History
The first three generations of these hybrid offspring are properly referred to as the "filial" generations. A Bengal cat with an ALC parent is called an F1 Bengal, short for first filial. An F1 then bred with domestic male yields an F2, or second filial. Kittens from an F2 female and another domestic cat are then termed F3. Kittens from a subsequent F3 mating with a domestic are F4s. The F4 and later generations are considered domestic cats and correctly designated as Stud Book Tradition (SBT) Bengals, and can be shown and registered. Any SBT Bengal is at least four generations from the ALC. Filial cats (F1-F3) are also termed 'foundation cats' and are typically reserved for breeding purposes, or the specialty pet home environment.
The Bengal has been welcomed as a pedigreed breed by several cat associations - most notably, The International Cat Association (TICA) - but has been refused acceptance by the more traditional Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), the largest and oldest registry of pedigreed cats. The CFA is reluctant to accept cats with wild or "non-domestic" blood in their recent heritage.