Bengal Cat

The
Bengal cat is a domesticated cat breed created from a hybrid of the Asian leopard

cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), with domestic cats, especially the spotted Egyptian Mau. It is then
usually bred with a breed that has a more friendly personality, because after breeding a cat with a
wildcat, its friendly personality may not be there in the kitten. The breed name comes from the
leopard cat's taxonomic name.
Bengals have a wild appearance; their golden shimmer comes from their leopard cat ancestry,
and their coats may show spots, rosettes, arrowhead markings, or marbling. They are an
energetic breed that needs much exercise and play.
History[edit]
Early history[edit]
The earliest mention of an Asian leopard cat × domestic cross was in 1889, when Harrison
Weir wrote of them in Our Cats and All About Them.[1]
Bengals as a breed[edit]
Jean Mill of California is given credit for the modern Bengal breed. She made the first known
deliberate cross of an Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat (a black California tomcat).[2] Bengals
as a breed did not really begin in earnest until much later.[3] In 1970, Mill resumed her breeding
efforts and in 1975 she received a group of Bengal cats that had been bred for use in genetic
testing at Loma Linda University by Willard Centerwall.[4] Others also began breeding Bengals.[who?]
Cat registries[edit]
In 1983, the breed was officially accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA).[4] Bengals
gained championship status in 1991.[5]
In 1997 The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) accepted Bengal cats.[6]
In 1999 Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) accepted Bengal cats into their registry.[7]
The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) was one of the last organizations to accept the Bengal cat
into their registry. "The CFA board accepted the Bengal as Miscellaneous at the February 7, 2016
board meeting. In order for a Bengal cat to be registered with the CFA it must be F6 or later (6
generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat or non-Bengal domestic cat ancestors)."[8]
In 1999 The Australian Cat Federation (ACF) accepted the Bengal cat into their registry.[9]
A charcoal Bengal kitten, with white "goggle" markings, and black rosettes.
Early generation Bengal cat[edit]

