Domestic Cats with a wild appearance have become increasingly popular over the last two decades, with the increased recognition of the impracticality, cruelty and illegality of keeping exotic pets such as Margays, Ocelots and Bobcats.

The Bengal Cat and the Pixie-Bob are new domestic breeds of cats designed to replicate the look of their exotic counterparts but with no elaborate care. They eat regular cat food, get along great with children and other pets and are easily taught to use a scratching post * and walk on a leash. They are healthy vigorous breeds reflecting the best of both worlds - the beauty and presence of the Leopard Cat and Bobcat, combined with a loving domestic nature.

* We use and recommend  Woodruff cat furniture which is available through their web site.

The Bengal is descended from hybrid crosses of the 8 - 10 pound wild Asian Leopard Cat (felis bengalensis) to a domestic cat. The first 3 generations are considered hybrids while the 4th generation and beyond are considered domestic cats eligible for competition and completely suitable as family pets.

Asian Leopard Cat Painting by Tracey Semchison

Their single plush "pelt-like" coat is almost non-shedding. The "leopard" spotted (brown spotted tabby) Bengal is characterized by background colours ranging from tawny, tan, golden to a reddish orange, with spots ranging from black to dark brown to copper. High contrast is desirable in all colours. Two-toned "rosetted" spots in various shapes, are highly valued as being the closest to resembling an authentic leopard. Eye colour is green or amber in brown spotted tabby.

"Snow leopards" (seal lynx spotted and marbled tabby) come with background colours ranging from off-white, ivory or buff with contrasting dark brown, dark gray to cinnamon coloured spots. Most "snows" have blue or aqua eyes while the seal sepia "snow" has yellow eyes.

The marble pattern (brown marble tabby) is a variation of the classic tabby gene influenced by the Asian Leopard Cats rosetted spots. Rich swirled colours outlined in shades of browns, reds and blacks should give a marbled effect like an ocelot or margay. Rare snow marbles are stunningly beautiful.

Both the "leopard" and "snow" colours can have the added feature of "glitter", a hollow hair shaft that gives a luminous effect to the coat, like a hummingbirds luminescence. Small ears, a long leopard-like face with puffy whisker pads, a whited tummy, long body with substantial bone and incredible muscling, ads to the authentic leopard look. Males range from 10 - 18 pounds with a 15 pound average, females range 7 - 14 pounds with a 10 pound average. Bengals continue to grow and mature for 2 - 3 years.

In addition to its unusual beauty, the Bengals temperament is its most outstanding feature. Incredibly self- confident, intelligent, affectionate and athletic, Bengals love water and will get INTO the tub or shower with you. They can easily be taught tricks and games and are ideal for active busy households. For more information about Bengals, please visit The International Bengal Cat Society. TIBCS members abide by a code of ethics and are accountable to its rules of conduct.

**Please feel free to contact me for more information about either Bengals or Pixie-Bobs.**

	The International Bengal Cat Society (TIBCS)
	So What is an ASIAN LEOPARD CAT?  by Pamela Knowles (from the TIBCS page)
	Asian Leopard Cat page.  Gives statistics, habits, pictures and descriptions.
	Species Survival Commission's Leopard Cat Page. Many good pictures and facts.

(PLEASE NOTE:  Bengal cats are DOMESTIC animals, related to Leopard Cats.  These links are to provide information regarding the ancestry of these animals, not to suggest that Bengals share any of the same behaviorisms or characteristics.)