The goal of the Bengal breeding program is to create a domestic cat that has the physical features distinctive to the small forest-dwelling Asian Leopard Cat, with a loving, dependable temperament. With this goal in mind, judges shall give special merit to those characteristics in the appearance of the Bengal, which are distinct from those found in other domestic cat breeds. The Bengal is a sleek medium to large cat with a long, heavily boned, solid body that is very muscular. The hindquarters are slightly higher than the shoulders with a thick tail that is carried low adding balance to the cat. The female is generally smaller than the male and exhibits proportionately similar qualities. Prominent whisker pads and large oval, almost round eyes in a slightly small head enhance the wild appearance and expressive nocturnal look. Its very slight concave profile and relatively short ears with wide base and rounded tips add to the Bengal’s distinctive appearance. The coat, which is one of the most distinguishing features of the Bengal cat, should be short and dense, displaying clarity and extreme contrast with either a spotted or marbled pattern that is often rosetted and has a distinctive silky soft feel. No other domestic breed of cat displays the unique “Leopard-like” rosetting, which is two distinct colours or shades sometimes giving the appearance of smudged spotting or a third colour within the marble pattern. Spots such as paw print, arrowhead, doughnut or half doughnut shaped, or clustered are preferable to single spots and should be random and aligned horizontally. Marbles with three or more shades in their pattern are preferable and should also be random, giving the impression of marble with a horizontal flow when the cat is stretched. The belly should be without exception, spotted. The coat may be glittered (also unique to the breed) or not glittered, with neither type to be given preference. There are four colours recognised in the Bengal breed; Brown Tabby being the dominant colour that varies from warm beige to rich mahogany tones with gold, copper, green, bronze, brown or hazel eye colour. Seal Lynxpoint which should be ivory to cream with blue eye colour. Seal Mink Tabby (aqua, green or green-gold eye colour) and Seal Sepia Tabby (gold or gold-green eye colour) which should vary in colour from ivory, cream to light tan. Markings should be clearly visible. Apart from its appearance, the Bengal is an athletic cat, which has agility, balance and grace. It is also strong, confident and is alert to its surroundings. As well as being curious, it has a very engaging and loving personality, with a dependable character, often preferring the company of humans to that of other cats.
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