Bengal

Judges Breed Seminar

Las Vegas, NV
June 29, 2016
 Bengal
Judges Breed Seminar
Las Vegas, NV
June 29, 2016
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar

Overview
General Description
Standard Point Allocation
What makes the Bengal distinct?
Head
Body
Coat/Color/Pattern
Allowances/Penalize/DQ
History & Origins
Handling Tips
General Description
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Bengal General Description

Helmi Flick

The Bengal is a medium to large cat with a sleek, muscular build. Helmi Flick
Boning is substantial. Hindquarters slightly higher than shoulders.
The tail is thick, with rounded tip, and carried lower than the back.
The Bengal’s head, expressive nocturnal look, and stunning
markings give the breed a wild appearance. The coat is like no
other: short, soft, silky to the touch, luxurious, and preferably
glittered. Bengals are alert and active, with inquisitive, dependable
dispositions. Males are generally larger than females.
 Bengal General Description Non-Domestic Cat Species

Asian Leopard Cat (Borneo camera trap), Ocelot

and Margay (Ecuador camera trap)

The Bengal is a medium to large cat with a sleek, muscular build.

Boning is substantial. Hindquarters slightly higher than shoulders.
The tail is thick, with rounded tip, and carried lower than the back.
 Bengal General Description

Audra Mitchell

The Bengal’s head, expressive nocturnal look, and stunning

markings give the breed a wild appearance.
 Bengal General Description
Glitter

Helmi Flick

The coat is like no other: short, soft, silky to the touch,

luxurious, and preferably glittered.
 Bengal General Description

Helmi Flick

Bengals are alert and active, with inquisitive, dependable

dispositions. Males are generally larger than females.
Point Allocation
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 POINTS
Current Bengal
Miscellaneous
Status Standard
HEAD

• Emphasizes BODY
characteristics distinct
from other domestic cats COAT &
COLOR
PATTERN
• Points split 50-50
type and coat/pattern
Standard Point Allocation

Head (30)
Skull (5)
Muzzle (6)
Profile (4)
Ears (6)
Eyes (6)
Chin (3)

Body/Torso (20)
Boning (5)
Musculature (5)
Legs/Feet (5)
Tail (5)
Coat & Color Pattern Head Body
Standard Point Allocation
Points

Coat & Color (25)

Texture (10)
Coat Color (10)
Eye Color (5)

Pattern (25)
Contrast (10)
Pattern (15))

Head Body Coat & Color Pattern

What Makes Bengals Distinct?

Consider how the parts of the standard work together to

create the wild look of the Bengal that is distinct from other
domestic cats

Combination of type and markings/pattern

 What Makes Bengals Distinct?
Face: Head/Pattern/Eyes
Length of head from Vivid facial markings,
forehead to back skull including white/light
around eyes and
Large, expressive eyes muzzle
What Makes Bengals Distinct?
Athletic Body/Pattern/Color
Head Type Study
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Bengal Head Type I
Broad, modified wedge
Top of head with rounded contours,
rounded, not flat
Longer than wide, with
high cheekbones.
No flat planes.
(Allowance for jowls on
mature males.)
MUZZLE: Full and
broad, with prominent
Muzzle whisker pads.
Chin
CHIN: Strong,
Helmi Flick substantial
Bengal Head Type II
NOSE: Large and
wide, slightly puffed
nose leather.
EARS: Medium to
small, with a wide base,
rounded tips being
desirable. Set far apart,
following the contours
of the face in frontal
view
Light, horizontal
Helmi Flick furnishings acceptable,
tufts are undesirable.
Bengal Head Type III
EYES: Shape is round
[rounded] to oval.
Large, but not bugged.
Set wide apart, with a
slight bias toward the
base of ear
Eye color independent of
coat color, except in the
Lynx Points, where Blue
is the only acceptable
color.
Richness and depth of
Helmi Flick color is always preferred.
 Bengal Head Type IV
Bridge of nose
extends above eyes
Back skull, flows Top of skull flows back into
into neck
the neck, with visible back
skull.
No flat planes.
PROFILE: [Straight to
almost straight, slight concave
curve ]Gently curved
forehead to nose bridge.
Overall head length Nose may have a slight
v. width
concave curve.
Bridge of nose extends
Helmi Flick above the eyes. [with no
break]
Bengal Head Type IV
CHIN: Strong,
substantial, aligns with
tip of nose in profile.

EARS: [Set more on the

side than the top of the
head.]

Slight tilt forward in

profile view.
Helmi Flick
Body Type Study
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Bengal Body Type 1

Helmi Flick

BODY: Long and substantial, muscular, particularly the males. Hindquarters slightly
higher than shoulders.

NECK: Thick and muscular, long in proportion to the body.

