Razzledots Bengals

Imagine having one of nature's most exotic wild cats in your own home! Plus, imagine this cat having the personality and size of large domestic cat -- much more practical! This cat, known as the Bengal, is a new breed of domestic cat developed and bred to preserve the exquisite beauty of the Asian Leopard Cat.

A Brief Bengal History
The Bengal is a distinctive feline hybrid breed. The foundation cats for the breed were created by crossing domestic felines and wild Asian leopard cats found throughout southeast Asia. The resulting hybrids are carefully being bred to create the exquisite Bengal, an exotic domestic cat that closely resembles its wild ancestors, and yet has the sweet and reliable disposition of its domestic cousins.

Bengal Characteristics
Females are 6-12 lbs. at maturity. Males are 10-18 lbs. when full-grown, with a few getting to 20 lbs.

Bengals display an extraordinarily soft, short-haired coat. Coat colors include brown spotted (dark leopard spots on a background ranging from grayish tan to golden red), snow leopard (off white or ivory with contrasting spots that darken with age) and marble (a dark swirling pattern with a horizontal flow) with a brown or snow background.

Many Bengals exhibit a very distinctive "glittered pelt" trait. Glittered pelts appear to be sprinkled with gold dust (snows sprinkled with silver) & have a shine and sparkle like no other, domestic or wild. Black tipped tails, black paw pads and intense facial markings that accentuate their expressive eyes and exotic head structure complete the package.

Kittens are spotted or marbled but go through a fuzzy stage between 6-16 weeks, just like the camouflage stage wild cubs go through. It can take up to a year for their extraordinary color to fully develop. By seeing the parents, you can get a good idea of the wonderful color and coat quality the youngster will have as an adult.

Bengal Temperament (Also Visit TIBCS for more information on Bengals.)
"Personality with Pizzazz" is the best description for the Bengal's personality. They are highly intelligent, affectionate, and curious cats. They enjoy the companionship of their families, other breeds of cats and household pets. While regular house cats grow out of the playful kitten stage, Bengals remain their distinctive playful personalities. They are very athletic and love water. (You will usually find a Bengal with at least one paw in the water bowl!) They have domestic litter box habits and have the same nutritional and immunization requirements as other domestic felines.

Prices are based on the overall quality of the individual kitten. Each kitten is evaluated at 4 weeks 6 weeks, and some as late as 10 weeks before a definite classification is assigned to it, pet show or breeder. Kittens go through many growth changes so re-evaluation is sometimes needed. We usually know early on as to the quality but every once in awhile, a slow kitten excels later or a kitten thought to be a show kitten just falls short. We therefore will adjust the price accordingly. If a deposit is placed on a kitten that develops better than we thought, the price does not go up. If the kitten develops somewhat less than expected, we will reduce the price.

The kittens that are closest to the Bengal Standard, have the best coloring and markings, conformation and pattern, are the most expensive. They will be classified as show or breeder. At times, we do sell the better ones at a discounted price if the buyer does not want to breed and agrees to spay/neuter their kitten. Kittens that are not quite as flashy for show but are outstanding in other qualities of the Bengal Standard are our breeder kittens. They may just have a rib bar that would go against them in the show competition. Our pet kittens are often as beautiful as the show kittens but may possess a fault that would render it "not showable", such as a tail fault. These awesome kittens are striking and beautiful examples of the breed, just not ones that should be bred, or shown.

The deposit (holding fee) is non refundable as the kitten is being specifically held for you. A change of mind can very often make it difficult for that kitten to be offered to another buyer who already has been told it is spoken for

What Type of Bengal is Right For You?
There are three categories you can choose from when making the right decision about which Bengal you want.

PET QUALITY - These are kittens from the same champion bloodlines that our show and breeding cats are from. They may have type, color, or spotted pattern that we are not using in our breeding program. These healthy, playful kittens will be an exciting addition to your family. These kittens would not be used as breeding cats and are required to be spayed or neutered.

BREEDERS - Breeder kittens have distinctive markings with strong contrast between pattern and background. The best Bengal personality traits should be present with extra genetic strength for improving the breed. These cats may have a minor fault that will keep them from the show ring but are otherwise an excellent example of the breed.

SHOW & BREEDING PROSPECTS - Show ring quality cats possess spectacular color, markings, and conformation and have the most exotic and wild appearance. Cats sold as a show prospect cannot be guaranteed a certain level of championship, but they will be of the highest quality. We are very selective about which kittens are show quality. There can be a wait for kittens of this caliber. Those with advance deposits get first choice on top kittens.

Note: Occasionally retired cats and breeders are available for adoption. These are young neutered cats (usually 2-4 years old) that have worked hard to produce and show well for Razzeldots Bengals. They are now ready to relax and become a part of your family, and be an affectionate, loving pet. These cats are available at reasonable prices to the right home.

How to Adopt a Razzeldots Bengal
It is always best if you can choose your kitten in person, but we will be happy to send photos to those of you farther away. Razzeldots kittens are ready for their new homes between 9 and 12 weeks of age. They will have been litter box trained, weaned and they will be eating on their own. Kittens can be chosen as early as 5 weeks and a deposit will hold your kitten until it is ready to travel.

We are happy to help you make arrangements to fly your kitten in the case of long distances.