They are supposed to be Snow Seal Lynx Bengal's
Do they look like they are from the pictures?
Do they look like they are from the pictures?
I don't see Bengal in the first photos.
I am glad, that I am not the only one.
and I agree with Cat Person's comments.
Thank you, for taking the the time to help me!
Those kittens do look blue which is unusual in SBT Bengals.
I have seen quite a few blue F2 Bengals, I am not not sure why, do you have any idea why? But, I have not seen a blue SBT Bengal.
but it is not just because they are blue. It is the coat texture and length head shape etc.
I agree with you.
It's difficult because they are young kittens, and kittens change. But I'm not seeing Bengal.
Me either.
The next group you posted, the Brown Spotted (rosetted) Tabby kittens, those do look much more authentic,
!
I do think those are Bengals. Or at least have a significant amount of Bengal in them.
I agree. The OP mentioned seeing some white on the kittens feet, in our PM exchange. I do not see it, do you? I do not think, an SBT Bengal should have any white on it's feet right? I know it isn't seen in early generation cats.
If you are looking for a Bengal kitten, how is it that you're searching for a breeder?
Very very good question, I should have asked that.
Find out are their breeding cats registered with TICA and will kittens be registerable. There is NO reason for any responsible breeder not to register the kittens. It only costs $12 to register a litter with TICA. ( and that gives the ability to then register the individual kittens for a similar amount each. Some breeders do that themselves, others let the buyer choose if they want to individually register. But at the very least you should have the choice. and should get a copy of certified pedigrees of both parents. The only reason someone would not register is if the parents don't have papers which is either that they're not what is being claimed or they were bought as pets not for breeding. So either way there is some dishonesty going on and I wouldn't want to do business with the person.
Thank you, for all that information! That was VERY informative IMHO!
Not that papers are an absolute guarantee because unfortunately they're to some extent based on an honor system,. so you want to see both the papers and that the cats look like what they are supposed to.
!!!!!!!
Do they sell with a contract? Health warranty ?
More VERY good points.
Also have you asked about HCM scans on their breeding cats? I know some good breeders have that done yearly to make sure they have healthy hearts. They should be willing to show you test results.
Yes, that is a VERY important point! Since, the Prionailurus bengalensis had a VERY small gene pool at the time, similarly to the way Leopardus geoffroyi is today. So, any generation Bengal (F1-SBT) must be checked for HCM. Today, the few breeders I know that breed F1's test the ALC as well
Do they show their SBT Bengals successfully? do at least some of their breeding cats have titles of at least GC , better yet a higher level of Grand, especially Supreme Grand Champion?
I have head that from other people. Can I ask you why, that is important? If, the person, only wants a "pet quality cat"?
And here are a couple other links about what to look for in a breeder
http://www.tibcs.com/aboutbengals/reputable.aspx
http://www.breedlist.com/faq/breeder_questions.html
Those are GREAT links, thank you very very much for sharing.
And I willl give you some links that should be helpful in looking for a Bengal kitten:
Here is a breeder in Southern Cal who is a TICA judge http://www.wildgoldbengals.com/
I am DROOLING over here, my my what LOVELY kittens, I would like a whole litter please!
Some other breeders that I know or know of that have a good reputation ( and although not near you, they may be able to recommend someone) :
the link that Cat Person already gave -- Bahiya Bengals in GA.
http://www.mystre.com/ in TX Mark Pennington
http://www.bengaland.com/ in Ohio - Huge & Peggy Price
You know, you are making me want to buy a SBT Bengal right.
Or contact other members of the Bengal Breed Committee http://www.tica.org/public/breeds/bg/committee.php
Or try contacting the Regional Director of TICA. Here is a link to TICA RDs http://www.tica.org/public/contact/directors.php California is divided : southern Cal is in the Southwest Region and Northern Cal is in Mid Pacific.
I can't vouch for all the breeders on the list, but this could also be a place to start ( breeders list from the major Bengal breed club) http://www.tibcs.com/breederlist.aspx?region=2
Well, if I EVER want to buy a SBT Bengal, might I run the breeder by you, you seem to know or know of, way more then I do!
It is not the best idea to go looking for bargain "Bengal" kittens. You are likely to get something that is either not a Bengal and / or is more likely to have a health or temperament problem.
! I just want to add that, the temperament is paramount IMHO with a SBT Bengal. Since, the ones I have worked with where "not properly socialized", I can vouch for how misserables, the average person, or even myself, would be if they/I got the kitten and "did not see it coming".
If it is an issue of price , that you can't afford or just don't want to pay the price for a pet Bengal kitten from a reputable breeder, it would be better to either look for a retired adult,
The SBT female retired adults, as long as they come from a "good cattery" are LOVELY. It might take a week or two, for the cat to completely love and trust you, but, after that, the cat will act like, they have know you "there whole life". Most are less then five years old, so they have PLENTY of life left in them. You know, they will act like a 6 month DSH. So, you will still have "plenty of love" to enjoy.
or look for an adult via rescue from one of the places that Cat Person gave you before.
