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A Bengal is a cross between a small Asian Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis) and
a domestic cat, this is the Foundation pairing that produces a
hybrid cat known as a F1 Bengal. Subsequent breeding of the
generations into other bengals or domestics are called F2, F3 and
finally SBT or Standard Bred Tabby, Bengal. SBT is the first
generation that can be seen at Cat Shows.
Very loyal, affectionate and loving pets, they purr and meow as do
the more domestic breeds. They are exceedingly intelligent due to
their more recent decent from the jungles of Asia. They love to
climb, jump and play in water, they will happily streak through
the shower or join you in the tub. The SBT Bengal exhibits the
mystery and prowess of a jungle cat in appearance with the loving
playful and gentle nature it shares with all domesticated cats.
Bengals train more like dogs and quickly learn parlor tricks
normally associated with canines and not cats.
Bengals love to
fetch, will roll over, will high five you and learn quickly to
walk on a harness/collar and leash. Their learning is only
limited, by what you want to teach them.
Being fearless they love outings in the car and are great vacation
companions. They interact well with other animals, unrelated cats,
dogs, ferrets, and even horses. They are adoring pets of children
and quickly adapt to seniors. They have the same requirements for
housing, potty box equipment, inoculations and food (as long it's
high protein formulated).
Bengals seldom get the aloof attitude associated with many adult
cats, when you are ready to play, they are good to go. However,
shy and fearful Bengal cats or kittens are very apt to remain that
way and do not generally change even with the most loving care-
giver. Bengals must be handled and socialized as very young
kittens, so it is suggested that verifiable references are a
necessity whether buying in person or on-line.
Bengals come in a variety of colors and in two patterns of
markings. First is the Spotted pattern, from small spots spread
thickly over the body to large and often rosetted spots with large
unspotted areas between them (referred to as acreage).
Look for tons of contrast between the base color and the spots.
There are four different color variations, Brown Spotted, Seal
Sepia Spotted, Seal Mink Spotted and a Seal Lynx Point Spotted. In
all colors and patterns allow for kitten fuzzies that tend to hide
or mute the coat, this will pass and is natures way of hiding the
very young. The Seal Lynx Point kitten will be almost totally
white.
The marbled pattern occurs no where else in nature, while called a
Brown Marbled, look for the tricolor marbled kitten. Patterns
should be symmetrical on both sides of the body and the pattern
should swirl and flow around the body, like the colors in a glass
marble. No bullseye pattern on the sides is best. You can
literally find yourself "waiting to exhale" so awesome is the
beauty in this pelt pattern. Marbled Bengals also come in all
three snow variations, the Seal Sepia, the Seal Mink and the Seal
Lynx Point who also sports deep blue eyes.
All Bengals except the Seal Lynx Point Snow must have a black
tipped tail and black paw pads. The Seal Lynx Point has a bitter
chocolate colored tail tip and can have a rose tinted nose and paw
pads. Marbled kittens start with blackish gray coats with small
streaks of lighter colored fur scattered about their coat. Your
breeder can advise you on marking potential.
New Breed Colors being shown now, but not yet excepted in the
Standard, include the Blue and the Silver, both come Spotted or
Marbled patterns, both are incredible in appearance.
Whether you are lucky enough to "own" a "show quality" Bengal or a
"pet quality" Bengal, you find that once owned by them, no other
cat will ever quite do!
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From left to right:
Chinook = Supreme Champion Pippins Chinook of Glitterkatz
Moonie = Supreme Champion Glitterkatz Moonstruck
Glitterkatz Tosca
Beniago = kitten, Beniago Al Majid of Glitterkatz
Thank you to
Glitterkatz
for providing these beautiful photos.
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Ratings out of 10 |
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Compatibility:
-Children
-Other Pets
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8 |
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Grooming |
2 |
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Affection |
9 |
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Playfulness |
10 |
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Attention Need |
9 |
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Healthiness |
7 |
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Independence |
4 |
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Activity Level |
10 |
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Vocality |
3 |
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Intelligence |
10 |
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