Bengal History

The Bengal cat is a distinct, unique breed derived from crossing a domestic cat with the Asian Leopard Cat. The result is a domestic cat which displays the stunning beauty of the small forest-dwelling leopard cat, which resembles the Ocelot or Margay. The Bengal cat's name comes from felis bengalensis, the Latin name for the Asian Leopard Cat.

The first three generations of Bengals are domestic/leopard cat hybrids. They are the foundation generations; commonly referred to as F1, F2, and F3 Bengals. Foundation females are usually owned by breeders. Foundation males are sterile and placed in select pet homes... . The fourth generation and beyond are called Bengals or "SBT" Bengals. It is at this level that the cats are considered to have reached domesticity.

The foundation Bengals require special care and attention, and might not be appropriate for certain households. Their wild beauty is very appealing, but consideration should be given to their temperament. The domestic SBT Bengals have gentler, yet dynamic personalities: they are intelligent, lively, interactive cats and enjoy being an active member of the family.

The following photos are an example of a Bengal line, from the Asian Leopard Cat to SBT Bengal.