Bengal Breed Standard: AACE
©
American Association of Cat Enthusiast's
GENERAL: The Bengal Cat is a hybrid breed of cat that was
created to resemble and preserve the Exotic look of some of the cats found in
the wild (Asian Leopard cat, Snow Leopard, and the Marble cat). While
maintaining 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.
Head |
15 |
The shape should be a modified wedge with rounded
contours and should be slightly longer than it is wide. It should be slightly
small in proportion to body, but not to be taken to extreme. Allowance should be
made for jowls in adult males. The profile shows a gentle rising from the
forehead to the bridge. The bridge of the nose extends above the eyes and is
slightly rounded. The bridge of the nose does not curve inward; there is no stop
or break. The nose is large and wide with a slightly puffed nose leather. The
muzzle should be full and broad, with large, prominent whisker pads and high,
pronounced cheekbones. The chin is firm, and in profile, the lower jaw should
lie in the same vertical line as the upper jaw.
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Ears |
8 |
The overall size of the ears should be medium, with
a wide base and rounded tips. Set as much on the top as on the side of the head,
following the contour of the face in the frontal view, and should point forward
in the profile view. White or light colored thumbprints or "ocelli" on the backs
of the ears are desirable. Lynx tipping and pointed tips are undesirable.
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Eyes |
5 |
The eyes may be round to slightly oval in shape.
Large and expressive, giving a "nocturnal look" to them, but not bugged
Set wide apart, back into face, and on a slight bias toward base of the ear.
Light spectacles are desirable. For the Brown Spotted and Brown Marble tabbies,
eyes may be any color except blue. For the snows, the eyes may be any color
including blue, aqua, green, green-gold and gold.
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Neck |
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Thick and muscular, large in proportion to head.
Length: Long and in proportion to the body.
|
Body |
20 |
Long and substantial, but not oriental or foreign.
The muscled shoulders are pronounced, and give the impression of rolling when
the Bengal is moving. The back is long and straight. The front quarters set
slightly lower than the hindquarters. They are strong and muscled. The boning is
solid. The overall size is medium to medium large. Proportion must be maintained
regardless of size. The impression of a Bengal is athletic and muscled. The
males are larger than the females. Allowance should be made for smaller size and
less muscling in females.
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Tail |
5 |
The tail is medium in length, and medium-large in
size. Preference is given to a semi-thick tail that may or may not be tapered at
the end with a rounded tip. Rosetting, spotting or distinct ring bands on the
tail is desirable. For the Brown Spotted and Brown Marble tabbies, tail tip must
be black. For the Snow's, a brown to seal tail tip is only acceptable. Black is
not possible in a Snow dilution.
|
Legs & Paws |
5 |
The legs are solid and muscled, like the body, with
large round feet. The length is medium. They should be slightly longer in the
back than in the front. The boning should be strong and substantial.
|
Coat |
7 |
Short to medium in length with allowance for
slightly longer coat in kittens, silky and soft to the touch. Preference is to
be given to a close lying coat, except on the tail (which may appear large and
thick). Do not fault for a grayish undercoat. Gold or clear "glitter" is highly
desirable, but not required. Slight Agouti banding is acceptable in the pattern
allowing clear - crisp markings.
|
Color / Clarity |
15 |
Accepted colors: Brown Spotted
tabby, brown marble tabby, spotted sepia, sepia marble, seal lynx point, seal
mink tabby, seal sepia tabby.
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Pattern |
15 |
Condition / Balance |
5 |
The overall appearance should radiate good health;
eyes should be clear and coat and body tone should reflect health.
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PENALIZE: |
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Spots on body running together, vertically forming a
mackerel tabby pattern, circular bulls-eye pattern on marbles,
substantially darker point color (as compared to color of body markings)
on snows. Any distinct lockets on the neck, chest, abdomen or any other
area not provided for in the standard. A small, hardly noticeable,
cartilage bend at the tail tip. Note: Do not fault for very light
bellies with distinct markings. |
NFA: |
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Aggressive behavior which threatens to
harm. Belly not spotted. Visible tail kinks. Large or small visible
lockets. Extreme Mackerel alignment. Tail tip red, cream, blue, lilac or
white. Solid colors or torbie patterns. |
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