the bengal

The bengal is a breed that originated in the United States in 1963. By cross-breeding the Asian Leopard-cat with a domestic cat, with the intension to create a cat with the beautiful patterns of the wild cat and the character of a domestic cat. The result was a beautiful cat with a soft fur (pelt), a long muscled body (they even got one vertebra more then the domestic cat), and a very friendly nature.

The markings of the Bengal are black/brown spotted or marble. The color can variate from light brown to warm 'orange'.  Some Bengals have a glittered pelt, this is the result of the lack of pigment on the tips of the hairs. This glittering is the inheritance of one Bengal only: Millwood Tory.

The most beautiful marking on a Bengal must be rosetted.(see photo's) A large contrast between color and markings is very much wanted. By cross-breeding back with the Asian leopard-cat every now and then, the markings become more distinguished over the jears, as the photo's on this page show.  I am sorry to say that this cross-breeding isn't possible in the Netherlands because it is not allowed to keep wild animals .

Starwinds Mirage, Gaylee Bengals

These pictures were found while surfing the internet, I collected them some time ago and I don't remember where from. If someone recognizes his or her pictures, please let me know and I will give credit and link it to Your homepage.