History oftheBengal Breed

  
 
   
Throughout history, ther were certainly many matings between the wild Asian Leopard and domestic cats. The first recorded outcross was made in the U.S. This was done by Jean Sugden in Yuma, Arizona. She had acquired an Asian Leopard Cat in the late 190´s when they could still e acquired at local pet shops. In 1963, she crossedthis female Leopard Cat with a shorthaired, black domestic male. A spotted daughter from that mating was eventually bred back to its father, and produced more spotted and solid offspring. This breeding program was abandoned after Mrs. Sugden became widowed.
Numerous other such matings were accomplished by breederssuch as Bill Engle, Pat Warren, Douglas Engler, Virginia English, and many others. There is no longer any record of offspring from these early breeding programs.

In the late 1970´s Dr. Willard Centerwall, a paediatrician and geneticist at the University of California, began research on Leopard Cats because they seemed to have a natural immunity to feline leukaemia. Dr. Centerwall provided Jean Sugden Mill (having remarried), with eight females from his Leopard Cat and domestic shorthair crosses.
 
In 1983, Mrs. Mill registered these cats with the International Cat Association, TICA, as well as their offspring by a brown spotted domestic tabby, Millwood Finally Found. Another feral cat, bright orange with deep brown rosettes, was shipped to Mrs. Mill from Delhi, India zoo to be used in the new Bengal breeding program.

The Bengal Leopard Cat was first exhibited in a cat show in 1985, showing in the New Breed of Colour Class. The public reaction was overwhelming, as crowds gathered in awe over this magnificent new creation.

Other breeders were establishing their bloodlines, and registering them with TICA. Dr. Gregg Kent, who had been hybridizing the Leopard Cats for a number of years, used an Egyptian Mau queen with his male leopard cat.

Another breeder who made notable contributions to the breed was Ethel Hauser.

There are at present, other Leopard Cats being used in various breeding programs. This will aid significantly in expanding the limited gene pool which now exists.

Because of their status as an endangered species, the importation of the Asian Leopard Cat is limited. Federal permits are required, and rigid controls are enforced for anyone keeping one of these wild cats.

Quelle: “Getting to know the Bengal Cat” from Gene Johnson-Ory of Gogees-Cattery





Personality:

The Bengal´s are very intelligent, and totally playful. They have a highly intensive characteristic. On of their specials are the exceptionally love to wather (take a bath with their owner).

   
Coatcolour:
blue rosetted brown rosetted
charcoal rosetted marble
silver rosetted marble snow
rosetted brown snow rosetted
marble snow snow rosetted
melanistic    

 

    
     
 

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