Bengal cat vs Scottish fold cat

I was once torn between two breeds: Scots and Bengals. It sounds strange, but I often choose between opposites. For example, when looking for a dog, I was torn between Dobermans and miniature schnauzers! So, Bengals and Scots are also very close breeds... However, as it turned out, other people also sometimes face a similar choice, i.e. The problem is not that unique. And this is what I can say about this in general terms now that the choice has long been made.

Unique and unpredictable mestizos

Metis is the result of crossing cats of different breeds. Or outbreds. In general, any cats without a pedigree are called mestizos. They inherit the best qualities of their parents: endurance, intelligence, health. Among the mestizos, no two cats are alike. Each of them has a unique appearance. What purebred representatives of cat breeds cannot boast of.

Metis are the most common cat breed on earth.

Mestizos are very diverse. It is possible to predict the temperament and appearance of a cat only if it was born in a nursery or at home and the parents are known. The kitten inherits behavioral patterns from its father and mother. The character of mestizos depends on their upbringing and habitat. Life experience is what shapes the personality of a half-breed. If a mixed breed of an elite breed is raised and nurtured as an aristocrat, he will exhibit traits inherent in the breed. And when a cat has to fight for his life, all manifestations of character will be aimed at survival.

The history of cohabitation between humans and cats goes back more than 10 thousand years. In ancient times, cats were not distinguished into separate breeds. Depending on the region of residence, climate, and nutrition, they had different appearance and character traits. Later, with the development of navigation, it became possible to mate cats from different regions. Then the first mestizos appeared.

Felinologists were divided into two camps. Some breeders do not recognize mestizos as full-fledged cats and mercilessly cull them. Others, on the contrary, consider mixed cats smarter, more educated, more resilient than purebred cats and endowed with properties unattainable for aristocrats.

Mixed breeds do not meet breed standards, so they are not sold. Or they charge a symbolic price. A gifted kitten is believed to bring good luck.

Character and behavior

As for character, Abyssinians and Bengals have a lot in common. Both breeds belong to the category of cats with increased activity, if not hyperactivity. Infinitely playful, dexterous, mischievous and agile, like mercury, Bengals and Abyssinians require significant space for their cat races, wild jumps and climbing. You will have to play with them a lot and often - representatives of these breeds must spend their energy and realize themselves in hunting, albeit for toys, and not for real prey. Observing household members from above is a favorite pastime for both breeds, so you should equip them with a “top tower” and buy a tall cat complex.

But neither Abikis nor Bengals like to sit on the master’s lap or “in the arms” - this is not a royal thing, they are too freedom-loving! Cats of both breeds express tenderness towards the owner by following on the heels, purring loudly, affectionately butting, sometimes even lightly biting the person in a fit of emotion. When it comes to vocal abilities, Abyssinians are quite silent, while Bengals make a variety of sounds: from guttural meows to funny growls while eating.

Representatives of both breeds become strongly attached to humans and require a lot of attention and care. You should not leave them to their own devices for a long time; a bored Abyssinian or Bengal cat will definitely find entertainment that you are unlikely to like. They can easily turn an apartment upside down, destroy a kitchen cabinet, pull out and scatter things from a laundry basket, implement new design solutions in your interior by tearing off wallpaper, throwing dishes or flower pots on the floor... That is why it is important to take care that the Bengal and the Abyssinian was always company. Both breeds love shiny things and suffer from mild kleptomania, so the owner will have to be vigilant and not leave small objects unattended.

Another feature common to both breeds, but more so to Bengals, is a love of water that is unusual for cats. Splashing their paws in a deep bowl of water and catching light reflections on its surface is a favorite activity of Bengals; they can even play and swim with pleasure in a filled bathtub. Both breeds are very clean; as a rule, there are no problems with toilet training.

Aggression is not characteristic of either Abyssinians or Bengals, even despite their wild origin. Both breeds get along well with other pets and children, but much depends on the environment in which the kitten grew up.

Diversity of mestizos

All felinological associations prohibit mating between breeds. Each species has distinctive characteristics that disappear during uncontrolled reproduction. Belonging to a particular breed is determined by genotype and phenotype. That is, according to the set of genes inherited from the parents and external characteristics (body size, color, coat length, skull structure).

