Bengal Cats or other breeds - Info/advice?

[Linda (Bengalbabe)]

LOL Susanne still 11 

My experience ..............bengal cats are very high-energy, intelligent, and curious, and I have found very interactive with their humans.  They just love to be in the middle of whatever I am doing including following me around the house for most of the day. Whilst  friendly with very distinctive personalities, I would not typically describe the bengal as a lap cat (there are exceptions, but mine prefer lots of playing to being stroked and held like babies.) Thats not to say they are not incredibly loving, take it from me I feel adored 

Their activity and play requirements are fairly high and they are best with another high energy cat.  I have heard of people who work a lot coming home to some destruction because they have left a bengal lonely and bored.  Clearly not an issue in my mad house but  would def recommend thinking about a  playmate and preferably one with the same high energy requirements.

They are not for everyone but in the right hands these babies are wonderful 

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Have also been looking at British Shorthair and Maine Coon - any info or advice on those would also be much appreciated!
Hope you can help 

3 very different breeds there!  Bengals can be very lively and aren't for the faint hearted.  As others have said, there are a few bengly slaves on here.  Then there's Linda - with 11 (at last count) of them!

British shorthairs are generally pretty laid back and much more placid than Bengals and, activity wise, Maine Coons are probably somewhere in between.

2 of those breeds are also shorthair while the maine coon is a semi long haired breed.  So I suppose the 2 crucial things to decide are whether you prefer long, short or medium length fur and (most important of all) what kind of personality you are after.  The more slender cats (think siamese at the extreme end of the scale) are generally lively and full of trouble, while those with a cobbier build (persians, exotic shorthair, british shorthair) tend to be more placid.  There are exceptions to all rules, of course.

Then of course there's your humble moggy who comes in a variety of colours, fur lengths and purrsonalities! 

I have a Somali (would recommend to anyone) and an equally gorgeous moggy 

[Gwen]

before I decide which breed of cat would best suit me and my home as I have never had a cat before.

Dont forget about Heinz 57's they are great and good for first time cat owners too 

Thaught you were talking about baked beans then

I have never been fortunate enough to own a full pedigree cat,we have always had moggies,we think Pwt our bridge babe was part Bengal but not sure,maybe somebody could help clarify this for us?  She was problably a moggie but she hated being on your lap plus she could meow for wales

heres a pic of her   We miss her so much and shes been gone nearly 2 years



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[tasha]

Maine Coon are big loveable lumps

I have a boy who is 3 on Christmas Day.  Max is not fully grown yet I don't think and weighed about 7kg the last time he was at the vets.  He can hurt when he head butts you.

His coat needs to matt as I don't seem to be combing it thoroughly.  He has been to the vets to get a good trim to tidy him up.

Agree, the good old moggies are just as good if not better than pedigrees, I have got three girl moggies.

[Millys Mum]

before I decide which breed of cat would best suit me and my home as I have never had a cat before.

Dont forget about Heinz 57's they are great and good for first time cat owners too 

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

Have a look at this site .... it gives a good description of most breeds / personalities and characteristis:

http://www.catsinfo.com/profiles.html#breeds

FYI .. Bengals are quite "full on" and vocal.  They also aren't known as "lap cats". 

[Team Svartalfheims]

Maine Coons are big cuddlebums from those I have met 

[Tiggy's Mum]

Lots of Bengal slaves owners on here - Linda has 11, Felix 3, Sheryl 2, Gail 2, Dawn F 1 - hopefully they'll be along soon enough  I'm just an admirer 

[Sabrina (Auferstehen)]

Linda (bengal baby) has about what, 10? 11? Bengals (pictures in the our cats section)...

She'd be the best for advice.

[pinky]

I'm researching different cat breeds to try to find out as much as possible about them, before I decide which breed of cat would best suit me and my home as I have never had a cat before.

Does anyone have Bengal cats as pets? I was wondering how active they are, whether they are suited to all day workers (I would be having 2) and just looking for general info about their personalities. I have researched on the internet, but don't know anyone personally who owns one and would like to know a little more from people with experience.

Have also been looking at British Shorthair and Maine Coon - any info or advice on those would also be much appreciated!

Hope you can help