| 1/31/2008 12:52:08 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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mzzzwright
El Dorado Hills, CA
age: 38
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I've always fancied having a Bengal cat. I think they are beautiful, but don't know much about the breed, i.e. personality, traits, habits, etc...
Have any of you ever owned one? If so, can you tell me anything about them?
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| 1/31/2008 1:27:51 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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in_my_peak
San Diego, CA
age: 38
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Characteristics
A Bengal cat displaying spotting and rosetting pattern typical of the breed. Rosetted spots occur only on the back and sides, with stripes elsewhere.
The Bengal is a large breed - weighing between 7 to 20 pounds (lb.) (3.2kg to 9.1kg).[1] Male cats are generally larger than females.
The face of a typical Bengal features a series of distinct horizontal stripes, popularly known as "mascara", which extend from alongside the eye to the back of the neck. The sides and top of the body are marked with spots, usually rosetted like those of the jaguar. The remainder of the body - including the legs and tail - consists of symmetrical stripes.
Seal Marbled Lynx Point relaxing.
Bengals can have either spotted or marbled coat patterns. Spots with at least two colors present (rosettes) are particularly desirable. The following colors and patterns are recognized and eligible for competition: Brown Spotted Tabby, Brown Marbled Tabby, Seal Sepia Spotted Tabby, Seal Sepia Marbled Tabby, Seal Mink Spotted Tabby, Seal Mink Marbled Tabby, Seal Spotted Lynx Point and Seal Marbled Lynx Point. Silver was also recently accepted as a color variation eligible for championship status. Blue and Melanistic (black) are additional colors that occur, but are not yet recognized by most associations that accept the Bengal breed.
[edit] Genetics
Bengal cats are a hybrid breed developed over several generations through a program of selectively crossbreeding domestic cats, possessing desired features, with Asian Leopard Cats and ALC hybrids. In the first three generations, males are almost always infertile, though there have been the occasional, but rare F3 studs capable of reproduction. Early generation females are typically fertile, and responsible for continuing the genetic contributions of the ALC to the next generation.
The modern SBT Bengal gene pool contains genes sourced from many varieties of domestic cats - mainly Egyptian Maus, American Shorthair, Abyssinian, Ocicat, and domestic shorthaired cats. It is commonly accepted that the breed was developed by Jean Mill of California in the 1970s; today, Bengal breeders exist throughout the world. Many breeders are presently working to develop specific characteristics in the breed, often by backcrossing foundation cats with particularly vivid markings. The ALC comprises several subspecies, and consequently, they can have considerable variations in their appearance.
The first three filial generations (F1 - F3) of these hybrid animals are referred to as the "foundation" generations. A Bengal cat with an ALC parent is called an F1 Bengal, short for first filial. An F1 then bred with a domestic male yields an F2, or second filial. Kittens from an F2 female and another domestic cat are then termed F3. Kittens from a subsequent F3 mating with a domestic are F4s. The F4 and later generations are considered domestic cats, are designated as Stud Book Tradition (SBT) Bengals, and can be shown and registered. Any SBT Bengal is at least four generations removed from the ALC. Founders (F1-F3) are typically reserved for breeding purposes or the specialty pet home environment.
[edit] Personality
A male Bengal cat. Note "mascara" (horizontal striping alongside the eyes) and foreleg striping, both typical of the breed.
Bengal cats are very high-energy, intelligent, and curious. They are particularly interactive with their human house-mates, wanting to be in the middle of whatever the human is engaged in such as following the human around the house. While friendly and with very distinctive personalities, Bengals generally are not "lap cats." There are exceptions, but most Bengal cats prefer being petted or played without being held. The best way to bond with a Bengal kitten is to play with it for at least half an hour every morning and every evening (and they need to be taught what is acceptable play behavior like any young animal).
A five-month old spotted bengal kitten
Bengals often have dominant personality types and demand attention. As their activity and play requirements are high, this is not a cat best left to its own devices for long periods of time as they can be quite mischievous and destructive when bored. If an owner is likely to spend much of the day away from the cat, it is an excellent idea to have another high-energy feline companion to occupy the Bengal cat. However, bengal cats are quite capable of behavior reminiscent of "jealousy" and "spitefulness" if they feel that another feline is getting more attention, or if they are being ignored.
