Domestic Bengal Cat
SBT Bengals make loving, intelligent house cats with normal
litterbox habits. Curious and entertaining, some even enjoy a game of
fetch, or sharing the tub or shower with their person. They enjoy the
companionship of both adults and children and adapt well to other family
pets. Their nutritional and immunization requirements are the same as for
all domestic household cats.
Color and Pattern
There are several colors and patterns available in the Bengal
breed. The brown spotted tabbies have dark spots on a lighter ground
color ranging from gray to very rufous (golden red). The lynx, mink and
sepia spotted tabbies (snow) have a white or ivory background with contrasting
spots. Extreme contrast between the markings and the ground color is
desirable in both spotted colors. The classic Tabby (marble) represents a
change in pattern from spotted to swirled or marbleized. This pattern is
comprised of swirls in brown spotted colors in a horizontal fashion instead of
traditional spots. The “marble” pattern can also occur in the snow color,
creating the snow marble. There are a variety of other colors of Bengal
cats that are derived from domestic genes that do not meet the Bengal standard
of TICA, such as blue, black, and torbie.
Confirmation
Bengals are relatively large, shorthaired cats with males
averaging from 10 to 15 pounds and the females slightly smaller. The face
should have a feral expression, with rounded ears and intense facial markings.
Careful selection insures Bengal Cats that are friendly, loving, domestic cats
that bear a resemblance to their hybrid ancestors.
Associations
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The Bengal of today was first recognized by The International Cat
Association (TICA) in 1984. In 1991 the brown spotted tabby Bengal was
accepted for Championship competition.
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In May of 1994 the lynx, mink and sepia spotted tabbies along
with the marbles joined the brown spotted tabbies in championship
classes. Only Bengals with a three-generation pedigree of
Bengal-to-Bengal breeding (SBT) are eligible to compete for championship
titles.
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In 1992, The Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF) accepted fourth
generation Bengals in the Experimental Division.
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In 1995, the United Feline Organization (UFO) accepted the
Bengal for Championship status.
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In 1997, The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) allowed
Bengals to be exhibited in their new breed and color class. In 1998 ACFA
made Bengals eligible for championship status.
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The Traditional Cat Association (TCA) accepts the Bengal for
Registration purposes.
Links to USA Cat Organizations:
TICA,
UFO ,
ACFA ,
AACE
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Internationally the Bengal has been accepted for Championship
status competition by the Canadian Cat Association (CCA).
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The Governing Council of Cat Fancy in England (GCCF), and
several other European and Australian associations grant titles to Bengals.
Links to International Cat Organizations:
Canada -
TICA,
England -
TICA,
The Governing Council of Cat Fancy (1997)
Europe -
TICA,
FIFE (1998),
UFO
South America TICA,
UFO
Australia TICA,
New Zealand TICA,
The New Zealand Cat Fancy
Japan TICA,
UFO
Bengal Cat
Links Online:
Bengals-l
This is an open e-mail list
dedicated to Bengals.
Bengal Cat Club
Of Great Britain.
European Bengal Cat Club
Sweden
& Northern Europe Bengal Group
Bengal
Rescue Network
A Great Lakes Bengal Rescue