HEAD: Slightly small in proportion to body, not to be taken to extreme

 Bengal Body Type 1

Helmi Flick

BONE: Substantial, never delicate.

LEGS: Medium long, slightly longer rear legs. Muscular.
PAWS: Large and round, with prominent knuckles.
TAIL: Thick, tapered at the end with rounded tip. Medium in length, in proportion to
body.
Type Examples
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Head Examples
Longer than it is wide, no flat planes
Correct Incorrect
Too short. Wider than long

Skull flat

Allowance for jowls in males

Too narrow
 Head Examples: Profile
Correct Incorrect

Convex

Dip/break in profile

Helmi Flick

Audra Mitchell
Bridge of nose does NOT
extend above eyes

Audra Too much of a dip

Mitchell
 Head Examples: Chin
Correct Incorrect

Strong, substantial, aligns with tip of nose in profile

 Head Examples: Muzzle & Nose
Correct Incorrect

Helmi Flick

MUZZLE: Full and broad,

with prominent whisker
pads

NOSE: Large and wide,

slightly puffed nose leather

Audra Mitchell
 Head Examples: Ears
Medium to small, with a wide base, rounded tips being desirable. Set far apart,
following the contours of the face in frontal view
Correct Incorrect

Audra
Mitchell

Helmi Flick
 Head Examples: Eyes
Correct Incorrect

Too small,
hooded

Too slanted

Helmi Flick
 Neck & Backskull
NECK: Thick and muscular, long in proportion to the body
Incorrect
Correct
Top of skull flows
back into the neck,
with visible back
skull

No backskull
 Body Examples
Correct Incorrect

Long and substantial,

muscular, particularly the
males. Hindquarters slightly
higher than shoulders.
 Body Examples: TAIL
Correct Incorrect

Helmi Flick

Helmi Flick

Thick, tapered at the

end with rounded tip.
Medium in length, in
proportion to body
Helmi Flick
Coat Pattern, Texture and
Color Study
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Bengal Pattern
Two Basic Patterns
Rosetted/Spotted

Marbled

Outlined, with 2
tones preferred,
all
colors/patterns
 Bengal Pattern
Regardless of color/pattern, the two most
important considerations for pattern are:

CONTRAST

FLOW
Random
Horizontal or
Diagonal
Rosetted/Spotted Patterns
• Rosettes and spots
shall be random, with
a horizontal flow to
their alignment
• Contrast with ground
color must be extreme,
showing distinct
pattern with sharp
edges.
• Rosettes are two toned,
with dark outlines, and
lighter centers.
• Rosettes can be many
different shapes: donut,
Helmi Flick pancake, paw print,
arrowhead, clustered,
and are preferred to
single spotting.
 Marbled Pattern
• Contrast with ground
color must be extreme,
showing distinct
markings with sharp
edges.
• Markings are two
toned, having a
horizontal or diagonal
flow.
• There should be no
resemblance to the
Classic Tabby pattern
• Circular pattern or
bullseye is undesirable.
• The more random the
pattern, the better.
• Additional color tones
inside the pattern,
giving a “stained glass”
Helmi Flick effect is desirable
 Bengal Pattern: Bellies Must Be
Spotted/Patterned

Helmi Flick Helmi Flick

Correct Coat Texture
• With qualities unique to the breed
• Short, close lying, soft, silky, luxurious, ideally
Incorrect
glittered.
• Allowance for slightly longer coat in kittens.
 Bengal Coat: Glitter

• Glitter is an effect
created by
hollowness on the
ends of hair shafts

• Appears as a sparkle
or shine, reflecting
light

• Difficult to see in
photos
 Bengal Pattern: Flow
Correct Incorrect
 Bengal Pattern: Contrast
Correct Incorrect

Audra Mitchell

Helmi Flick
Pattern Elements: Dark Mascara, chin straps; white
ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest

Helmi Flick

Helmi Flick
 Desired Pattern Elements:
Whited Tummy, R/S Tail
Rosetted/spotted tail desirable, as
opposed to rings/stripes

