Bengal Breed History And Standard (TICA)

The Bengal cat breed has an interesting history that blends domestic cats with wild ancestors. The breed originated in the United States in the 1970s. It was developed by crossing domestic cats (typically the Egyptian Mau) with the Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), a small wild cat native to Asia. The goal was to create a domestic cat with the striking appearance of a wild leopard but with a gentle, sociable temperament.

The first successful Bengal was bred by Jean Mill, who began working on the project in the late 1960s. After years of selective breeding, Jean produced a domestic cat with the unique spotted or marbled coat patterns and wild look of the Asian leopard cat, but with the personality of a house cat.

Initially, the Bengal was not widely accepted as a domestic breed due to its wild heritage, but over time, as breeders refined the breed to ensure it was safe, social, and healthy for home life, it gained popularity. By the 1990s, the Bengal became recognized by major cat registries, including The International Cat Association (TICA), and it is now one of the most popular and distinctive cat breeds worldwide.

Bengals are known for their athleticism, intelligence, and striking coat patterns, making them a favorite for those who love an active, playful, and visually stunning cat.

COLORS: Brown Tabby, Seal Sepia Tabby, Seal Mink Tabby, Seal Lynx

Point, Black Silver Tabby, Seal Silver Sepia Tabby, Seal Silver Mink

Tabby, Seal Silver Lynx Point, Spotted, marbled, charcoal spotted and

charcoal marbled patterns ONLY.

HEAD:

BG Shape: Broad modified wedge with rounded contours. Longer than

it is wide. Slightly small in proportion to body, but not to be taken to

extreme. The skull behind the ears makes a gentle curve and flows into

the neck. Allowance to be made for jowls in adult males. Overall look of

the head should be as distinct from the domestic cat as possible.

Longer than it is wide. Slightly small in proportion to body, but not to be taken to

extreme. The skull behind the ears makes a gentle curve and flows into

the neck. Overall look

of the head should be as distinct from the domestic cat as possible.

EARS: Medium to small, relatively short, with wide base and rounded

tops. Set as much on side as top of head, following the contour of the face

in the front view, and pointing forward in the profile view. Light horizontal

furnishings acceptable; lynx tipping undesirable.

EYES: 

Oval, almost round. Large, but not bugged. Set wide apart, back

into face, and on slight bias toward base of ear. Eye color independent of

coat color except in the lynx points. The more richness and depth of color

the better.

CHIN:

: Strong chin, aligns with tip of nose in profile.

Muzzle: Full and broad, with large prominent whisker pads and high,

pronounced cheekbones. Slight muzzle break at the whisker pads.

NOSE:

 Large and wide; slightly puffed nose leather.

Profile: Curve of the forehead should flow into the bridge of the nose

with no break. Bridge of nose extends above the eyes; the line of the

bridge extends to the nose tip, making a very slight, to nearly straight,

concave curve.

Neck: Long substantial, muscular; in proportion to the head and body.

BODY:

Torso: Long and substantial, not oriental or foreign. Medium to large

(but not quite as large as the largest domestic breed).

Legs: Medium length, slightly longer in the back than in the front.

Feet: Large, round, with prominent knuckles.

Tail: Medium length, thick, tapered at the end with a rounded tip.

Boning: Sturdy, firm; never delicate.

Musculature: Very muscular, especially in the males, one of the most

distinguishing features.

COAT/COLOR/PATTERN:

Length: Short to medium. Allowance for slightly longer coat in

kittens.

Texture: Dense and luxurious, close-lying, unusually soft and silky to

the touch.

Patterns: Spotted, Marbled, Charcoal Spotted, Charcoal Marbled.

Spotted: Spots shall be random or aligned horizontally. Rosettes

showing two distinct colors or shades, such as paw print shaped,

arrowhead shaped, doughnut o half-doughnut shaped or clustered are

preferred to single spotting, but not required. Contrast with ground color

must be extreme, giving distinct pattern and sharp edges. Strong bold

chin strap and mascara markings desirable. Virtually white undersides

and belly desirable. Blotchy horizontal should streaks, spotted legs, and

spotted or rosetted tail are desirable. Belly must be spotted.

Marbled: See TICA Uniform Color Description (74.1.1.2.1).

Charcoal Spotted/Marbled: See TICA Uniform Color Description

(71.8.3).

Brown Tabby: All variations of brown are allowed. Markings various

shades of brown to black. Light spectacles encircling the eyes and a

virtually white ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and

inner legs are desirable.

Seal Sepia Tabby, Seal Mink Tabby, and Seal Lynx Point Tabby:

Pattern can be various shades of brown. There should be very little

difference between the color of the body (pattern) markings and point

color.

Highly intelligent, Bengals rank among the most trainable cat breeds. They eagerly learn tricks such as playing fetch or walking on a harness, especially when motivated by food treats or clicker training. These training sessions not only burn off energy but also strengthen the bond between Bengals and their human companions.

Constantly climbing to high places, exploring their surroundings, and engaging in mentally and physically stimulating play, Bengals are a high-energy breed. They thrive on chasing, climbing, and investigating, bringing a dynamic energy to any home. Providing outlets such as a cat wheel, consistent interactive play sessions, or puzzle toys keeps them entertained and satisfied.

Interaction fuels a Bengal’s happiness. They enjoy engaging with their families and often bond well with another cat or a cat-friendly dog as a playmate. When kept as the only pet, Bengals rely on their humans for frequent enrichment and companionship. Their sociable and curious nature makes them thrive in homes that offer plenty of interaction and engagement.