Bengali

Abbreviation:

Bengal

FIFe:

BEN

Country of Origin:

USA

Ancestors:

Wild Bengal cat

Type Breed:

Shorthair

Body type:

Long is muscular

Weight:

5.5 - 10 kg

Colour varieties:

Marbled spotted in four colour varieties

History: The breed is originated in the United States around 1950 by crossing wild Bengal tiger cat (Felis Bengalensis) with domesticated cats, both domestic and thoroughbred (e.g. Burmese, Siamese Abyssinian Or.). The first crossing was carried out not for breeding purpose but it was associated by scientific research Feline Leukemic Virus. In few years later some breeders started with efficient inbreeding wild Bengal cat to create a dotted pattern.

From the first crossing some cats were infertile. Fertile cats were bred and the purpose was done, the content of wild cats blood was increased to 10%. There was achieved typical Bengal cat coat pattern and eliminated negative Bengal cats features.

Character: Bengal cats are curious, active and very talkative. They like space, they must live in spacy place they suffer when they must tolerate e.g. one room. If they get enough opportunities to play they are happy in flat too. Even though most of them do not prefer cuddling they enjoy master company. They usually have a very developed social conscience they can tolerate very well other cats, especially those with active performance. They can get well even with dogs. If you are long time away from home, you should provide them the company of other cats if they are alone they might be frustrated. Bengals inherited from our ancestors a certain stubbornness excellent ability to hunt. Peaceful comfortable life is nothing for them. Bengal cats also like water.

Body: The body of Bengal cat is long, muscular, well developed. Hind legs are slightly longer than the front. The feet are fairly large rounded. Medium length with a rounded tip of the tail is solid. In proportion to the body there is a small head of wedge-shaped. Ears are relatively small, slightly directed forward widely deployed. They may not have tufts. Slightly curved nose is long, wide. Big eyes are almond to round shape. Desirable are significantly pads whiskers.

Coat: The coat is remarkably dense, from short to medium length. Coat smoothly fits to the body, by touch it is very silky and soft.

Care: The coat requires relatively little care, excessive brushing or combing the hair of Bengal cat it can cause that the coat may be even damaged. The sharp ends of the claws should be regularly cut. Cleaning of ears when is needed.

Colour varieties:

Bengal cats are recognized in three colours:

• Brown - basic colour is yellow to dark orange-red, pattern is a black, brown, cinnamon or chocolate coloured pattern. Contrast between pattern and ground should be obvious. These coloured Bengals cats have yellow and green eyes.
• Seal lynx point – this variety was developed by additional breeding of Siamese cats therefore always their muzzle, ears legs are darker than the rest of their body. The colour contrast between the badges and the rest of the body, it should be minimized. Eyes at this colourful varieties are blue.
• Sepia seal mink tabby - this colour variety was developed by additional breeding of Siamese and Burmese cats. It is a relatively little occurring colour. The basic colour is ivory, cream or dark tan. Colour pattern can be from reddish to dark brown. Colour of eye can vary from green to blue-green.

Seal lynx point and seal sepia tabby mink are also called the Snow Bengal cats. Their kittens are usually born with a dark coat colour patterns, their pattern will become evident after several weeks. However, it can take up to a year and a half before the hair reaches its final colour.

There are two other pattern of Bengal cats:

• Dotted - It is important that the dots should be in evident contrast to the colour of the ground. Dots should be present in the abdomen, a distinct M on forehead and the circles around the tail.
• Marbling – in roughly appearance is tabby cat pattern of Bengali cat comparable with marbled pattern, for example, Oriental Shorthair cats. Instead of round pattern must be stretched to make contrary length shape. On the belly there are small round spots. Pattern should be a light with evident contrast.