| Please feel free to contact me: Email Kim Kim Chenault Southwest, Ohio Home 937-298-5078 Cell 937-367-4995 |
| @Copyright 2003 KC's Jungle Babes |
| TICA is 30 years old as of June 1, 2009~Happy Birthday~ |
| History and Miscellaneous Information |
The Bengal is a hybrid or man made breed of domestic cat. Originally, it was an Asian Leopard Cat
(ALC) bred with a domestic shorthaired tabby such as an Egyptian Mau, Abysinnian, Burmese or British
shorthairs. The breed was recognized by TICA (The International Cat Association) in 1983 when Jean
(Sugden) Mill first brought the foundation cat into the mainstream. The Bengal is bred to have the look of
the wild Asian Leopard and yet the good temperament of a domestic cat.
Jean Mill founded the breed after many years of trial and disappointment. In 1961 she imported her first
ALC "Malaysia" from SE Asia. She gave birth to a male and female. The male was fatally mauled while
being removed from her mother and the female "KinKin" was placed with a litter of Himy babies. She
gave birth to a nasty tempered female "Pantherette" and a sweet tempered male. He lost his life to a fall
from a shelf onto concrete. When Jean's husband, Bob Sugden died, she gave Malaysia to the San Diego
Zoo and moved to an apartment with KinKin and Pantherette. They contracted Pneumonitus and died. In
1980, Jean and her husband Bob Mill restarted the project and from there the breed was born. Thanks
Jean, I can't imagine my world without my Bengals!
There are many shades and patterns of the Bengal. Brown spotted tabby, black and brown marbles, Seal
Lynx spotted or marbled snows, and Seal Mink spotted or marbled snows to name a few. They are a
happy, active intelligent and usually very vocal breed who you will at one point or another catch them
fishing in the aquarium or toilet and bath tub and find them sitting on top of the kitchen cabinets or
refrigerator which ever is highest.
The energetic Bengal is not a cat for someone to have as a conversation piece. They are constantly active
and vocal and love attention. They have a dog like personality, as they love to play fetch and walk on a
leash. They even have their own version of a bark for the birds, squirrel or whatever interests them on the
outside.
I would invite any cat lover to own a Bengal..."Dog is man's best friend and Bengals are forever in our
hearts no matter who you are once you experience life with them!"
| History of the Bengal |