The Bengal Cat: a Domestic, Not So Wild Cat

Submitted by Iro
If you've ever dreamed of owning your own exotic wild cat, then adopting a Bengal can fulfill your wish without the inherent dangers of a real wild cat.
If you are looking for a cat that is truly unique in its look, take a peek at the Bengal Cat. A fairly new breed that originated in the United States, breeding an Asian Leopard cat with a domestic cat developed the Bengal. With its physical resemblance to its wild ancestor, the Bengal cat has all of the exotic beauty of a leopard combined with the pleasant gentleness and domesticity of your typical house cat. Originally, Bengal cat breeders wanted a way to preserve the exotic look of the Asian Leopard while developing a truly trustworthy domesticated cat, and when first exhibited in shows in 1985, the public's reaction was indeed overwhelming as they stared in awestruck wonderment at this absolutely gorgeous cat. Their spotted and marbled coats are truly a feast for the eyes.
This is absolutely the best way for people who love the look of exotic wild cats to own their very own domesticated version without the danger inherent in actually owning one of the wild exotic cats like a tiger, lion, or leopard. However, if you are considering cross breeding to create your own Bengal, importation of the Asian Leopard Cat is limited and guided by strict controls, so you are better off to just adopt one for an already certified breeder of Bengals. The first attempt at developing the Bengal cat was made back in 1871 when a Leopard cat was cross-bred with a domestic shorthair. However, the first breeding with the intention of creating a pet leopard was done in 1941 in Japan. In the United States, the effort to breed a Bengal did not take place until the 1970s, but this finally resulted in the Bengal that exists today.
These beautiful cats have fur that is a rich diversity of color and can have either leopard spotted or marbled coats with a background color of brown or white. Also, there is no other breed of cat in existence that has the pearl or gold dusting effect, making the Bengal cat look as though it has been dipped in crystal or gold dust. This glittering effect shimmers in the sunlight and is extremely beautiful to behold. Bengals also have tails that appear ringed with a black tail tip and spotted tummy. Its coat has the wonderful feel of silk or satin, and even the Bengal's voice is different from any other domestic cat as they can coo or chirp. And you would have no trouble giving your Bengal a bath, as they love to play in the water as well as somersault and jump.
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The Havana Brown: a Smoking Great Cat

Submitted by Iro
The Havana Brown cat may have gotten its name from a cigar, but its color and nature is more likened to sweet chocolate candy.
Although brown cats have been around for centuries, the Havana Brown Cat first appeared in Britain in the nineteenth century and was considered to be a part of the Southeast Asian branch of the Royal Cats of Siam. But all of the North American Havana Browns in can be traced back to two cats in Norwood, both of them imports. It was this particular breeding that produced the first Havana Brown to achieve Grand Championship status. These cats are just the feline to have if you are looking for an affectionate, sociable, intelligent companion. They have all of the sweetness and color of a bar of chocolate. Plus, Havana Browns purr so loudly that you could swear they are vibrating.
The Havana Brown cat is a medium-sized cat that is elegant and graceful, though also muscular, and it simply exudes a sense of power. However, picking one up for the first time may surprise you. For such a lithesome looking cat, it actually weighs more than you might expect, with the females running from six to eight pounds and the males weighing from eight to ten pounds. Their whiskers are also brown, but as they age, will eventually turn white.
Like the Rex breed of cat in Britain that obtained the Rex part of their names from a curiously shorthaired breed of rabbit, some historians believe that the Havana Brown was also named after a rabbit of the same color. However, do not tell a Havana Brown fan that. They prefer to think that the name came about because the brown color of the breed resembles the color of a fine Havana cigar. Regardless of where the name originated, that glistening mahogany-toned brown color is the perfect thing to set off their green, oval shaped eyes that are expressive and positioned lower on the cat's head than most other cats.
The Havana Brown is a highly intelligent animal that is often more dog-like than cat. They can easily be halter and leash trained, know their name, and also the meaning of the word 'No'. They are also perfectly at home riding around with you in your car, truck, or motor home and have no qualms about sitting next to you in a seat on an airplane. Do not be surprised if your Havana Brown reaches out with a paw and touches you to get your attention. Another thing they love to do is to run like mad, and then suddenly flop onto the floor right in your path, waiting for an expectant tummy rub. They adapt easily to just about any home environment as long as the attention and love is there. But like any animal, they should not be left home alone for too long as it can get very lonely for them. Naturally, you should keep your Havana Brown inside the house for its own safety and protection from predators and disease.
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The Norwegian Forest Cat: a Feast for the Eyes

Submitted by Iro
Norwegian Forest Cats are one of the most beautiful cats you can own, a virtual feast for the eyes.
Take a gorgeous cat that has a long, flowing coat of silky fur that you just love to touch but requires little to no grooming, and you have a Norwegian Forest Cat. These beautiful cats have bright emerald green eyes with a band of gold and possess a face with one of the sweetest expressions you will see on a cat. It all combines into such a lovely package that you just can't stop looking at them.
Used by the Vikings to protect their grain stores on both the sea and on land, these cats have explored the world over and it is believed that many of the progeny were left behind on the shores of North America. Another interesting feature of the Norwegian Forest Cat is that their look varies greatly between winter and summer. During the spring, they shed their luxurious undercoat with its downy warmth. But they keep the long outer guard hairs that don't tangle like the fur of most longhaired cats, and acts as a deflector against snow and rain, so that the difference in their coat from season to season can be quite extreme. They also have inner-ear hair ranging from three to four inches in length and curves out and around their ears. Not to be forgotten is their magnificent tail which, when fanned out to its fullest, can be as much as twelve inches or more.
Their color ranges from purest white to the darkest black with nearly every combination of coat pattern and color combination. The light colored cats had much thicker coats with lots of undercoat to keep them warm in the winter, while the darker colored coat, which absorbs the heat better, tends to be slightly thinner but just as glamorous.
The Norwegian Forest Cat's Norse name is skogkatt, which means forest cat. They are believed to have come out of the Scandinavian forests some four thousand years ago. These cats are considered to be one of the best people-oriented cats, but as in any animal, their personality will differ depending upon the kind of home in which they live and the type of handling they received from their owners. If handled and petted from the time they are kittens, they will respond accordingly. If you wish your Norwegian Forest Cat to get along with children, dogs, or other cats, it is best to expose them at an early age so that they are used to it.
Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/About the Author For more specific information on Norwegian Forest Cats, click here Norwegian Forest Cats, for more cat breed care and information on all types of felines visit our main site The Feline Cart