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"TThe modern SBT Bengal gene pool contains genes sourced from many varieties of domestic
cats - mainly Egyptian Maus, American Shorthair, Abyssinian, Ocicat, and domestic shorthaired cats. It is commonly
accepted that the breed was developed by Jean Mill of California in the 1970s; today, Bengal breeders exist throughout
the world. Many breeders are presently working to develop specific characteristics in the breed, often by backcrossing
foundation cats with particularly vivid markings. The ALC is comprised of several subspecies, and consequently, they can
have considerable variations in their appearance.
The first three generations of these hybrid animals are referred to as the filial, or "foundation" generations. A Bengal
cat with an ALC parent is called an F1 Bengal, short for first filial. An F1 then bred with domestic male yields an F2,
or second filial. Kittens from an F2 female and another domestic cat are then termed F3. Kittens from a subsequent F3
mating with a domestic are F4s. The F4 and later generations are considered domestic cats, are designated as Stud Book
Tradition (SBT) Bengals, and can be shown and registered. Any SBT Bengal is at least four generations removed from the
ALC. Filials (F1-F3) are typically reserved for breeding purposes or the specialty pet home environment."
Bengal Cat,
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bengal_%28cat%29&oldid=106364684 (last visited Feb
10, 2007) |
