The basic aim of the Bengal cat is to mimic the appearance of the Asian Leopard Cat. However, Bengals do come in a variety of colours and patterns.

At the very simplest level, Bengal cats come in two different patterns and two different background colours. The pattern is either spotted or marbled, and the background colour is either brown or white. White Bengals are referred to as 'snow's. Simply put there are therefore, four main types of Bengal:

Types of patterning

Bengal spots come in a variety of shapes, sizes and patterns. Some have many small spots, whilst others have fewer large spots, which is considered quite desirable, though there is nothing wrong with a Bengal with lots of spots! The 'basic' Bengal spot is solid colour and roughly circular. However, many breeders aim for producing more 'wild-looking' arrow-head shaped spots, or 'rosettes' which vary from simply two-tone spots to 'full' rosettes with a part circle of spots around a distinctly lighter centre..

The spotting on a Bengal should be random or horizontal in alignment, avoiding lining up or joining up in obvious stripes. 'Rib stripes' in particular are considered undesirable. The spots should always be very clear and stand out distinctly from the background colour. It can be particularly hard to find snow Bengals where the markings are as clear as might be liked, and purchasing a snow is not helped by the fact that, as with Siamese, they are born white and only develop their markings over the first few months!

 Bengal Personality

Bengals do inherit some characteristics of their wild ancestors besides the physical ones. The ALC is an agile climbing cat, and so are Bengals. They enjoy being up high, and owners should provide some climbing trees and perches for the cats to play on. This will save the furniture and drapes! Bengals also do not do well when declawed, as this interferes with their love of climbing and can frustrate them, forcing them to find other outlets for their energy. Declawing can lead to behavior problems in this breed and is not recommended.

Bengals are also incredibly active and athletic. They are not a breed for people who want a cat to sit quietly in the corner. Many new owners are unprepared for how strong and lively these kittens and cats really are. They do not outgrow this playful nature. Some people enjoy it, many do not. Potential owners would do well to spend time with Bengals before purchasing one, to see this activity level for themselves. They are not particularly lap cats, they are too busy to spend much time being held and cuddled.

Some Bengals eat their food using their front paws; some play in their water bowls and like to drop their toys into the water. This can get a bit messy. Some Bengals will jump in the shower or bathtub with you, some like to drink only from a running faucet.

Most Bengals are efficient hunters and are very predatory; sufficient toys must be provided to allow them to have their fun stalking and pouncing. They often carry their toys around in their mouths or paws, and enjoy a good game of fetch.
Bengals should not be shy or aggressive; they are very outgoing and bold, with confidence and self-assurance when raised properly by knowledgeable breeders. They are not easily intimidated and often rise to the dominant position in the household. They are sometimes talkative and sometimes just won’t get out from under your feet.

One of the most popular pieces of Bengal ‘folklore’ involves their liking for water. Bengals have sometimes been reported to play happily in quite deep water and, even to like swimming! Though they aren’t all swimmers, most Bengals are definitely fond of water. When I bought my Bengal, the breeders commented on how he had a ‘swishing’ action he used across his drinking water with his paw before drinking, which appeared to be a development of the action used by the Asian Leopard Cats in nature to clear the surface of ponds before drinking.

As a cautionary note, it is important never to leave the toilet seat up in case your Bengal gets bleach poisoning, and you should never leave the bath unattended whilst running hot water in case your Bengal scalds himself.

Are Bengals Fierce?

Some people have assumed that ‘wild animals are fierce’, so any pet with wild blood must be more likely to be ‘fierce’. It is true that one of the differences between a domesticated animal and a wild one is its ability to interact happily with humans, though more often than not small wild cats are more likely to be scared of humans than to attack them.

However, a Bengal is not a wild animal. It is most definitely a domestic animal which has been selectively bred over several generations for character as well as appearance, and Bengals today should be no more aggressive (or defensive) than any other cat. There are reports of some difficulties with temperament very early in the Bengal’s development but for many years breeders have been working very hard on Bengal character, and these reports are no longer heard.

I would have no hesitation in recommending the character of Bengals today. My only note of warning is that, being so energetic, they are able to totally accidentally scratch people whilst galloping over them or jumping from them, so though this will be no problem for most cat lovers, it might be a concern if you have small children or find the occasional scratch a problem. In my experience, Bengals can be quite easily trained not to do things you don’t like, simply by hissing at them to say ‘stop’. This seems a lot more effective than shouting "NO!" etc. since it is ‘cat language’ for ‘stop’ and shows them who is boss. Any hissing must, of course, be balanced by lots of affection, so they know you still love them!

In summary, Bengals have very engaging, energetic, loving characters and this is one of the main reasons they are wonderful pets. Their character would not make them ideal pets for someone who wants a quiet, low key companion, but makes them amazing pets for people who want a more ‘dog-like’ member of the family, along the same lines as oriental cats, but with many special features that make them unique and rewarding pets.

The first question you must ask yourself is - why do you want a Bengal? Are you looking for a family pet, a show cat, a "wild animal in the home", a companion for an invalid, an apartment cat, or are you thinking of breeding Bengals? You need to examine your reasons for buying a Bengal carefully before spending $800.00 or much more on an animal with very specific needs. Not all Bengals are alike and you must find one which matches your needs or this experience could be a stressful one for you and the cat.

A Bengal cat is one which is at least Five generations removed from the original cross, here in Australia These cats and any following generations make great pets