I am a dog person and bred Staffordshire Bull Terriers for many years. Previously, I never had the time of day for cats and was quick to boldly say I saw no merit in them, and even that I disliked them.....intensely!
However, if there is ONE breed of cat which has the capabilities to 'turn' a dog person it is the Bengal. My husband is the big time cat person and that is why we decided to get a cat but something very strange happened... I feel head over heels in love with this little kitten and, having grown up with cats, can honestly say he is nothing like any other cat I have ever known. One very slippery slope later I am a Bengal FANATIC and our entire, and I mean ENTIRE, house has turned into one big cat tree!
Plus we are currently putting in an elaborate outdoor enclosure and planning on adding another Bengal to the family. If you had told me such a thing would unfold 10 years ago I would have laughed in adamant disbelief at the very notion!
You know what? I still adamantly maintain that I am NOT a cat person, I am a Bengal person!
My eyes still glaze over when people start telling me about their moggies thinking that I now qualify as a cat person! This breed is so unique, intelligent and athletic. They are just spectacular and I could not be more thrilled or proud to have the pleasure of being owned by one!
In fairness I've only owned one Bengal for a considerably short period which doesn't quantify me as someone who can preach about the breed. However, our boy is very typical of everything we have read, he is every bit typical Bengal and unimaginably intense so I'd like to think I am slightly savvy to remark on the incredible Bengal experience!
Yes, our Bookoo is very dog-like in many ways, incredibly so, BUT at the end of the day he is NOT a dog by any stretch! He is a cat who experiences cat-like emotions, cat desires, cat instincts and cat body language and behaviour (and here I sit, a qualified canine behaviourist and professional horse handler, with a book next to me about feline psychology which makes me exclaim "WOW! I didn't know that!" with every turn of the page.) Being a dog person doesn't prepare you for the intensity of a Bengal despite the fact that they are the most dog-like cat there is. I was SO ignorant about cats before now and I learn something new every day.
While I think it would be unfair to say that nobody who works should own a Bengal, I do think they are the least suitable breed of cat to be left alone for long periods. Our little chap is a rascal and we have totally changed the way we look at our home. He gets into EVERYTHING, he pulls wires off walls, defies his size in terms of strength and can open heavy drawers to get out his toys, gets up into the highest areas imaginable to pull things down, moves everything that isn't glued down and goes into "crazy time" mode several times a day in which he gets that look in his eye and then flies round the house at speed performing gymnastic tricks that make the Cirque du Soleil look like a bunch of geriatric grannies in a pilates class! While he is the kindest person I am riddled with scratches from accidental pounces or scrabbles as he goes for a toy whilst in crazy mode!
We are obsessed about potential escape routes and have made many modifications to our home. It also doesn't bare thinking about how easily a well meaning friend/house cleaner/visitor can momentarily forget and leave a door open, or open a door they are not supposed to, not noticing the little flash of leopard lightning that quickly slinked out! Then there is the issue of danger EVERYWHERE. To Bookoo everything is a potential toy, or perhaps edible, and having reared Stafford puppies, little tanks of distraction, I can say I can't believe quite how intense he is in this area! He chews things to pieces (most cat toys are unsuitable, we've supplied him with a lot of dog toys) and we have to be so aware of what is left out as he WILL have it! I had hand soap in a hard plastic container and this morning there was goo all over the sink, and little bite marks in the hard bottle. I had left it out thinking it would be far too hard for his little jaws to wrap round and penetrate! FAIL!!!
Then there is the issue of how vocal they are, it would drive non-cat lovers to absolute distraction!
To be brutally honest I can't see either Bookoo or us being happy if we were to share one room with him. I can imagine being an absolute nervous wreck if I had a shared accommodation and expected everyone to be as diligent as myself at closing doors and being careful. Even
I left a door open (albeit an internal one, the stove was on and I didn't want him getting into trouble in the kitchen ) forgetting myself for a moment before rushing back white faced to close it! Though we keep our litter trays immaculate, it does smell awful when he poos and it would water your eyes if you were stuck in one room with him! Also, while Bookoo insists on being with us about 99% of the time, there is the odd occasion where he actually really appreciates his space and will go and spend some 'me' time in his furthest flung cat tree away from all noise and distraction.
Also, at age 23, sooooo much can change in your life, life style and personal circumstances. Not trying to patronize there but I moved out and got my first dog at 17 and just can't believe the journey I've been on since then and how I've changed as a person, my poor dog was dragged through a lot. Dogs adapt to change better than cats do, specifically uber sensitive-natured cats like Bengals, so that would be something to bear in mind.
I hope this was of some help to you! Good for you for doing your research! You will end up so much happier for it. Perhaps the best suggestion would be to look into cat breeds other than the Bengal? Of course there is what Miki said. If you are looking for dog-like characteristics in a pet then how about a small dog instead?
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