Maine Coon mixes

Officially, breeding Mei-Coon mixes is prohibited. In fact, there is no control over cat lovers. Unscrupulous owners cross Maine Coons with other breeds or ordinary cats. As a rule, culled individuals participate in such breeding. Serious breeders do not allow such animals to mate. Owners who purchase “defective” animals from nurseries are required to castrate or sterilize them. Large fluffy kittens are sometimes offered under the guise of purebred Maine Coons. Dishonest owners try to sell them inexpensively, explaining the discount for various reasons.

Maine Coon and Siberian cat mixes can be very beautiful

A purebred Maine Coon is expensive. Wanting to save money, cat lovers buy Maine Coon mixes in the hope that they will inherit the qualities of a purebred animal. Distinctive character traits of Maine Coon cats are:

• sociability, goodwill towards people, friendliness;
• calmness, balance;
• self-esteem;
• absence of pronounced aggressive habits;
• high level of intelligence.

In fact, a Maine Coon mixed breed cat and a purebred cat are completely different cats. Breeders worked for several decades to create and consolidate the original characteristics of the breed. Not a single mestizo will fully comply with the standards of behavior. It is impossible to predict what the character of a mature cat will be. As a result of illiterate crossbreeding, aggression may appear and poor health may occur.

British cat mixes

Uncontrolled crossing of the British cat with the Scottish Fold almost led to the degeneration of both breeds

Not everything is so simple with English cats. First of all, do not confuse the British Shorthair and the Scottish Fold. The breeds are related, but completely different. Scottish Folds (Scots) are descended from the British as a result of mutation of the ears. Strictly speaking, these are mestizos from crossing fold-eared cats with British ones. It took more than half a century for the Scottish Fold to gain independent status from a spontaneous breed.

In 2004, a ban was introduced on the crossing of Scottish Fold and British cats.

The appearance of a huge number of mestizos when crossing the British and Scots led to the gradual degeneration of both breeds. In 2004, a law was passed banning their mixing. For the same reason, in 2003 it was prohibited to cross Persian and British cats.

Mixed bengal cat

The Bengal cat is a mestizo who has become an aristocracy. This is a cross between a domestic and Asian leopard cat. To stop the barbaric export of exotic Bengals from their historical homeland, enthusiasts bred a stable breed with a wild appearance and gentle character.

Crossing Bengal cats with other breeds is prohibited by all felinological associations . Therefore, there are no officially recognized mestizos of this breed. That doesn’t stop owners who aren’t too scrupulous from pairing Bengals with other cats. As a result, smaller mixed breeds with inappropriate colors appear. The second generation completely loses the characteristics of the breed.

As a result of crossing the Bengal cat with other breeds, the characteristics of the breed are lost

Recently, the long-haired Bengal has been gaining popularity. With all the characteristics of the breed, they have long hair, a fluffy tail and a collar.

If earlier, in order to avoid damage to the breed, breeders of such kittens sterilized, now a long-haired Bengal cat is valued more than a traditional Bengal.

Persian cat mixes

Persians are considered the most common cat breed in the world. And in terms of the number of colors they have no equal. It is not surprising that there are a huge number of Persian cat mixes. The Persian-British hybrid has become widespread. A crossbreed with an ordinary domestic cat is often found. Among connoisseurs, mixed breeds of Scottish Fold (Scottish Fold) and Persian are valued.

Persian cats are used as a basis for developing new breeds

Persians are the progenitors of many cat breeds. The exotic cat is very popular. In appearance it is a Persian with short hair. Breeders do not stop there. Taking the Persian breed as a basis, they gave the world such cats as:

• Napoleon (a cross between a Persian and a Menchkin with short legs);
• Himalayan (Persian with Siamese coloring);
• Cherub (curly-haired Selkirk Rex with a Persian face);
• Tiffany (a hybrid with the Burmese breed, which has obtained unusually soft, silky wool);
• Iranian cat and Tonkaline (hybrids bred by adding genes of the Tonka breed);
• Alaskan snow cat (alliance of Somalia and White Persians).

Tested by cats

Having extensive experience in keeping cats of different breeds, I can confidently say that mixed breeds navigate dangerous situations much faster than purebred cats. Especially on the edge of life and death. Under these conditions, the natural instincts inherent in the genes awaken in half-breed mestizos. Elite mestizos activate the best survival mechanisms inherent in breeds.

