Sounds like you found the TWO you need

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It definitely crossed my mind!
Luckily I didn't need to make that decision as his sister had been reserved already

Visited the other breeder today and I'm pretty sure I'm decided

Quick question that cropped up; how much does having a low 'f' number one I've seen is f4 and the other f5. Will they both show just as much as the bengal personality/intelligence?

Haha yes the lower the F# the closer they are to the Asian Leopard Cat. Mine are a F7 and F7+ I stopped trying to figure it out beyond that point! F4 is what generation a Bengal has to be to be a SBT, in other words one generation from an early generation cat!! You will have your hands full, and I know you have researched and want the "Bengal persoanlity" so I am positive you will get what you are asking for hehe!

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The higher the F number the more generations of SBT Bengal (not ALC) have been added into the mix.
You could think of this as ALC genes being ''watered down'' with standard bengal genes (domestic not wild).

Getting a cat closer to the ALC may sound desirable but it may not be (for you), ill explain why.
You can own EG (early generation) Bengals in the UK with a licence as they are considered ''wild animals'' and not domesticated by legislation. Laws in US vary by state as far as I know.

Early generation cats can be very intense (of course not all and they differ).
That means if that cat is a needy/clingy type they might be ULTRA clingy and needy if they are EG, to the extreme of bonding only with one person and hating (being stressed by) all others.
If a cat has a skittish/flighty personality and is EG they can be extreme in that regard and never learn to cope with loud noises outdoors, strange people, other animals ect.
EGs can be intense/extreme in any area (depending on individual cat) inc stress, territorial urges, spraying, aggression and so on.
EGs can have a much harder time settling into a home which is after all against their instincts to consider as a natural environment.
EGs can also turn out more balanced and adaptable to environment but that is not typically the case.
There are a few EG owners on this forum that could tell you more about them or share specifics of the particular EG cat they own.

If your kitten is coming from good lines and raised by a competent breeder then a higher F number should mean he/she will be more domesticated and less wild by character and therefore much more suited to living in a human home, bonding with several adults + kids + visitors and possibly other cats.

Please do not assume your Bengal will have ALL the traits you desire. For example, they do not ALL love water or are very vocal. Another misconception is that your Bengal will be very large. Some are and some are small.

I can't wait to see your Bengal baby once chosen

Lisa
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He's '8th generation' so F8 I guess, further off than expected but I'm going to take him as he's such a little softy.

Did you get any pictures? I'm sure he'll be wonderful.

Again, no word of HCM screening from this breeder.

Breeder I bought off (well, calls themself a breeder I mean) says parents are health screened. Yeah right! When I told her my two tested positive for TF and said she would have to test ALL twelve of her cats/kittens, she said as they're not showing any signs of it she's been advised by her vet to not get tested as she would most likely get a negative result. To say I am fuming is an understatement!

If anyone wants to pm me I'll happily give you the name of the breeder. I think it's extremely irresponsible

Lisa
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