When looking for a Bengal kitten or cat, you may still come across the Filial (F) Number. As Bengals are produced by crossbreeding Asian Leopard Cats and domestic cats, each generation of Bengals is marked with a filial number:
Asian Leopard Cat x Domestic cat = F1 Bengal
The F1 Bengal cat has an ALC parent.
F1 x F1 Bengal = F2 Bengal
The F2 Bengal has an ALC grandparent.
F2 x F2 Bengal = F3 Bengal
The F3 Bengal has an ALC great grandparent.
In the first three generations, males are almost always infertile, though there have been the occasional but rare F3 studs capable of reproduction. Early generation females are typically fertile and responsible for continuing the genetic contributions of the ALC to the next generation.
The "foundation cats" from the first three filial generations of breeding (F1–F3) are usually reserved for breeding purposes or the specialty pet home environment.
The F4 and later generations are considered domestic cats, are designated as Stud Book Tradition or SBT Bengals, and can be shown and registered. Any SBT Bengal is at least four generations removed from the ALC.