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"Bengal cats are a hybrid breed developed over several generations through a program of
selectively crossbreeding domestic cats, possessing desired features, with Asian Leopard Cats and ALC hybrids. The
principle of hybrid vigor dictates that hybrid cats are often healthier and larger than either parent. In the first
three generations, males are almost always infertile, though there have been the occasional, but rare F3 studs capable
of reproduction. Early generation females are typically fertile, and responsible for continuing the genetic
contributions of the ALC to the next generation.
The 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=106315015 (last visited
Feb 10, 2007) |
