Bengal Cats of Oleander :: ABOUT THE BENGAL BREED

ABOUT THE BENGAL BREED

The Bengal breed is a result of purposeful crossing of wild Asian leopard cat (Felis Bengalensis) with domestic cats. Zoologists refer this forest species to the same subfamily its bigger kindred, lion, tiger and leopard, belong to - namely, to subfamily of panthers. Nevertheless, experiments on crossing performed in the USA in the period of research of wild cat’s immune system were proven to be successful. However male individuals of first generations’ hybrids were sterile, but, on the other hand, the following crossing of female individuals and domestic cats resulted in posterity able to reproduction. This experiment served as a basis for a program on creation the new breed.

Jane Mill, author of this outstanding project, was guided by the most generous motives. Actually, to the mid-sixties of the last century the Felis Bengalensis species resided mostly in India, Pakistan, Thailand and China, and also in Philippines and Far East found itself under the threat of disappearance. Poachers did not have mercy even on nursing females shooting them off for beautiful spotted coats while cubs were readily purchased by tourists who even never supposed how difficult it to keep wild animal as home pet was.

Jane Mill hoped that people would stop encouraging a barbarian extermination of tiny forest predator if it begins associate in their minds with domestic cat of a new breed. Besides, she wanted to give people a domestic animal which being tame, would remind a typical jungle dweller.

20 years passed from the basic idea to its realization but the experiment was crowned with success.

Each pedigree Bengal kitten bears genes of its leopard ancestors. Due to this circumstance, Bengal cats have several unique inherent features, for example, they like playing in the water, they have specific wild exterior reminding a leopard in miniature, and charming eurhythmics of movements.

Vogue opinion (coming from ignorant people) about allegedly “aggressive” character of Bengal cats is contrary to the fact. Bengalese may be the same tender purrs as usual domestic cats. They are quick-witted, naughty and friendly and, got particularly strongly attached to one of family members, they may run after him (or her) everywhere as a mutt, to sleep in your bed, to “assist” in affairs, to make you company in watching TV or taking the bath. The nature provided them with excellent health; they are unpretentious and very clean. Usually they easily live in harmony with other animals; however they steadily take a leadership attitude toward them. But there exists one major rule that any happy owner of a Bengalese should remember: animals of this unusual breed need increased attention and kindness from the human being.

In all well-known breeding nurseries the stud cats are usually kept in enclosures. However majority of breeders try to take kittens home for fosterage at least for one month to take them a chance to come to love home and warmth of human hands. If it is not done at time, the Bengalese in the future may develop unwanted strains inherited from their all-sufficient wild ancestors: excessive caution, distrustfulness and predisposition to solitude.

DESCRIPTION

These cats are of middle size but they can be rather large. Adult male Bengalese is significantly larger than a female cat however its mean weight does not exceed 15 pounds. The body is elongated, strong and muscle. The characteristic constitutional feature – long rear clutches seeming to “raise the body a little”. This feature makes the Bengalese’s walking similar to movements of actual tiger or leopard. Compact wedge-shaped head is also looking uncommonly – mainly due to peculiar ”wild” position of ears which are of mean or rather small dimensions, and a little bit round on tips. In the process of selective work the Asian leopard cats (ALC) were crossed with domestic cats of different species including the Egyptian Mau.

Hence excessively developed, large ears, considered to be a shortcoming, sometimes “shoot” in separate individuals of Bengal breed. The nose of a Bengalese may be straight or slightly curved; the eyes are extremely expressive, of emerald green or golden-yellow color. One more specific feature – incrassate vibrissa cushions with large, “heavy” chin.

Due to this feature some Bengal cats while mewing, demonstrate jaws of perfectly square form: neither more nor less a cartoon tiger cub! Their hair is very short and smooth.

But the major distinctive feature of all Bengalese is of course, their color. Its variety is not only a selection result. It is also related to variations appearing within the ALC species itself, which exterior differs depending on their dwelling place.

There are two main types of Bengal cats color: spotted-tabby and marble. In contrast to conventional “mackerel” color of usual domestic cats, black or brown spots on the Bengalese coat are situated rather along the trunk line than crosswise. The form of spots tends to be round or slightly pointed (so called “darts”). Besides, the spots may form beautiful “leopard” rosettes.

First representatives of the new breed had definitely spotted-tabby color. However later on exemplars with large rosettes of two or three colors became particularly popular both among manufacturers and wide public, since a spotted color often occurs in other domestic cats, but the rosettes is in a way a “visit card” of the Bengal breed. Sometimes the rosettes remind an imprint of a paw, and this looks rather striking.

The snout of a Bengalese is colored in classic “wild” style: clear dark stripes on cheeks, letter “M” or “Scarab” on the forehead. The neck is decorated with black “necklace”. The shoulders are covered with minor spots, frequently merging in small stripes – “the necklace scraps”. Clutches are of spotted or tiger coloring; the tail is either ringed with stripes or is dotted with spots, which looks particularly spicy. Location of spots and rosettes on the body may be absolutely arbitrary. Only pronounced tiger transversal stripes, so called “ribs” aren’t welcome.

The background the spots are situated on may vary from brownish-yellow with bronze tint to reddish-chestnut. It is important that it should contrast with spots so that the more pronounced will be this contrast - the better. The chin, the neck, the abdomen and the reverse side of a tail in the Bengalese are light in dark spots.

In one variety of the breed called “the snow leopard”, the pattern of rosettes and spots is painted on a light-cream background. As for the rest, their color reminds that of Siamese. In such cats the eyes may be either of blue or of green color. Kittens are born white clean. There exists also a “silver” variation – with dark spots on silver-white background.

In addition to spotted-tabby there exists one more type of Bengalese coloring – the marble one. Due to horizontally directed lines the marble in Bengalese looks much more refined and elegant than in other domestic cats.

In general the color of Bengal cats is very changeable depending on lighting – and this is only a single quality inherited from their wild ancestors.

Frequently one may observe a “glitter” on a Bengalese coat – the fur of the animal shimmers and shines as if it is sprinkled with tiny golden sparkles.