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THE
STANDARD (TICA)
Head 10 Points
Ears 10 Points
Eyes 5 Points
Neck 5 Points
Body 10 Points
Legs 5 Points
Feet 5 Points
Coat 10 Points
Color 10 Points
Pattern 30 Points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISION/COLORS:
Traditional Category:
Tabby Division, Brown Spotted Tabby, Brown Marbled Tabby only. Sepia
Category: Tabby Division, Seal Sepia Spotted Tabby, Seal Sepia Marbled Tabby
only. Mink Category: Tabby Division, Seal Mink Spotted Tabby, Seal Mink
Marbled Tabby only. Pointed Category: Tabby Division, Seal Lynx Point
(spotted or marbled) only.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The goal of the Bengal breeding program is to create a domestic
cat which has physical features distinctive to the small forest dwelling wild
cats, but with the loving, dependable, temperament of the domestic cat. Keeping
this goal in mind, judges shall give special merit to those characteristics in
the appearance of the Bengal which are distinct from those found in other
domestic cat breeds.
CONFORMATION:
The conformation gives the Bengal cat a basic “feral” appearance.
It is medium to large, sleek, and very muscular with hind-quarters slightly
higher than shoulders. The head is a broad modified wedge with rounded contours,
longer than it is wide, with a large nose and prominent whisker pads. The ears
are medium set, medium small, short, with a wide base and rounded tips.
PATTERNS:
The spotted Pattern:
Spots shall be random, or aligned horizontally. Rosettes formed by a part-circle
of spots around a distinctly redder centre are preferable to single spotting,
but not required. Contrast with ground color must be extreme, giving distinct
pattern and sharp edges. Strong, bold chin strap and mascara markings are
desirable. Belly must be spotted.
The marbled pattern:
Markings, while derived from the classic tabby gene, shall be uniquely different
with as little “bull´s-eye” similarity as possible. Pattern shall, instead, be
random giving the impression of marbled, preferably with a horizontal flow when
the cat is stretched. Vertical striped mackerel influence is also undesirable.
Preference should be given to cats with three or more shades; i.e., ground color,
markings, and dark outlining of those markings. Contrast must be extreme, with
distinct shapes and sharp edges. Belly must be spotted.
COLORS:
Brown Tabby: All variations are allowed; however, a high degree
of rufinis yielding a yellow, buff, tan, golden, or orange color is preferred.
Markings may be virtually black, brown, tan, or various shades of chocolate or
cinnamon. Light spectacles encircling the eyes and a virtually white ground
color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and inner legs (in contrast to the
ground color of the flanks and back) is desirable. Rims of the eyes, lips, and
nose should be outlined with black, and centre of nose should be brick red. Paw
pads and tail tip must be black.
Seal Lynx Point: Ground color should be ivory to cream. Pattern
can vary in color from dark seal brown, light brown, tan, or buff, with the
light spectacles, whisker pads, and chin. There should be little difference
between color of body markings and point color. Tail tip must be dark seal
brown. Eye color: blue.
Seal Sepia Tabby/Seal Mink Tabby: Ground color should be ivory,
cream, or light tan with pattern clearly visible. Pattern may be various shades
of sable brown to bitter chocolate, ivory cream spectacles encircling the eyes,
and ivory cream whisker pads and chin are desirable. There should be very little
or no difference between the color of body markings and point color. Paw pads
should be dark brown with rosy undertones allowed. Tail tip should be bitter
chocolate (dark sepia/mink). Eyes may be gold, to green, to blue green.
TEMPERAMENT:
Temperament must be unchallenging. Any sign of definite challenge
shall disqualify. Cat may exhibit fear, seek to flee, or generally complain
aloud, but may not threaten or harm. Bengals should be confident, alert,
curious, and friendly cats.
PENALIZE:
Spots on body running together vertically forming a mackerel
tabby pattern, circular bulls-eye pattern on marbleds, substantially darker
point (as compared to color of body markings) on Lynx Points, Seal Sepia or Seal
Mink. Any distinct locket on the neck, chest, abdomen or any other area not
provided for in the standard. Do not penalize for mousy undercoat.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS:
Belly not spotted. Paw pads not consistent with their color group description,
or paw pads not all of the same color.
See Show Rules, ARTICLE SIXTEEN for rules governing penalties/disqualifications
applying to all cats.
HEAD:
Shape: Broad modified wedge with rounded contours. Longer than it
is wide. Allowance to be made for jowls in adult males.
Size: Slightly small in proportion to body, but not to be taken
to extreme.
Profile: Gently curving forehead to bridge. Bridge of nose
extends above the eyes. Nose has a very slight concave curve.
Nose: Large and wide; slightly puffed nose leather.
Muzzle: Full and broad, with large, prominent whisker pads and
high, pronounced cheekbones.
EYES:
Shape: Oval, may be slightly almond shaped.
Size: Large, but not bugged.
Placement: Set wide apart, back into face, and on slight bias
toward base of ear.
Color: Traditional – all colors than blue. Seal lynx
point-blue. Seal sepia tabby or seal mink tabby-aqua
(blue-green).
NECK:
Size: Thick and muscular, large in proportion to head.
Length: Long, and in proportion to body.
BODY:
Shape: Long and substantial, but not oriental or foreign.
Size: Medium to large (but not quite as large as the largest
domestic breed).
Boning: Robust, never delicate.
Musculature: Very muscular, especially in the males, one of the
most distinguishing features.
LEGS:
Length: Medium, slightly longer in the back than in the front.
Boning: Large and substantial. Never delicate.
Musculature: Very muscular, like the body.
FEET:
Size: Large.
Shape: Round.
TAIL:
Shape: Thick, tapered at end with rounded tip.
Size: Medium large.
Length: Medium.
COAT:
Length: Short to medium. Allowance for slightly longer coat in
kittens.
Texture: Thick, luxurious, and usually soft to the touch.
COLORS:
See Colors.
PATTERNS:
See Patterns.
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