Bengal Cat with Rosette Pattern Photo Source: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
HISTORY
Bengal cats initially came into existence through the breeding of Egyptian Maus with Asian Leopard Cats. Harrison Weir first wrote about a cross between an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic in 1889. The next time this breed was mentioned was in 1924 in a Belgian scientific journal. A Japanese cat magazine printed an article about one that was being kept as a pet in 1941.
However, it is Jean Mill who can be credited for the modern Bengal breed. She crossed an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic (black tomcat) in the early 70’s, and by 1983 the breed had been accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA). In 1997, The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) followed suit. The Cat Fanciers’ Association, however, was one of the last organizations to accept the breed in 2016. To be considered a domestic Bengal, by many cat registries, the cat must be four generations or more from the Asian Leopard Cat. Today there are more than 1,000 Bengal breeders worldwide.
CHARACTERISTICS
| WEIGHT RANGE | Males medium to large 10 to 18 pounds; Females 6 to 12 pounds |
| EYE COLOR | Most Bengals have green, yellow or gold eyes. The lynx points have blue eyes, and the minks have aqua eyes. |
| COAT | Coats are plush and low maintenance. |
| COAT COLORS | Spotted Rosette, Cashmere Bengal (long-haired), ticked, mackerel, blotched – these are collectively referred to as tabby markings. |
| OVERALL APPEARANCE | Bengals are long and lean and athletic in appearance. Bengals are larger than the average house cat because of their muscular bodies. |
| PRICE | Recognized by The International Cat Association and Cat Fanciers Association. Bengal kittens range between $3,000 and $5,000. Adult Bengal cats range between $700 and $1500 |
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
| Bengals usually have a life span from 12 to 16 years. They can suffer from health issues such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and progressive Retinal Atrophy. Bengals are also illegal to keep as pets in New York City and the state of Hawaii, and there are limitations on ownership in other US states. It’s best to make sure you live in a state that allows ownership before adopting or purchasing. Bengals are charming cats in both personality and appearance. They are energetic and can be talkative. Some even love water.
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ADOPTION AND RESCUE
BENGAL RESCUE NETWORK FACEBOOK PAGE
Want to know more about the cat in history, art and literature? The Revered and Reviled is the book for you. Now available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback formats.
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