Whited tummy/Whited
Expression

Helmi Flick Helmi Flick

Bengal Proposed
Colors/Patterns
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Bengal Color/Patterns Proposed for Championship Status
Newly proposed for CFA
Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal
Tabby Tabby Tabby Tabby
Rosetted/ Marbled Rosetted/ Marbled Rosetted/ Marbled Rosetted/ Marbled
Spotted Spotted Spotted Spotted
SILVER SILVER SILVER SILVER
Black/ Full Black/Brown Black/ Brown Black Silver Black Silver Black/ Brown Black/ Brown Black Silver Black Silver
Brown color R/S Tabby Marbled Tabby R/S Tabby Marbled Tabby R/S Charcoal Marbled R/S Charcoal Marbled
Tabby Charcoal Tabby Charcoal
Tabby Tabby
Pointed Seal R/S Lynx Seal Marbled Silver Seal R/S Silver Seal Seal R/S Seal Marbled Silver Seal R/S Silver Seal
Point Lynx Point Lynx Point Marbled Lynx Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Lynx Marbled
Point Lynx Point Lynx Point Point Charcoal Lynx
Point
Mink Seal Mink R/S Seal Mink Silver Seal Silver Seal Seal Mink Seal Mink Silver Seal Silver Seal
Tabby Marbled Tabby Mink R/S Mink Marbled R/S Charcoal Marbled Mink R/S Mink Marbled
Tabby Tabby Tabby Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal
Tabby Tabby Tabby
Sepia Seal Sepia R/S Seal Sepia Silver Seal Silver Seal Seal Sepia Seal Sepia Silver Seal Silver Seal
Tabby Marbled Tabby Sepia R/S Sepia Marbled R/S Charcoal Marbled Sepia R/S Sepia Marbled
Tabby Tabby Tabby Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal
Tabby Tabby Tabby

Blue SILVER SILVER SILVER SILVER

Full Blue R/S Blue Marbled Blue Silver R/S Blue Silver Blue R/S Blue Marbled Blue Silver R/S Blue Silver
color Tabby Tabby Tabby Marbled Tabby Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Marbled
Tabby Tabby Tabby Charcoal
Tabby
Pointed Blue R/S Lynx Blue Marbled Silver Blue R/S Silver Blue Blue R/S Blue Marbled Silver Blue R/S Silver Blue
Point Lynx Point Lynx Point Marbled Lynx Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Lynx Marbled
Point Lynx Point Lynx Point Point Charcoal Lynx
Point
Mink Blue Mink R/S Blue Mink Silver Blue Silver Blue Blue Mink Blue Mink Silver Blue Silver Blue
Tabby Marbled Tabby Mink R/S Mink Marbled R/S Charcoal Marbled Mink R/S Mink Marbled
Tabby Tabby Tabby Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal
Tabby Tabby Tabby
Sepia Blue Sepia R/S Blue Sepia Silver Blue Silver Blue Blue Sepia Blue Sepia Silver Blue Silver Blue
Tabby Marbled Tabby Sepia R/S Sepia Marbled R/S Charcoal Marbled Sepia R/S Sepia Marbled
Tabby Tabby Tabby Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal
Tabby Tabby Tabby
Note: Proposed AOV includes Longhair and Shorthair versions of the above and of every other color in tabby with the
above tabby patterns or solid (aka “melanistic”), except for red, cream, tortie/torbie or bicolors (i.e., no combinations of
“with white” allowed). This results in 480 possible color/patterns for Championship and AOV combined.

CFA Bengal Breed Committee Materials

 Bengal Color/Patterns Proposed for Cham

WCC Association Recognized Colors/Patterns

Rosetted/ Marbled Rosetted/ Marbled
Spotted Spotted
SILVER SILVER
Black/ Full Black/Brown Black/ Brown Black Silver Black Silver
Brown color R/S Tabby Marbled Tabby R/S Tabby Marbled Tabby
Pointed Seal R/S Lynx Seal Marbled Silver Seal R/S Silver Seal
Point Lynx Point Lynx Point Marbled Lynx
Point
Mink Seal Mink R/S Seal Mink Silver Seal Silver Seal
Tabby Marbled Tabby Mink R/S Mink Marbled
Tabby Tabby
Sepia Seal Sepia R/S Seal Sepia Silver Seal Silver Seal
Tabby Marbled Tabby Sepia R/S Sepia Marbled
Tabby Tabby
Selected Color Descriptions
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Brown (Black) Tabby
• All variations of brown allowed [Cold to warm]
• Ground color from buff, tan, honey gold,( to
orange.)
• Markings may be various shades of tan, brown,
and black.
• Extreme contrast between ground color and
markings
• Distinct shapes, well defined edges, two toned.
• Lighter color spectacles enhance the eyes.
• Much lighter to white ground color on the whisker
pads, chin, chest, belly, and inner legs desirable.
• Nose leather: Brick red, outlined in black.
• Paw pads: Pink to brick red, allowances for black
or brown.
• Eye color: Gold to green.
 Black Silver Tabby
• Ground color from clear silver white to
pewter gray.
• Markings medium gray to jet black, with
good contrast to ground color.
• Minimal to no warm tones on face, back,
and legs; tarnish is undesirable.
• Color on chest and belly lighter than
ground color.
• Area around eyes, temples, and muzzle
lighter than ground color.
• Black skin pigment around eyes and lips
• Nose leather: Brick red, or black.
• Paw pads: Black.
• Eye color: Any color other than blue.
 “Snow” Bengal Colors
Seal Lynx Point, Seal Mink
Tabby, Seal Sepia Tabby
Seal Mink Tabby

