Bengals

Origin

The Bengal breed was developed by by crossing the Asian Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis) with a domestic cat (Felis catus). The Asian Leopard Cat is shy and nocturnal, it preys on small birds and rodents and is wary of humans. Despite some attention-grabbing headlines, it is not dangerous!

The first documented hybrid is by Jean Sugden in 1963 and this produced a female. Other people who owned Asian Leopard Cats produced hybrids but much of the breed's development is attributed to Jean Sugden Mills. The intention was to create a cat that looked like an Asian Leopard Cat with the gentle temperament of the domestic short-hair.

Characteristics

Bengal cats are friendly, fun-loving cats that love to play. They are affectionate and love to interact with cats, dogs, humans and other animals. They like heights and we often find ours on top of tall bookcases and wardrobes and sometimes they elegantly lounge on the top of our open beam ceilings.

Appearance

The breed type calls for a sleek, very muscular cat with hindquarters slightly taller than forequarters. The head is relatively small with short rounded-tip ears and large oval eyes. The face should slightly longer than its width with high cheekbones and strong chin. The large broad nose should have a tip of pink leather outlined in black and should have a gentle curve from the forehead down the nose. The muzzle has distinctive whisker pads. The neck should be thick and muscular and the tail should be thick and even with a rounded tip. This is the ideal that breeders are striving for, however the perfect Bengal has not yet been produced!

Colours and markings

There are four colours of Bengal cats currently recognised by GCCF - Brown Spotted, Brown Marbled, Snow Spotted and Snow Marbled.

We specialise in breeding Brown Spotted and Brown Marbled Bengals and it is preferred that they have "a high degree of rufous colour yielding a a yellow , buff, golden or orange background. Markings may be black or various shades of brown."

Brown Spotted

Spots should be large and contrast well with the background. An arrowhead shape is desirable and having large circles of spots around paler centres (rosetting) is preferred.

Brown Rosetted

Brown Marbled

Should be a distinct pattern with large swirled patches or streaks, clearly defined but not symmetrical, giving the impression of marbled, preferably with a horizontal flow (best seen when the cat has stretched).

Brown Marbled

This is only intended as a brief outline of the Bengal breed.

Origin

Russian Blues are thought to have originated in the White Sea port of Archangel and were brought back to Western Europe by sailors in the 1860s. First known as Archangel Cats. They have also been known as Maltese Cats and Spanish Cats.

Probably the most famous, and certainly the most pampered was Vishka who was owned by Tzar Nicholas 1 of Russia, where they are considered a good luck omen.

Characteristics

Russian Blues are quiet, sometimes slightly shy cats that are very affectionate towards each other and to their owners. It is often said that once you've owned a Russian Blue you will always want a Russian Blue. It is certainly true in our case, we got our first Russian 24 years ago!

Appearance

The Russian is a cat of elegant foreign type. Its high ears, green almond-shaped eyes, angled profile and prominent whisker pads create a distinctive gentle impression which, together with its essential velvety double coat, gives the breed its unique charm.

Colours

There are three colours of Russian Blue cats currently recognised by GCCF - Blue, White and Black.

We specialise in Blues. The breed standard states that the colour should be clear blue and even throughout with a distinct silvery sheen. Medium blue is preferred.

 

This is only intended as a brief outline of the Russian Blue breed.