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How I discovered the beautiful Bengal breed

Since moving to France from England in 2007, my partner and I have adopted and re-homed several abandoned cats and kittens.Having enjoyed raising, looking after them and in some cases, finding them good new homes, we decided to begin breeding cats. One day, while sitting in my Vet’s waiting room, I read a magazine article about the incredible leopard-like Bengal breed. It was love at first sight, so reading and research began to find my own Bengal cats.

Our first encounter

From Glitterglam cattery in the UK, we imported 3 wonderful Bengals. All three are brown rosetted (spotted) Bengals and all with "the glitter". After several months of research and getting to know the cats as well as showing/exhibiting the cats at International exhibitions, they are now breeding successfully and kittens are due in July 2010.  Please see our kitten page for more details.  More information about the origins and development of the Bengal breed is on our The Bengals page and many websites are dedicated to the Bengal breed. We have learnt a great deal about Bengals, through books and other sources and though study of the Bengal breed standard. We have also learned about the show ring and judging through exhibiting.  All three cats have gained Excellent 1 certificates from  France's leading cat body, LOOF. We are very proud of our gorgeous male, Taj Zafraan, winning Best of Breed at Tours as well as being Proposed Best in Show twice, at Tours and Gien.

Our Bengals

Our Bengals have impeccable pedigrees with ancestors from world famous breeders such as Millwood, Gogees, Akkers, Brockenmoor and Azanabengals. Many Supreme Grand Champions feature in their pedigrees. Moreover, they have the superb Bengal temperament which makes a Bengal the perfect household companion; easy to train, quick to learn and responsive. All three are registered with LOOF (in France) and TICA worldwide.

Home and Care

The cats live in a purpose designed luxury cattery that has been built in a converted barn just a stone’s throw from the house and they also spend time in the house. Mothers to be are moved into the house for the births and stay with their kittens in the house. They are played with and made much fuss of. Veterinary care and vaccinations are paramount. We have an excellent Vet who has cared for our dog and other cats and now cares for the Bengals as well.

Our location

Jhalakana Bengals is situated in the heart of France, in Indre, about two hours drive south from Paris and close to the A20. We are English but France is now ‘home’. We have many friends who are enthusiastic about the Bengal. We speak and read French reasonably well although most preliminary enquiries and questions can be handled via email.

Breeding in France

I have an Attestation de Connaissance de DRAFF for Animaux de Compagnie and a Certificat de Capacite for professional breeders. The Certificat de Capacite is a licence to enable to breed  two or more litters of kittens a year.  It is quite difficult to obtain a Certificat de Capacite and it is very good that France has more regulations than many other countries to regulate the breeding and selling of cats ( as well as other domestic animals). It is a safeguard that ensures only serious and responsible people will be involved in the professional breeding of cats. Without a Certificate de Capacite owners may only breed and sell one litter of kittens in a year by law.

Come and meet us

Please see the show diary for dates of shows where you can meet us and our cats.