CAT BREEDS(for all your feline needs)

cat breed 3: bengal

Origin: United States

PELT COLORS:

The Bengal is a domestic cat breed. They were bred to look like exotic cats such as leopards, ocelots, and clouded leopards. Bengal cats were introduced by selective cat breeding, backcrossed and backcrossed once more with hybrids of the Asian leopard cat. The goal was creating a vividly marked coat. They have a 'wild' appearance with spots,rosettes, and arrowheads, a light/white belly, and a body structure similar to the Asian leopard cat. Bengals are generally a orange to light brown color, though off-white or pale 'snow' Bengals exist, which are very popular. A Bengal's rosetted spots occur only on the back and sides, with stripes elsewhere. Bengal can also have 'mascara' (striping along the eyes) and foreleg striping. The eyes are relatively large and usually blue or green.

The International Cat Association recognizes many Bengal colors (seal Lynx point, brown, mink, sepia, and silver) and many patterns (spotted and marbled etc.). In the New Traits class, more colors may been shown, as well as longhairs.

WEIGHT

Along with other cat hybrids such as the Savannah (covered in chapter 4), Bengals cats are mostly larger than the normal housecat. Makes on average weigh between 10-15 lbs and females at 8-12 lbs.

TEMPERAMENT

After three generations of the original cross, the breed usually has a gentle temperament like a Maine Coon (covered in chapter 1) however, for the typical cat owner, Bengals should be kept as a pet for four generations (F4) removed from the leopard cat. The foundation cats from the first three fifial generations of breeding. These are usually reserved for breeding. Bengals are known for liking water, and require a amount of attention for them to be happy. Bengals have been recorded over four(4) feet from the ground.

SHEDDING AND GROOMING

Bengals are well desired for their appearance. They shed very little. Many claim Bengals are hypoallergenic breed, but this is a bit of a myth. Some may react , others may not.This is due to the dander of the cat and not the amount it sheds.

Bengals like to groom themselves. So, they don't require much grooming. However, vets do recommend grooming once a week to keep their coat healthy.

CHEETOH CROSSBREED

The Cheetoh cat is a ongoing program to crossbreed of two existing breeds  of spotted domestic cats with defined characteristics (the Bengal and the Ocicat) and developed into the a third standardized breeds. They were considered a 'experimental breed' status.

SOURCES

Wikipedia