Seal Sepia Tabby

Seal Lynx Point

 Seal Lynx Point (SLP)
Silver Seal Lynx Point (SSLP)
SSLP
SLP

Helmi Flick

Helmi Flick
Seal Mink Tabby & Seal Sepia Tabby
Cool to Warm Tones
Seal Mink Tabby Seal Mink Tabby

Helmi Flick

Seal Sepia Tabby Seal Sepia Tabby

 Blue Tabby

• Ground color is pale blue gray to slate

blue gray,
• Markings medium blue to darker blue.
• Good contrast between ground color and
markings.
• Warm fawn tones can be present on face,
back, and legs.
• Underside and chest lighter in color than Helmi Flick
ground color
• Area around eyes, temples, and muzzle
lighter than ground color.
• Dark blue pigment around eyes and lips
• Nose leather: Rose, outlined in dark blue
• Paw pads: Aubergine/purple
• Eye color: Any color other than blue
 Charcoal Tabby
• Charcoal Tabby is an
intermediate
phenotype between
solid and tabby

• Effect is possible on
all tabby colors (e.g.,
brown, silver)

• Decreases contrast,
primarily dorsally,
which appears as
“cape” or “mask”

• Result of mismatch
between agouti
protein and its
receptor
Allowances, Penalize, DQ
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Allowances, Penalize, Disqualify
ALLOWANCES:
• Smaller size, in balanced proportion, in females
• Jowls in mature males
• Slightly longer coat in kittens
• Slightly larger ears in kittens
• Eyes slightly almond shaped
• Incorrect paw pad color

PENALIZE:
• Rosettes or spots running together vertically forming a mackerel tabby pattern
• Circular bull’s eye pattern.
• Substantially darker point color as compared to color of body markings in “snows”

DISQUALIFY:
• Belly not patterned
• Any distinct locket on neck, chest, abdomen, or anywhere else
• Kinked, or otherwise deformed tail
• Cow hocking
• Crossed eyes
Breed History & Origins
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Brief History
Domestic Bengal Breed
• 1963. Jean Mill crossed a domestic cat with an
Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis
• 1970’s. Asian Leopard Cat X Domestic Cat
hybrids were shown in CFA and ACFA
• 1980. First Bengal registered in TICA
• 1986. Jean Mill registered 14 “Leopardettes” as
Bengals
• 1990’s to present. Bengal one of the most
popular pets and show cats
• Bengals show in Championship in TICA,
GCCF, FIFE, ACFA as well as Australian &
South African Cat Fancy Organizations
• 2016. Accepted for Miscellaneous Status CFA
 Bengal Heritage - The Asian Leopard Cat
(Prionailurus bengalensis)

• Small wild cat species, from 5-15 lbs.

• Asia from the Amur region south to Indonesia, from Philippines west to Pakistan.
• Highly adaptable feline, living in tropical to temperate climates
• Noted and named for the striking, high contrast spotted coat of most subspecies that
makes the cat resemble a smaller version of the Leopard (Panthera pardus)
• Although one subspecies is endangered, this feline is among the most common of all
Asian wild cats
• The Asian Leopard Cat is noted for being shy, easily frightened and retiring though it
frequently lives near human settlements
 Bengal Heritage – Domestic
Cats
Domestic Cats of many breeds were used as outcrosses
throughout the breed’s history

• Indian Mau
• Egyptian Mau
• Ocicat
• Abyssinian
• Burmese
• American Shorthair
• Domestic Shorthair
Handling Tips
Bengal Judges Breed Seminar
 Bengal Handling Tips
• Handler should be confident and firm
but not overly restraining

• Bengals like to have contact with the

table, 4 feet preferable, but at least 2
touching the table

• Teaser and pole are helpful in getting

them to show off musculature and so
judge can see other traits

• But be careful--they may jump for the

toy! You can get a Bengal in the face
or on the head
Handler should be confident and
firm but not overly restraining
Bengals like to have contact with
the table, 4 feet preferable, but at
least 2 touching the table
 Handling Tips

• Teaser and pole are helpful in

getting them to show off
musculature and so judge can
see other traits

• But be careful--they may jump

for the toy! You can get a
Bengal in the face or on the
head
Correct Handling
 Acknowledgments

• Akerrs • Kingsmark
• Anglestar • Medoz
• Audra Mitchell • Rowan
• Bangles • Speakeasy
• Bengaland • Sundaribengals
• Boydsbengals • TICA BG Breed Committee
• Chanan • Traipse Bengals
• Cheetahsden • Wildfire
• Fractal • Wildgold
• Helmi Flick • Wildstyle
• Jazzle • Windyridge
• Junglebook • … And many others
• Jungletime
• Jungletrax