The origins of the Bengal cat
Chat léopard du Bengale
The Bengal is a breed of cat originating in the United States. This medium to large breed, compared to other cats, is characterized by its fur resembling that of the Bengal Leopard Cat (ALC).
The Bengal cat is the result of a cross between a domestic cat and the ALC (Prionailurus bengalensis), a small wild cat found in Asia and particularly in the province of Bengal.
It was in 1963 that an American, Jean S. Mill, a geneticist, carried out the crossbreeding and chose a black cat of the American Shorthair breed and an ALC.
From this crossbreeding come the so-called "F1" (1st generation) and then "F2" (2nd generation) hybrids, semi-wild cats. Bengal cats considered "domestic" belong to at least the 5th generation. They can then participate in competitions or exhibitions and be sold to individuals as domestic cats. A new law prohibits the breeding of ALC (Alternative Line Cats) and the F1 to F4 generations.
Since 1963, selective breeding has been undertaken to maintain the wild appearance of the Australian Cat Finch (ACF) while giving it the temperament of a domestic cat. Crossbreeding with the Egyptian Mau, Burmese, and Siamese was also carried out to fix certain physical characteristics and avoid excessive inbreeding. From these mixes emerged the seal colors (lynx, mink, and sepia) and the genes responsible for charcoal and dilutions.
It wasn't until 1985 that Jean S. Mill was able to present one of her cats at an exhibition. The success was immediate.
In 1989, the first Bengal cat arrived in France. The first French litter was born in 1993, and French Bengal breeding began. The LOOF (French Cat Fanciers' Federation) officially recognized the breed a few years later, in 1997.
The standard in Bengal
Body The Bengal has a long, athletic body with sturdy bone structure and a generally medium build. Its powerful musculature should be visible. Its legs are of medium length and, like the rest of the body, must be muscular and sturdy. Its paws are large and round with prominent toes. The tail is of medium length, fairly thick at the base, and tapers only slightly towards the rounded tip.
The Head The head is triangular in shape, longer than it is wide, with rounded contours. It is relatively small in proportion to the body, though this feature should not be exaggerated. The goal is for the Bengal's head to differ as much as possible from that of a standard domestic cat and to reflect the distinctive traits of its wild ancestor. The nose should be long and broad with no break (stop), and the cheekbones high and prominent. The muzzle is strong, featuring whisker pads that are more developed than average. Viewed in profile, the tip of the chin should align with the tip of the nose. The eyes are large and well-spaced. They are oval to round in shape. Permitted colors include green, gold, blue (for colourpoints), and aquamarine (for minks). Deep, brilliant shades are the most highly prized. The ears are relatively small and short, with a broad base and rounded tips. They should be positioned midway between the top of the skull and the sides of the head. In profile, they point forward.
Character
Bengal cats are generally said to be lively, intelligent, curious, but also very affectionate, especially with other animals and children.
One peculiarity: he would love water and would particularly like to perch up high.
He was said to be athletic and talkative.
These character traits, however, remain perfectly individual and depend on each cat's history.
