The Bengal cat breed originated from the crossing of the wild Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and Indian and Egyptian Maus. The resulting feline exhibits the "wild" characteristics of the Asian Leopard -- spots & rosettes on the top coat, white underbelly with spots, and an athletic body structure. Although the Bengal cat has a desirable "wild" appearance, it has a gentle domestic cat temperament. Bengals bred in the U.S. are typically separated by at least three generations from the original crossing between a domestic feline and an Asian Leopard Cat.
The first U.S. Bengals were registered with the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) in 1977 as experimental and were shown throughout the 1970s. Around 1982, an American breeder (Jean Mills) traveled to India where a zoo curator showed them a feral Indian Mau. This was how the famous rosetted domestic called "Millwood Tory of Delhi" came to be found in virtually all Bengal pedigrees. Meanwhile, Greg and Elizabeth Kent developed a separate line of Bengals using Asian Leopard Cats and Egyptian Maus. Many modern Bengals find this original crossing in their genetic pedigree.
As the number of breeders and owners grew, TICA formed a Bengal Breed Section, and it adopted the first written breed standard in 1986. Soon thereafter, The International Bengal Cat Society (TIBCS), the Bengal Breeders Alliance (BBA) and the Authentic Bengal Cat League (ABCL) were formed. These organizations exist to promote good breeding practices, discourage unscrupulous breeders, and educate people about the Bengal breed.
The first U.S. Bengals were registered with the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) in 1977 as experimental and were shown throughout the 1970s. Around 1982, an American breeder (Jean Mills) traveled to India where a zoo curator showed them a feral Indian Mau. This was how the famous rosetted domestic called "Millwood Tory of Delhi" came to be found in virtually all Bengal pedigrees. Meanwhile, Greg and Elizabeth Kent developed a separate line of Bengals using Asian Leopard Cats and Egyptian Maus. Many modern Bengals find this original crossing in their genetic pedigree.
As the number of breeders and owners grew, TICA formed a Bengal Breed Section, and it adopted the first written breed standard in 1986. Soon thereafter, The International Bengal Cat Society (TIBCS), the Bengal Breeders Alliance (BBA) and the Authentic Bengal Cat League (ABCL) were formed. These organizations exist to promote good breeding practices, discourage unscrupulous breeders, and educate people about the Bengal breed.