On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 02:57:23 GMT, "Philip"
wrote:


This is *why* Oci breeders say things like that.

I never said WHO told me this.

This is true. Apologies for jumping to conclusions, but I
have heard (and been told) those precise words myself from Oci
breeders. It irks me a little bit.

Bengals are
not pit bulls, not vicious wild animals, and not unpredictable in
temperament. They are loving, *domestic* cats that happen to have the
gorgeous coat pattern of a leopard or margay.

Considering the rather un-catlike behaviors I witnessed at a Bengal cattery
were F3+ cats were present, I would beg to differ. I have never seen plain
ol loveable housecats JUMP INTO water ...

Norwegian Forest Cats like water, and will seek it out.

or run in a spinning wheel like a
hamster ...

Cat wheels tend to be very popular with Bengal breeders
because Bengals need *so* *much* exercise, but other breeds use them
too.

or leap vertically or horizontally distances of 6-8 feet ...

*grin* I did say that they were athletic.

or
growl like like a large dog. You?

Heh. As a groomer and a behaviourist, I have heard
innumerable cats of all breeds and types growl at me. The scariest
was a Maine Coon that was having a serious redirected aggression
problem.

I had a 12 month old Bengal run up my
arm (good thing I had a long sleeved sweatshirt on), perch on my shoulder
and then stick its nose in my ear. You?

Yeah, Kefka and Temujin are shoulder kitties. They like to
hop up and say 'hi'. Of course, I also know at least three Devon Rex
that do the same thing.


I visited Mrs. Mills home/cattery. That was the only breeder I've visited.
Her cats were all very lively and curious. He prized breeding male had a
voice like no ordinary housecat. Paced a lot. Intreguiging.

Bengal voices do tend to be.....unique. *grin*


I guess all I am saying is that Bengals are not these wild
animals that cannot be trusted. They have some quirky behaviours, but
none of which are unheard of in domestic cats as a species.
They *are* completely domestic. A DNA test of an F4 or
greater will reveal none of the 'wild' markers of the ALC. The
rabies vaccine works on them, and they are no more unpredictable or
ill-tempered than any other cat. IME, in fact, they have sweeter
temperaments.




Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid