the bengal
the bengal
The Origin of the Bengal
The origin of Bengal can be traced back to the 1960s. The Bengals descend from the smallest wild cat found in Asia and India. The Bengal Tiger Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) lives in wooded areas, preferably surrounded by water. These tiger cats like to swim in water. So they owe the love for water in our Bengals to their ancestors. The wild Bengal tiger cat is the size of a large house cat but a lot slimmer. On average, the tiger cat weighs between 3-7 kilograms. He has long legs which makes him a very good jumper and climber. High in the trees you can rest safely. From above, the tiger cat likes to hunt prey below. The wild ancestor eats rodents, frogs, bats and other flying or crawling animals from their environment. In the 1960s, the wild Bengal tiger cats were used for experimental crosses. The aim was/is to develop the tame variant of the tiger cat. The underlying idea is that humans will leave the endangered felines more alone if there is a domestic cat with the desirable appearance of the wild feline.Behaviour and characterThe behavioral differences between the cats arise from conscious breeding for certain character traits. The way of socialization and the living situation of young kittens also play a major role in the behavior and character of the Bengal at a later age. Bengals have about 10% wild cat blood, which you can see in the coat, but of course also in the character and behaviour.Intelligent and curiousA character trait that a Bengal as we know them now still has in common with the Bengal tiger cat is that it is a very intelligent cat. Bengals are very curious by nature and are attracted to new things. There are a lot of Bengalis who know how to open doors and cupboards. In addition, training a Bengal with some effort is certainly possible. Simple "tricks" like fetching a toy are quickly learned by most Bengals and are fun to try first. Affectionateness Bengals like to be around people because of their curiosity. Where people are, there is always something new to see or experience and they like to be around it. They don't want to miss anything. Whether this means that they are happy to help you unpack the groceries or that they are happy to help you clean your living room. The cats like to be there to see if it's done right. Our experience is that the Bengals like to come and cuddle. It is true that they like to choose these moments of the day themselves. Of course every cat is different. One comes to play, the other likes to sleep in bed and another prefers to cuddle during the day and follow you in everything you do. Bengals are therefore known as people-oriented cats and like to play moments.Vocal (making sounds)Cats do not naturally use voices to communicate with each other. Cats meow at people to get their message across. With specific movements while meowing, they try to clarify it extra. One cat meows/chatters little and the other more. Bengalis are known as chatterboxes. When they notice that you are around or when they want attention, they will certainly let you know and they can talk to you. Bengals are considered a vocal cats, with a larger speech repertoire than cats that are less human-oriented. Bengals are not as extremely vocal as the Siamese, but he does rank in the top five most vocal cats. Playfulness Bengals are playful and active cats. They have their “crazy 10 minutes” several times a day. After they have lost their energy they can generally enjoy themselves on their own. Some cats are more active than others. Bengalis often see the living room as a large play paradise. When they are not climbing and clambering on cupboards and windowsills, they race across the floor. In addition, they are very playful and remain so into adulthood. It is important to respond well to the needs of the Bengals when decorating the house and purchasing cat supplies. Other petsCats can be kept with other pets such as dogs and rabbits, but beware: a cat will chase moving small animals. Therefore, never leave a cat alone with, for example, parakeets flying loose. Cats don't always accept each other. The best chance of a good match is when 2 kittens come from the same. Or when kittens have grown up together. Related animals are most likely to live together as a social group. 2 young kittens or an older cat with a young kitten often go, although they sometimes need a slightly longer period to get used to. Matching 2 older cats is often difficult(er). Kittens are still very flexible and can therefore easily adapt to a new environment or situation. 2 or more cats of the same breed are always preferred. However, this is not to say that the Bengal cannot be matched with other breeds or purebred cats. It is important, however, to look at another cat who also likes to play and whether has a higher energy level than an average cat, just like with Bengal. Bengals are sociable, energetic and playful cats that often make Bengals and children the best of friends. They can play together for hours. Bengals can escape on, for example, a scratching post when they want to, as long as they can escape from a bit of crowds. However, never leave (young) children alone and without adult supervision near animals. Whether it is a dog, cat or hamster, children are often unaware of the wrong handling of animals; stroking too hard, pulling the tail or ears, lifting them completely wrong... Unfortunately, children do not see the signs of an animal that indicates that it has had enough. When treated with love and respect, the Bengal will make an excellent member of the family with children. CLICK HERE FOR A MOVIE OF 101 BENGAL The Bengal has many characteristics of its ancestors, which can be seen in the physique and the coat / fur they have. I list the characteristics of a Bengal here. A Bengal cat weighs on average between 3 and 5 kg and a male between 5 and 8 kg. The head is small in proportion to the body. The head is proportionately less broad than long and has rounded lines. They often call the shape of the head a wedge shape, the cat's muzzle is wide with nice whisker pads. The nose of the cat is long and wide, the nose extends above the eyes. The cat has a firm clear chin. The ears are broad and continue the lines of the head. The ears are short and have rounded tips. The ears should not show any tufts. The neck is long and muscular, in proportion to the head the neck is "large/broad/clear". They have large, slightly oval eyes that are set wide apart. The eyes are slightly slanted. The body is very muscular and strong. The legs are muscular and sturdy, the hind legs are longer than the front legs. The feet are nicely round and has nice soles. The tail of a Bengal is medium long, the tail tapers towards the end and ends round. The coat / fur is short, soft and thick. It happens that some kittens have a longer coat this is called the "fuzzy" period. The long hairs disappear and the coat/drawing becomes clearer.