Wednesday, February 27, 2008
What is a Bengal?
The name "Bengal" conjures images of the man-eating tigers of India, and while few Bengal breed cats have been known to eat anyone, they do have a definite look about them that suggests their wild forebears. This breed sports leopard-like spots that supposedly are engendered by actual wildcat ancestors. But the wildness is only coat-deep... underneath is a playful, trustworthy pet.
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Many people dream of owning a wild cat? Maybe a tiger, leopard, or some other "wild and exotic" cat? Unfortunately many legal and practical difficulties (not to mention the real dangers), make owning a truly wild cat unrealistic. However, if you are looking for a wild look in your cat, then the Bengal is just the cat for you! The very unique genetic legacy of the Bengal, together with rigorous breeding programs have produced a breed of cat with a singular, distinctive, wild look, exceptional personality and atypical behavior. It is this special personality and behavior, coupled with their wild visual appearance that make the Bengal so desirable.
The typical Bengal cat is medium to large in size with a sturdy, muscular body. The males are slightly heavier and larger than the females. The head is relatively small, with large eyes, a broad nose with prominent whisker pads, and short rounded ears. The tail is medium in length, thick and carried low, balancing the overall look of the cat.
Bengal cats have a striking appearance that reminds us of a wild cat. However, the Bengal is not a wild cat! It is a domestic breed of cat created by selectively breeding the small (10-pound), forest dwelling, wild Asian Leopard Cat (ALC), (felis bengalensis, indigenous to the jungles of Southeast Asia), with several domestic breeds. The domestic cats used in the cross included, among others, the Egyptian Mau, the Abyssinian, the Ocicat, the Burmese, and the Domestic Short Hair.
The objective of this cross-breeding was to combine the exotic leopard look of the wild ALC with the sweet disposition the much loved domestic cat. Therefore, the domestic Bengal cat does retain a strong physical resemblance to the beautiful, wild ALC together with the gentle sweetness of the common house cat.
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