As you seem to be pretty busy and haven't been able to handle the F1, I would strongly suggest that you stick to anything above an F3 bengal, if you have to get one. I really would avoid getting another cat from that breeder too, go to a more established, well known and respected breeder, one that let's their kitties run around with eachother.

I'm new to Bengals but i don't understand why anyone would want an EG let alone an F1 as a pet? It can't be anything to do with looks as there is nothing to say that a F9 etc can't look better than an F1, if it's to do with wanting a wild animal than i find that very sad and cruel.

I don't really even understand why breeders are even creating F1's, is it not cruel considering the problems that can arrise. I wasn't aware of any need to expand the gene pool of Bengals due to specific breed problems. I can only assume it's down to greed on the breeders part as they will be able to sell to people with more money than sense.

Exotics can make excellent companions -- I don't usually call them pets because they don't usually fit the bill for what society considers a "good pet." That said, I only support exotic ownership for people that know how and can care for them in the ways that they need.

I don't find it harsh that you think my comment is narrow minded i was just expressing an opinion that i don't understand why people want EG. I don't pretend to know much about Bengals or cats in general but i can't understand why someone would wish to keep an animal that is essentialy wild in a domestic environment. I am far from being a cat lover (i don't even like the majority of cat breeds, only Bengals, Siamese, Orientals etc) but i am comitted to providing the best care and conditions for my Bengal as possible (raw home made diet, outside enclosure etc). I find this post so sad on every level, the breeder clearly shouldn't be selling cats in such an irresponsible way & why the owner purchased it is beyond comprehension.

Just as you stated being selevtive about the cat breeds you like, a lot of people would go as far as to say its cruel to own pedigree cats because of all the shelter cats that need homes, or they would say that the cats don't occur naturally they are just like EGs/bengals.

i can totally see your point and understand what you are saying. Yes there are cats in shelters for one reason or another and your right it would be great if they could all be adopted, your correct & in a way i am being selfish in choosing a pedigree breed. But as i am happily comitted to providing a lifetime of care i'm hardly likely to choose an animal that i don't like (sorry if i offend anyone but it's the truth).

The real point of my arguement is that EG's are not considered as domestic pets so why can anyone who considers themselves responsible buy or sell them for that purpose. If someone has the facilities, knowledge, licence and comittment to keep wild animals then why not keep ALC's or Servals etc. The other point is why F1's are being produced and sold when there are plenty of breeders producing stunning kittens from much later generations.

I've spent a bit of time this morning looking at information about EG's and i find it very strange, i have viewed a few websites selling F1's - F3's and see comments by the breeders that they can make excellent pets and companions. I don't understand how a breeder can make this claim as the true behaviour of an EG only develops around 8 - 14 months. An f1 kitten could appear fine until it reaches sexual maturity but then you have a 50/50 chance whether it takes on the domestic or wild side of it's parents.

Classicsport

You are correct i have got my information off the net - mostly from responsible breeders sites. You state that you have experience with f1's yet your post last year was that you where interested in getting an f2 and you had kept Domestic cats until then. I don't see how this makes your opinion any more valid than mine formed from info on the net. Your post almost encourages people to believe an EG makes a better domestic pet, maybe it's comments like this that leads to inexperienced people having problems.

An f1 requires a Dangerous Wild Animal licence in the UK, now i may be missing something but that does not say domestic pet to me.

My intention wasn't to intentionaly offend anyone. I was merely expressing an opinion & asking why f1's are still produced (the answer to which has not been answered by the way). I didn't say breeding f1's is cruel, i asked if it was considering the complications that can arrise from breeding wild animals with domestic ones, i don't have to be a cat expert to understand this is not an ideal situation. I do find it cruel that someone would choose an f1 just because they want a 'wilder' looking animal without consideration of whether they can meet the needs of a wild animal), it doesn't take a genius to work out that a cat with 50% wild animal in it may not make a domestic pet or that any cat's personality may well change as it reaches adulthood. And yes i do believe that later generation cats look better than eg's when they are the result of carefully selected breeding.

Yup the UK requires that you have a DWA licence for F1 generation bengals in UK. There are a few breeders who have this gorgeous animals but they are knowledgeable, have experience etc.

I would suggest that before purchasing any other F1, that you gain experience with the bengal breed. Why not try an F2 or F3, then in a few years if you want to branch out, go for the F1.