Page 96 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

94 C A T AL OG OF BREED S

Round-tipped,
relatively short
ears with
Mascara
markings wide bases
Head longer around eyes
than it is wide

Luxurious snow-
Body long and spotted, dense coat
substantially built is silky to touch

Prominent
cheekbones

Strong,
muscular legs
Thick,
low-set tail
Large,
round paws
BENGAL

THIS CAT HAS A STRIKINGLY BEAUTIFUL SPOTTED COAT AND A VIBRANT PERSONALITY

Place of origin US In the 1970s scientists crossed the small, an experienced cat owner. Friendly by
Date of origin 1970s wild Asian leopard cat with shorthaired nature, a Bengal always wants to be at
Breed registries FIFe, GCCF, domestic cats in an attempt to introduce the heart of its family, and needs company
TICA
the wild cat’s natural immunity to feline and both physical activity and mental
Weight range 12–22lb (5.5–10kg)
leukemia into the pet population. The stimulation. A bored Bengal will be
Grooming
project failed, but the resulting hybrid unhappy and possibly destructive.
caught the interest of several American
Colors and patterns fanciers. In a series of selective breeding
Brown, blue, silver, and snow
colors in spotted, marble programs, crosses were achieved between SNOW MARBLE CLASSIC TABBY
classic, or lynx (tabby) pointed these hybrids and various pedigree
patterns. The Bengal’s soft, short coat may be
domestic cats, including the Abyssinian
either a spotted or dramatic swirling
(p.83), Bombay (p.36), British Shorthair marble pattern (as shown here). A
(pp.68–77), and Egyptian Mau (p.80). The snow-colored coat usually indicates
Burmese or Siamese ancestry.
outcome was the Bengal, originally called
the Leopardette, which was officially
accepted as a new breed in the 1980s.
With its magnificently patterned coat
and large, muscular frame, this cat brings
more than a hint of the jungle into the
living room. Despite its wild ancestry,
there is nothing unsafe about the Bengal—it
is delightfully affectionate—but it does have
a lot of energy and is best suited to