ALL ABOUT ANIMALS
The Bengal breed originated as a human-made hybrid of the Asian leopard cat and the domestic cat. The leopard cat (Felis bengalensis ) is a cat-sized inhabitant of southern Asia and is thought to be one of the closest of the modern undomesticated cat species to the ancient common ancestor of the cat family.
The leopard cat looks very much like a domestic cat, except for the larger, snapping eyes, pronounced whisker pads, longer legs, and brilliant leopard markings. It looks, in fact, like a miniature leopard. The Bengal began its journey toward becoming a recognized breed in 1963 when breeder Jean Mill of Covina, California, bought a female leopard cat from a pet store. At that time, leopard cats could be purchased in the United States, although today it?s illegal to sell them. She wasn?t trying to create a new breed of cat?she just wanted a unique pet.
After several years, Mill thought the cat looked lonely, so she put a male domestic cat in the cat?s cage to keep her company. She wasn?t expecting a romantic relationship, but to Mill?s surprise, in 1965 her leopard cat produced a litter.
Only one kitten from the litter survived, a female hybrid that Mill named Kin-Kin. Mill contacted Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, for advice on how to handle the hybrid, and was told that Kin-Kin was probably sterile. That, also, proved false. Kin-Kin grew up, mated with her father, and produced two kittens. One was all black and had inherited the wild leopard cat temperament?it refused to let anyone near it. The other, a spotted male, inherited the sweet disposition of a domestic. After some consideration, Mill decided that creating a crossbred breed would benefit the plight of the leopard cats. Mill was dismayed by the plight of orphaned leopard cat cubs taken by hunters and sold to American pet stores. The cats generally ended up in zoos when the cubs grew to adulthood and reverted to their wild ways. Mill wanted to provide the American market with an acceptable spotted substitute.
In the first crossings of leopard cat to Domestic Shorthair, the male kittens were infertile, as is the case with many hybrids. The females were usually fertile as were the male kittens in subsequent generations. However, many of those first hybrid kittens grew up to be nervous cats of uncertain temperament, similar to their wild relatives. It was only after the cats were several generations away from the leopard cat that the Bengal?s temperament became more predictable.
The standard for the Bengal, unlike other cat breeds, includes a description of the cat?s ideal temperament, describing it as confident, alert, curious, and friendly. Any sign of definite challenge disqualifies the cat in order to prevent temperament problems from being perpetuated in the breeding stock. TICA requires that show cats be bred Bengal to Bengal for at least four generations to ensure a docile temperament.
However, in some associations the Bengal is still considered the party crasher at the cat fancy cocktail party. The CFA does not accept any breeds with wild blood and only five associations (TICA, CCA, UFO, TCA, and CFF) allow Bengals to be shown. ACFA accepts Bengals for registration but does not allow them into the show halls because of concerns about the temperament of the breed. Reported concerns include extreme timidity, aggression (several judges were bitten), and a basic wariness of people and other animals.
Personality
The Bengal may look like a wild cat, but breeders insist that the Bengal is as lovably friendly and docile as any full-blooded domestic cat. Fanciers describe Bengals as playful, gregarious, and energetic cats that have a generous dose of feline curiosity and that want to be involved with their owners. Not intimidated by water, they will sometimes join their owners for a swim, as long as it?s on their terms.
Although show-quality cats must be four generations away from the leopard cat to be shown, previous generations of Bengals are sold as pets; therefore, it?s important to know what you?re buying when acquiring a Bengal. Before purchasing a second generation or third generation Bengal, be sure that the cat is free of temperament problems.
Conformation
The Bengal?s spots are aligned horizontally rather than in random or tabby configuration. Rosettes formed in a part-circle around a redder center is the preferred look. Emphasis is put on the contrast between the spots and the background color; the edges should be sharp and pattern distinct for a show-quality cat. In the marbled pattern, the markings are derived from the classic tabby gene, but the overall look is random, giving the impression of marble.
Bengals often possess a ?glitter gene? that gives the fur an iridescent glow, as if covered with warm frost. Three recessive coat variations have been developed: the snow leopard, the marbled, and the snow marbled. These types are still quite rare.
ANIMAL PLANET
1. Cat Most in Need of a Babysitter: Bluebell
Bluebell, a Persian cat from South Africa, gave birth to 14 kittens in one litter. She holds the record for having the most kittens at once, with all of her offspring surviving -- rare for a litter so large.
2. Most Aloof Cat: Big Boy
When Hurricane George hit Gulfport, Mississippi, in 1998, Big Boy
was blown up into a big oak tree. In 2001, Big Boy's owner claimed the cat never left the tree. The feline eats, sleeps, and eliminates in the tree and climbs from branch to branch for exercise.
