The Bengal cat breed is the fruit of the painstaking and successful work of enthusiastic amateur lover from the USA
Gene Mill. At the end of the 1940s, when she was still a student, she had a great idea. Gene wished to bring such cats, which in appearance would resemble leopardiks, but to the liking were affectionate, like homemade murks. In the early 60s, fate brought her to Malaysia. At that time, the appearance of small but absolutely
wild cats called Asian Leopard Cat was still preserved there. Gene bought a female on the black market, brought her to America and began bold experiments in the field of felinology.
Nothing came of the first sample. But not because of the genetic incompatibility of wild Malaysia with American domestic cats, but because of Jin's family problems (death of the first husband and allergy to animals in the second spouse). It was only in 1980 that Mill set to work again. She got nine wild Asian cats, and brought the groom for them from the New Delhi Zoo. As a result of knitting, unusual children with shining wool appeared on the light. This radiance, which is characterized by the Bengal cat breed, later became known as "glitter."
By 1986, Jin hooked up a purebred male Asian Leopard Cat named Kabuki. Despite the fact that he was absolutely wild, his character was surprisingly flexible, balanced and friendly. This male became the father of F1 females, and they, in turn, gave offspring of F2, healthy and capable of reproduction. And from the very beginning, the Bengal cat breed has provoked strong recognition from the general public.
Already in 1991, these polished beauties participated in the championship of the felinological organization TICA, and in 1998 - ACFA. And not only among specialists, they were popular. Among the sympathies of the simple public, all records of a Bengal cat were also beaten. Photos of these kittens were on the front pages of glossy magazines, animal prices rose enormously. Hybrids of the fourth generation were especially valuable, in which the “wild” leopard color was preserved.
What are they - these bengals? They are distinguished from ordinary cats by long legs like those of a ballerina. Their head is small, with rounded, high-set ears. Amber penetrating eyes shine on a gray-yellow or golden-red background of the main color. A mandatory feature are large dark spots scattered on the sides and back. But the abdomen should be white, as well as the area of the chin and chest. The Bengal cat breed, depending on the habitat of the ancestors, has a different size and weight. If the ancestor was a cat caught in the Ussuri taiga, pets will reach a weight of seven kilograms, and the southern savages from the jungle are noticeably "smaller".
If an F1 individual does not adapt well to a society of a person who is gloomy and timid, then hybrids are real pets. They are gentle, playful, adore affection, but at the same time they love to hunt. They get along well with dogs and challenge their right to walk on a leash. Representatives of this breed have a very unusual "voice". It can be compared with cooing or twittering rather than purring. The white suit, as well as the color of the
snow leopard, is especially valued on the market
. But the real proof of pedigree is not a suit, but the notorious shine of wool - the glitter effect. Only such a
Bengal cat is allowed for the competition
. The price for a cub varies depending on the class: show copy - $ 3000, brid-class - $ 2000, pet-animal - $ 1300.