Bengal cats can take a great deal of interest in running water. Many owners have stories about their cat's affection for running water or even jumping in a sink or tub. Bengal cats commonly play games with their owners such as "fetch" and "hide-and-seek." Bengals cats vocalize to communicate with their humans. Bonded cats can be taught tricks such as sit and shaking hands, and go outdoors on leashes for walks.
[Edited 1/31/2008 1:34:39 PM]
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| 1/31/2008 1:31:01 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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silver_rain1011
Springfield, VA
age: 22
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Bengal cats are cross breeds of domestic cats and asian leopard cats (they have nothing to do with the bengal tiger). They have a feral appearance and it is said that if they're at least 3 generations away from the asian leopard cat parent, then they have a good demeanor. They have a lot of energy, demand a lot of attention, and are not typically lap cats. So if you spend a lot of time away from home, you should get another high-energy cat so they play with each other and not make mischief while you're gone 
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| 1/31/2008 1:36:42 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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merlin21
Wheeling, WV
age: 31
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I saw them on Animal Planet just last night. Houston SPCA show. They seem very fiesty. They look cool as hell, though.
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| 2/4/2008 5:29:50 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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notlooking51
Elk Grove, CA
age: 38
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Hey sweetie as a vet tech who has met several bangals ... they are very wild . One foot in the jungle as we say. They are cute as hell and facinating but to own one is to live and let live cuz they dont take to kindly to being told what to do. There are differant variations like a #1 is closest to wild and say a #5 has been breed with a domesticated female like 5 times over. Get it??? Write me back if you have more questions, but you have to be on my friends list so request me if you want to talk.
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| 2/4/2008 6:36:23 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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mzzzwright
El Dorado Hills, CA
age: 38
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Notlooking, thanks! I can't request you if I can't get into your profile
You live super close to me... send me a request.
A
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| 2/4/2008 6:53:28 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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sea_wench1
Chandler, AZ
age: 55
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exactly grneye I am with you on that and I think you have to have special license too..( wink )lol and to think im this close to a half naked man and with a hat on.lol ( wink )
[Edited 2/4/2008 6:55:29 PM]
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| 2/4/2008 7:35:24 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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mzzzwright
El Dorado Hills, CA
age: 38
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Just a quick note: I am referring to Bengal house cats, NOT Bengal Tigers. Who in their right mind would cage a cat anyhow? I don't work for the circus. Geezuz....
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| 2/4/2008 7:40:23 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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michaelcee
Sarasota, FL
age: 51
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quick note.... feral isn't a breed of cat.
It's ANY domesticated cat that has been reintroduced to the wild.
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| 2/4/2008 9:18:32 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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notlooking51
Elk Grove, CA
age: 38
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micheal thank you for clearing that up kinda.......... a feral is any domesticated cat or dog who is not owned.....
and for all you that think we are talking about caging any animal think again... these are already bred and in need of homes to have a great life and if there is someone willing to provide a home than so be it ... you cant stop breeders from breeding, but in some small way we can insure a life for a animal already born that is worth something for a few of them!!!!!!!!!!
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| 2/4/2008 9:35:33 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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mzzzwright
El Dorado Hills, CA
age: 38
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Has anyone even bothered to look at any websites about these cats? Tons of people own them. Reputable breeders breed properly, and not only for cosmetic, but disposition purposes.
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| 2/4/2008 11:22:41 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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notlooking51
Elk Grove, CA
age: 38
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come on people ... do you check into things before you just post your opinion???? It is so wonderful to say you are smart and intellectual , but what do you have to stand on ??????
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| 2/5/2008 8:31:47 PM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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hotdoggy13
Nazareth, PA
age: 49
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they look pretty cool but i'll keep my little p*ssycat "bear"
 
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| 2/6/2008 2:40:46 AM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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shylywilling
Medford, OR
age: 46
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Bengals... benguys...not my motor's milk. I'd be happy to adopt a stillgal though. And forget the play mate. If she is that playful and mischevious I'll stay home with her.
Love the kitties.
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| 2/7/2008 8:20:56 AM |
Curious about Bengal Cats |
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koodah
Leonardtown, MD
age: 41
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Kool looking cat... but all this cross breeding is kinda sick.. sterile cats and surley some mutants along the way... you guys are geeks.. we should protest this...
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