I can assure you. Almost any and all rescues, make sure, the cat is ready to be adopted! Hence, you get a "problem free" animal. The reason for the quotes around problem free are, no hybrid, later or early generation is "problem free". In other words, they will not act like a domestic!
At least with rescue, you are not giving money to some irresponsible, uninformed "breeder" and encouraging them to keep at it.
Or else save up for a Bengal kitten from a reputable breeder.
.
What I meant by that was, I have worked with "worst case scenario" SBT Bengals and that I am NO expert on F4-SBT Bengal. Which is what I meant by lower generation hybrid cat looks.<snipped> Plus, like I have said in other threads, while I have worked with "worst case scenario" Bengals. I am NO expert on the lower generation hybrid cats LOOKS.<snipped>
Iher!!!!!
Just to update, I called the breeder (for the retired female) and am going to visit tomorrow.
Yay and congratulations.
If everything goes well and I like the cat, I will put a deposit down on her.
Good good. Just make sure you have reasonable expectations. Meaning, she might be shy at first. But, she should warm up to you in about 30 minutes. By "warm up", I mean allow you to play with her. Is she spayed? If not, she might act a little "hormonal".
I am putting a deposit because I am moving this week, so I will get her when I am finished and settled in.
Wise decision RE: waiting till you move and are settled in. Even though, I know waiting is the hardest part! You are doing the right thing by waiting, IMHO.
I just hope the cats can eventually get along I will definitely need to make new thread on tips for introducing adult cats, if I end up putting the deposit down.
I am fairly sure they will all get along. Just PM me the introduction thread so I don't miss it.
My cat is 7 years old,
Ahh I see. Thank you for the information.
I've had her since she was a kitten (not sure what age) I found her outside my house,
Okay, so less then a year old. She was or was not allowed outside after you "took her inside"?
my aunt actually thought she was a bobcat lol
I am so so sorry, but that made meso hard!
she is an indoor cat.
I am guessing, she has been an indoor cat, since you found her?
She does not like going outside.
Okay, so she is a completely indoor cat? I am assuming so.
No I have not had her around other cats,
That makes it VERY hard, for me to judge how she would be with another cat. How does she react to a cat that she see's outside a window? Has she ever been to a boarding facility? Have you ever "babysat" another cat?
she’s only been around her kittens (gave them all away, and fixed her) I did have a cat when I got her but she died a couple days after.
Okay, so she has basically been alone since you acquired her. Is that correct? I can't judge her reaction to an exotic cat hybrid from how she treated her kittens. Hopefully, that makes sense. If not, I will gladly rephrase.
Wow, that is crazy, that the cat started acting like that.
That is VERY common when a exotic cat hybrid (early (F1-F3) or later generation (F4-SBT)) gets a "taste" of the outside.
Would the cat do the same thing If I walked it on a harness?
Like I said, on that thread, or at least so I hope, is that unless you can walk your exotic cat hybrid for the SAME amount of TIME EVERY EVERY SINGLY DAY, for the same amount of TIME, then YES, you will likely experience the same "results".
Yes, the breeders cat is already spayed, not sure when so hopefully her hormones are fine.
It can take up to five months, for the "former queen's" hormones to dissipate. So, please keep that in mind. Also, find out when she way spayed.
So I was looking at the breeder’s website and found that she is selling a 5 month old for a reduced price so I am going to go look at him also.
Did you go and see both cats? Have you decided which one you are going to get? I am a firm believer that cats "pick us".
I think I might want the 5 month old though because the kittens’ birth date is the same as my grandpas, and he just passed away about two months ago. I guess it would be more of a sentimental reason to buy him.
I would pick, whichever cat/kitten, I feel/felt comfortable with. Just let me know which one, you picked out, pretty please with sugar on top!
Here are some pics of him.
He is very handsome and full blooded Bengal for sure, but I really really LOVE the retired female!
This retired queen and 5 mo. old kitten are pretty cats ! .
Indeed!
Great eyes! & a nice tricolor rosetted pattern.
I agree, I want them both!
A 3 year old SBT Bengal would almost certainly still be playful!
Yes, she will be INSANELY playful, when compared to a domestic kitten, let alone, a three year old pure domestic cat.
She won't be as much bouncing off the walls as a 5 month old Bengal kitten but still very playful.
That is very very true. But, keep in mind that the 5 month old Bengal might "LITERALLY" be bouncing of the walls!
and playing with a wand toy would probably give her a lot of enjoyment and would be a good way to make friends with her.
You are a hundred percent correct. She will "love you" very quickly that way.
There are some fully domestic breeds that are usually still quite playful at 3 years old, and Bengals tend to be even more so.
and. You are so eloquent with your words. Can you teach me how to be?
Re HCM, I don't think Bengals have the worst rates of HCM but I think they may -- or some lines may -- have a higher rate than average. So if buying a Bengal kitten that is something I'd ask about.