3. Big Mama: Dusty
In 1952, a seemingly ordinary tabby cat gave new meaning to the term "maternal instinct." Texas-born Dusty set the record for birthing more kittens than any other cat in history. Dusty had more than 420 kittens before her last litter at age 18.
4. Oldest Cat: Cream Puff
More than 37 years old at the time of her death, Cream Puff, another Texan, is recognized as the oldest cat to have ever lived. In human years, she was about 165 years old when she died.
5. Best-dressed Cat: The Birman
The Birman cat breed originally came from Burma (now Myanmar) where these longhairs were bred as companions for priests. A Birman cat can be identified by its white "gloves." All Birmans have four white paws, which give them that oh-so-aristocratic look.
6. Most Ruthless Killer: Towser
In Scotland, a tortoiseshell tabby named Towser was reported to have slain 28,899 mice throughout her 21 years -- an average of about four mice per day. Her bloodlust finally satiated, Towser died in 1987. (The mice of Scotland are rumored to celebrate her passing as a national holiday.)
7. Most Itty-Bitty Kitty in the Whole World: Tinker Toy
Though this Blue Point Himalayan died in 1997, this cat still holds the record for being the smallest cat ever. Tinker Toy was just 2.75 inches tall and 7.5 inches long and weighed about one pound eight ounces.
8. Cat Most in Need of a Diet: Himmy
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the heaviest cat in recorded history was an Australian kitty named Himmy that reportedly weighed more than 46 pounds in 1986. If the data is accurate, Himmy's waistline measured about 33 inches. Guinness has removed this category from their record roster, so as not to encourage people to overfeed their animals.
9. First Cat: The Eocene Kitty
Fossils from the Eocene period show that cats roamed the earth more than 50 million years ago. Sure, they looked a little different, but these remains show that today's domestic cats have a family tree that goes way, way back.
HOW STUFF WORKS
BENGAL
The Saluki is perhaps the most ancient breed of domestic dog. Evidence of the Saluki can be found on Egyptian tombs dating several thousand years before Christ. The name Saluki may come from the ancient civilization of Seleucia. Arab nomads used Salukis to run down gazelles, foxes and hares in the desert, often with the aid of falcons. Although the Muslim religion considered the dog to be unclean, an exception was made for the Saluki, which was referred to as el hor, the "noble one." As the provider of meat, the Saluki was allowed to sleep in the tents and enjoy the tender attention of its Bedouin master. Salukis were not allowed to breed with non-Salukis, which accounts for their purity throughout the centuries. Because Salukis ranged with their nomadic owners over a wide area of the Middle East, they became widely distributed with great local variation, resulting in the breed's variability today. The Saluki came to the attention of the Western world around 1900 and was recognized by the AKC in 1928. Their numbers have decreased in their lands of origin as a result of the advent of hunting with guns from jeeps. The primary role of the Saluki today is as an exotic companion and show dog, although many of these dogs are still used for hare coursing. The Saluki is also called the Persian greyhound, gazelle hound or tazi.
Temperament
The Saluki tends to be aloof and reserved with strangers. It is extremely devoted to its own family, but it is not particularly demonstrative. The Saluki is very gentle with children, but it may not be playful enough to satisfy most of them. Extremely sensitive, it does not take to rough-and-tumble play or deal well with harsh corrections. Some Salukis can be shy. This breed is very quiet and sedate indoors, seeking out a soft, warm spot. Outside, it runs in great circles at tremendous speeds and will chase any small running animals or fast-moving objects. It may not come when called.
Upkeep
Daily exercise is essential, preferably in the form of free running in a safe, enclosed area. The Saluki's needs can also be met with long leash walks or jogging. Salukis should sleep inside in all but the warmest climates; they do best as indoor dogs with access to a yard. They can play in snow and cold weather but should not be expected to spend extended time in the cold. The Saluki must have a soft bed, or it could develop callouses. A Saluki in proper weight is naturally thin; however, this breed tends to be a picky eater, which can result in a very thin-looking dog. Many people not familiar with the Saluki wrongly assume that the dog is not being fed properly! The smooth coat needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hair, but the feathered coat needs combing once or twice a week to prevent matting.
Health
• Major concerns: none
• Minor concerns: none
• Occasionally seen: cardiomyopathy
• Suggested tests: none
• Life span: 12 – 14 years
• Note: sensitive to anesthesia
Form and Function
The Saluki has a general greyhound-like build and should combine grace, symmetry, great speed and endurance. Likwise, it should have the strength to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountains. Its expression should be dignified and gentle, with deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes. Its movement is light. The coat is smooth and silky; the feathered variety has long hair on its ears, tail, between its toes and sometimes on the backs of its legs; the smooth variety has no long feathering. This breed has a wide range of equally acceptable types, reflecting the wide area over which it was developed.
ANIMAL PLANET
SALUKI PUPPIES
SALUKI
BENGAL KITTEN
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