What is a Bengal leopard cat

What is a Bengal Leopard Cat?

The Asian Leopard cat, the root of the breed, is no larger than the average house cat. It is short haired, has a long sleek body and an extra long tail, lying low to the ground. There are several different versions of these cats, but typically, their head is small, with black points around the mouth and eyes and their eyes are circled with white that stripes up and over their head. Their ears are small and rounded with white triangle markings on the back side. These agile, athletic cats have spotted markings with striping down the middle of the back. They are nonaggressive, even in the wild. The domestic generations love to be with people and are extremely affectionate. Though some prefer not to be picked up, they still love to be stroked and cuddled.

The original was developed in the early 1960's by Jean Mill, now of Covina, California. She had just purchased her first wild Asian Leopard cat while living in Yuma, Arizona. It was completely by accident that she stumbled onto the discovery. The Leopard seemed lonely in the big cage by herself, so Jean put a black tomcat in with her, knowing the two couldn't breed.Contrary to the experts' belief and knowledge, the two produced an offspring. It was a female they called "Kin Kin." Believing that Kin Kin would be sterile, as nature had intended to guard against interspecies mutation, the experts were surprised to discover that the little hybrid had produced a second generation litter of her own! In 1965, when Jean Mill lost her husband she temporarily shelved her work as a Bengal developer. There are to date no remaining bloodlines of these original Bengal cats.

Pictured is an Asian Leopard Cat previously owned by Judee Frank. Notice his white undersides, white spots on the back of his ears and extremely intense markings. Taken from Gene Johnson Ducote's book, Getting To Know The Bengal Cat

In 1980, while in India with her second husband, Jean Mill found a domestic street cat much like the original leopard cat in coat and markings. This male was named Millwood Tory of Delhi. You will see his name in virtually all Bengal pedigrees, for he is the very foundation of the breed.

Today's Bengals are typically a cross between the Wild Asian Leopard cat and a domestic. Usually a Siamese, or Abyssinian are used, as well as Ocicats and other short haired Tabby varieties. Although the Ocicat's name would indicate that its origin is from the actual Ocelot, there is no wild blood whatsoever. The California Spangled cat is spotted as well as the Egyptian Mau, but both are also purely domestic. Pictured is an Asian Leopard Cat owned by Bob Torqucto. Taken from Gene Johnson Ducote's book, Getting To Know The Bengal Cat

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