Hey there,

A year ago I didn't know much about bengals, and had never even heard of an EG cat! However, now I have an 2 EG cats as pets. This came about as when I went to visit the breeder she had a number of kittens available to home, and I saw these guys and fell in love with them in minutes of meeting them. It was only then I discovered that they were actually an F2 boy and an F3 girl. The breeder did ask me a lot about myself, my home life and work commitments whilst we chatted about the bengals and I was so pleased when she said she was happy for me to buy them.

6 months down the line I'm happy with my babies. They are no ordinary cats, and prove to be very demanding in their needs, however the rewards feel worth the effort.

My F2 boy Simba is a big sook! It is true to say that whilst I did fall in love with his "look" immediately, it was him who chose me. He clawed his way up my leg, put his face straight to mine and miaowed as if to say "take me home". I was in love! He has bonded well with me and my partner, and is amazing with my kids (Age 9 and 7 years) who love to play and torment the cats. Simba takes this very well and isn't at all shy or timid. He has a very girly/dainty miaow, but he is VERY vocal with this and answers all of my questions with a chirrup, miaow or a purr. He runs to me when I call his name and follows me everywhere. Simba is friendly to any visitors we have. I feel this is down a combination of inherited characteristics from his parents, and having come from a very experienced breeder who had him well socialised early on. He's landed in a busy house and has been used to lots going on. Yes, he can be a bit "mouthy" at times and will suddenly grab your hang with his teeth, but he's pretty gentle to be honest, and although this was something I was concerned about at first, he doesn't really put pressure on when he does this, he's just trying to get your attention when he does this, and if you are used to it then it's not a problem. And why would he sit on my lap when he can curl up on my chest/neck ... lol. He is quite a small cat, but is alway hungry and it is going to be a challenge to keep him a healthy weight as he isn't as athletic as I think he could be! I can carry him like a baby and he absolutely ADORES this! Simba doesn't really take a telling and mostly does what he wants about the place, but most cats do this anyway! In brief, he is the most loving, adoreable, pain in the backside, up in your face cat I've ever met, but he is trully awesome.

However, ONLY if you are able to commit to this kind of intensity should you consider an F2.

Much as this info is interesting , the problem faced here is that most of the truly bad behaviour in EGs happens when they grow up at 2-3 years of age. So whilst input from folks with young cats is not irrelevant then it needs balanced by those who own adults, as that is usually when the cat's behaviour changes. It can become truly challenging. Peeing and pooing outside trays, becoming difficult to handle, excessive noise and becoming very demanding plus or minus destructive behaviours too.
I think also there is a tendency for some to be proud that a breeder has "chosen" and "allowed" them to buy one of those cats, when in reality some breeders are just glad of the sale... Male EGs as they have no use in the breeding market can be particularly hard to shift for some breeders so any offer of a home is gratefully received. I am aware that some will pts male EGs, at birth, as it is the females that are the lucrative end of the market.

Lol Elaine reading many posts on here I do look to the future with a mixture of hopes and fears!

I'm going to be building a cat enclosure this summer - aiming to make it 6.5 metres by 3.5 metres so pretty huge I think, with trees to climb and plants (non toxic) to hide and chase about in! Hopefully this will satisfy the natural instincts my cats may develop over the years and keep the undesirable behaviour at bay.

Sounds fantastic. :)
I am sure they will love it.

Sc0tt,

While I do tjink you're a bit crazy to be seeking out EG insanity to bring into your life, I certainly won't give you flak or tell you you're wrong to do it :)

My personal beliefs are that it's quite wrong to produce them, BUT, I wouldn't want to revoke someone's right to do so, and certainly not your right to have one!

I think you should do what you want, within the bounds of your beliefs and morals.

My life with Maia drives me nuts - and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't have it any other way, nor trade her for anything. We're perfect for each other. And I think we'd better be, as I'm pretty sure no normal, sane person would put up with her craziness. I really do love her, and she really is completely wonderful.

Do be most particular about the breeder you select. Make sure they have backup plans for if your future kitty and you can't cope with each other. Don't stop at whether they do proper health screening, find out what they do when a purchaser of their kittens decides to get rid of the cat. I say these things NOT because I think you would, but because these things will be very telling a bout the breeder's morals and why they breed. Research the breeder on facebook or other social media, too. If it's a breeder with an ALC, find out if they do stud services for other breeders, and if so, how do they vet those breeders. Do THOSE breeders have the same morals, etc.

The breeder I suspect Maia came from used an ALC at another cattery. There were at least two F1 cats from at least one litter that went to an abusive home, and when the owner wanted rid of them, did not take the cats back. I personally consider both of these catteries at fault for irresponsibly producing animals, even though all one of them did was provide a stud service. So be careful and very thorough in your research.

Good luck on this journey - I hope you find what you want :)

Hi Scott

I am a breeder and pet owner of early generation cats. My oldest, an F2 is 7. I would be happy to talk to you about life with EGs and offer advice. You can't generalise about these cats anymore than you can SBTs all are different. My F2 is not loud at all and is one of my quietest cats but she has other quirks. Clearly I am not anti breeding of these cats :). I have bred and sold a handful and all have settled in well to their new homes and are loved adored and respected for what they are. Please do pm me if you have any questions or would like information about living with EGs.

Linda

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www.supernova-bengals.co.uk

Sent you a PM Linda, thanks for letting me pick your brain!

Linda has beautiful cats!!!!!!

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Lollo

EXTREMLY beautiful!!!!

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Some EG cats don't have great markings!! In fact it's not very often an EG has impressive markings IMO, there are a select few breeders that breed EG with amazing SBT blood lines and they produce alc like markings but an EG will never have the amazing rosettes that SBT cats have, just my opinion of course but it's almost as if the further they get down in generation the more impressive the markings. That is what selective breeding is for and what makes improvements in the breed itself.

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Those are beautiful babies! Like I said its a select few breeders that have egs with great markings! I can name 4 right off hand but I think it's more to do with their breeding selections. I also love the paw print/ arrowhead rosettes (my girl has that) but if we are honest the further away you get the more contrasted huge pancake rosettes are more prominent. Please dont get me wrong I love early gen cats and I personally think they are beautiful but when most people think of a bengal now they think of a cat with large black outlined rosettes. I think the smaller pawprint rosettes are more alc like and have a "wilder" apperance. The second kitten imo would be hard to beat as far as markings.

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Hey Sc0tt,

I saw your post on another forum too, and I just want to be clear -

I hope you don't think I've roasted you for wanting an EG cat. I mean, sure, I think you're crazy if you want one. But I'm clearly ALREADY well beyond crazy. So please don't take it as an insult :) I really DO think you should do what you want, within the bounds of your personal morals and beliefs (not mine, not someone else's, etc.).

Maia's insane, I'm insane, you might well be insane too. I hope if you are I'm in good company :)

Best,
Maia's crazy can opener