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.

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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

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TICA – The International Cat Association, a registering body for purebred cats

Type/Typey – a cat that seems close to the Bengal Breed Standard