Mary Valley Cattery
Bengals
A Brief History of the Bengal Breed
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With his distinctive spotted coat and large size, the Bengal looks like a wild cat on the prowl, but although one of his ancestors is the small, wild Asian leopard cat, it’s a domestic cat through and through. Bengals take their name from the Asian leopard cat’s scientific name, Felis bengalensis. They were created through crosses between an Asian leopard cat, which in the 1950s and into the 1960s could be purchased at pet stores and domestic shorthairs. Jean Mill, a breeder in California, was the first to make such a cross, but not because she wanted to create a new breed. She had acquired a leopard cat and allowed her to keep company with a black tom cat so she wouldn’t be lonely. To her surprise, since she hadn’t thought the two species would mate, kittens resulted, and Mill kept a spotted female. Breeding her back to her father produced a litter of spotted and solid kittens.
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Various breeders became interested in developing the cats as a breed. Mill was one of them. Changes in her life had caused her to give up cat breeding, but she was ready to begin again. She had acquired some of Dr. Centerwall’s hybrids and sought out suitable males to breed to them. One was an orange domestic shorthair that she found in India, of all places, and the other was a brown spotted tabby acquired from a shelter. Bengals today are considered to be one and the same with domestic cats, and any Bengal purchased should be at least four generations removed from any ancestors with wild bloodlines.
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The first cat association to recognize the Bengal was The International Cat Association, which granted the breed experimental status in 1983, followed by full recognition in 1991. The Bengal is also recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association, the Canadian Cat Association and the United Feline Organization.
Bengal cats are so sought after, that a British woman paid over $50,000 for her Bengal cat in 1990, dubbing them the "Rolls Royce" of feline companions.
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Personality Description of a Bengal
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The Bengal is highly active and highly intelligent. This makes them fun to live with, but they can sometimes be challenging. On the whole, the Bengal is a confident, talkative, friendly cat who is always alert. Nothing escapes their notice. They like to play games, including fetch, and they're a whiz at learning tricks. Their nimble paws are almost as good as hands, and it’s a good thing they don’t have opposable thumbs or they would probably rule the world. Bored Bengal cats can also adopt some unconventional (and slightly destructive) habits, including: turning light switches on and off, fishing seals out of drains and excitedly plucking CDs from your DVD player.
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Fond of playing in water, the Bengal is not above jumping into the tub or strolling into the shower with you. Aquarium and pond fish may be at risk from their clever paws. Bengals love to climb and can often be found perching at the highest point they can reach in the home. A tall cat tree or two is a must for this feline, as are puzzle toys that will challenge their intelligence. On the rare occasions that they aren't swinging on chandeliers or swimming in your pool, the affectionate Bengal will be pleased to sit on your lap. It goes without saying that they will share your bed.
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Caring for your Bengal
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The short, thick coat of the Bengal is easily cared for with weekly combing to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. A bath is rarely necessary.
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It’s a good idea to keep a Bengal as an indoor-only cat to protect them from dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Keeping them indoors also protects local birds and wildlife from this avid hunter. If possible, build your Bengal a large outdoor enclosure where they can jump and climb safely. Bengals who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such a beautiful cat without paying for it.
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Physical Characteristics of a Bengal
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The Bengal could never be called delicate. They are athletes: agile and graceful with a strong, muscular body, as befits a cat who looks as if they belong in the jungle. Their broad head is a modified wedge shape, longer than it is wide, with rounded contours. They have medium-size to small ears that are relatively short, set toward the side of the head. Large oval eyes are almost round. Joining the head to the body is a long, muscular neck. Supporting the body are medium-length legs, slightly longer in the back than in the front, with large, round paws. A thick, medium-length tail tapers at the end and is tipped in black.
When a Bengal rolls over, you can see that another characteristic is a spotted belly. Enhancing the Bengal’s wild appearance is a short, thick pelt that feels luxuriously soft and silky. It comes in several colours and patterns, including brown tabby, seal mink tabby, black silver tabby, and seal silver lynx point. The coat can be spotted randomly or in horizontal patterns, or it can be marbled, with horizontal stripes arranged randomly on a lighter background. Some Bengals have a coat that is described as “glittered.” The fur shimmers in the light, as if it were tipped with gold dust.
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Information for Potential Owners
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The active and social Bengal is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. They can play fetch as well as any retriever. Bengals learn tricks easily and love the attention they receive from children who treat them politely and with respect. They're smart enough to get out of the way of toddlers but love school-age children because they are a match for their energy level and curiosity. Nothing scares them, certainly not dogs, and they will happily make friends with them if they don’t give them any trouble. Always introduce any pets, even other cats, slowly and in a controlled setting. Like many active cats, Bengals have a high prey drive and should not be trusted with smaller prey animals such as: lizards, fish in bowls, birds or guinea pigs.