Bengal cat

The Bengal cat is a domestic cat breed with 'wild' characteristics and coloration, but a domestic temperament. They are medium sized cats - a male may weigh as much as 15 lb (7 kg), and a female commonly weighs 8 to 10 lb (4 to 5 kg). The closer the cat is to their Asian Leopard ancestors, the larger it is likely to be.

Bengal cats are actually a hybrid between Asian leopard cats and domestic felines - mainly Egyptian Maus, American Shorthair, Abyssinian, Ocicat, and domestic shorthaired cats, as well as later generation Bengal males. Developed by Jean Mill (http://www.tibcs.com/gallery/millwood/) of California in the 1970's, Bengal cats are labelled with an 'F' number to indicate how many generations they are removed from their wild ancestors. Kittens from an Asian Leopard Cat (crossed with a Bengal cat or domestic cat) would be called F1 Bengal cats, their offspring would then be called F2 Bengals and so on. Bengal cats from F1 to F3 are not allowed to be shown, due to their still semi-wild nature, although many F3 Bengal cats are very friendly. Asian Leopard cats or F1 and F2 Bengal cats may not be easily house-trained and need knowledgeable owners. They are often difficult to breed (F1 and F2 males are always infertile and F3 males are almost always infertile), with smaller litters. Consequently, when they are occasionally sold, they are much more expensive than later generation Bengal cats. A special breeders license is needed to care for F1 bengal cats or for their Asian leopard cat parents.

Bengal cats are either spotted or have marbled patterns on their coats. The following colors and patterns are recognized: Brown Spotted Tabby, Brown Marbled Tabby, Seal Sepia Spotted Tabby, Seal Sepia Marbled Tabby, Seal Mink Spotted Tabby, Seal Mink Marbled Tabby, Seal Spotted Lynx Point and Seal Marbled Lynx Point only.

Bengal cats can take a great deal of interest in running water and often don't mind getting wet. Most Bengal owners have stories about their cat's affection for running water or even jumping in a sink or tub.