Difference between Ocicats and Bengals?

LOTS - I had done a thread on the differences months ago with pictures, but even if you pull it up the pictures would not be there now cause its old and I had to make room for more.

Anyway I'll try to do a quick difference with a few references to other pics.

Ocicats:

Medium size body
Modified wedge with strong square muzzle

Tall pointed ears set at a 45 degree angle

Coat - ticked (banded like an Aby) with the spots being formed formed the ticking. Spots should be a darker color then the base. Broken necklaces and bracelets on the neck/legs.

Spots on the side will form a bullseye pattern (spots within spots) - its not as dramatic as the classic tabby bullseye pattern tho. Tail should have alternating stripes and spots.

While the Oci does come in non-spotted patterns from the ASH, Aby, & Siamese background, only the spotted patterns are shown. We also have 12 colors:
Tawny, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Blue, Lavender, Fawn....then add the "silver gene" to make Silver, Chocolate-Silver, Cinnamon-Silver, Blue-Silver, Lavender-Silver and Fawn-Silver.


Bengals (the Bengal breeders can clarify)

Larger heads - more rounded with shorter and more rounded ears then an Ocicat. Body larger (Oci's average 9-12 lbs; Bengal males can go to about 16 lbs)

Spotting is random or more horizonal looking. They also come several spotted patterns (pawprint, rosette, solid spots) And Bengals have a Marble pattern (more like a long bullseye) that is shown. They have a few other patterns (mink/pointed type).


The biggest difference between the two is that Bengals were created from using a wild cat (Asian Leopard Cat). The Ocicats are 100% domestic - product of Siamese/Aby and later a little ASH.


Here's the picture/refernces:

http://www.acfacat.com/bengal_synopsis.htm

http://www.acfacat.com/ocicat_synopsis.htm

They are pretty much the same size, females 4-6kg (8-13) and males 6-8kg (13-17).

Bengals have a smaller head in proportion to their body.

Bengal tails are thicker and shorter than Ocicat tails too.

One thing to keep in mind (between Missy and my answer on weight). She's from Australia (some of their breeds are a little larger then the ones in the USA- where I'm from).

Those are weights in the US and in Australia regarding the Oci's

When you get the pictures (or live) side by side, you can tell the difference a lot quicker.

We had a fun thing of posting pictures of both breeds and then letting everyone guess which was which. When you get pet quality in the breeds, sometimes its hard to tell. But it was a learning experience for everyone. I was surprised at how well I did in the first time around in guessing Oci vs Bengal.

I have no clue - I'm not good at finding older threads - but am guessing a good 9 months or so ago. Maybe someone in here can find it.

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

but am guessing a good 9 months or so ago.

Click to expand...

2007 Demetri was just 4 months old then, now he's 2 1/2.

Was it really THAT long ago????? Time flys when you are having fun!

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

One thing to keep in mind (between Missy and my answer on weight). She's from Australia (some of their breeds are a little larger then the ones in the USA- where I'm from).

Those are weights in the US and in Australia regarding the Oci's

Click to expand...

I'm in the UK and Bengals and Ocis are more similar in weight and size here too.

The very obvious defining factor for the non-specialist is head and ear shape and coat patterns -

the Oci is a 100% domestic cat with a very attractive domestic spotted tabby pattern of small regular spots on a lighter coloured base over the body. Because they are bred for good spotted pattern you will often see a clearer and more regular spotting pattern on Ocis than on breeds that don't particularly specialise in spots.

Bengals can have some distinct tabby markings that you won't normally see in other breeds, such as rosettes or marbling. Their ears and jawline are also a bit different. IMO Ocis look a little more pointy in the face and ear shape compared to Bengals. Sorry for the use of completely non-technical terminology, that's the best way I can describe what I see

They are more pointed - its a modified wedge from the Aby/Siamese background. IMO they remind me more of the Aby's in their looks/actions, but not as "extreme" in looks. I can see the "Aby" look in their face.

Aussie Abys are not as extreme as the US, I have a friend/mentor who breeds them and after being around lots of baby and adult Aby's they are very similar - she calls Ocicats Abys with spots. Of course not identical in standard but quite close, and much more so than the Siamese or ASH.

Personality very much the same as Aby, 4 springs (legs) held together by 1 big spring (body) is how my friends describes her Aby's Meaning always on the go, springing around hardly sitting still.