Imagine owning one of God’s most exotic wild cats, in your own home! Now, imagine this cat having the behavior and size of a domestic cat. The Bengal, is a relatively new breed of domestic cat developed and bred to preserve the striking appearance of the Asian Leopard Cat.

The Asian Leopard Cat

bengalskaya koshka is Russian for the Asian Leopard Cat.  Leopard Cats are one of the most common and widely distributed cats in southern Asia and eastern Russia.

A Brief Bengal History
The Bengal is a distinctive feline hybrid breed. The foundation cats for the breed were created by crossing domestic felines and wild Asian leopard cats found throughout southeast Asia. The resulting hybrids are carefully being bred to create the exquisite Bengal, an exotic domestic cat that closely resembles its wild ancestors, and yet has the sweet and reliable disposition of its domestic cousins.

The Bengal Cat was created by breeding domestic cats with the Asian Leopard Cat.  The Bengal Cat is in many ways similar to a domestic cat, while at the same time being very different.  The Bengal is easily leash trained, loves water, loves to jump and climb high, learns tricks easily, and is significantly more intelligent than a normal cat.  The Bengal is a very active and loving cat that gets along well with almost any other type of animal, if they are introduced young.  By the time they are four generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat (as all pet quality Bengals are), they are legally and genetically considered to be domestic cats and need identical food, litter box, vet, etc., as a normal cat.

Bengal Characteristics
Females are 6-12 lbs. at maturity. Males are 10-18 lbs. when full-grown, with a few getting to 20 lbs.

Bengal's display an extraordinarily soft, short-haired coat. Coat colors include brown spotted (dark leopard spots on a background ranging from grayish tan to golden red), snow leopard (off white or ivory with contrasting spots that darken with age) and marble (a dark swirling pattern with a horizontal flow) with a brown or snow background.

Many Bengal's exhibit a very distinctive "glittered pelt" trait. Glittered pelts appear to be sprinkled with gold dust (snows sprinkled with silver) & have a shine and sparkle like no other, domestic or wild. Black tipped tails, black paw pads and intense facial markings that accentuate their expressive eyes and exotic head structure complete the package.

Kittens are spotted or marbled, but go through a fuzzy gray stage between 6-16 weeks, just like the camouflage stage wild cubs go through. It can take up to a year for their extraordinary color to fully develop. By seeing the parents, you can get a good idea of the wonderful color and coat quality the youngster will have as an adult.

Bengal Temperament (Also Visit TIBCS for more information on Bengals.)
"Personality with Pizzazz" is the best description for the Bengal's personality. They are highly intelligent, affectionate, and curious cats. They enjoy the companionship of their families, other breeds of cats and household pets. While regular house cats grow out of the playful kitten stage, Bengals remain their distinctive playful personalities. They are very athletic and love water. (You will usually find a Bengal with at least one paw in the water bowl!) They have domestic litter box habits and have the same nutritional and immunization requirements as other domestic felines.  A puuuurfect pet!