Bengal Breed Standard: NZCF
©
New Zealand Cat Fancy Inc
The Bengal should be alert, friendly
and affectionate and in excellent physical condition with a dependable
temperament. Its wild appearance is enhanced by a distinctive spotted or marbled
tabby coat which should be thick and luxurious. The Bengal is a large, sleek,
very muscular cat with a thick tail which is carried low. The female is smaller
than the male.
| Head |
Broad medium wedge with rounded contours, slightly
longer than it is wide, with high cheek bones. The head should be rather small
in proportion to the body but not taken to extremes. The profile has a gentle
curve from the forehead to the bridge of the nose. The nose is large and broad
with a puffed nose leather and may be slightly Roman or straight. The muzzle
should be full and broad with a strong chin and pronounced whisker pads created
by the widely set canine teeth. The neck should be thick, muscular and in
proportion to the body. Allowance should be made for jowls in adult males.
|
| Ears |
Medium to small, rather short with a wide base and
rounded tips. Set as much on the sides as on the top of the head, following the
contour of the face in the front view and pointing forward in profile. Light
horizontal furnishings are acceptable but ear tufts are undesirable.
|
| Eyes |
Oval, may be slightly almond shaped, large but not
bold. Set on a slight slant toward the base of the ear.
|
| Body |
Large and robust with a broad chest. Very muscular
but long and sleek with the hindquarters slightly higher than the shoulders.
|
| Legs and Paws |
Legs of medium length, strong and muscular. The
hind legs should be a little longer than the front and be more robust. The paws
should be large and rounded.
|
| Tail |
Medium length, thick and even, with a rounded tip.
|
| Coat |
Short to medium in length, very dense, luxurious
and unusually soft to the touch. Allowance should be made for a slightly longer
coat in kittens.
|
| Pattern Types |
Leopard Spotted and Marble Patterned. |
LEOPARD SPOTTED
The spectacles which encircle the eyes should preferably extend into vertical
streaks which may be outlined by an “M” marking on the forehead. Broken streaks
or spots run over the head, on either side of a complex scarab marking, down the
neck and onto the shoulders where they may break up into rosettes. Rosettes are
formed by a part circle of spots around a distinctly lighter centre. Arrowhead
shaped spots are preferred. Larger spots may be rosetted. This is preferred to
single spotting but is not essential. Strong, bold chin strap, mascara markings,
distinct broken or unbroken necklet(s) and blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks
or spots are desirable. Spots generally should be large, well formed and
distributed at random, or in horizontal alignment. Contrast with the ground
colour must be extreme, giving a distinct pattern and a sharp outline to the
spots. The stomach must be spotted (except in Blue-Eyed Snow kittens). The legs
may show broken horizontal lines and/or spots. The tails should have rings,
streaks and/or spots along it’s length, with a solid dark coloured tip. Spots
should not run together vertically forming a distinct mackerel tabby pattern.
MARBLE PATTERNED
The spectacles which encircle the eyes should preferably extend into vertical
streaks which may be outlined by an “M” marking on the forehead. Broken streaks
run over the head on either side of a complex scarab marking, down the neck and
onto the shoulders. Strong bold chin strap, mascara markings, distinct broken or
unbroken necklet(s) and blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks are desirable. There
should be a distinct pattern with large swirled patches or streaks, clearly
defined but not symmetrical, giving the impression of marble, preferably with a
horizontal flow. Contrast must be extreme with distinct shapes and sharp
outlines. The stomach must be spotted (except in Blue-Eyed Snow kittens). The
legs may show broken horizontal lines and/or spots. The tail should be ringed,
marbled and/or spotted along it’s length, with a solid dark coloured tip. The
marble markings should have as little similarity to the classic tabby markings
as possible. A vertical striped mackerel tabby tendency is also undesirable.
Preference should be given to marbled cats with three or more shades, i.e.
ground colour, markings and dark outlining of these markings.
SCALE OF POINTS |
| | Head |
10 |
| | Ears | 5 |
| | Eye Shape &
Colour | 5 |
| | Body |
20 |
| | Legs & paws |
10 |
| | Tail | 5 |
| | Coat Texture |
10 |
| | Coat Colour |
10 |
| | Pattern |
25 |
| | | 100 |
Faults:
1 Long, rough or coarse coat.
2 Distinctly ticked coat.
3 Whip tail.
Withhold Challenge Certificate or First Place in Kitten Classes for:
1 Tail tip or paw pads incorrect colour.
2 Stomach not spotted (except in Blue-Eyed Snow kittens).
3 Body spots running together vertically forming solid stripes of distinctly
mackerel type pattern.
4 White patches or spots other than ocelli.
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