Bengals are a hybrid breed, descended from Asian Leopard Cats (Felis Bengalensis). We strive to breed to a standard that possess the exotic look of the wild cat but with the domesticated temperament of a domestic cat.
As a cross breed between the Asian leopard and the traditional house cat, they are bred for a number of generations until the Asian leopard genes are sufficiently diluted to allow them to be owned in Australia.
When breeding we look for key attributes to promote a certain look, different breeders look for different traits, we chose our stock and use selective breeding to decide which king should be paired with which queen based on the desire to promote the following characteristics which in our view define and distinguish the Bengal from all other breeds:
- temperament, temperament, temperament – engaging, friendly, brave (not easily spooked), outgoing and inquisitive
- rounded small ears, wide set on head
- big nocturnal eyes
- clear contrast in colour
- defined and significant rosettes
- lack of or minimal striping to back and legs
- large, sturdy and solid body
- wild cat movement – slinking
- wild cat sounds – chattering