Bengal Information
Our aim is to produce visually stunning Bengals with very contrasted markings, dark black-ink outlined doughnut rosettes, no rib bars, and completely broken up rosettes with a pleasing horizontal flow pattern. We also listen to our buyers and breed according to demand. Breeding Bengal Cats we have a personal goal to maintain and build upon a wild look; we are very aware of both beautiful patterns and wonderful wild conformation and head type when selecting our studs and queens for breeding! Along with this we also take great care to make sure we are breeding only the most healthy and socially inclined Bengals.
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Bengal History Bengals must be four or more generations removed from their nearest wild, ALC ancestor, and have three consecutive generations of Bengal to Bengal breeding in order to be eligible to be shown in T.I.C.A. The Earlier generations, F1, F2, and F3 are known as "foundation bengals" and are considered to be hybrids. Below is a table showing just what "four or more generations removed" means:
(ALC) Asian Leopard Cat + (SBT) Bengal (SBT) Bengal + F1 Hybrid (SBT) Bengal + F2 hybrid (SBT) Bengal + F3 Hybrid (SBT) Bengal + F4 (SBT) Bengal = F1 Hybrid = F2 Hybrid = F3 Hybrid = F4 Bengal (SBT) = Bengal (SBT) In many states, there are laws regarding the ownership of Hybrids. A lot of states require permits or outlaw early generational Bengals, allowing only the registered SBT Bengal. The Bengal cat is a distinct, unique breed of spotted domestic cat derived from the ancestral crossing of a domestic cat such as an Abyssinian, British Shorthair, Bombay, Egyptian Mau, or the Ocicat with an Asian Leopard Cat. Especially important is that the breeds used in the Bengal Breeding program were selected because of their long standing history of domestication. The wild Asian Leopard Cat is a beautiful, small, wildcat approximately the size of a domestic cat. The Asian Leopard Cat can be found in twenty-one Asian countries! |
TICA Bengal Cat StandardsBengals have three accepted divisions for Championship competition. These are Brown, Silver and the three Snow colors, (Seal Sepia, Seal Mink, and Seal Lynx Point). Within each color division are two accepted pattern types, Spotted and Marble.
Headshape Broad modified wedge with rounded contours. Longer than it is wide. Slightly small in proportion to body, but not to be taken to flows into the neck. Allowance to be made for jowls in adult males. Overall look of the head should be as distinct from the domestic cat as possible. Ears Medium to small, relatively short, with wide base and rounded tips. Set as much on side as top of head, following the contour of the face in the frontal view, and pointing forward in the profile view. Light horizontal furnishings acceptable; but lynx tipping undesirable. Eyes Oval, almost round. Large, but not bugged. Set wide apart, back into face, and on slight bias toward base of ear. Eye color independent of coat color except in the lynx points. The more richness and depth of color the better. Chin Strong chin, aligns with tip of nose in profile. Muzzle Full and broad, with large, prominent whisker pads and high, pronounced cheekbones. Slight muzzle break at the whisker pads. Nose Large and wide; slightly puffed nose leather. Profile Curve of the forehead should flow into the bridge of the nose with no break. Bridge of nose extends above the eyes; the line of the bridge extends to the nose tip, making a very slight, to nearly straight, concave curve. Neck Long, substantial, muscular; in proportion to the head and body. Body Long and substantial, not oriental or foreign. Medium to large (but not quite as large as the largest domestic breed). Legs Medium length, slightly longer in the back than in the front. Feet Large, round, with prominent knuckles. Tail Medium length, thick, tapered at end with rounded tip. Boning Sturdy, firm; never delicate. Musculature Very muscular, especially in the males, one of the most distinguishing features. Coat/Color/Pattern Short to medium. Allowance for slightly longer coat in kittens. Texture Dense and luxurious, close-lying, unusually soft and silky to the touch. Patterns: Spotted or marbled. Spotted Spots shall be random, or aligned horizontally. Rosettes showing two distinct colors or shades, such as paw print shaped, arrowhead shaped, doughnut or half-doughnut shaped or clustered are preferred to single spotting but not required. Contrast with ground color must be extreme, giving distinct pattern and sharp edges. Strong, bold chin strap and mascara markings desirable. Virtually white undersides and belly desirable. Blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks, spotted legs and spotted or rosetted tail are desirable. Belly must be spotted. Marbled See TICA Uniform Color Description (74.1.1.2.1). Colors Brown Tabby: All variations of brown are allowed; however, a high degree of rufousing is preferred. Markings various shades of brown to black. Light spectacles encircling the eyes and a virtually white ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and inner legs is desirable. Seal Sepia Tabby, Seal Mink Tabby & Seal Lynx Point Tabby Pattern can be various shades of brown. There should be very little or no difference between the color of the body (pattern) markings and point color. |
HypoallergenicBengals aren't hairless, and they don't necessarily produce less Fel D1 protein than other breeds, so what makes them hypoallergenic? The answer is in their coats. Bengal cats have uniquely fine pelts that require considerably less maintenance than other breeds. As a result, Bengals don't groom themselves as often or for as long, so their fur contains less allergen-rich saliva. They also don't shed much, or shed far less than other cats, so whatever dander is present in their fur doesn't get spread around as much. (Mom.me - 10 Hypoallergenic Cats)
Bengals have made the top 10 most hypoallergenic cat list for many reasons. Most people who are allergic to cats have either no allergic reaction or a more milder reaction to Bengal cats when compared to the majority of other breeds. This is believed to be the case for three main reasons:
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