Understanding Bengal Cat Generations: From ALC to SBT

Published on June 28, 2026 by Stacy Hansen

The Bengal breed was created by crossing the wild Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) with domestic cat breeds. The filial generation (F number) indicates how many generations removed a cat is from the ALC ancestor.

F1 & F2 Early Generations

F1 cats have an ALC parent. F2 cats have an ALC grandparent. These early generations require specialized care and experienced owners.

SBT (Stud Book Tradition)

SBT Bengals are at least 4 generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat. They possess full domestic temperaments while preserving the striking wild leopard coat and rosettes.