The Bengal Cat is a man made breed created by hybridizing a small Asian Leopard Cat, (ALC),scientific name is Prionailurus Bengalensis, bred to a domestic cat, scientific name, felis catus The origins of the breed lie in the United States, where Mrs Jean Mill and several other breeders exhibited the hybrids in the early eighties.  American biologist Jean Mill wanted to create a domestic cat with features and characteristics similar to a real wild cat.  She started a breeding program in 1963 by mating an Asian Bengal with an American Shorthair..  Later, Abyssinians and Egyptian Maus were crossbred, and through each generation results improved.  Today, most breeders are using only SBT Bengals to breed back to the f-generations. That way the genes are more predictable.

Pattern (30 points):

Spotted: 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 colour must be extreme, giving distinct pattern and sharp edges. Strong bold chin strap and mascara markings are desirable. Belly must be spotted.

Marble: pattern shall be random and uniquely different from the classic tabby pattern, with as little 'bull's-eye' similarity as possible. Vertical striped mackerel influence is undesirable. Preference should be given to cats with three or more shades; i.e. ground colour, markings and dark outlining of those markings. Contrast must be extreme, belly must be spotted.

Colour (10 points): All variations of the brown spotted tabby are allowed; however, a high degree of rufinism yielding yellow, buff, tan, golden, or orange ground colour is preferred. Spots may be black, brown, tan, or various shades of chocolate or cinnamon. A white ground colour on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and inner legs (in contrast to the ground colour of the flanks and back) is desirable. Smoky undercoat shall not be considered a fault. Rims of 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.

Head (10 points):
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.

Ears (10 points):
Size: medium small, basically short ears, with wide base and rounded tips.
Placement: set as much on side as top of head, following the contour of the face in the frontal view, and pointing forward in the profile view.
Furnishings: light horizontalfurnishings acceptable; but lynx tipping is undesirable.

Eyes (5 points):
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.
Colour: any colour except blue or aqua.

Neck (5 points):
Size: thick and muscular, large in proportion to head.
Length: long, and in proportion to body.

Body (10 points):
Shape: long and substantial, but not oriental or foreign.
Size: 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 (5 points):
Length: medium, slightly longer in the back than in the front.
Boning: large and substantial. Never delicate.
Musculature: very muscular, like the body.

Feet (5 points):
Size: large.
Shape: round.

Tail:
Shape: thick, tapered at end with rounded tip.
Size: medium large.
Length: medium.

Coat ( 10 points):
Length: short to medium. Allowance for slightly longer coat in kittens.
Texture: thick, luxurious, and unusually soft to the touch.

Penalize:
Spots on body running together vertically forming a mackerel tabby pattern. White locket on chest. Do not penalize for smoky undercoat.

Withhold all awards:
Tail tip not black. Belly not spotted. Rose coloured paw pads as opposed to the required black.

F-1's thru SBT's
F-1's The first generation are ½ Asian Leopard and ½ domestic. A cross between a domestic and an ALC
F-2's The second generation are ¼ Asian Leopard cat and ¾ domestic cat. A cross between an f-1 and a domestic
F-3's The third generation f3's, are 1/8 Asian Leopard cat and 7/8 domestic cat. A cross between an f-2 and a domestic
F-4's and beyond are known as SBT's
SBT stands for Stud Book Three generations removed. They are a recognized breed and eligible for showing.

brown spotted tabby 

seal lynx point spotted tabby 

seal sepia spotted tabby 

seal mink spotted tabby 

silver tabby