There were two cats in our apartment at the same time - a purebred Persian and a cross between a Siberian cat and an ordinary domestic cat. The aristocratic Persian cat, despite his arrogant and proud disposition, unconditionally recognized the primacy of the Siberian Timokha. Although he was larger and two years older. Never approached the food bowl first. He allowed himself to be bathed only after he saw with what pleasure his Siberian brother took water procedures. Both cats were long-haired and required constant care. If the mestizo Timofey endured the combing process patiently and calmly, then in order to comb the elite Persian, he had to wrap his hands in a terry towel to avoid injuries from teeth and claws.

The diet was also significantly different. The Siberian mixed breed was an omnivore; there were no problems with feeding it. We had to develop a special menu for the Persian, taking into account the cat’s food preferences and the advice of the veterinarian.

Now I have a mixed breed of Maine Coon and an ordinary cat. Fluffy philosopher and intellectual fighter. I believe that interspecific crossing, especially spontaneous or illiterate, weakens and worsens the genotype. To obtain hardy, healthy and intelligent offspring, a rush of “wild” blood is necessary.

Types of cats

Types of cats artificially created by man, having fixed hereditary characteristics, are combined into breeds. The pedigree of a cat is confirmed by an official document - a “pedigree”, issued by a club that is part of one of the felinological unions. Each of these organizations has its own descriptions and criteria for breed recognition.

Siberian and Maine Coon mixed breed

According to these organizations, now in the world there are from 40 to 80 varieties of animal breeds related to domestic cats, mongrel cats and mestizos. Mestizos are the fruits of mating animals of different breeds. A mixed-breed cat and a male cat also belong to the mongrel category, but have the peculiar features of purebred animals. As an inheritance, a mestizo kitten receives the main qualities of its parents: health, endurance, intelligence.

Purebred toyger - mini tiger cat

Choosing a mixed-breed cat

Every cat is unique. But experts believe that by external signs - the shape of the skull, body structure, color and length of fur - it is possible to predict the character traits of a pet from a very young age. And even a predisposition to disease. Mixed breeds of elite cats inherit from their parents the appearance and behavior pattern characteristic of a particular breed. When choosing a mestizo, you should pay attention to the main phenotypes. Try to determine from them what character the cat will have and its future health problems.

"Marquise" phenotype

Short, black fur with white spots. The body constitution of cats is dense, while that of cats is thin. This phenotype is characteristic of short-haired European breeds. These pets have a stable, predictable character. They demonstrate their desires quite clearly. They try to manage the house and achieve their goal with affection or perseverance. They have good health. With poor nutrition, urolithiasis can develop.

Phenotype "Siberian cat"

The color is gray-striped. The coat is long with a thick undercoat. The body is loose or dense. The head is large, round, with a protruding muzzle. Confident, independent character. These animals are “on their own.” They skillfully put the owners in the desired place and show who is boss in the house. They accept affection solely of their own free will. They don't like it when they are bothered with attention. May experience digestive problems. Suffer from obesity, diabetes, urolithiasis,

Angora cat phenotype

Long or semi-long light coat. Dry, tender body. Elegant, light head. Having an independent disposition, they show miracles of devotion and trust in the owner. Sensing the weakness of the owner, they can show “savagery” and aggressiveness, defending themselves and protecting the territory. They need daily human contact. The owner is expected to be predictable and stable. Health is good. Problems with respiratory function and infections are possible.

"British" phenotype

The coat is dense and short. The head is round, large, with erect ears. The body structure is rough and dense. Tabby and blue-gray color. The tail is thick, with transverse stripes. Independent character. Showing displeasure, they can be stubborn and aggressive. These cats are not easy to handle. Touching is allowed, guided solely by one’s own mood. They often become “masters of masters.” Like all cats with a rough constitution, they have a tendency to chronic kidney diseases and obesity. And also, endocrine system disorders and chronic pancreatitis.

Phenotype "Persian cat"

The coat is long, silky, without coarse guard hairs. The head is round, the nose is flattened. The body constitution is rough or loose. They have an independent character and position themselves as a decoration for the home. They can be capricious and demanding. Persians and mestizos are often cut like a lion. Since long hair needs to be combed, and Persians do not like this procedure. Predisposed to diseases of the genitourinary system and upper respiratory tract.

