American Cat Fanciers Association
Bengal Breeders' Directory
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The Bengal cat, at the fifth generation level (five generations from the Asian leopard cat and domestic cat hybrid), can be found in the show halls of the American Cat Fanciers' Association. These cats are championship cats and are in the same class as the other domestic cat breeds registered with ACFA. Earlier generation cats can be registered in ACFA but cannot be shown. The fourth generation and beyond are often referred to in the Bengal cat world as being studbook (SBT).
Cat enthusiasts have long been attracted to the look of the wild cat. Documents show hybridization in the 1800s but sterility of offspring limited these crosses. In 1983 Jean Sugden Mill began successfully breeding later generations. She began creating a truly domestic cat with the look of a small forest dwelling wild cat. Most of the Bengal cats of today trace their heritage to the Centerwall line that Jean Mill worked with in the 1980s. The Centerwall crosses were the result of scientific research on feline leukemia. Research showed the Asian leopard cat has a natural immunity to feline leukemia, a viral cancer. Today, this research continues, but with the goal of human applications.
The original idea
was to create a cat that resembled a leopard with the temperament of a
domestic cat. Genetically this cat is as a brown spotted tabby. This
idea quickly expanded with the addition of the marble pattern and the
albino series of colors: seal lynx, seal mink and seal sepia.
The brown spotted tabby is found in shades of brown in the background,
from a gray-tawny tone to a vivid orange-gold. The spotting is to be
distinct and clear (color range from brown to black) and is to be
aligned horizontally or diagonally not vertically. The tail tip and the
paw pads are black.
The brown marble tabby brings a new term to the cat fancy with the
introduction of the marble. Marble describes the influence of the
classic tabby gene (the bull's eye effect) and the horizontal pull of
the nondomestic gene. The result is a marbling of the colors. There
should be three or more colors involved in the marble pattern and some
basic falling out of the centers. Again the flow should be horizontal
with no bull's eye effect.
The albino series of colors gives a whitish to cream coloring of the
background and contrasting spots or marbling. The spots can be gray or
seal brown in tone and the background white to tarnished gold. The genes
at work are from the domestic genes of the seal lynx (blue eyes) and the
seal sepia (green to gold). These genes in combination give the coloring
of the seal mink (aqua to green).
The conformation of the Bengal cat is to resemble the nondomestic
ancestor. The Bengal cat weighs between 6-14 pounds, has a longer body
than high, hindquarters higher than the shoulders, a modified wedge
shaped head with "cotton ball" whisker pads, high contrast
between pattern and background coloring, and a confident, interactive
personality.
Bengal cats tend to follow their owners around (people are where the
action is), get involved in what ever activity their humans are doing,
play in water, play fetch, walk on leashes, sleep with owners, play with
and thoroughly entertain their human companions. They are excellent with
other breeds of cats, dogs, and other four and two legged inhabitants!
Bengal cat breeders focus on temperament inheritance. The Asian leopard
cat has survived by avoiding humans. So combining that genetic shyness
with a friendly domestic personality allows for gene selection toward
cats that seek and want human contact. The genetic component of this is
evident; combining selection with proper socialization creates excellent
house cats.
Shorthair breeds tend to be more active than longhair, so owners should
utilize vertical space as well as floor space for movement and
entertainment. As a shorthair breed, Bengal cat owners enjoy their low
maintenance coats and often find the hair to be less shedding, less
allergy causing and glittery to the eye. Some Bengal cats enjoy the
glitter gene that gives a metallic shine unique to the Bengal cat.
When selecting your Bengal cat be sure to ask the breeder if they breed
for temperament and if they guarantee their kittens. As with any breed
selection, one should ask for written contracts and ask questions of the
breeder choosing from a one that makes you feel comfortable and
informed. You are bringing a companion into your home, and much care and
attention should be taken when doing so.
|
Janice Becker |
|
Plymouth, MN |
|
Diana Jagiella Cattery: Bengal Buddies |
(309) 453-1118 Web Page |
Crown Point, IN |
