The Bengal Cat was originally developed from the crossing of the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) a small, secretive, forest dwelling wild cat to the domestic cat. The breeder's goal was to create a stunning, exotic look in a domestic cat. A "tame toy leopard", in hopes of deterring the fur trade.
A Bengal Cat that has at least 4 generations of Bengal breeding is considered an SBT (stud book tradition) registered Bengal. The first (F1), second (F2) and third (F3) out-crossings are considered foundation cats or filials. After four generations of Bengal breeding's (SBT), the breed is recognized for champion competition by most international domestic cat associations and is the Bengal cat as we know it.
SBT Bengals usually make better pets, as they have more outgoing purrsonalities. Filial Bengal males are sterile. Filial Bengals can be very exotic pets-one justs need to remember that they are close relatives to the ALC. However, anyone interested in owning a Filial Bengal should do extensive research on their personalities and other traits prior to purchasing one. One should also be sure to check the regulations in your state, county and city governing purchase/ownership of these cats.
Bengal Cats are very intelligent and active. If you prefer a “couch potato” or a shy cat who disappears when guests arrive, the Bengal is probably not the right cat for you. BUT, if you want a cat that is totally devoted, interactive and fun, the beautiful Bengal may be for you. A Bengal Cat is athletic, lively, aware of its surroundings, curious, intelligent, friendly, chatty, confident and very entertaining. Bengals have a variety of sounds they use to communicate. They range from meows, chirps, squeaks, chirps, to the "cat" growl and hiss. They enjoy chatting and soon you will learn their vocabulary. Kittens arrive into their new home and simply take over one's life with their purrsonality and antics. This playfulness, energetic and devoted nature makes them wonderful interactive companions for children.
Bengals respond to consistent training much like a good dog. Many are known to play fetch, hide & seek and walk on harness/walking jacket. Often Bengals do not have a concept of fear. This is apparent shortly after birth. They are extremely courageous and curious. The Bengal assumes that any door, cabinet or box, is for their exploration. Please do be careful and kitten (Bengal) proof your home...before they arrive. Often Bengals go to the door to greet guests and see what's going on.
Historically, some cat registries, have been concerned about aggressive tendencies in any feline with wild ancestry. This concern is unfounded in the Bengal. In the first place, the Asian Leopard Cat is a very shy, reclusive, nocturnal cat-whom chooses flight over fight.
Our modern Bengal doesn't seem to have these personality traits. The Bengal does have some characteristics in common with it’s wild ALC ancestors. For instance, the Bengals love water. Often making a beeline to the sound of running water. They love getting a "fresh drink" from the faucet and will do so, as often as owners oblige. Many enjoy joining their families in baths, showers, or an outdoor wading pool. Let's see most household felines top that. Ever have a persian want to join you in the shower? They stalk their “prey” (usually a fellow pet or a toy) like a wild feline. They will lay on their back grasping a toy between their front paws and mouth. Some cats enjoy "hiding" toys in water bowls.
Bengals are easily socialized to other Bengals, cats, dogs, and kids of all ages. Our Bengals interact with our dogs and kids with ease.
We highly recommend a scratching/climbing tree for your Bengal. Bengals love high places, and will find the highest place in your house shortly after their arrival. Providing them with a tall tree will be better for them and for you. Especially if you are a person who does not like your Bengal peering down at you from the top of your refrigerator, tallest bookcase, door facing or etc. That is not to say that when they have a climbing/scratching tree, they will never visit the other high places in your house, but the tree will gradually become their more favorite hangout. We recommend a tall tree for your Bengal. While the kitten is young, the tree should be laid on it’s side to prevent injury from falling. Young Bengals get their “climbing up” skills much younger than their “climbing down” skills.
***At this point, let us give you fair warning.*** ***Bengals are like potato chips...can't stop at just one. ;-) ***
The Bengal cat is a medium to large sized cat. Sizes vary between genders. Males range from 11 to 16 pounds. Females range from 7 to 12 pounds. The Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) is quite small, about ten pounds grown.
A Bengal has a wide nose with prominent whisker pads. Large oval, almost round eyes set in a slightly small head (in proportion to the body) enhance the wild appearance and expressive nocturnal look of a "jungle cat". It has a very slight, nearly straight concave profile, and relatively small ears, which make it unique and distinctive in appearance. They should have a long athletic body with substantial bone and musculature. Back legs should be a little longer than front legs. Tail should be medium in length and thick with rounded tip desired.
