The Bengal is a domestic cat, which has the physical features of the small forestdwelting Felis Bengalensis or' Leopard cat. A cat with a basic "feral" appearence and the loving dependable temperament of the domestic cat. Alert appearance.

The Bengal is sleek and very muscular.

very slight concave curve of nose.

long and substantial, large In proportion to head, not oriental or foreign.

Robust bone structure, never delicate.

Very muscular, especially in males; is one of the features. Hindquarters slightly higher than shoulders.

medium long, slightly longer in the back than in the front.

Very muscular, never delicate.

thick, tapered at the end, with rounded tip.

Medium large, medium length.

For colour varieties refer to the following tables.

Perfect physical condition, well balanced physically and temperamentally.

•    Novice cats are not permitted.

•    It is not allowed to cross the Bengals with any other breed.

•    Much darker point colour (compared to colour of body markings) on Snow Bengals, Seal Sepia and Seal Mink Bengals

•    Spots on body running together vertically forming a mackerel tabby pattern.

•    Circular bull's eye pattern on marbles.

•    Long or coarse coat.

•    not all of the same colour

•    not consistent with their colour group description

•    Tail tip not black for colour varieties n 26/28.

•    Tail tip not dark seal to sable brown for colour varieties 31/32/33

placement and shape of the ears

Neck

Torso

shape of legs and feet

shape and length of the tail

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 marble, preferably with a horizontal flow when the cat is stretched. Vertical striped mackerel influence is undesirable. Preference should be given to cats with 3 or more shades: i.e. ground colour, markings and dark outlining of those markings,

Contrast with ground colour must be extreme, with distinct shapes and sharp edges.

There should be little or no difference between the colour of body markings and the point colour.

For the description of the pattern refer to the General Part. Spots shaft be random or aligned horizontally, Rosettes formed by a pan circle of spots around a distinct redder centre are preferable to single spotting, but not required.

Vertical stripes are undesirable.

Blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks are desirable.

 Contrast with ground colour must be extreme, with distinct shapes and sharp edges. Strong bold chin strap and mascara markings are desirable.

Belly must be spotted.

There should be little or no difference between the colour of markings

on the body and colour of the points.

EMS Code

Nose/Eye rims

Paw pads / Tail tip

Ground colour:

Variations of yellow buff, tan, golden or orange colour. 

Chin, chest, belly andinner legs show a cream-white ground colour in contrast to flanks and back.

Pattern:

The markings are virtually black, brown, tan or shades of chocolate or cinnamon

Brick red

Paw pads:

must be black

Tail tip:

must be black

.

SEAL SEPIA MARBLED

and

SEAL MINK MARBLED

and

BEN n 22 32

Ground colour:

Ivory to cream

Pattern:

clearly visible. Various shades of sable to brown to bitter chocolate.

Little or no difference between colour of  markings on the body and the colour of the points.

Paw pads:

dark brown with rosy undetone allowed.

Tail tip:

dark seal to sable brown

Ground colour:

Ivory to cream

Pattern:

dark seal brown, light brown, tan or buff.

Little or no difference between colour of markings on the body  and colour of the points

Pattern as for n 22

Paw pads:

dark seal brown.

Tail tip:

must be dark seal brown

EMS Code

Nose/Eye rims

Paw pads / Tail tip

Ground colour:

As for n 22

Pattern:

refer to the general description of coat colour above

Brick red

Paw pads:

must be black

Tail tip:

must be black

.

SEAL SEPIA SPOTTED

and

SEAL MINK SPOTTED

and

BEN n 24 32

Ground colour:

As for n 22 31

Pattern:

clearly visible. Various shades of sable brown to bitter chocolate

As for n 22 31

Ground colour:

as for n 22 33

Pattern:

Colour as for n 22 33

Pattern as for n 24

As for n 22 33