Overview: We are located in Central Virginia and delight in sharing the joy of bengals. We hand raise a few litters each year, for the joy of doing so and in an effort to sustain and improve the breed for the next generation. We regularly show, attend breeding education events, and contribute samples to research. Our adoption fees/ requested donations help reimburse actual cattery costs.
Real People: There are many “scammers” out there, and adopters are wise to be wary. We encourage potential adopters to meet us at a cat show and validate our existence with other breeders and on the internet. Rest assured, all adoptions are in person. We do not ship nor work with 3rd parties.
What is a bengal? Bengals are athletic domestic cats with spotted or marbled coats.The International Cat association’s bengal “standard” includes but is not limited to:
- A broad, modified wedge head with pronounced whisker pads
- Small to medium rounded ears
- Wide set oval to round eyes (some of us strive for a nocturnal look)
- A fluid profile from forehead to nose tip
- A study, muscular body
- Thick tail
- An uncommonly soft/silky coat
- Spotted coat and stomach (white stomachs are an added plus.)
Brilliantbengal breeds only “stud book tradition” cats; our cats are not hybrids. We strive to produce a wild looking cat that mimics the leopard cat (pictured below) but is a suitable house pet.
Photo By Kuribo [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Is a Bengal Right for Me? All bengals have distinct personalities, however they tend to be more playful and curious than lap cat. There are a wealth of resources on the internet regarding the breed. If you are seriously interested but are unsure if a bengal is right for you, please send us an email and request a call. We are happy to have a frank conversation. We find the most salient question for potential adopters is whether their household is ready for a kitten. All kittens have daily play needs and many do best with a playmate.
Are Bengals Hypoallergenic? Bengals are considered hypoallergic; they are not non-allergenic. Our mildly allergic family tolerates bengals well but we cannot speak for yours. Smooth-coated glittered bengals seem to trigger fewer people than do snow and non-glittered bengals.
Why Brilliantbengal? Choosing a breeder is a major decision and we do not claim to be the best match for all adopter’s goals. We focus on big nocturnal eyes, spotted legs, active personalities, and meeting the overall TICA bengal standard. We aim for a wild look and rarely produce large “pancake” rosettes. We currently focus on browns and produce some mink, and lynx point bengals. We have one charcoal carrier and may produce charcoals in the future. We do not breed silver or any non-standard colors.
As a no-profit breeder, our requested adoption reimbursements tend to be less than most breeders. However, we do not offer 24/7 adopter support; our “staff” is our family, which has other non-cat obligations. We are also discerning with our placements. We will not approve an adoption that we believe unsuitable for either the cat or family.