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BENGAL cats
Has anyone here owned a good Bengal or ... even a Bengal mix? I've met some
Bengals at Jean Mills cattery in Covina (CA) and was taken by the handsome markings and their highly active nature. But I'd like to hear from those who have lived with one (or more) about their personalities ... specifically where box training and daily temperment are concerned as a house only cat. Thanks. |
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"Philip" wrote in message link.net... Has anyone here owned a good Bengal or ... even a Bengal mix? I've met some Bengals at Jean Mills cattery in Covina (CA) and was taken by the handsome markings and their highly active nature. But I'd like to hear from those who have lived with one (or more) about their personalities ... specifically where box training and daily temperment are concerned as a house only cat. Thanks. I believe a poster with the nym "Orchid" had Bengals. There has been a great deal of discussion about them here so you might want to do a Google search on this group. There are plenty of full-bred and part Bengals at shelters everywhere--perhaps some people do not like their high activity levels. One nice thing about a cat that has been in a no-kill shelter for a few months is that you know they have good elimination habits and have been well socialized to people and cats. If you go he http://www.petfinder.com/ you can put in your zip code or city and see photos of the available Bengal mixes in your area. You could save money and do a nice thing at the same time. Just something to think about. |
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On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 12:35:30 -0400, "Mary"
wrote: I believe a poster with the nym "Orchid" had Bengals. Has. Temujin and Kefka are alive, well, and Temujin is sacked out on my lap after playing 'chase my brother around the house 20 times'. There has been a great deal of discussion about them here so you might want to do a Google search on this group. I responded to the OP in alt.cats, but I reiterate advice here to read my 'Top Ten Reasons You Don't Want A Bengal'. I love them, but many people would not. There are plenty of full-bred and part Bengals at shelters everywhere--perhaps some people do not like their high activity levels. One nice thing about a cat that has been in a no-kill shelter for a few months is that you know they have good elimination habits and have been well socialized to people and cats. If the OP is just after the coat pattern of a Bengal, that's a not bad idea. Actually, if the OP is just after the older coat pattern, that'll work. You're not going to find a cat like this at a shelter, and if you do, snap him up because he won't be there long. http://www.wildlovebengals.com/studs.html If the OP is after the full package, I'd recommend either Bengal Rescue and a known purebreed or a responsible breeder. Either way, I strongly recommend the OP joining Bengals-L (a yahoo group) to connect with other owners and responsible breeders who can help with breed quirks. Orchid See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid |
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kaeli wrote:
In article , enlightened us with... I responded to the OP in alt.cats, but I reiterate advice here to read my 'Top Ten Reasons You Don't Want A Bengal'. I love them, but many people would not. I searched for that and got nothing (except other threads saying to search for it). Can you re-post? I'm not Orchid, but it is an interesting, amusing, and informative list. It's not in a thread or article with that title, but it's definitely worth reading, so here's a link to it: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/...94f25b47?hl=en brian -- If you want to reply to this message by mail, you will have to change the reply address to |
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Mary wrote:
"Philip" wrote in message link.net... Has anyone here owned a good Bengal or ... even a Bengal mix? I've met some Bengals at Jean Mills cattery in Covina (CA) and was taken by the handsome markings and their highly active nature. But I'd like to hear from those who have lived with one (or more) about their personalities ... specifically where box training and daily temperment are concerned as a house only cat. Thanks. I believe a poster with the nym "Orchid" had Bengals. There has been a great deal of discussion about them here so you might want to do a Google search on this group. There are plenty of full-bred and part Bengals at shelters everywhere--perhaps some people do not like their high activity levels. One nice thing about a cat that has been in a no-kill shelter for a few months is that you know they have good elimination habits and have been well socialized to people and cats. If you go he http://www.petfinder.com/ you can put in your zip code or city and see photos of the available Bengal mixes in your area. You could save money and do a nice thing at the same time. Just something to think about. Mary: Thank you for your response. I DID find one Bengal that caught my attention yesterday on petfinder. Truly an interesting service, Petfinder. You raise a good point that had not occured to me. A "no-kill' shelter would have civilized a box phobic Bengal in short order. The "wild' streak in Bengals (the asian leopard cat) raises a yellow flag to me where box training is concerned. Apparently an F4 is about the level they "get it" about peeing in a box only. When I visited Mrs. Mills's cattery, I saw some really interesting behaviors. I saw four different cats using tread mill wheels on their own .... just like a caged hamster does! Others exhibited the wild cat heavy breathing before they growled. All very very active. |
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Orchid wrote:
On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 12:35:30 -0400, "Mary" wrote: I believe a poster with the nym "Orchid" had Bengals. Has. Temujin and Kefka are alive, well, and Temujin is sacked out on my lap after playing 'chase my brother around the house 20 times'. There has been a great deal of discussion about them here so you might want to do a Google search on this group. I responded to the OP in alt.cats, but I reiterate advice here to read my 'Top Ten Reasons You Don't Want A Bengal'. I love them, but many people would not. There are plenty of full-bred and part Bengals at shelters everywhere--perhaps some people do not like their high activity levels. One nice thing about a cat that has been in a no-kill shelter for a few months is that you know they have good elimination habits and have been well socialized to people and cats. If the OP is just after the coat pattern of a Bengal, that's a not bad idea. Actually, if the OP is just after the older coat pattern, that'll work. You're not going to find a cat like this at a shelter, and if you do, snap him up because he won't be there long. http://www.wildlovebengals.com/studs.html If the OP is after the full package, I'd recommend either Bengal Rescue and a known purebreed or a responsible breeder. Either way, I strongly recommend the OP joining Bengals-L (a yahoo group) to connect with other owners and responsible breeders who can help with breed quirks. Orchid See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid Orchid: Thank you for your response. I will check alt.cats for your post and "'Top Ten Reasons You Don't Want A Bengal'. I'm NOT looking primarily for a handsome cat. I am looking for another *interactive* indoor only cat. My last tabby of 14 yrs passed on recently due to an enlarged heart. Wondering if Bengals keep their claws retracted when playing around with adult people, is rather bold with visitors, reasonably vocal, and possess robust health. I'll look for your Top Ten ... Thanks |
