The CHEETOH is a new hybrid house pet which has an interesting history.  In 2001, Carol Drymon
toyed with the idea of developing a new hybrid house pet by crossing the Bengal and the Ocicat
breeds.  In approximately 2005, she supervised other interested breeders to develop what is now
known as the CHEETOH.  Some of the early breeders have seen fit to go off on their own and are
no longer members of thecheetohcat.com breeding group.  However, new breeders have joined and
they can be found under the heading of Breeders at www.thecheetohcat.com
The BENGAL cat was an interesting accident in the 1960’s, so the story goes - some of this may be
rumor.  A lady by the name of Jean Sugden Mill obtained an Asian Leopard Cat (Felis Bengalensis)
that was named Maylaysia. To her surprise this gal liked a black domestic shorthair male which
resulted in the first Bengal.  Various domestic shorthairs were used such as the Egyptian Mau in the
later development of the breed. Jean was involved with a lot of breeding projects over the years and
in 1980 she got involve with Dr Willard Centerwall of Loma Linda University which had been involved
with a research

The OCICAT, as well, came about by accident.  For all of its dramatic
appearance and obvious appeal, we might not have had the Ocicat today
but for several experimental breeds in 1965 by Virginia Daly, owner of
Cats of Dalai that were intended to produce a different outcome.  
project involving the ALC, Domestic cats and the study of Feline
Leukemia.    In the 1980’s, Jean and several interested cat breeders
made a concerted effort to develop that which is the Bengal cat
today. For those of you that are in need of a detailed history there is
a detail history by Jean herself at www.millwoodbengals.net and go
to the MILESTONES@MILLWOOD.
One of the breedings between a pedigree
Abyssinian and a Seal Point Siamese
produced a total surprise:  an exquisite
kitten with bright golden spots on an ivory
background.  This was Tonga, the original
Ocicat. Although Tonga was sold as a pet
with a neutering agreement, other spotted
Ocicats were produced through subsequent
mating of Tonga’s sire and dam and other
relatives that formed the foundation of the
Dalai Ocicat breeding program.  
Bengal
Egyptian Mau and Asian Leopard Cat
Abyssinian
Seal Point Siamese
Ocicat
The CHEETOH Cat is now a recognized breed and
registered with the United Feline Organization. We are also
recognized by TICA - The International Cat Association - as
an Experimental New Breed.
The CHEETOH is the newest wild/domestic hybrid cat, utilizing very specific
bloodlines of the Bengal cat and the Ocicat breeds. The Cheetoh was first
researched and developed by Carol Drymon of Wind Haven Exotics in 2001
and the first litters arrived at Wind Haven in 2003. Subsequently, other
qualified breeders throughout the United States were invited to participate in
the Cheetoh breeding program. This program is based on very specific
breed standards and a 5 year breeding plan that was several years in the
making.
In summation, the CHEETOH is being bred to create
the wildest looking domestic cat in the feline kingdom,
an extremely large, sweet-natured lap cat that looks
like a true jungle cat that has a completely dependable,
docile nature that can be trusted around anyone,
especially children.

The CHEETOH, though fierce
in appearance, is at all times
an incredibly social and loving
cat, seldom aloof or showing
any tendencies towards
aggressive or standoffish
behavior.  They have an
enormous amount of energy,
especially the cubs, which is
the reason they are so adept
at keeping themselves and
their human companions
entertained.  The CHEETOH
cat is also extremely
intelligent and curious, often
showing a very unfeline sense
of humor.
The CHEETOH Cat incorporates the distinctive
characteristics of both the Ocicat and the Bengal, but has its
own unique attributes. These include extremely large size,
unsurpassed gentleness of character, and the wild look that
can otherwise only be found in the jungles.