Bengals are visually stunning. They come is 3 color categories: Brown, Silver & "Snow".
Brown is a vast array of shades, ranging from gorgeous butter-golden, tawny, sorrel, ruffoused red, mahogany, and cool brown (charcoal- which some people mistake for silver but it's actually "brown").
Silver is the newest color to be recognized. It became eligible for championship status May 1 2004. Silver can range from pale silver background w/darker silver markings to the most desired is silvery-white background with jet black markings. Many silvers have tarnish (brown shading) on them. It's acceptable but not desired.
"Snows" range from seal lynx point, seal mink to seal sepia. The *ideal* snow look resembles a clouded snow leopard. Seal lynx point: Ground color should be ivory to cream with pattern clearly visible. Pattern can vary in color from dark seal brown, light brown, tan, or buff. They have the blue eyes. Kittens are born white and develop color as they grow.
Seal mink: Ground color should be ivory, cream, or light tan with pattern clearly visible. Pattern may be various shades of seal mink to a dark seal mink. They have aqua or green eyes. Seal sepia: Ground color should be ivory, cream, or light tan with pattern clearly visible. Seal Sepia Tabby Pattern may be various shades of seal sepia to dark seal sepia. They have green or golden eyes.
There have also been melanistic (black) and blue Bengals born due to domestic cat genes but these colors are not recognized nor desired. Responsible breeders cull for these colors. They do not advertise these colors as "rare" or "more valuable" and charge higher prices for these kittens. Matter of fact, they are often the same price or less expensive than pet kittens in recognized colors.
Please visit our gallery and pics to see different colors and patterns.
Spotted: Spots of all colors and patterns vary in color, size, rosetting and intensity but preference is given to random and horizontal pattern alignment with wide spacing or "acreage".
"Rosettes:" are spots/marbling taken to a higher level. Rosettes are the dark outlining of coat markings (both in the spotted and marbled) that are around a third rich color, are found in many Asian Leopard Cats and other wild cat species. Rosettes showing two distinct colors or shades, such as paw print shaped, arrowhead shaped, doughnut or half-doughnut shaped or clustered are preferred to single spotting but not required.
Marbled: The classic tabby gene creates the marbled Bengal and represents a change of pattern from spotted to swirled or marbleized. This dramatic pattern is comprised of swirls of brown spotted colors flowing in a horizontal fashion instead of traditional spots. Preference is given to the more horizontal, flowing and "ocelot-like" patterns. The "marbled" pattern can also occur in lynx, sepia and mink color. Part of the beauty of a marbled Bengal is unique and individual design. Marbled Bengals are exquisite pieces of artwork that should catch your eye and take your breath away. Plus they often have the best pelts and lots of glitter.
**Note: most marbled kittens are born almost solid and their marble pattern "opens up" as they grow. Often a marble cat isn't fully "open" until 18 months of age. They are truly a fascinating work in progress.
"Glitter," the high shine, usually on a clear, non ticked coat, that has been discovered and developed in the Bengal is a welcome addition to the breed. Glittered coats are preferred but not required. Pelts should feel smooth and rich like satin or silk.
Most Bengal kittens go through what is referred to as the "fuzzies or the uglies". A beautifully clear kitten at three weeks old may begin to acquire a ticked kitten coat at four to five weeks old. This coat begins to clear again to higher contrast at about 12-16 weeks and is again breathtaking by 6 months. This is inherited from their ALC roots. As most "wild" felines have "fuzzy" coats during kitten hood to help camouflage them from predators. Luckily, they grow out of the "fuzzies" and are beautiful slick adults.
A well cared for Bengals life expectancy is 12-20 years.
Your pet Bengal should be neutered prior to reaching sexual maturity, otherwise they will mark their territory. Both the males and the females will spray or mark if they are not altered. We recommend early neutering at 12 weeks of age, as long as kittens are robust. Sometimes they are in such a large litter, that they need to be older before altering. In these cases, we recommend having them "fixed" by 5 months. We find 5 months will usually be young enough that they haven't started marking yet.
All cats pictured are not on premesis. Some photos are for reference purposes.
Enchanted Kits reserves the right to refuse or terminate sale of any cat/kitten at any time during the negotiation period.
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