ALC- Asian Leopard Cat, the cat that our Bengals are derived from
AON, BON, CON - these terms are used for breeders using and outcross (seeing outcross below) and will appear in the registration number of these cats
A= first generation outcross from two cats from different breeds
B= second generation outcross with at least one non-Bengal grandparent
C = third generation outcross with at least one non-Bengal great grandparent
O - means outcross and that there are no unknown or unregistered cats in the three-generation pedigree
N - means non-permissible. While an outcross can be registered, it cannot be shown.
APb - this gene comes from the original Asian Leopard cats that our Bengals are derived from. A refers to the agouti alleles, Pb is the abbreviation for the scientific name for the Asian Leopard Cat, Prionailurus bengalensis.
CFA - Cat Fanciers Association, a registering body for purebred cats
COI- Coefficient of Inbreeding, this number measures the degree of relatedness or genetic similarity within the breed or among individuals
EG - Early Generation, this refers to a cat that Is earlier than a fourth generation or SBT (see SBT below) cat. They include F1, G2 and G3 cats (see F1 and G2 below). They are 1, 2 or 3 generations away from the wild Asian Leopard Cat
ESN - Early Spay and Neuter
F1- This is a hybrid cat produced from a wild Asian Leopard Cat and a Bengal
F2- This is a cat produced from two F1 Bengal Hybrids. This is NOT common n the Bengal breed as most males that are F1, G2 and G3 (sometimes later generations) are sterile and CANNOT reproduce
Filial - Denoted by “F”. The first generation from the parental generation that are of two distinctly different parent types in the case of an F1 this is an ALC and a Bengal.
FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a viral disease that derives from a type of corona virus
FIV/FeLV - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia Virus. Both are viruses that impair the immune system. FeLV can result in certain types of cancers
Fuzzies - is when a kitten goes through a period where their coat looks less contrasted and fuzzy in appearance. This usually starts around 4 weeks old and could take until 12-16 weeks to clear it.
G2 - Generation Two. This represents a cat that is the product of an F1 ALC x Bengal HYBRID and a Bengal. This is commonly termed as an F2 but is incorrect as an F2 can only be produced by two F1s and generally most F1 males are sterile.
Glitter - a sheen found on the hair shaft that shimmers when the pelt is exposed to light
HCM - Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that can only be identified by an echocardiogram (heart screening) by a board certified cardiologist
Mascara - markings that appear as streaks on the cheeks of the cat
Outcross - the product of a Bengal bred to a another breed like American Short Hair or Egyptian Mau to produce a cat with the end goal of a cat that is more diverse and less related to the rest of the breed among other benefits
Pedigree - Similar to a family tree. It documents a cat’s parents, grandparents, great grandparents etc.
PFS - pure for spotting. This cat does not carry the genes for marble.
PK-def - Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency. An enzyme deficiency that results in anemia. not to be confused with PKD
PKD - Polycystic Kidney Disease. An inherited disorder that eventually results in kidney disease. Not to be confused with PK-def
PRA-b - Progressive Retinal Atrophy. An eye condition that results in blindness
Rosettes - a type of coat pattern that is a a circle with a dark outline with the inside color typically being a different color than the background pattern and the outline color
SBT- Stud Book Tradition. This is a purebred cat that is at least four generations away from the wild Asian Leopard Cat
SLP - Seal Lynx Point
Snow - an umbrella term for seal lynx, mink and sepia colored bengals
Spots - a type of coat pattern that is a solid filled in circle or organic round shape
Tarnish - a red, yellow, orange or brown coloring on a silver cat. Think of tarnish on silver silverware. You don’t want it
TICA - The International Cat Association, a registering body for purebred cats
Type/Typey - a cat that seems close to the Bengal Breed Standard