Bengal longhair

Overall description of the breed

The Bengal breed cat is a majestic and exotic feline breed known for its wild beauty and unique appearance. Its history dates back to the 1960s when the breed was developed by Jean S. Mill, an American breeder, through crosses between domestic cats and Asian leopards (Prionailurus bengalensis).

The ancestors of the Bengal are domestic cats and Asian leopards. The initial goal was to create a domestic cat with the wild appearance and spotted or marbled patterns of leopards. However, due to the difficulty of crossing these species, today's Bengal is the result of subsequent crosses between the original Bengal and other breeds, including Abyssinians, Egyptian Maus, and Siamese.

The Longhaired or "Cashmere" Bengal is the variant with a semi-long coat of the classic Bengal. Bengals with "long coat" are referred to using the abbreviations "SH" (for "short-haired," with short coat) and "LH" (for "long-haired," with long coat). These terms are used to designate respectively:

- a traditional short-haired Bengal (SH)
- a Cashmere Bengal with a semi-long coat (LH)

From a genetic standpoint, a Cashmere Bengal carries two recessive alleles "M4." Its genotype is M4 / M4, which means it must inherit an M4 allele from each parent to develop a semi-long coat.

If a Bengal inherits only one M4 allele, it will carry the mutation for "long coat," but its own coat will remain short. Therefore, a Cashmere kitten can be born from two short-coated parents, provided both parents carry this recessive allele and pass it on to the kitten. Similarly, two Cashmere parents will only have "Cashmere" kittens since they will inevitably transmit their mutated allele to both offspring, resulting in each kitten possessing both copies and exhibiting a "Cashmere" coat.

The morphology of the Longhaired Bengal is identical to that of the short-coated variety, impressive and reflecting its wild heritage. It features a muscular and athletic body of medium to large size. Its head is medium-sized, with almond-shaped eyes that can be emerald green, blue, or gold, and medium-sized ears that are rounded at the tips. The most distinctive feature of the Bengal is its luxurious coat, which can be marked with rosettes (spots arranged in a rosette shape) or marbled (resembling a marble pattern). The basic coat colors of the Bengal are generally brown, gold, bronze, or silver.

The Bengal's personality is energetic, intelligent, and playful. It's a highly active cat that enjoys exploring its environment and engaging in interactive games with its family. Despite originating from crosses with wild felines, the domestic Bengal is known to be friendly and affectionate towards humans. It's often described as outgoing, vocal, and possessing a strong hunting instinct.

In terms of average weight, a purebred Bengal cat typically weighs between 4 kg (approximately 8.8 pounds) and 7 kg (approximately 15.4 pounds). As for size, an adult Bengal cat usually measures between 25 cm and 35 cm (approximately 10 to 14 inches) in height at the withers.

The founding breed club for the Bengal is the International Bengal Cat Society (TIBCS), established in 1986. However, the Bengal was officially recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) in 1991, the year the breed's first standard was established. Since then, the Bengal has been recognized by several international feline organizations, including the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe), The International Cat Association (TICA), and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).

Thanks to its striking appearance and playful character, the Bengal has become one of the most popular cat breeds worldwide. Its resemblance to wild felines and affectionate attitude toward humans make it an ideal choice for cat enthusiasts seeking a unique and endearing companion. With recognition from renowned feline organizations, the Bengal continues to gain popularity and captivate feline lovers worldwide.