Bengal

Although Bengal cats are technically considered to be modern cats, their origins are tied to Asia. Bengals are the result of breeding an Asian leopard cat (Felis bengalensis) with domestic cats like Abyssinians, Egyptian maus, or American shorthairs. Created by Jean Sudgen Mills in the 1970s, he bred Bengals to have the personality of a domestic cat but the exotic appearance of a big wild cat.

Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 8 to 15 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 18 inches
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Long, lean, and wild-looking; well known for his big cat-like appearance; the coats can be stained or marbled and come in a wide variety of color combinations