Following on from the topic, of the fact that many ALC lines are unknown and many may in fact be extremely inbred, and the fact that many Bengal lines are also very inbred.
HCM is a problem in the Bengal breed, as it is in many other breeds of cat, probably due to the high levels of inbreeding, which has concentrated the gene. It may also be a problem in the ALC, as far as I am aware there are very, very few ALCs that have ever been scanned.

It is now too late to go back and screen the early foundation cats of Jean Mill as they are now dead, but it is not too late to start anew with the new EGs that are being produced now. Scanning and culling out those who are suspect and positive would be a great way forward for the breed.

Should those who are breeding EGs use the fantastic opportunity that they have to produce "new" lines be taking that on board and be producing new lines that are screened for HCM at all levels from the ALC, F1, F2, F3 to the SBT?

A very good point Elaine.

Ok not being an owner/breeder of EG's or having any ALC's I think that yes as a responsible breeder then ALC's/EG's should be screened for HCM. As you rightly pointed out the newer line ALC's from what I have been told have been inbred & I myself see this as a problem too.

I strongly believe & this is just my opinion that ALC's should be left alone & in the wild now where they belong. As been stated by many established long standing breeders the Bengal is now a breed in it's own right. Selective breeding is the key to bring out the traits that are needed. I think it is cruel to keep breeding EG's & using ALC's especially as more & more people are adopting them as pets. It's like the same old story because 'we' as humans want something 'we' carry on doing it & not always for the right reasons
This of course is just my personal opinion & I do appreciate that there are loving devoted EG owners & breeders out there but it's just something that I feel very strongly about & don't agree with.

I think for breeders not to HCM scan their ALC/ EG cats is a completely wasted opportunity for the breed as a whole. These breeders are at an advantage whereby they can start scanning cats from the earliest generations. This can only be beneficial for the future of the Bengal breed.

It is all well and good buying EG cats to progress a breeding program, or the breed itself for coat/pattern/type, but included in that progression should be the HEALTH of the breed above all else.

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Best Wishes,
Maddy

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Breeders of Bengals and Toygers. The first breeder in the UK to have Toygers. www.queenannecats.co.uk