Bengala

The Bengal is a hybrid of the domestic cat and the Asian leopard cat, bred for a wild coat on an animal that lives indoors.

History

Jean Mill crossed domestic cats with the Asian leopard cat in California from the 1960s and bred back over several generations for temperament. Registries treat a Bengal as domestic only from the fourth generation away from the wild parent; earlier generations are licensed or restricted in many jurisdictions, which is the first thing to establish rather than the last. The spotted and marbled coat, and the glitter some carry, are what the whole programme was for.

Temperament

The breed is known for being very active, clever and demanding, unusually fond of water, and a determined climber. It is a cat that needs occupation and finds its own if none is offered.

Care

The short coat is easy; nothing else about the breed is. It needs height, play and problem-solving, and it does poorly in a quiet, empty home. Many owners keep two.

Health

Known tendencies include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, progressive retinal atrophy and a pyruvate kinase deficiency, and there are tests for the latter two. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for a breeder and a vet; the measured facts are in the panel.