   
Welcome to Bengal Info, the quick reference resource about the domestic Bengal Cat. This is not to be considered a comprehensive guide, but rather a starting point to help those interested in the breed and to help provide a better understanding of the Bengal Cat. Since there are myriads of articles, books, websites and other forms of written communication regarding the Bengal, we are not going to try to re-write what others have so eloquently written. Instead, we will summarize answers to many of the frequently asked questions, and try to provide information that you may find useful both as a Bengal owner, or someone considering adopting a Bengal. In addition to the Bengal information below you can access additional information by also visiting the following pages: Colors & Patterns | Buyer's FAQ | Bengal Care | Glossary.
| - What is a Bengal cat?
- From where do Bengals come?
- How long has the Bengal a breed?
- Do I need a special license to own a Bengal?
- What is the Bengal temperament?
- What is the typical Bengal personality?
- How big is an adult Bengal?
- Are Bengals good with kids? How do they interact and respond?
- Where can I find out more information regarding the Bengal breed?
- How do Bengals affect individuals who are allergic to cats?
| | 1. What is a Bengal cat? | | | The Bengal Cat is a domestic cat, a hybrid that has been bred to look like a miniature leopard. Many people affectionately refer to them as "lap-leopards" or "domestic leopard". While their name "Bengal Cat" can be misleading to some, they are not related to the Bengal Tiger, nor are they a large or ferocious beast. The domestic Bengal Cat is is the size of an average domestic cat and considered by many experts to be one of the most intelligent and loving of all domestic cats, with a personality that is both endearing and unforgettable. | | 2. From where do Bengal Cats come? | | | A Bengal cat is domestic cat with its origins traced back to the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) crossed with a domestic cat. As this is a manmade hybrid the pedigrees have been carefully documented since its first inception. Early generation Bengals are called foundation Bengals while the fully domestic Bengal Cat (SBT) can be shown and are considered a domestic cat. We do not raise foundation Bengals, and most of our Bengals are at least 8 generations or more removed from the ALC. | | 3. How long has the Bengal a breed? | | | The breed was originally started in the 1960s, and has continued to progress and develop since then. In fact, it is considered to be one of the most active and quickly progressing of all cat breeds, with notable changes within months and 1 to 2 years, as new characteristics emerge and further perpetuated within breeding programs. | | 4. Do I need a special license to own a Bengal? | | | While the Bengal Cat is registered as a domestic cat and most places do not require special licenses, buyers should verify if there are specific or additional requirements that may apply in their region or community. Additionally, there are still Bengal breeders who breed the foundation Bengals (F1, F2, etc.) and frequently there are specific regulations that apply to these early generation foundation Bengal hybrids. | | 5. What is the Bengal temperament? | | | While the Bengal is a beautiful and graceful creature that attracts us all, their temperament introduces unique characteristics that keep us all coming back for more! While beauty may only be skin deep, the intelligence of these cats provide an intellectual rapport not easily attained with other domestic cats. The Bengal is curious, active, loving, and has an amazing memory. They usually like to sleep near or with their owner, with many of them adopting a special place at the foot of the bed. The Bengal is not a sleep-all-day, soak-in-the-sun type of cat. They are loving, but still independent. | | 6. What is the typical Bengal personality? | | | Bengal personalities can vary, but overall they are a curious, tenacious, humorous and determined cat. They are as comfortable taking the challenge of walking the 2" railing on the second level of the house as they are trying to burrow under the dryer to retrieve a toy they swatted there three months ago. They are not an in-your-lap type of cat, but they do love you, and want to be with you, near you and well, even do your computer work for you, if you will let them. Their personality is both entertaining, daring and captivating. They can be trained more than most cats, and we sometimes even call them "puppy-cats" due to their dog-like behaviors they can sometimes portray. | | 7. How big is an adult Bengal? | | | The average Bengal cat weighs between 6 to 8 pounds for a female and 9 to 15 pounds for a male. The Asian Leopard Cat is a small cat ranging in weight between 5 to 7 pounds. Thus, the size and substance of the Bengal comes from the domestic side and not the Asian Leopard Cat as many may assume. | | 8. Are Bengals good with kids? How do they interact and respond? | | | Yes, they are excellent with kids. As with any domestic cat, if Bengals are raised in loving environments with human interaction, they tend to have a special bond with children, and we've frequently seen kids train their Bengals to do tricks such as fetch and "play dead". | | 9. Where can I find out more information regarding the Bengal breed? | | | The Bengal breed is a young breed that is progressing quickly, making frequently updated Bengal-dedicated websites the most reliable source of information. Organizations such as TICA and TIBCS are excellent resources for information. The Bengal Standards specifically defines the guidelines and standards for the Bengal breed. | | 10. How do Bengals affect individuals who are allergic to cats? | | | While I will not make any medical claims, I can attest from personal experience that I have been medically diagnosed to be extremely allergic to cats, and yet I am able to live a normal life with Bengals, even with a house full of Bengals. On the other hand, I can walk into a house with a non-Bengal domestic cat, and within minutes I can be having difficulty breathing, and am forced to rely on my emergency inhaler. Yes, this has happened to me multiple times when I didn't even know that there was a cat in the house, so it is not placebo in overdrive. First, let me clarify that I would never claim *anything* to be "fool-proof, 100% guaranteed allergy-free". Never! So, when the claim is made that the Bengal Cat is hypoallergenic, please note the dictionary definition of hypoallergenic: "Having a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction" (American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source). Therefore, by stating that the Bengal is hypoallergenic, we are saying that the Bengals are not as likely to cause the same type, or level, of allergic reaction as do many other domestic cat. I know of many people who, like me, are allergic to the average house cat but yet can live perfectly fine with Bengals. That seems to fit the dictionary definition of "hypoallergenic", and is further supported by empirical knowledge and results from us in real-life test labs. But now for the scientific details: The root cause for cat allergies is well noted in an article posted by the Feline Advisory Board: "The most commonly implicated source of cat allergies is a glycoprotein called ‘Fel d1' – this is found in the skin, sebaceous glands (oil glands in the skin), saliva and elsewhere." Many believe the Bengal has less Fel-D1 than most domestic cats, and that the Bengal's silky-like pelt is also credited to helping reduce allergies. Since Bengals do not shed as much as the average domestic cat, and the fur might not retain as much secretions (such as saliva and oils), many believe that the level of Fel-D1 on a Bengal could be much lower from that of most domestic cat. Hmm... could it be? The facts and fictions of "hypoallergenic cats" are further driven by big-businesses who have their own agendas - and there are many. I will leave them to their own soapboxes and projects. As for me, suffice it to say that I speak from experience. While around some domestic cats I have had my face swell up like a balloon so that I couldn't even open my eyes. Yes, I am extremely allergic to most domestic cats. Yet in all my years of living with and raising Bengals, I live comfortably with the Bengal - I am not allergic to the Bengal - and I love it. | | | |
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