Bengal Breed Again Most Popular Breed

5/1/2013

For the fifth year running, the Bengal cat is named the most popular breed of cat in the world!

According to TICA (The International Cat Association), the world’s largest genetic feline registry, over ninety-eight-thousand (98,000) Bengal cats are now registered with them.

From the breed’s early beginnings, when Jean Mill, the “mother” of the breed, took out the very first Bengal cats to a cat show for exhibition in 1985 (as a developing new breed), the public has been smitten by the “Bengal bug!”  The reaction from the crowds back in 1985 was overwhelming and the same holds true today in 2013. Enthusiasts of the breed are certainly are not surprised to find that the Bengal cat has again taken the position of most loved feline worldwide, for each enthusiast knows the same fate (having been bitten by the same bug)!

George Clooney, in the 1996 hit movie, One Fine Day, holding an Aluren Bengal kitten. A little trivia: There were actually four Bengal kittens used in the movie’s production; two from Jean Mill and two from Pat Killmaier. After using Jean’s kittens, the movie was filmed at a new locale, New York City and two of Pat’s Bengal kittens were then cast into the movie. The movie only has one kitten in it, but that kitten is played by four different Bengal kittens.

According to statistics, the world’s second most popular breed is the beautiful Ragdoll cat with over sixty-three-thousand (63,000) Ragdolls registered with TICA. Taking the third place position is the magnificent Maine Coon, with over forty-eight thousand (48,000) Maine Coon cats registered with TICA.

Bengal cats are such an adaptable breed.  They get along well with other pets, most love the interaction and bond that they develop with dogs, they find children to be entertaining playmates and they are intelligent, loving and loyal. These traits, along with many other breed traits are easily what endears them to the public.They have found their way into the hearts of many, from the single person to large families and from the not-so-famous to the famous.

Additionally, Bengal cats are becoming more and more popular in commercials and even appearing on some television shows (see the Bengals Illustrated issue Top Cats) and in movies.

The Bengal cat is truly a popular breed! With those amazing registration figures, one might think that you would easily find these top breeds in rescue, but the reality is that these breeds are not found in rescue at any higher numbers than some of the other breeds that have been in the cat fancy much longer! Reputable breeders are committed to making the right placements and owners are responsible pet owners!

Here’s a list of just a few of the celebrities that have been reported to own a Bengal cat (or two, or more):

Worldwide Photographers Support the Bengal Breed through Bengals Illustrated

3/17/2013 It is with great honor that Bengals Illustrated acknowledges the world renowned and nationally acclaimed photographers who continuously support Bengals Illustrated magazine via their magnificent talent and beautiful photographs. Every issue is filled with some of the finest feline photographic works of art in the industry. The most recent issue of Bengals Illustrated adds another professional photographer to our photographic supporters, Serendipity Photography. Serendipty is better known for their work with Model Portfolios and themed shoots, having completed numerous portfolios for models around the world. One of their award winning pin up shoots was “purr”fect for the most recent issue of Bengals Illustrated magazine. For years now world renowned feline photographer Helmi Flick (HelmiFlick.com) has been at the forefront of being a Bengal breed and Bengals Illustrated supporter. There have been several Bengals Illustrated covers graced with a beautiful Helmi shot. Her gorgeous feline photographs have been featured in numerous magazines across the globe and her love of the cat is evident in every feline photo she shoots. Many of the world’s best Bengal cats have been honored to be photographed by Helmi. Additionally, Helmi’s well-known cat wrangler, Ken (Helmi’s husband), is a vital part of her worldwide acclaim. Helmi is the first to say that she couldn’t do it without Ken’s superb “cat wrangling” skills.  All in all, the duo is widely sought after for some of the best cat photos in the world.

While you will often find Bengals Illustrated graced with Helmi photos, we would be remiss to not also mention some of the other very talented photographers that have had their photographic masterpieces displayed within the pages of Bengals Illustrated. Karen McMillan, also a well known pet photographer, who does business under the name of “Fido Photography” has had some exceptional photographs over the last couple years within the Bengals Illustrated pages. Her photos are always crisp and entertaining as she strives to portray her subjects in a natural setting. Karen’s Bengal photographs have been selected for a couple of Bengals Illustrated covers, in addition to a couple Bengals Illustrated calendar inclusions.

On a fairly regular basis, Bengals Illustrated has also included photos from well-known Audra Mitchell Photography, yet another feline photographer, Larry Johnson, also known in the feline realm as an exceptional cat photographer, Dana Wimpfheimer Photography, who loves photographing animals, people, the outdoors and sports and Sandra Finch, a photographer located in Canada who loves to take photos of pets and people alike. Bengals Illustrated has had the honor of sharing magnificent photographs from Gus Sanderson and his wife Laura Macallen of Unlimited Photography who are renowned for their spectacular wildlife photographs in National Geographic and additionally, Gus loves to capture the beauty of the pedigreed cat. While these are the most oft found photographers within the publication, there have been numerous others that we are pleased and honored to have featured. Moreover, Bengals Illustrated is also very proud to include photos from various breeders, pet owners and general Bengal cat enthusiasts from around the world!

