<Snow Colored Leopard>

�@．COLORS

<Brown Tabby>

Brown tabby has dark markings on the lighter ground.  Ground color ranges from buff, golden, rufous, to mahogany, etc.  Markings should be dark brown, black, tan, etc.  Spectacles around the eyes, whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and inner legs should be lighter than ground color.  White is desirable.  Rims of eyes, lips and nose should be outlined with black, and the center of the nose should be brick red.  Paw pads and tail must be black.  Eye color may be green to gold.  

<Seal Sepia/Seal Mink Tabby>

It is very difficult to distinguish Seal Sepia from Seal Mink by the appearance, but they are different in genetics.  Both Seal Sepia and Seal Mink have ivory or cream grounds with darker markings.  Spectacles around the eyes, whisker pads, chin should be ivory or cream.  Paw pads should be dark brown with rosy tones.  Tail tip must be dark brown.  Seal Sepia must have two Burmese genes, and eye color should be green to gold. Seal Mink must have one Burmese gene and one Siamese gene, and eye color should be aqua to green.


<Seal Lynx Point Tabby>

Seal Lynx Point has ivory or cream ground with darker markings.  Markings vary in color from dark brown to buff. Spectacles, whisker pads, chin should be light color.  Color of body markings and point color should be slightly different.  Tail tip must be dark brown.  Eyes color must be blue due to Siamese genes.


<Unrecognized Colors>

There are some other colors such as silver, melanistic, blue, chocolate, cinnamon as unrecognized colors by TICA.




�A．PATTERNS

<Spotted>

Spots should be random or aligned horizontally.  No vertical baring.  Rosettes are very desirable, but not required.


<Marbled>

Marbles should be swirling streaks of color running horizontally.  That differs from "bullseye" pattern found on other breeds.  No vertical baring. Tri-colored pattern is very desirable.  The belly must be spotted.



�B．OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

<Glitter>

"Glitter" means that the hair shafts give off golden or silver gleam, by which glittered bengals look gold dusted or glistening.


<Rosettes>

"Rosettes" means transformed spots found on Asian Leopard Cats or other wild cat species.  Rosettes have multishaded light center or shadows on the dark spots.  There are some types of rosettes, such as "doughnut type," "arrowhead type," and "pawprint type."  Rosettes are very desirable, but not required. Bengal is the only domestic cat breed with rosettes.



3. CONFORMATION

Bengals are comparatively large-boned, shorthaired cats.  Sizes are medium to large.  Sleek and very muscular body.  Hind legs are longer than forelegs, that is, the rump is slightly higher than shoulders.  So, the appearance gives a feral impression, particularly when they walk.  The head is a broad modified wedge, longer than it is wide, and relatively small compared with the whole body.  Eyes are large and oval with slightly slanted set.  Ears are small and rounded.  Large, broad nose and prominent whisker pads.  Coat is dense, very soft and fur is short to medium length.  The weight of male ranges 10 to 18 pounds and females smaller, 7 to 10 pounds.



4. DISPOSITION

Careful selection in breeding throughout generations actually eliminated the undesirable feral characteristics such as wild, timid, reclusive, untamable, etc., inherent in the wild cat species.  Bengals of four generations and beyond as domestic house cats are affectionate, gentle, outgoing, friendly, and loving cats.  Also, they are extremely intelligent, alert, and very curious.




5. FAQS


1) What is a Bengal? Is it related to a Bengal Tiger?

The Bengal is a domestic house cat same with other cat breeds such as American Shorthair or Siamese. It has no relationship with a Bengal Tiger. It is named for the ancestor, Felis Bengalensis, alias, an Asian Leopard Cat.


2) Bengals are descended from wild cats. So do they have furious tempers? Do they take to us?

No problem. Bengals are very affectionate and dependable house pet. Some are active and some are laidback. The purrsonality depends upon each cat, but generally Bengals are socialized and loving cats. For example, our Poppy is so outgoing that she soon sits on the stranger's lap. While, Brave is not so much as Poppy, though, he never cares playing with the strangers.


3) Do Bengals need special cages or chains to be confined?

No. Treat them as other domestic cats. We have no special cages, but a common cage, which is only used to keep one from another when Poppy is in heat.


4) We have other pets. Will a Bengal kitten get along with them?

Yes. It seems that any kittens are easy to take to other cats or dogs. So do Bengal kittens. Some Bengals live with tortoises, iganas, or parrots. So it depends on the temparaments of other parties, I guess. If the other party is a cat, it won't take so long time to make friends. In our case, it didn't take three days for Poppy to make friends with Brave. It's easier than what I expected.


5) How big do Bengals grow?

Since Asian Leopard Cats have subspecies, Bengals grow as the both sizes of the subspecies and the domestic cats initially bred to them. On the average, males ranges from 5-8kg, while females 3-5kg.



6) Do Bengals need any special foods?

No. They are entirely domestic cats, so give them good quality cat foods. Ours eat dry and canned foods, boiled chicken, cat milk, etc.


7) Should my Bengal kitten be neutered?

Yes! Please get the kitten neutered if you won't show or breed him(her). Neutering is better for the health, and neutered cats keep kitten like loving purrsonalities. Also, you will never worry about your cat making unwanted mongrel babies, your female screaming in heat, or your male spraying.


8) Must I keep my Bengal indoors?

Yes. Bengals must stay indoors for the following reasons. Of course you can walk your Bengal on the leash.


i. Bengals are still rare and striking cats, so they might be stolen by someone else.


ii. Bengals are so good at hunting that they might catch and kill your neighbors' birds. Also, they might damage the neighbors' beautiful gardens. Please keep in mind that your Bengals should not be a nuisance to your neighbors.


iii. Outdoors are very attractive but at the same time very dangerous to your Bengal. Your cat might be infected with the terrible desease like FIV or FeLV by contacting other cats. Also, your Bengal might be involved in traffic accidents. You should take every precautions against possible accidents.


9) Do Bengals shed?

Bengals shed little since they have shorter and smoother pelted coat compared with other cats. Ours are seldom groomed but their coats are always glittered.