History of the Bengal
It is an old dream of humans to unite the beauty of the wild cat and the gentleness of the domestic cat into one. With the Bengal, the dream becomes reality and joins the famous saying of Leonor Fini «God created cats so that man could caress a panther.» this is now truer than ever.
Background
The history of the Bengal cat began quite by accident in 1963, in Arizona. Jean Mill, a young geneticist, passionate about cats purchased a female Felis bengalensis. Jean, thinking that her newly acquired pet was lonely, bought her a nice black short-haired domestic male cat to keep her company.
Later came the birth of a small female called Kin-Kin. A few years later, Jean migrated to California and was contacted by the University of Davis who offered her eight female cats born from a cross between the Felis bengalensis and the domestic cat. They were produced as part of a research program for feline leukemia. It was believed at the time that the Felis Bengalensis possessed a natural immunity against this disease. It was not so, however these eight cats crossed with Maus Egyptians, Burmeses and Siamese's had the honor of founding the Bengal breed. If breeders back then were primarily concerned with creating coats with wild patterns on domestic cats, their efforts today are aimed at regaining the physique of the Felis bengalensis and especially the typical head features of the original Bengal feline.
Appearance
The Bengal is an athletic cat with a mixture of strength, agility, balance and grace. They have large rounded heads, triangular in shape with high cheekbones and very pronounced facial patterns. They have broad thick leather noses. Their eyes are oval, almost round. Ideally, they have small rounded ears. Their facial features must distance themselves as much as possible from those of the domestic cats. Bengals are long, lean, and very muscular. Of average length, the paws have a solid bone structure while their hind legs are longer than their forelegs. The tail is medium in length and tapers to a rounded tip. The coat is thick, exceptionally soft to the touch and lays beautifully on its body.
Colors
Two types of patterns are accepted with respect to the Bengal cat, and in both cases, contrast between dark spots and a golden coat is extremely sought after. In the first pattern called spotted, there are either spots or rosettes spread out in a random manner across its body. Rosettes are two-toned spots more or less round in shape and slightly opened with a dark outline and orange center. Today the Bengal cat is the only domestic breed which possesses this highly desirable coat. In the second pattern, called marbled, the rosettes flow horizontally in a swirl similar to those of the Clouded leopard. In both the spotted and marbled Bengals the head displays the typical markings of the domestic tabby cat. The belly, although much lighter is still spotted and the tail is ringed.
The accepted colors are tabby brown or tabby blue. They are less prominent in the traditional categories such as sepia, mink and colorpoint. In the latter, the coat is ivory with brown or blue markings. The eyes are green, gold, blue or aquamarine according to the categories.
Personality
Careful selection of breeding ensures that the Bengal cat remains a docile breed with a loving temperament while retaining a strong physical resemblance to its wild ancestors.
Today, hybridisations with the Félis bengalensis are no longer necessary since the breed is well established. Bengals are people oriented cats, are very affectionate, highly playful and social. Their personality is dominated by their curiosity and intelligence.
Bengal colors and patterns
There are several types of Bengals whose colors and patterns vary
the patterns are:
Spotted: The coat is randomly spotted or rosetted (two-toned spots, more or less round and sometimes slightly opened rosettes with a dark outline and an orange center). This type of pattern (rosette) is exclusive to the Bengal breed.
Marble: The coat also has rosettes but the marble pattern should be a combination of swirls and rosettes flowing in a horizontal fashion. In both the spotted and marbled Bengals the head displays the typical markings of the tabby cat. The belly, although much lighter is still spotted and the tail is ringed.