Bengal Cats are the Most Popular Breed in the World …again!

1/17/2013

Four years running and the Bengal, once again, is the most popular breed of cat in the world according to TICA, The International Cat Association, the largest genetic registry worldwide. The Bengal cat continues to take over hearts and win the favor of feline lovers everywhere.  From their gorgeous markings, spectacularly soft coat to their unmatched purrsonality, the Bengal cat stands out in the purebred world of cats. This last show season, the Best Bengal cat in the world (based on show wins and points earned) was International Winner, Supreme Grand Champion, Cowboy Casanova of Speakeasy, owned by Chris and Gary Jacobson and bred by Susan Tobias. Second Best Bengal in the World was International Winner, Supreme Grand Champion, Spice Red Hot Chili Pepper, bred and owned by Boris Ehret and third Best Bengal cat in the world was International Winner, Supreme Grand Champion Akerrs Regal Splendor of Medusa, owned by Akiko Maeyama and Samantha Kerr, bred by Libbie Kerr. All three winners were brown spotted Bengals.

IW SGC COWBOYCASANOVA OF SPEAKEASY

IW SGC SPICE RED HOT CHILI PEPPER

IW SGC AKERRS REGAL SPLENDOR OF MEDUSA

In the kitten class:

IW COWBOYCASANOVA OF SPEAKEASY

RW BAHIYA SOLANO FROM BENGAL HOUSE

RW BENGALISLANDCAT OBSIDIAN OASIS

Bengal cats can also be shown as alters.

The Top Three Bengal cats in the Alter Class were:

IW SGCA OWLSDENE HEARTS DESIRE

RW SGC BEJULED WORLD ACCORDING TO SCHMOO

RW ROWAN ITS SNOWBIZ BABY

Congratulations to all the season’s winners!

Bengals Illustrated 2013 – April 2014 Calendar is Available!

1/16/2013 This year’s annual award winning Bengals Illustrated Calendar is spectacular! Every year the calendar is sought out by thousands as the best calendar available that features the world’s most popular breed of cat, the Bengal cat! Sixteen months of beautiful Bengals (17 months if you include the fact that December of 2012 is also in this calendar!) You won’t be able to wait for the next month, just so that you can turn the page. Like years past, this calendar features breeders and Bengal cats from all over the world. Some of the most beautiful Bengal cats in the world can be found in this gorgeous keepsake calendar. Not only is the calendar gorgeous and an extended year (16 months), but it’s also an over-sized 9″ x 12″ calendar. Popular holidays are noted and the calendar date blocks are big enough for notes, too. High quality, heavy-weight glossy paper. Order a copy for a friend or for your veterinarian! They are sure to love it! — On the cover is beautiful and silly Billabong Juli from Bengal House. Get your copy soon – before we run out!!  ORDER YOUR COPY HERE: CALENDAR

Bengals Illustrated and GLEE! …in the NEXT issue!

1/10/2013 The series glee has taken America’s hearts by storm, but what does Bengals Illustrated have in common with this popular television show? BENGALS, of course! See how glee and Bengals Illustrated will be making an impact on animal welfare/rescue and the Bengal cat breed. See photos directly from the glee set, read about the fantastic bond that glee has with the Bengal cat, and enjoy the story of how it all came to be! Special thanks to the cast of GLEE for bringing this great piece to the readers of Bengals Illustrated Magazine. Subscribe today to be sure to get your copy!   SUBSCRIBE

Award Winning Publications takes Best of the Best!

The CWA Awards were held in Los Angeles, California this year. Many of the top names in publishing/authoring were represented — names like Cat Fancy Magazine, Cats USA, Kittens USA, just to name a few… Award winning publications was honored to be among so many greats in the industry! This annual Awards Banquet is something that all of us look forward to and understand what a great privilege it is to be among such a prestigious crowd! It is a type of “Oscars” ceremony and respected as such. Therefore, any award or recognition achieved is certainly acknowledgement of excellence. This year Award Winning Publications (us) took six Certificates of Excellence and three Muse Medallions in addition to the Special Awards, The ProPlan Pedigreed Cats Award and the most prestigious honor in the industry, The President’s Award! It is with great honor that we accept these awards and acknowledgements.

