AOC-Eyed Snow Marbled Bengal Preliminary Standard of Points

Breed Number 76a 20

General Type Standard

The Bengal should be alert, friendly and affectionate and in excellent physical condition with a dependable temperament. The Bengal’s wild appearance is enhanced by its distinctive spotted or marbled tabby coat which should be thick and luxurious. The Bengal is a large to medium cat, sleek and muscular with a thick tail which is carried low. The female may be smaller than the males.

Head and neck

Broad medium wedge with round 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 slightly puffed nose leather. The muzzle should be full and broad with a slightly rounded, firm 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 side 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 towards the base of the ear.

Body

Long, sleek and muscular. Large to medium and robust with the hindquarters slightly higher than the shoulders, showing depth of flank.

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; may be tapered towards the end.

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.

AOC-Eyed Snow Marbled Bengal Pattern Description

Marbled Pattern - 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 straps, mascara markings, distinct broken or unbroken necklet(s) and blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks or spots are desirable. There should be a distinct pattern with large swirled patches or streaks, clearly defined but not symmetrical, giving the impression of marbled, preferably with a horizontal flow. Contrast must be extreme with distinct shapes and sharp outlines. The stomach must be spotted. The legs may show broken horizontal lines and/or spots. The tail may be ringed, marbled and/or spotted along its length, with a solid dark coloured tip. The marbled markings should have as little similarity to the classic tabby as possible. A vertical striped mackerel tabby tendency is also undesirable.

Colour Description for AOC-Eyed Snow Marbled Bengal

(Burmese/Tonkinese restriction of coat pattern) The ground colour should be ivory to tan, with the pattern clearly visible. The pattern may vary in colour from charcoal or shades of brown with light coloured spectacles, whisker pads and chin. There may be a light coloured spot on the back of each ear. These are preferred and are known as ocelli. The eye rims, lips and nose leather should be outlined in black and the centre of the nose leather should be brick red. Paw pads should be brown with rosy undertones. The colour may be darker on the points than on the body; as little contrast as possible is preferred. The tail tip must be dark brown or charcoal. The overall appearance should be of pearl dusting.

Eye Colour - Gold, green or blue-green.

SCALE OF POINTS
Head and Neck	15
Ears	5
Eye Shape and Colour	5
Body	20
Legs and Paws	10
Tail	5
Coat Texture	10
Coat Colour	10
Pattern and Contrast	20
Total	100

Withhold all awards for: Aggressive behaviour

Withhold Certificates and First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes for:

Long, rough or coarse coat
Distinctly ticked coat
Tail tip not the required colour
Whip tail
Stomach not spotted
Incorrect paw pad colour
Oriental head type, e.g. straight profile, large flared ears
Cobby or Abyssinian, Burmese or Oriental body type
White patches or spots other than ocelli
Any other defects as listed in the GCCF SOP booklet