What the heck is that F for?
A look at F1, G2, G3, SBT and what they mean.
- F1 -
SummitBengals Ariel (F1) - Photo by Summit Bengals
F1
ALC x Domestic/Bengal This is most often a male ALC bred to a female SBT. Occasionally, domestic short hair cats are used, but the registration associations no longer accept these out-crossed Bengals for registry. Female ALCs have rarely been used in breeding programs because they tend to be very aggressively protective of their young. For the same reason, F1 females are highly prized when they allow human interaction with their young. |
- G2 -
LeopardsPride Shawnee of Nemera (G2)
G2 / F2
F1 x SBT Bengal This is most often a G1 female bred to a male SBT. Occasionally, the F1 female is bred back to an ALC to create high percentage F1s. Only female G1s are used for breeding because nearly all EG males are sterile. This is a problem directly related to hybridization. F1-G3 Males are almost always sold as pets because they will never reproduce. |
- G3 -
Nemera Visages Dior (G3) - son of Shawnee and Phenix
G3 / F3
G2 x SBT Bengal This is most often a G2 female bred to an SBT male. As stated before, some breeders use EGs to breed back to ALCs to get higher percentage Bengals. There have been a few reports of G3 males being fertile, but it is quite rare for breeders to find out if they could reproduce because most are neutered and adopted out as pets before reaching maturity. |
- SBT -
CH WildCatMagic Phenix Dior of Nemera (SBT)
G4 / F4
G3 x SBT Bengal (and beyond) This is most often a G3 female bred to an SBT male. A majority of F4 males are presumed to be sterile, as well, but F5 and higher seem to be producing well. All Bengals G4 and higher are considered SBTs. SBT can be G4 or G24 and any generation in between or beyond! If generation is important to you, be sure to ask your breeder. |
Bengals used to be referred to as F1, F2, F3, F4, and so on.
However, more recently (2020) Bengal breeders have started using the letter G to replace the F. The F was originally used to stand for the filial generation. Merriam-Webster defines filial generation as “a generation in a breeding experiment that is successive to a mating between parents of two distinctively different but usually relatively pure genotypes.” More simply, this term refers to the offspring of two different species that have been bred together. In the case of Bengal cats, this is the cross between Asian Leopard Cats (ALCs) and Domestic Cats. Therefore, the only generation which should be designated with letter “F” is the first or F1.
You may also hear this type of cross between species referred to as hybridization.
This is why Bengals are often called hybrid cats.
Bengal breeders and enthusiasts have moved toward using G (for generation) instead of F. Many still use F and G interchangeably. Generation 1 would be the first cross between wild ALC and the common domestic cat (or nowadays, a Bengal, in most cases). Collectively, F1-G3 Bengals are called early generation Bengals or EGs in reference to their close relations to their ALC ancestors. G4 and so on are called Stud Book Traditional Bengals or SBTs. Only Bengals at G4 and higher are considered domestic. This means that F1-G3 cannot be shown for conformation in any association.
It also means that there are regulations by governments around the world regarding keeping, selling, and transporting EG Bengals. In the US, import/export of EGs is treated the same as their endangered species relative, the ALC. Permits are required for import/export.
However, more recently (2020) Bengal breeders have started using the letter G to replace the F. The F was originally used to stand for the filial generation. Merriam-Webster defines filial generation as “a generation in a breeding experiment that is successive to a mating between parents of two distinctively different but usually relatively pure genotypes.” More simply, this term refers to the offspring of two different species that have been bred together. In the case of Bengal cats, this is the cross between Asian Leopard Cats (ALCs) and Domestic Cats. Therefore, the only generation which should be designated with letter “F” is the first or F1.
You may also hear this type of cross between species referred to as hybridization.
This is why Bengals are often called hybrid cats.
Bengal breeders and enthusiasts have moved toward using G (for generation) instead of F. Many still use F and G interchangeably. Generation 1 would be the first cross between wild ALC and the common domestic cat (or nowadays, a Bengal, in most cases). Collectively, F1-G3 Bengals are called early generation Bengals or EGs in reference to their close relations to their ALC ancestors. G4 and so on are called Stud Book Traditional Bengals or SBTs. Only Bengals at G4 and higher are considered domestic. This means that F1-G3 cannot be shown for conformation in any association.
It also means that there are regulations by governments around the world regarding keeping, selling, and transporting EG Bengals. In the US, import/export of EGs is treated the same as their endangered species relative, the ALC. Permits are required for import/export.
So, why does generation matter?
Three major reasons: cost, personality, and legality.