2012 Certificate of Excellence Winners
Bengals Illustrated Magazine
Savannahs Illustrated Magazine
TICA Yearbook
Bengals Illustrated Calendar
Ragdolls Illustrated Calendar 
Savannahs Illustrated Calendar

2012 Muse Medallion Winners
Bengals Illustrated Magazine: Winner: Brigitte McMinn, ed., for Bengals Illustrated
Bengals Illustrated Calendar Winner: Brigitte McMinn for Bengals Illustrated Calendar
TICA Yearbook: Winner: Brigitte McMinn for TICA Yearbook Judge’s comment: “A beautiful book of stunning cats, fun-loving people and heartwarming passion makes flipping through these pages a sheer delight. It is a lovely and informative celebration of the year’s accomplishments with the organization.”

Special Award Winners PRO PLAN® PEDIGREED CATS AWARD
Winner: Savannahs Illustrated Magazine – Brigitte McMinn “This is a thorough explanation of the breed covering history, care, feeding and how to bring a new breed home. The magazine has an excellent set up and is an artistic treat.” And the absolute best for last: CWA

PRESIDENT’S AWARD – Best of the Best Sponsored by The Cat Fanciers Association
Winner: Bengals Illustrated Magazine– Brigitte McMinn “ …contains a wide range of excellent, well-written articles on cats and their care, as well as stunningly gorgeous photos. This year’s recipient of the CWA President’s Award is Bengals Illustrated.”

And the Winner is…

Award Winning Publications wins SIX Certificates of Excellence! Winner of several Muse Medallions in the past, AWP understands that the Certificate of Excellence is a very prestigious honor! It could easily be likened to the Oscars for writers/publications! The standards for winning a Certificate of Excellence in the CWA Annual Awards are very high and this award is recognition of outstanding work in the field.  The winner of the CWA Muse Medallion is chosen from among the Certificate of Excellence winners, so this also means that AWP is a finalist for not one, but SEVERAL Muse Medallions! Award Winning Publications is again humbled by this great honor.

• Bengals Illustrated has been selected by the judges as a Certificate of Excellence winner
• Savannahs Illustrated has been selected by the judges as a Certificate of Excellence winner
• TICA (The International Cat Association, Inc) Yearbook (produced by Award Winning Publications) has been selected by the judges as a Certificate of Excellence winner
• Bengals Illustrated Calendar has been selected by the judges as a Certificate of Excellence winner
• Savannahs Illustrated Calendar has been selected by the judges as a Certificate of Excellence winner
• Ragdolls Illustrated Calendar has been selected by the judges as a Certificate of Excellence winner

Muse Medallion winners will be announced November 3rd.

The Cat Breeder’s Handbook, second edition

The Cat Breeder’s Handbook, second edition, provides another spectacular presence for the cat fancy!

Winner of the Muse Medallion, the Certificate of Excellence and of the Pro Plan Most Valuable Publication of the Year on the pedigreed cat, health and breeder issues, the positive feedback on The Cat Breeder’s Handbook, second edition, has continued to mount touching on its easy to understand style to the beautiful illustrations that fill its pages. The book even has a full color section adorned with all the different pedigreed cat breeds of the world, beautifully photographed by world renowned feline photographer, Helmi Flick.

Pet owners and breeders alike have benefited from the numerous and varied topics covered within the pages of this spectacular reference book and now the book has gone another step forward to help the general public better understand the fabulous world of felines, cat breeding and their care.

Cats 101, the television production, has requested permission to utilize The Cat Breeder’s Handbook, second edition, as one of their reference guides. We at Award Winning Publications are thrilled and honored to have The Cat Breeder’s Handbook, second edition, become one of their official handbooks and guide on the topic of the magnificent feline!

It is always our goal at Award Winning Publications to promote the cat fancy, breeders and the pedigreed cat in a positive and educational manner. Many thanks to all those who have supported this publication making it one of the best books available on the topic of cats. So watch Cats 101 and don’t forget to look for their references to The Cat Breeder’s Handbook!

Order your copy here: THE CAT BREEDERS HANDBOOK

Bengals Illustrated Sponsors Bengal Congress with Patrick’s Bengalbreed.com

Tamworth, Australia  Bengal Breed Specialty Show – Judge Wendy Hamilton  The 25th of August, 2012, the Bengal cats in Tamworth were ready to compete.  Sixteen Bengal cats in all were representing the breed in Tamworth, Australia.  Bengals Illustrated and Patrick’s Bengalbreed.com were proud to sponsor the competition (judged by New South Wales Cat Fanciers Association (NSWCFA) judge Wendy Hamilton)  and to provide ribbons (decorated in true Bengal cat spirit) for the top ten in the class. Interesting news is that a father and his lovely daughter, bred by Bengals Illustrated subscribers, Lyn and Max Keevers, took first and second place.  Benzot Annie Chance, a female brown spotted tabby Bengal took the reigning title as number one Bengal over her father, also a brown spotted tabby Bengal cat, Benzots The Gambler (named after the well-known Kenny Rogers song). Special congratulations to all the Tamworth Bengal congress winners and their wonderful owners!

