Bengal cat breed: a wild leopard with an angelic character

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The Bengal cat breed is the fruit of the painstaking and successful work of Jean Mill, an amateur enthusiast from the USA. Toward the end of the 1940s, when she was still a student, she had a great idea. Jean wished to breed such cats that would resemble leopards in appearance, but were affectionate in temperament, like domestic purrs. In the early 60s, fate brought her to Malaysia. At that time, there was still a species of small, but absolutely wild cats called Asian Leopard Cat. Jean purchased a female on the black market, brought her to America and began bold experiments in the field of felinology.

Nothing came of the first test. But not because of the genetic incompatibility of wild Malaysia with American domestic cats, but because of Jean's family problems (the death of her first husband and an allergy to animals in her second husband). Only in 1980 Mill againgot down to business. She acquired nine wild Asian cats, and brought a groom for them from the New Delhi Zoo. As a result of mating, extraordinary children with shining coats were born. This radiance that characterizes the Bengal cat breed was later called "glitter".

By 1986, Jean had recruited a purebred male Asian Leopard Cat named Kabuki. Despite the fact that he was absolutely wild, his character was surprisingly accommodating, balanced and friendly. This male became the father of F1 females, and they, in turn, gave he althy and fertile F2 offspring. And from the very beginning, the Bengal cat breed has caused rapid recognition of the general public.

Already in 1991, these polished beauties participated in the championship of the felinological organization TICA, and in 1998 - ACFA. And not only among specialists they were popular. Among the sympathies of the ordinary public, all the records of the Bengal cat were also beaten. Photos of these kitties were on the front pages of glossy magazines, the prices for animals have skyrocketed. Particularly valuable were the fourth-generation hybrids, which retained the "wild" leopard color.

What are these Bengals like? They are distinguished from ordinary cats by their long, ballerina-like legs. Their head is small, with rounded, high-set ears. Amber penetrating eyes shine on a gray-yellow or golden-red background of the main color. An obligatory sign is large dark spots scattered oversides and back. But the abdomen should be white, as well as the chin and chest areas. The Bengal cat breed, depending on the habitat of the ancestors, has a different size and weight. If the ancestor was a cat caught in the Ussuri taiga, pets will reach a weight of seven kilograms, and the southern savages from the jungle noticeably "shrink".

If an individual F1 does not adapt well to human society, is gloomy and shy, then hybrids are real pets. They are gentle, playful, adore affection, but at the same time they love to hunt. They get along well with dogs and challenge their right to walk on a leash. Representatives of this breed have a very unusual "voice". It can be compared to cooing or chirping rather than purring. The white suit is especially valued on the market, as well as the color under the snow leopard. But the real proof of thoroughbredness is not the color, but the notorious luster of wool - the glitter effect. Only such a cat of the Bengal breed is allowed to the competition. The price for a cub varies depending on the class: show copy - $3000, breeding class - $2000, pet animal - $1300.