Information About Bengal Cats
Supernova are Bengal cat breeders based in Clackmannanshire, Scotland and we occasionally have Bengal kittens for sale to permanent loving homes.
What is a Bengal?
The Bengal is a relatively new breed of cat which was first bred in the USA and was originally created by crossing an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat such as an Egyptian Mau, Burmese or Abyssinian.
The goal in developing the domestic Bengal cat breed was to preserve a strong physical resemblance to its beautiful wild ancestor and, at the same time, the new domestic breed was designed to be a pleasant and trustworthy family companion.
The bengal breed allows those of us who love and admire wild cats to live with and enjoy their beauty and uniqueness in our own homes, while also benefiting from the domestic Bengals loving, friendly and playful disposition.
The Long Haired Bengal
The long haired Bengal (also known as Cashmere) has not historically been bred for intentionally but has occurred since the beginning of the Bengal breed when the original outcrosses were made. For many years long haired Bengals were not kept in breeding programmes.
The long haired Bengal (also known as Cashmere) has not historically been bred for intentionally but has occurred since the beginning of the Bengal breed when the original outcrosses were made. For many years long haired Bengals were not kept in breeding programmes.
The Asian Leopard Cat (ALC)
In the wild, the ALC is not an aggressive cat. Infact they are slightly shy and highly intelligent.
The general build of an Asian Leopard Cat is similar to a normal domestic cat but with somewhat longer legs and a longer back. They have a relatively small head with a short narrow muzzle, large eyes (because of their nocturnal habits and a thick tail of about 11 to 14 inches length. Body length varies between 25 to 32 inches and they weigh between 7 to 15 pounds.
Size and weight vary between sub-species in different geographical regions but the males are generally heavier than the females.
All sub-species have a spotted or ringed tail, with a black tail tip, four black bands running from the forehead to the back of the neck, breaking up into elongated spots on the neck and shoulders, often forming a "broken necklace". The round black ears have a white spot on the back called ocelli, and all cats have a white underside, throat and cheek-flashes. The under parts are spotted on the white background. The body markings can be solid spots or rosettes.
Early Generation Cats
The earlier generations are referred to as 1G, 2G and 3G to show how far removed they are from the ALC. The 'G' simply denoting 'Generation'. A first generation cross is called a 1G. A 2G is the progeny of one 1G parent and one domestic parent (usually a Bengal these days) and a 3G has one 2G parent and one domestic parent. The fourth generation removed from the wild and beyond can be considered a domestic Bengal (SBT).
There has been for sometime a debate amongst certain Bengal breeders as to whether these earlier generation cats make suitable pets. In our experience certain early generation cats with excellent socialisation from their breeder and good ‘upbringings’ will make fantastic pets.
The Bengal Personality
Bengals are very active, vocal, intelligent, alert and agile. They will watch humans do certain things and then copy them. It's not unusual for these beautiful cats to learn how to open doors, cupboards and windows. Many love water and some enjoy playing in water dishes, bathtubs and paddling pools. Some also enjoy being taken for walks on a harness.
Bengals have self-assurance and confidence whilst acquiring an affectionate disposition and an extremely energetic, playful nature. The overall impression is of a miniature leopard with a loving dependable temperament. They are extremely sociable and interact well with other pets including dogs.
Contact
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