Characteristics
The Bengal Cat is now a registered domestic breed. Breeders have preserved the beautiful appearance of a wild jungle feline, but with a loving temperament. The goal has been to preserve the camouflage coats; agile, long and athletic bodies and marked intelligence.
Unlike what many people think, the Bengal Cat usually weighs less then 18 pounds. The male weighs around 15 pounds, while the female weighs 8 to 12 pounds. Their legs are slightly shorter in front, which slightly raises their rump and gives them a stalking appearance.
Bengals have unique wild-looking facial expressions. It's desirable to maintain the vivid "mascara" around the eyes.
Spotted Bengal
The coat patterns of Bengals vary. The most common pattern is the Spotted Leopard Bengal. The marks on the spotted coat vary. Some have rosettes - two-toned arrowhead shapes or "donut" shaped spots. Some Bengals have hairs that give the appearance of "glitter."
Marbled Bengal
The second most common pattern is the Marbled Bengal. It has swirls and patches of color blended in a pattern similar to the classic tabby. It's the classic tabby gene, mixed with the horizontality of the leopard pattern, that produces strikingly different and exotic patterns.
The behaviors of Bengal Cats are most unique - they're often referred to as having dog-like personalities. They are extremely playful and enjoy cat-and-mouse games, love climbing, will follow family members from room-to-room and lovingly greet houseguests.
Most important and critical to the breed is that Bengal Cats have dependable personalities. Since the 1960s, only the most stable and friendly personalities have been used in breeding programs. Wild, timid or aggressive personalities were culled from the early breeding programs and this standard is maintained today.