About the Cheetoh

Not a Domestic Cat

Other than a copyright infringement, Cheetohs are supposed to be a unique, new breed blending Ocicat and Bengal. Unfortunately, it's not unique, new, or a breed. The Cheetoh is just a mutt, created by breeders unable to produce show-winning quality Ocicats or Bengals. It is provisionally recognized by one tiny registry, but is no different genetically than a Bengal, albeit an unregistered one, because the Ocicat was used to develop the Bengal. The Bengal does contain wild blood from the Asian Leopard Cat. Additional breeding to the Ocicat does no more to minimize the behavior and temperament issues caused by that than the careful breeding that is done by reputable Bengal breeders. A Bengal from a reputable breeder is much more beautiful than any Cheetoh, and is the same hybrid cross! See Trendar Bengals if you'd like to see examples of Bengals - they're beautiful!  http://www.bengalspot.com/

Not a Larger Cat

One of the claims for the Cheetoh is that it is larger than both parent breeds. It shows an remarkable ignorance of genetics for the breeders to think it will be sustainable. All hybrid (crossing of two different breeds) animals tend to be larger than the parent breeds. However, it's not something that will be maintained in the "breed". It is only a characteristic of the foundation cross.

Not a Breed

It's unlikely the "Cheetoh" will become a recognized breed bred by reputable breeders. When recently proposed as a breed to a larger, more ethical registry, even acceptance into the process of recognition was denied. It will be difficult to establish any type of genetic distinction between this breed and the Bengal, other than the Bengal is much more beautiful. However, it certainly hasn't stopped its creator and associates from asking 2 to 3 times the price of an Ocicat or a Bengal for "Cheetoh" kittens.

As P. T. Barnum said, there's one born every minute!

back Home