Breeding Philosophy
BENGALS-R-US is a small, selective breeder dedicated to improve the Bengal breed by offering only show quality kittens to the public, whether they are used for breeding, show or as pets. We are very thankful to Gene Ducote of GOGEES cattery for providing us with our championship breeding stock, which includes their much revered champion stud Nairobi Rusty Rosette who she decided to retire in 2000. Gene's mentoring, along with D.Velasco (DJBengal cattery), has helped us to avoid costly mistakes that could set a breeder back several years. We are also, naturally, very grateful to GOD who has provided The Way for us to achieve our heart's desire. Our breeding philosophy is simple - one litter at a time, in our home, without cages or any other segregation method which could make this exciting breed revert back to its primal instinct of reclusive survival. Only constant handling, from birth, will assure loving, well adjusted Bengal kittens and cats. Although pedigreed Bengals must be 5 generations from the foundation Asian Leopard Cat, the ideal Bengal has approximately 25 % wild blood according to Jean Mill, the breed's originator. This is what sets it apart from all other pure - bred cats, most of which have a background of 4000 or more years of domestication. Still, even a litter of common Tabbies, if not handled will quickly become feral. This is why we feel that, today, with such excellent homozygous breeding stock available, it is much more challenging to produce Bengals with a charming mix of friendliness and countenance toward humans while keeping their natural "wild" spirit and superior intelligence and agility. This is why early and intense human bonding is so very important, and our goal in creating that perfect pet and cherished family member for all our customers, not just the recipients of the cutest, prettiest or most friendly kittens in the litter! Colors & Markings
The Bengal breed is quite unique, in that almost regardless of their bloodline, they predictably throw off two distinctly different patterns to their young - spotted and marbled. The spotted is easily recognized as stemming from the brown spotted Tabby, one of its two progenitors. Sleek in appearance with leopard type spots, ideally they are rosettes and, while not nearly as sharply contrasting as the Leopard's exquisite spots, very striking none the less! The marble's markings are so exotic looking they gives pleasure to the senses, maybe even more so than the spotted. Its origins are somewhat enigmatic, however, in that they do not strictly resemble the Asian Leopard Cat's markings. Ms. Jean Mill, the Bengal breed's recognized originator, acknowledges this in the forward of her excellent treatise, Breeding Better Bengals* "Especially we need more information about (the breed's) disease resistance and how the lovely swirls and colors of the Bengal's marbled pattern is determined." At any rate, the marbling would make excellent camouflage in the wild because it is ideally a random mosaic design that would blend into any background. The alternating black and brown swirls in show-quality kittens change as they mature, into a tricolor array because the large black fields dramatically lighten in the centers to various shades of tan- very exotic indeed! Tummies should always white with small black spots and a black tail tip. Other color variations can be had (i.e. snow, blue, silver, etc.), originating from mutations over the years, but the foregoing is considered standard. * Mill, Jean S. Breeding Better Bengals: Facts, Fallacies and Fascinations 1995 available directly from Millwood Bengals Kittens A word about kittens - they all too quickly become cats and you'll be living with your adult cat for 12, 14, 15 or more years whereas kittenhood is only 6 month or so. Therefore pick your kitten according to its looks but remember, all the littermates will generally have their parents good looks and excellent disposition. It is our policy to give first, second and third pick of the litter only by reservation - deposits accepted! Priced according to color and pattern quality, and deliverable after 8 weeks old.

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