But be warned, Bengal cats aren't for the faint-hearted.

"They are high energy, very active and very loyal, much more like a dog," Orange breeder Amy McKenzie said.

"They need attention and can be very vocal - they're not for the faint-hearted.

"They go through their adolescent stage where they'll run up the curtains, they need a lot of exercise ..."

But, Ms Kenzie said, Bengal cats are adaptive and loving and if you're the family member they take too, you'll have a friend for life.

"They are adventurous, quite bold but you can put them in walking harness."

Ms McKenzie came across the cats about 15 years ago when she was looking for a family pet and was captured by the animals' wild and exotic look.

A relatively new breed, which comes from the initial cross between a domestic cat and the wild Asian leopard cat, Bengal cats in early generations are hybrids.

Ms McKenzie's cats are 10th generation meaning they are regarded as domestic animals.

Maintaining the inherent traits of their wild ancestors is paramount for Bengal breeders.

Ms McKenzie describes their stance and gate as wild in appearance which is a trait breeders are keen to maintain, along with the distinctive large spots.

Apart from their exotic markings and movement, Bengals' other quirks include a loud "yeowll" instead the regular moggies' meow, while Ms McKenzie said they can also sound like they are chirping.

"They'll sit on a window sill watching the birds outside and make a little chirp noises," she said.

While Bengal cats are happy to live their lives indoors, they are more active than normal cats and require a lot of exercise but, as Ms McKenzie said, they can be trained to a harness and enjoy going for walks.

As a registered breeder, one of three in the central west, Ms Kenzie has imported Bengal cats from Canada, Russia, France and the United States in the quest for a strong blood line and defined, contrasting colours in the markings.

"You're always trying to get something a little better," she explained.

Ms McKenzie currently has a litter of seven with the kittens, which will be desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, selling for about $2000 each.

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