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History of Bengals

ocicat 

 

The Bengal is a relatively new breed of cat which was first bred in the U.S.A and was originally created by crossing an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat. The domestic Bengal  derives its name from the Latin name of  its wild ancestor, Felis Bengalensis (Asian Leopard Cat). Whilst the domestic Bengal is similar in appearance to the Asian Leopard cat, and its genetic makeup contains a contribution from that wild cat species, its temperament however is purely domestic.The Bengal cat evolved from an American breeding programme, begun in 1963, in which a geneticist named Jean Mill, nee:Sugden (1926-2018) crossed a male domestic cat with a female Asian leopard cat (ALC), attempting to transfer the wild cat's markings to a domestic breed.The first hybrid generation (F1) is a cat with a mother or father who is an ALC.  The second generation (F2) is a cat with a grandparent who is an ALC.  The third generation (F3) is a cat with a great grandparent who is an ALC. And at the fourth generation – you get a Bengal that is recognized by TICA as being a domestic cat.

 

Jean Mill 

History

 

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      Asian brown                Asian Leopard Cat                     


Country of origin; USA.               Ancestry; Asian leopard cat crosses                Origins; 1963

              Temperament; Friendly and gentle                       Fur: Dense, Soft and Silky

 One kitten christened Kinkin, (pictured above) was produced and fostered alongside a litter of domestic cats.  In due coarse she was mated back to her father and produced both self and spotted kittens. In 1981, Jean Mill (nee Sugden) and Dr Willard Centerwall, another geneticist, both began work in earnest on the development of the Bengal.
This was done in an effort to preserve the stunning beauty of the small forest dwelling leopard cat that also resembles the Ocelot or Marguay.

ocelotconserve Ocelot  
margay 2margay3
Marguay
 

There is no other breed of cat which displays the gold or pearl dusting effect (glitter) of the Bengal. Its pelt has a rich smooth feel of satin or silk. This  effect is called glittering which can be found on some Bengals. On Browns the tips of some hairs have beautiful translucent Gold colours which when reflected in certain light produces a glistening golden appearance. On Snow Bengals the effect of glitter is often described as being like "Pearldust". Even the voice of the Bengal is different from that of other domestic cats. They can coo and chirp, and like to jump and somersault. They also love to play with water!

              
                                   Bengal Kittens/Cats resemble these, which are Real Wild Leopard Kittens

                                                 leopardkit          leopardkitty

                                                       Only Bengals are like Little Living room leopards

                                               enya11          piper1
 

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