QUEEN SARABI OF PRIDEROCK,courtesy of Teri Embery
Bengal Breed History
The Bengal breed originates as a hybrid resulting from crossing an Asian Leopard Cat (Felis Bengalensis) with a domestic cat. Bengal Cats were first exhibited in shows in 1985. Public reaction was overwelming, filled with awe of this magnificent new breed. The name "Bengal" is derived from the Latin name of the Asian Leopard Cat, Felis bengalensis.
The first hybridization with the intention to create a pet "leopard" was accomplished in Japan according to the 1941 Cat Fancy publication. It was not until 1960 that any records exist in the United States of breeding Leopard Cats to domestic cats. Not until the 1970's was any effort was made to create the Bengal breed.
In the 1970s, the domestic cat population was seriously threatened by Feline Leukemia. At that time, there was no vaccine or cure. It was discovered that Asian Leopard Cats did not get the disease. A study was started to find out if this immunity would be passed on to the hybrid kittens of the Leopard Cat bred to domestics. The first female domestic cats used in the study were obtained from animal shelters. Because of these mixed heritage domestic mothers, the first Bengals were a pretty motly lot. Much time and effort resulted in the beautiful cats we have today.
The Bengal cat was first registered with T.I.C.A.-The International
Cat Association-in 1983. Since then their popularity has grown tremendously.
In 1997, Bengals ranked as the 3rd highest breed in T.I.C.A.’s show standings.
Yet only approximately 18-20,000 are registered in the United States today.
Other feline organizations have recently recognized the Bengal: UFO (United
Feline Organization) and AFCA.
THE ASIAN LEOPARD CAT
QUEEN SARABI OF PRIDEROCK,courtesy of Teri Embery
The Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) is the most numerous species of wild feline in the world with one of the greatest geographic ranges: from the northern uplands of China southwards, including India, SE Asia and many island countries such as Borneo, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is the size of a small house-cat, weighing from 6-12 pounds. Its pattern resembles the more familiar Ocelot, often bearing rosetted spots. It is one of the few species of wild cats which will interbreed with domestic cats.
The Asian Leopard Cat is not agressive at all.....their wild nature should not be equated with agressive behavior. The Leopard Cat would rather flee than fight.
The ALC is a small forest dwelling predator residing near water sources and feeding on insects, rodents, birds, fish and amphibians. Hunted extensively for their fur; over 200,000 were killed for this purpose as late as 1994. The main threat to the ALC is likely to be mankind. Leopard cats that feared and avoided humans were more likely to survive and reproduce.--- They learn to avoid human contact, making very poor exihibition animals for zoos.
The so called "wild" temperament that some bengals can inherit from
ALC ancestors, is not attack oriented aggression, but
extreme SHYNESS.
EARLY GENERATION HYBRIDS
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| Phantom, F2 | Phantom, F2 | Chantrelle, F3 | Wana, F3 |
The fourth and fifth generation and beyond are called Bengal cats or
"SBT" Bengals.. The challenge for Bengal breeders using the early generation
hybrids is to select for confident temperments, so that the resultant “domestic”
cat is well adjusted as a companion animal.
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