photo by Julie Burge

The following list was the Top Ten Line-up:

1. Benzots Annie Chance a brown spotted female kitten owned and bred by Max and Lyn Keevers
2. CCCA CH and DIA DB GD CH Benzots The Gambler aka Kenny a brown spotted male owned and bred by Max and Lyn Keevers
3. CH Benzots Lady Isabella a brown spotted female owned by Mandy Foster and Bill Jones
4. Destinybengals Phoenix a brown spotted male owned by Rachel Town
5. CH Tarmac Kitncaboodle a sepia marble spay owned and bred by Courtney Collins
6. Tarmac Infinitybeyond a brown spotted male kitten owned and bred by Courtney Collins
7. Tarmac Blonde Ambition a brown spotted female kitten owned and bred by Courtney Collins
8. Benzots April Marble Sky a brown marbled female kitten owned and bred by Max and Lyn Keevers
9. CH Tijah Winter Moon a black silver spotted male cat bred by S Hatcher owned by Rachael Town
10. Katuja Rollin Thunda a brown spotted neuter owned and bred by Connie Chapman

Benzots Annie Chance, a female brown spotted tabby Bengal, took her win as Best Bengal in Show in great stride, left, as she even posed  perfectly for the camera.   To the right/above, Benzots The Gambler (“Kenny”), Benzots Annie Chance’s sire, shows off his gorgeous rosettes and wonderfully muscled body. In addition to the Bengal cat congress, the Tamworth show boasted a fantastic spread filled with some of the most mouth-watering yummies you could imagine.  From the proceeds the club generously sent $100.00 toward the Award Winning Publication’s/Bengals Illustrated FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) fundraising efforts. Thank you Tamworth for your generosity, and again we congratulate you on a very successful show!

Update: FIP Benefit Auction

Here’s the latest news on the FIP Benefit auction held by Award Winning Publications (Bengals Illustrated/Savannahs Illustrated) — First, we would like to thank all those that supported the auction with auction items and all of you that supported the auction by bidding!  The auction was a great success. While we did not meet our goal of $5000.00, over 3500.00 is nothing to complain about! Final auction items were wrapped up and a check is in the mail to The International Feline Foundation, TIFF- who will set up a special grant to distribute funds raised through the Award Winning Publications fundraiser!

2013 Bengal Cat Calendar

Send in your high resolution photos. Who knows, your Bengal cat/s might be chosen for the upcoming 2013 Bengals Illustrated calendar! No professional photos (unless the photographer submits them). Submission grants Bengals Illustrated (Award Winning Publications) permission to use for publication. You may submit as many photos as you like, too! Photos must belong to you and must be copyright free. Submission states this to be true. For more information and photo submissions email us at calendar@Bengalsillustrated.com

Auction to Benefit Feline Infectious Peritonitis Research

Award Winning Publications, Bengals Illustrated and Savannahs Illustrated will be supporting FIP research efforts. Bengals Illustrated sponsored an auction this last quarter. It was our hope to double our previous efforts and bring in a total of $5000 to go toward research and finding a cure for this devistating disease. We are wrapping up the final auction amounts– Watch this page for a final donation figure! All proceeds will go to TIFF, The International Feline Foundation to be granted to FIP research. TIFF is an arm of TICA, The International Cat Association, dedicated to feline welfare and supporting feline research.

FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) in cats is fatal, without a cure or treatment it’s the worst diagnosis for any cat owner to hear. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a disease that kills 1 in 100 to 1 in 300 of all cats under ages three to five. The incidence can be five to ten times greater among young cats coming from catteries and shelters. FIP is virtually 100% fatal, and there is no treatment or cure. FIP can manifest suddenly — weeks, months or even years after initial infection. Therefore, cat lovers usually experience the heartbreak of this disease long after they have developed strong emotional bonds with their pets. Dr. Pedersen is considered the world’s leading researcher on the Feline Infectious Peritonitis disease and has been doing research on FIP since 1964.  He is now sixty-seven years young and has delayed retirement in part due to his commitment to FIP research. FIP was first described as an “important disorder of cats” by Dr. Jean Holzworth (1963) at the Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston and a clinico-pathologic conference on this disorder from this same institution was published the following year (Feldman and Jortner, 1964). Dr. Holzworth was the first to identify FIP as a distinct disease entity. For more information on FIP complete with photographic documentation - read the exclusive article from Dr. Neils Pedersen, the foremost authority on FIP, in the Bengals Illustrated back issue, A Kitten is a Leopard in a Jungle of Small Bushes. We’d like to help find a cure for FIP. Email us for more information: info@bengalsillustrated.com