A Bengal cat is a little wonder of nature! He is a hybrid cat, a cross between the domestic cat and the Asian leopard (Prionailurus Bengalensis), a small wild cat found in Asia and more particularly in the Bengal region. The result of this fusion is spectacular: a mini leopard with the “Wild” look of the Asian leopard and the “Sweet” temperament of the domestic cat! It was by reflecting on these two characteristics that we chose our cattery name, Wild N Sweet Bengals. You will find below all bengal cat breed information you need to know!
Bengal Cat Breed Origin
It was in 1963 that the American Jean S. Mill created this crossbreed for the first time. From this crossing was born the first hybrids called “F1” (1st generation) then “F2” (2nd generation), semi-wild cats. After the 4th and 5th generations, the Bengal cat was referred to as “domestic”. In our program, we produce the 7th and 8th generations after the Asian leopard, which allows us to create kittens that are very affectionate and good-natured.
It took several years for the Bengal cat breed to be recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA), and it was only in 1985 that Jean S. Mill was able to participate to her first cat show. The success was immediate, and today, this breed is more popular than ever on a global scale!
Bengal Cat Coat
One of the first things most people notice about the Bengal cat’s physique is his beautiful fur that imitates his ancestors. The spots that can be seen everywhere on his body are also known as rosettes. It gives the cat an exotic appearance. When petting a Bengal cat, it is surprising to see just how soft and silky his fur is. Sometimes we can see a thin, shiny veil on his body that looks like gold dust, called “glitter”.
Starting at the age of 3-4 weeks, the Bengal kitten goes through a period of fuzzy making his fur and markings less contrasted and this period may last for 3 to 5 months. This is a direct heritage of the Asian leopard, which is used to hide young leopards from their predators. Another important point: the Bengal cat breed is not hypoallergenic despite what many people claim.
On the picture, we see an example of a fuzzy baby cheetah.
Bengal Cat Patterns and Colors
The Bengal cat can have 2 different patterns: spotted/rosetted and marble. In addition, the Bengal cat can come in a variety of different colors. Many are breathtaking! Some even mimic the snow leopard, the black panther and the traditional leopard. Wild N Sweet Bengals specializes in rare and spectacular colors. Discover these magnificent and extraordinary Bengal cats.
The Bengal cat can have 2 different patterns: spotted/rosetted and marbled. In addition, the Bengal cat can come in a variety of different colors. Many are breathtaking! Some even mimic the snow leopard, the black panther and the traditional leopard. Wild N Sweet Bengals specializes in rare and spectacular colors. Discover these magnificent and extraordinary Bengal cats.
The Bengal is considered a medium to large sized cat. The weight of the adult Bengal cat varies between 11 and 17 pounds for a male and between 7 and 12 pounds for a female. Their average life expectancy is 14 to 16 years.
Always Improving the Bengal Kitten Characteristics
As Bengal cat breeders, we are always looking to improve on all points. The goal is to get as close as possible to the breed standards and a beautiful color with contrasting rosettes, nice flow, a wild head with a strong muscular body, a short silky fur and a short thick tail, etc.
Obviously, the perfect cat does not exist. But we are continually trying to create one as close to perfect as possible.