Phenotype "oriental cat"

A cat with short, delicate fur. Thin, dense skeleton with developed muscles. The body is elongated. Quite heavy with an elegant appearance. Light, graceful head. Large or medium movable ears. The color is varied: spotted, solid, striped, color-point, tabby and others. Due to their focus on the owner and the need for constant communication, they are called “cat-dogs”. Orientals have irrepressible energy. Need active games. If energy is not used, obesity may begin. They strive to restore order in the house. Health is quite good. They may have digestive problems and infections.

Phenotype "Thai cat"

Semi-long or short coat of characteristic colors: blue point, seal point, lilac tabby point, lilac point. The head is round. Eye color is blue. Strong, graceful cats with a dense, but not coarse constitution. The character is even, non-conflicting. The behavior model is close to that of a dog. They need constant contact with the owner. They are acutely aware of his mood swings. Empathizing with the problems of the owners, they can get sick. They are very persistent in achieving their goals. They achieve their goals not through arrogance and aggression, but through persistence and affection. Health is quite good, but they are susceptible to urolithiasis and slow infections.

Taking into account the external signs of the pet, it is possible to predict the future character and behavioral model. Take measures for proper education and prevent possible diseases.

Reviews from owners of mixed-breed cats

People pay a lot of money for purebreds in order to brag about it to their relatives or friends. Or people buy expensive animals with the prospect of making money on it, for the purpose of further breeding and resale. As for intelligence and ingenuity, it’s possible! After all, breeders develop cat breeds not only based on the external qualities of the breed, but also on the internal ones: mental stability, aggressiveness, ability to train, etc. It is difficult to judge, because in one litter of even the most thoroughbred there can be different specimens with different psychos. qualities. The same can be said about mestizos. My opinion is that all cats are almost equally smart and smart. Everything will depend on the conditions of their detention and, of course, the actions of the owner (training).

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Is it worth buying a half-breed kitten?

Most owners prefer mestizos not because of their external features, but because the price is lower than for a purebred cat. It is also believed that if the baby has purebred parents, then genes will appear in the kitten. However, in most cases this opinion is erroneous.

Half-breed is an unpredictable pet

It should be understood that a half-breed is not the same thing as a purebred cat. No one can ever guarantee what a kitten will look like when it grows up and what its character will be like. The reason is precisely that purebred Maine Coons are freedom-loving, and even the British gene cannot correct this.

The correct approach to breeding is also important. Irresponsibility can result in a mixed-breed kitten becoming aggressive, sickly, or mentally unstable.

Advantages and disadvantages of a crossbreed

The positive aspect of such half-breeds is their low cost. Most mestizos are friendly and sociable, but there are exceptions. Another advantage is flexibility and affection for a person.

Also, the Maine Coon gene has a positive effect on the intelligence of a cat. Such animals understand and remember commands well and quickly get accustomed to the tray.

As for the disadvantages of mestizo, first of all it is the loss of a thoroughbred pedigree. In this case, there can be no talk of any exhibitions. In addition, if a male and a female of a smaller breed are crossed, there is a risk of death of the mother due to the birth of a large fetus.

Important! If a person nevertheless decides to get a crossbreed, it is worth contacting an experienced breeder to rule out problems with the health and psychological state of the animal.

Care and maintenance

To properly care for a mestizo, you need to know from which parents he was born. If several varieties of purebred genes are mixed in the kitten’s blood, then the best adviser on keeping the animal will be the breeder, who will tell you what nuances you need to pay attention to.

How to determine the age of a kitten: basic methods and calculation options

If the animals do not require special care, then standard procedures are carried out:

• inspect for fleas;
• get rid of all parasites;
• get vaccinated;
• carry out sterilization.

Cats have their teeth and ears cleaned and their fur combed once every 10-14 days. Bath felines if necessary.

Additional information: Cats can suffer from a variety of infectious diseases. The most dangerous are: rabies, feline distemper, calcivirus, coronaviruses.

The appearance of vomiting, diarrhea, and ulcers on the body should be an immediate reason to contact a veterinary hospital.