Bengal cats from the first three filial generations of breeding (F1–G3) are considered "foundation
cats" or "Early Generation" Bengals. The Early generation (F1–G3) males are frequently infertile.
Therefore, female early generation Bengals of the F1, G2, and G3 are bred to fertile domestic
Bengals.[2][10][11] Nevertheless, as the term was used incorrectly for many years, many people and
breeders still refer to the cats as F2, F3 and F4 even though the term is considered incorrect.[12]
Popularity[edit]
The Bengal breed was more fully developed by the 1980s. "In 1992 The International Cat
Association had 125 registered Bengal Breeders."[2] By the 2000s, Bengals had become a very
popular breed. In 2019, there were nearly 2,000 Bengal breeders worldwide.
The Growth of Bengal Breeding
Year TICA registered Bengal Breeders
1992[2] 125
2019*[13] 1,979
* The 2019 number only represents the breeders who use the word "Bengals" in their cattery
name.
Appearance[edit]
Markings[edit]
A brown Bengal cat stalking. This cat displays rosettes and spotting typical of the breed. Bengals have
longer rear legs and carry their tails low.
Colors[edit]
Bengals come in a variety of coat colors.[14][15] The International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes
several Bengal colors. Brown Spotted, Seal Lynx Point (snow), Sepia, silver, and Mink
Spotted Tabby Bengals.[16]
Spotted Rosetted[edit]
Charcoal blue-eyed snow Bengal kitten in bed reaching out to investigate the camera
The Bengal cat is the only domestic breed of cat that has rosette markings.[citation needed]
People most often associate the Bengal with the most popular color: the Brown spotted/rosetted
Bengal. Nonetheless, Bengals have a wide variety of markings and colors. Even within the Brown
spotted/rosetted category a Bengal can be: red, brown, black, ticked, grey, spotted, rosetted,
clouded. Many people are stunned by the Bengal Cat's resemblance to a leopard. Among
domestic cats, the Bengal markings are perhaps the most varied and unique.
A Bengal cat with a large rosetted coat and a high contrast in coloring is referred to as a "clouded
bengal".[17]
Marble[edit]
A brown marble Bengal being judged at a TICA show (2013)
Domestic cats have four distinct and heritable coat patterns – ticked, mackerel, blotched, and
spotted – these are collectively referred to as tabby markings.[18]
Christopher Kaelin, a Stanford University geneticist, has conducted research that has been used
to identify the spotted gene and the marble gene in domestic Bengal cats. Kaelin studied the
color and pattern variations of feral cats in Northern California, and was able to identify the gene
responsible for the marble pattern in Bengal cats.[19]
A snow Bengal, with "mascara" markings (horizontal striping alongside the eyes)
A UC Davis Bengal DNA test showing a cat carrying three recessive colors
Bengal size[edit]
The Bengal is an average to large-sized, spotted cat breed.[20] Bengals are long and lean. Bengals
are larger than the average house cat because of their muscular bodies. Breeders in recent years
have begun selective breeding to breed a Bengal cat closer in size to the original Asian leopard
cat.[21] The size of cashmere Bengal cats ranges from medium to giant, with males often being
larger than females [22]
Legal restrictions[edit]
In the United States, legal restrictions may be in place in cities and states. In New York City and
the state of Hawaii, Bengal cats are prohibited by law (as are all wild cat species, and all other
hybrids of domestic and wild cats).[23][24][25] In various other places, such as Seattle, Washington,
and Denver, Colorado, there are limits on Bengal ownership.[26] Bengals of the F1-G4
generations are regulated in New York, Georgia, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut,
and Indiana. Except where noted above, Bengal cats with a generation of G5 and beyond are
considered domestic, and are generally legal. In Alaska, Bengal cats must be four generations
removed from the Asian Leopard cat. A permit and registered pedigree that indicates the
previous four generations are required.[27] In California, the code of regulations Title 14, section K,
Asian leopards are not specifically listed as a restricted species. In Connecticut, it is illegal to own
any generation of Bengal cat.[28] In Delaware, a permit is required to own Bengal cats.[29]
Bengals were regulated in the United Kingdom. In 2007, however, the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs removed the previous licensing requirements.[30]
In Australia G5 Bengals are not restricted, but their import is complex.[31]
Temperament[edit]
Bengal cats are smart, energetic and playful (though in some rare cases they may be quite lazy).
Many Bengal owners say that their Bengal naturally retrieves items, and they often enjoy playing
in water.[32]
Health[edit]
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)[edit]
Example of a completed HCM report

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a major concern in the Bengal cat breed. This is a
disease in which the heart muscle (myocardium) becomes abnormally thick (hypertrophied). A
thick heart muscle can make it harder for the cat's heart to pump blood.[33] The only way to
determine the suitability of Bengal cats meant for breeding is to have the cat's heart scanned by
a cardiologist.
HCM is a common genetic disease in Bengal cats and there is no genetic testing available as of
2018. In the United States, the current practice of screening for HCM involves bringing Bengal
cats to a board certified veterinary cardiologist where an echocardiogram is completed. Bengal
cats that are used for breeding should be screened annually to ensure that no hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy is present. Currently North Carolina State University is attempting to identify
genetic markers for HCM in the Bengal Cat.[34]
One study published in the Journal of Internal Veterinary Medicine has claimed the prevalence of
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Bengal cats is 16.7% (95% CI = 13.2–46.5%).[35]
Bengal progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-b)[edit]

Bengal cats are known to be affected by several genetic diseases, one of which is
Bengal progressive retinal atrophy, also known as Bengal PRA or PRA-b. Anyone breeding
Bengal cats should carry out this test, since it is inexpensive, noninvasive, and easy to perform. A
breeder stating their cats are "veterinarian tested" should not be taken to mean that this test has
been performed by a vet: it is carried out by the breeder, outside of a vet office (rarely, if ever, by
a vet). The test is then sent directly to the laboratory.

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The

Bengal cat is a domesticated cat breed created from a hybrid of the Asian leopard

Early generation Bengal cat[edit]

Year TICA registered Bengal Breeders

A brown marble Bengal being judged at a TICA show (2013)

Example of a completed HCM report

Bengal progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-b)[edit]

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