Indeed, that sounds VERY logical.
Whichever cat you get, you will need to do the intro carefully and slowly.
Yes, that is for sure. You need to remember any hybrid, even a lower generation is MUCH STRONGER, FASTER, and has more "STAYING POWER" then the average domestic cat. But, as a general rule: "the exotic cat hybrids have a MUCH longer "FUSE", then the average domestic. So, IMHO, I would not do the induction until the pure domestic is "completely calm".
You can read online about introducing a new cat.
Do you know any online resources that show how to introduce exotic cat hybrids to domestics? I do not not know of any.
and ask the breeder for advice.
Yes, I would say, IMHO, that is the best resource at your disposal for a "proper" introduction.
It is usually best to keep the new cat in a separate room for a couple weeks which will make it easier for the new cat to first settle into one little part of the new territory.
With the exotic cat hybrids, I would say at LEAST two weeks. But, if your pure domestic is "having issues" it could take up to a month, before you even start scent swopping.
and serves as a quarantine in case there were any health problems thbyat are contagious.
That is another VERY good point that I didn't think of. Great work, as useul.
And cat introductions are usually best taken slowly,
Indeed.
first letting them get used to each other's scent by trading items with their scent, feeding them a meal or treat at the same time on either side of a closed door of the new cat's room. I would go especially slowly with an adult female.
and. I just want to point out, that the kitten will seem "more emotionally overpowering" then the adult to the pure adult domestic. I would also keep in mind, the kitten is more "prone to, using his physical prowise" on the pure domestic then the adult female, as a general rule.
Make sure throughout the first months that you have the new cat, that you are showing a lot of attention to Gypsy so she won't feel like the new cat is a threat to your love for her.
Yes, that is VERY true. Since, like I have said before, as a general rule: exotic cat hybrids that where/are properly socialized have a VERY long fuse, but due to there physical prowess and "staying power" can and will FINISH whatever the pure domestic started.
Sorry took long to reply, I did not get any email updates.
That is fine hun, no worries. Just glad you updated us.
She hasn’t seen any other cats in a window, I think it's because we currently live on a busy street. So when we move this week, our new neighborhood isn't very busy and I have already seen a cat outside.
Okay, please, pay close attention to her behavior when she see's a cat outside. While that most certainly isn't the "be all end all", it just gives me "some idea" of her reaction to the Bengal.
Yes that is correct.
Yay, I got something right.
Yes, I did and I chose the 5 month old.
Congratulations!
He was very active and playful!
Yes, that is one way of saying it. Just wait till you take home.
I do not think I realized how crazy Bengals can be haha, he ran up the screen door lol
That is only the tip of the "iceberg". But, it does give you a good idea of what it is like to own a SBT Bengal. I would recommend you start "cat proofing" your new home PRIOR to taking the five month old home. Then, you just have to do the "finishing touches" based on his personal preference. You also might want to start saying "my style" is later generation/SBT Bengal safe. Or, you are an EXTREME minimalist with a liking for "child proof latches". In all honesty, he might not need all the "cat proofing" but it is better safe then sorry. For both the cat, due to being prone to pica and for the owner's possessions.
The girl was sleeping most of the time, and the breeder said she is more of a lap cat.
And you did not pick her why? A lovely Bengal with a domestic cat "attitude", I am sold!
Yes she is very beautiful,
I can't imagine how attractive she was in person.
I know! I saw that when I visited the cats.
Just so you know, he will be doing that for YEARS, if I had to make en educated guess.
Yes, I have a feeling it will be a long road ahead, I will wait until she is calm.
Yes, it will be a long road. But, as long as, you have realistic expectations and do not "rush things" everything should work out.
Great advice, it's about the same to what I'm reading online, so that is what I will do with them.
Do you mind showing me the online source? I am always looking for "proper" information that I can show people. Glad me and the online source agree.
I'll make sure to do that,
Good good.
I would not want her to feel threatened
Pure domestics, for whatever reason, are more "solitary/like to be left alone" when compared to even a later generation (F4-SBT) hybrid like a SBT Bengal. I am NOT sure why. But, you want to make the pure domestic "feel" as "non threatened" as possible.
or unloved.
Somehow, I doubt you would make any cat feel unloved!
I'll make sure to take it really slow with them, I do not want them to fight.
With a five month old SBT Bengal and an older lived alone DSH you will have some fighting. You just do not want the Bengal to "know" it is a fight. You want him to keep his "jovial" attitude. Since, if the DSH, was to draw blood and the SBT Bengal was to actually turn aggressive the DSH isn't very likely to end up "winning".
In the case that they do fight, what would be the best way to break that up?
I will PM it to you. Let me know when you get/see it.
The picture's are divine. He is so so so so so so so handsome. Please keep the photo's and stories coming.
He is gorgeous!I love him. Can't wait to hear stories after he comes home. Keep us posted.