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kaeli wrote:
In article , enlightened us with... I responded to the OP in alt.cats, but I reiterate advice here to read my 'Top Ten Reasons You Don't Want A Bengal'. I love them, but many people would not. I searched for that and got nothing (except other threads saying to search for it). Can you re-post? -- Oh good. You saved me some time. Yes, please repost *HERE*. Thanks |
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On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 19:15:23 GMT, "Philip"
wrote: Orchid: Thank you for your response. I will check alt.cats for your post and "'Top Ten Reasons You Don't Want A Bengal'. I'm NOT looking primarily for a handsome cat. I am looking for another *interactive* indoor only cat. Heh. Bengals certainly are interactive. They are great helpers around the house. Especially when one is doing dishes. They *love* helping then. My last tabby of 14 yrs passed on recently due to an enlarged heart. I'm terribly sorry. Wondering if Bengals keep their claws retracted when playing around with adult people, If taught to do so. Bengals, like any other cat, dog, or other pet, need to be taught bite and claw inhibition. My boys have never deliberately scratched anyone. They keep claws in (though there are the occasional accidents) and bite gently (we taught inhibition, not aversion though Bengals learn either equally well). is rather bold with visitors, The welcoming committee of my house is two 13 pound Bengals and an almost 7 pound moggy who thinks he's a Bengal. They have never met a stranger -- everyone is simply their new best friend. My boys are also therapy cats, and go to nursing homes and hospitals. reasonably vocal, That's something I keep meaning to add to the list. Bengals are talkative and have very distinctive voices. They are happy to carry on a conversation with you. and possess robust health. Responsible breeders are starting to test for HCM because it has shown up in the breed. Not in overwhelming numbers, but enough that good breeders are being careful. Other than that, it is a remarkably robust breed. I'll look for your Top Ten ... Please note that all of the traits I am talking about appear in well bred, well socialised Bengals. You *must* do your research and you *must* use a responsible breeder to get these traits. It's best to use a breeder who lives near enough to you that you can visit them and meet their cats. Read my Guide to Finding a Responsible Breeder too, and follow it. (it's in my .sig) Get on Bengals-L and start talking to people. I'll be glad to give you a hand too if you still decide you want one after reading the reasons why you wouldn't. If you're not dead set on a kitten, seriously consider Bengal Rescue or a retired show/breeding cat. Orchid See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid |
#10
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On Thu 21 Apr 2005 10:19:40a, Philip wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav hlink.net): Has anyone here owned a good Bengal or ... even a Bengal mix? I've met some Bengals at Jean Mills cattery in Covina (CA) and was taken by the handsome markings and their highly active nature. But I'd like to hear from those who have lived with one (or more) about their personalities ... specifically where box training and daily temperment are concerned as a house only cat. Thanks. Hi Phillip. I have a pair of 8 month olds that were found as tiny kittens with 2 others that look and act amazingly like Bengals. The male more than the female (female cats can have litters with more than a single mate) When I was told it was likely they are at least a mix, I was scared. LOL. I've read Orchid's articles and website, and the energy of these cats seemed like too much for me. However, its been a blast so far. Yes, both of them are mischievious (well, most kittens are anyway! ) but they do team up to get in trouble, too. They play in water and I tried an experiment with a kitchen sink partially filled with cool water and waited to see 1) if they'd find it (of course they would. I can't keep them out of the sink) and 2) what they'd do. Well, they both got almost completely in the sink playing in it. Got soaked! I tried this because they always try to get in my shower with me. Rhett plays fetch and I caught it on a short video: http://home.comcast.net/~shambondow/P2050008.MOV I can't keep them off of shelves, even if the shelves are full and look like they have no place to land; they ALWAYS find a place to land. In fact, I can't keep them off of anything they want to jump on. As far as being affectionate, they both are very affectionate. Rhett has the loudest rumbly purr I've ever heard and Scarlett is a total lapcat. But, she's also the most fearless of the two, ready to investigate anything and always the one getting in my way when I vaccum. I have 2 other cats, and when I chose these two from the litter of four found abandoned (by their mom, or she met with bad fate - she was apparently either a stray or a feral) I had one of my other two in mind. He is a wild boy, a bully, and needed a companion who could keep up with him, and wouldn't be easily frightened by his nature. These two fit the bill perfectly. Rhett and Shamrock wrestle and chase each other, while Scarlett tags along. My 4th is a former feral trapped in my yard and is easily spooked. She has totally bonded with Rhett, the likely Bengal (mix). I adore all of them. Here are pics of the kittens and the second link is an album just of Rhett that I sent to Orchid who said they (or at least Rhett) is likely at least part Bengal (I really need to get some new ones up!): http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shambo...r=1f98&.src=ph http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shambo...r=8768&.src=ph -- Cheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields |
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