Hybrid kittens of the Russian blue breed

Mestizo nutrition

Animals are not fed what humans eat. The dishes may contain products, the excess of which will be harmful to animals. It is rational to use special food for cats that contains the vitamins, minerals, and trace elements necessary for animals. Boiled meat, fish, vegetables, and low-fat milk are added to them. Cats should not be given sweets, smoked or salty foods.

Water is an integral part of food for animals. It must be clean, non-chlorinated. It is better to use drinking purified water. The dishes from which cats eat should always be thoroughly washed, and they should be boiled or disinfected at least once a week.

Recently, cat breeds have changed a lot, so the appearance of all kinds of crossbreeds has become commonplace. Some of them have body features and coat color that have become very exotic and unusual. Those who like to modify animals should always remember that animals are loved not so much for their appearance, but for their gentle purring and unobtrusive presence.

Comparison of mestizos and purebred kittens

To compare the characteristics of purebred representatives and half-bloods, it is worth considering the following table.

Maine Coon kittens: polydacty and classic

Polydact kittens are special representatives of this breed that have a natural mutation. It does not occur so often and can occur in 50% of cases, provided that one of the parents had a similar gene.

For your information! The mutation appears as an extra toe in a cat. This does not in any way affect the development and activity of the pet’s life, and for some breeders it is even an elite branch of the breed.

Description of polydact cats

In most cases, the polydact is the larger representative of the breed. Taking into account the mutation, the size of the paws is much wider; they look like mittens. Animals with the mutation begin to walk later because they have difficulty adjusting.

What do polydacts look like?

The joints and ligaments of such cats are much stronger. Also, individuals are much stronger in terms of health, they are considered more balanced. The color of the skin does not have any differences from the usual one.

Currently, polydactyly is considered one of the breed manifestations. Mutation is divided into two main types:

• preaxial - extra thumb;
• postaxial—extra little finger.

The first type is considered more common. Very often, the mutation appears only on the animal’s forelimbs. Experts also divide polydactyly into regular and irregular. The latter include representatives of the breed who have physical underdevelopment or problems with movement.

Note! According to historical data, a similar mutation appeared as a result of crossing cats with raccoon dogs. The gene penetrated and became established, later appearing in different species.

Who are the Scots?

The Scots is a breed that includes four varieties: Scottish Straight (short-haired straight-eared), Scottish Fold (short-haired fold-eared), Highland Straight (long-haired straight-eared) and Highland Fold (long-haired fold). You could say that this is the complete opposite of the Bengals. It's easier to present the difference in table form.

Comparison: Scots vs Bengals

CHOOSE A KITTEN

Mestizos scam

Those wishing to own a Maine Coon should beware of unscrupulous owners. They can easily sell a furry baby under the guise of a purebred and keep silent about its true parents.

How to buy a purebred coon

First of all, if you need a purebred cat, you should ask for a pedigree. This is not just a piece of paper, but a document that the cat really belongs to the declared breed and is not a crossbreed.

Where is the best place to buy kittens so as not to buy a mixed breed?

Real purebred kittens are purchased from official nurseries or from trusted breeders.

Important! You should not be fooled by the offer to take an unplanned kitten for a lower price. Pedigree cats are bred strictly and in accordance with the established mating plan.

A purebred kitten cannot be cheap

As you can understand, a half-breed kitten is not uncommon, and in itself is not something bad. If the breeder does not intend to show the animal at exhibitions, he may well purchase a pet at a very reasonable price.

Price and nurseries

Abyssinian and Bengal kittens for sale are not uncommon these days; there are plenty of nurseries dealing with both breeds in Russia. Show-class kittens, which will have a show career and several years of breeding, will cost much more than kittens purchased as pets - this is true for both breeds. The price tag for the best representatives of the Abyssinian and Bengal breeds starts from $700 (about 45,000 rubles). On average, Bengal kittens are more expensive than Abyssinian kittens; the price for a show-class kitten can reach $4,000 (255,000 rubles).

Sometimes nurseries offer for purchase kittens with minor color defects: residual stripes in Abyssinians or insufficiently high-quality rosettes in Bengals - the price for such kittens is reduced. It is also often possible to buy adult individuals bred from breeding for a symbolic amount - by purchasing such cats, you can save a lot, and at the same time you will have a young, healthy, pedigree animal.

We wrote about how and where to buy an Abyssinian kitten in this article.