always infertile, though there have been the occasional, but rare F3 studs capable of reproduction. Early generation females are typically fertile, and responsible for continuing the genetic contributions of the ALC to the next generation.
The modern SBT Bengal gene pool contains genes sourced from many varieties of domestic cats mainly Egyptian Maus, American Shorthair, Abyssinian, Ocicat, and domestic shorthaired cats. It is commonly accepted that the breed was developed by Jean Mill of California in the 1970s; today, Bengal breeders exist throughout the world. Many breeders are presently working to develop specific characteristics in the breed, often by backcrossing foundation cats with particularly vivid markings. The ALC comprises several subspecies, and consequently, they can have considerable variations in their appearance.
The first three filial generations (F1 - F3) of these hybrid animals are referred to as the "foundation" generations. A Bengal cat with an ALC parent is called an F1 Bengal, short for first filial. An F1 then bred with a domestic male yields an F2, or second filial. Kittens from an F2 female and another domestic cat are then termed F3. Kittens from a subsequent F3 mating with a domestic are F4s. The F4 and later generations are considered domestic cats, are designated as Stud Book Tradition (SBT) Bengals, and can be shown and registered. Any SBT Bengal is at least four generations removed from the ALC. Founders (F1-F3) are typically reserved for breeding purposes or the specialty pet home environment.
Snow Bengals
Snow bengals resemble exotic Snow Leopards, and are the most exotic looking of al Bengals. There are 3 colour classes in the snow category; Seal Lynx Point, Seal Sepia and Seal Mink.
The Seal Lynx Snow with its stunning blue eyes brings to mind visions of the great cat – the endangered Snow Leopard. Our Vanity Fair reminds us of those amazing wild cats.
The Lynx Bengals’ signature is their incredible deep blue eyes due to their inheritance of the albino genes. Their body colour is white to cream, and their markings are tan to brown. The tail tip should be black. Kittens appear very light when born, or even white and faint spotting will appear in a week or so continuing to obtain its depth in both spotting and eye colour.
Silver Bengals
A silver Bengal is the result of the Inhibitor gene. This gene keeps the background colour from showing but allows for the pattern to appear. The silver gene is different to the colour gene so any colour can be silver. E.g. - silver snow, blue silver.