Some of the "wild" imitators, such as the Ocicat and the Egyptian Mau, came upon their looks quite naturally. Others, such as the Bengal and the Savannah, had more human intervention by mating domestic cats with wild cats, such as the Asian Leopard Cat and the Serval.
If you long for the look of the wild in your home, but believe, as I do, that the big cats belong in the wild, one of these domesticated breeds might give you the best of both worlds. Please join me in learning more about these remarkable breeds that share the wild look.
American Bobtail
Unlike "manufactured breeds" which were planned and carefully engineered to achieve the look of the wild, the American Bobtail is the result of the careful development of a naturally-occurring genetic spin. In the case of the American Bobtail, the breed originated with a with a male brown tabby kitten with a bobtail found on a Native American reservation in the late 1960s. The couple who found the kitten raised him and later bred him to a longtail female. The subsequent offspring formed the foundation of the American Bobtail breed. Contrary to its rugged appearance, the American Bobtail is not a "wild" cat, but descends from naturally occurring bobtailed cats found in the wild. Despite the similarity in names, there are no American Bobcat genes to be found in the American Bobtail.
More on the American Bobtail:
- American Bobtail Breed Profile
- More Profile Information
- American Bobtail Breeders
- American Bobtail FAQ
- American Bobtail Photo Album
Bengal
Cat lovers who long for the look of the wild immediately adore the Bengal. What's not to love about this sturdy, highly intelligent, sometimes comic, but always graceful, incredibly handsome cat? The Bengal is a marvelous tribute to the dedication of the pioneers who developed this breed, by crossing the Asian Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis) with selected domestic cats. Although the more conservative CFA does not recognize the Bengal (no "wild" stock allowed in its show rings), the Bengal area is always one of the most popular at T.I.C.A., U.F.O., A.C.F.A., and I.C.E. shows.
More on the Bengal:
- Bengal Cat Breed Profile
- Bengal Photo Album
- Bengal Breeders
- Bengal Rescue Network
- The International Bengal Cat Society
- The International Bengal Breeders Association
- More Bengal Information
Suggested Books About Bengals:
- Bengal Cats: (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual) Compare Prices
- Bengal Cat (Pet Love)Compare Prices