COST
EGs usually cost more than SBTs to adopt. Why? Because of the extreme difficulty of breeding and raising these cats to be loving, gentle, well-mannered household pets. ALL cats are different but SBTs are generally more naturally accepting of human attention and affection. EGs require a ton of desensitization to stimuli they will encounter in their new homes including other animals, new people, and loud scary monsters (like the vacuum). EGs tend to take longer to develop which includes proper litter box use and eating habits. Many EGs struggle to transition to whole food and to wean from mother. This means that breeders have to keep them longer to ensure they are ready to leave their mother. Bengals, like all cats, learn the most from their mothers between 8 and 12 weeks old. You should not adopt a Bengal from a breeder who is willing to sell them earlier than 8 weeks. Many EG Bengals need their mothers up to 20 weeks. Asian Leopard Cat cubs can live with their mothers for years while learning to hunt and survive on their own.
Personality
Personality is largely influenced by the parents but also depends on how the breeder raises the kitten and how the new owner continues to raise them. Some EG kittens are considered “throwbacks.” This means that they display many more wild tendencies than their siblings and require even more work to become gentle household pets. These kittens are often spayed/neutered as soon as possible and adopted out only to homes with lots of Bengal experience. EGs will generally display more wild-like behaviors. They can have litter box avoidance issues, as well as, be quite skittish even if the breeder has done all they can to prevent these problems.
If you want a well-rounded, happy and healthy kitten — research your breeder thoroughly. Ask them lots of questions and visit the cattery if you can. Watch the adult cats. Are they friendly and interested in you? Or do they hide and shy away from the breeder/you? A breeder should be able to provide you proof of health testing on their adults, as well. If you're uncomfortable for any reason, DO NOT BUY!
SBT Bengals are much easier to raise. They learn to use the litter pan and eat solid food for many weeks before EGs. SBT Bengal kittens are often ready to go home right at 12 weeks old whereas many EGs need to be retained to 16 or even 20 weeks. SBTs tend to be more handle-able from the beginning but still require socialization and desensitization. Again, the personality of the parents largely influences that of the kittens which is why reputable breeders selectively breed good-natured parents to produce the best offspring.
Legality
The last, but certainly not least, difference in EG vs. SBT is whether it is legal to own them where you live. Some states have outlawed the ownership and transportation of any Bengal cat G4 or lower. This means that if you were to purchase and import an G1-G4 Bengal in these states, it could be confiscated and even put to sleep by local law enforcement. It is very important to check your state and local laws regarding the ownership of hybrid cats.
A great source for finding out the legality of owning a Bengal in your state is www.HybridLaw.org.
If you want to know more about EGs vs. SBTs, contact us!
EGs usually cost more than SBTs to adopt. Why? Because of the extreme difficulty of breeding and raising these cats to be loving, gentle, well-mannered household pets. ALL cats are different but SBTs are generally more naturally accepting of human attention and affection. EGs require a ton of desensitization to stimuli they will encounter in their new homes including other animals, new people, and loud scary monsters (like the vacuum). EGs tend to take longer to develop which includes proper litter box use and eating habits. Many EGs struggle to transition to whole food and to wean from mother. This means that breeders have to keep them longer to ensure they are ready to leave their mother. Bengals, like all cats, learn the most from their mothers between 8 and 12 weeks old. You should not adopt a Bengal from a breeder who is willing to sell them earlier than 8 weeks. Many EG Bengals need their mothers up to 20 weeks. Asian Leopard Cat cubs can live with their mothers for years while learning to hunt and survive on their own.
Personality
Personality is largely influenced by the parents but also depends on how the breeder raises the kitten and how the new owner continues to raise them. Some EG kittens are considered “throwbacks.” This means that they display many more wild tendencies than their siblings and require even more work to become gentle household pets. These kittens are often spayed/neutered as soon as possible and adopted out only to homes with lots of Bengal experience. EGs will generally display more wild-like behaviors. They can have litter box avoidance issues, as well as, be quite skittish even if the breeder has done all they can to prevent these problems.
If you want a well-rounded, happy and healthy kitten — research your breeder thoroughly. Ask them lots of questions and visit the cattery if you can. Watch the adult cats. Are they friendly and interested in you? Or do they hide and shy away from the breeder/you? A breeder should be able to provide you proof of health testing on their adults, as well. If you're uncomfortable for any reason, DO NOT BUY!
SBT Bengals are much easier to raise. They learn to use the litter pan and eat solid food for many weeks before EGs. SBT Bengal kittens are often ready to go home right at 12 weeks old whereas many EGs need to be retained to 16 or even 20 weeks. SBTs tend to be more handle-able from the beginning but still require socialization and desensitization. Again, the personality of the parents largely influences that of the kittens which is why reputable breeders selectively breed good-natured parents to produce the best offspring.
Legality
The last, but certainly not least, difference in EG vs. SBT is whether it is legal to own them where you live. Some states have outlawed the ownership and transportation of any Bengal cat G4 or lower. This means that if you were to purchase and import an G1-G4 Bengal in these states, it could be confiscated and even put to sleep by local law enforcement. It is very important to check your state and local laws regarding the ownership of hybrid cats.
A great source for finding out the legality of owning a Bengal in your state is www.HybridLaw.org.
If you want to know more about EGs vs. SBTs, contact us!
