Which wild cat was crossed with domestic cats to create the Bengal cat breed?

The Asian leopard cat was crossed with domestic cats to create the Bengal cat breed.

The Asian leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis, is a small wild felid found across parts of Asia. Bengal breeding programs used it with domestic cats to produce a companion breed with a spotted or marbled coat resembling that of a wild cat but with a domestic temperament.

Jean Mill is widely associated with developing the modern Bengal breed. In the 1960s and 1970s, breeding work combined Asian leopard cat ancestry with domestic cats, including breeds such as the Egyptian Mau, Abyssinian, and Siamese in later development. The name “Bengal” comes from the Asian leopard cat’s scientific name, not from the domestic breed’s exact place of origin.

Early-generation Bengals may retain more wild behavior and are sometimes described by filial-generation numbers. Later generations are generally treated as domestic pets. Their glittering coats, rosettes, and athletic build make them visually distinctive, but a Bengal is not a miniature leopard.