The Bengal is a relatively new breed of cat. It was first bred in America and was originally created by crossing an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat.

The domestic Bengal is similar in appearance to the Asian Leopard because it shares some of the genetic make-up from its wild ancestor, however its temperament is very domestic.

Generations of cats are numbered using F1, F2, F3 and so on, to show how far removed they are from the original cross. A Bengal cat that is suitable as a pet should be one that is at least four generations removed (F4). Anything less would not be suitable for domestic owners and should be left to the experts, who use these for specific breeding purposes.


The Bengal cat is very distinctive in both build and marking on its fur. Its body is muscular and sleek with a thick tail that is carried low. Its hindquarters are slightly higher than its shoulders. Its pelt has a rich smooth feel of satin or silk. Even the voice of the Bengal is different from that of other domestic cats.

Bengals are affectionate, alert and playful, with the stunning looks of its wild ancestor. They also love to play with water and will join you in the bath or shower.

There are a variety of coat patterns, each one very dramatic and beautiful. They can be divided into four main types:

Brown spotted

Snow spotted

Brown marbled

Snow marbled


The pattern is either spotted or marbled and the background colour is either brown or white. White Bengals are referred to as 'snow's.

Those Bengals that also have a lighter underside similar to the tummies of the Asian Leopard cats are considered desirable.

A Bengal cat's white tummy should always be spotted, unlike paws and chest bib found in domestic tabby cats. Some cats also  have a distinct "glitter" effect over their fur this is unique to Bengals and is considered highly desirable .

Both sexes make equally good pets, generally neutered male cats are extremely loving and spayed females tend to be slightly more independent.

Both are affectionate, inquisitive and make wonderful companions. It is important that you have your Bengal spayed or neutered. Spayed cats are healthier, have fewer medical emergencies and live longer.

Like many baby animals all Bengals go through a bit of an ugly duckling stage where they do not look their best, they lose the clarity of their markings before later regaining them with their adult coat. The older kittens appear to be fuzzy with less clear markings than the very young kittens, hence they are given the name ‘Fuzzies’. This is quite normal and happens at around about ten weeks old which unfortunately is when the kittens are first ready to go their new homes.

It is always advisable that you see the kittens first at an earlier age, between two to six weeks old. This way you can see what the adult markings will be like and identify if there are any faults such as a ticked coat or long hair. If this is not possible you maybe able to see a photo of the kitten at this age instead.

Bengals make unique and rewarding pets. They have very loving and engaging characters and for this reason make wonderful pets. They can be compared to an oriental cat and even considered dog-like. For this reason they are better suited to someone who doesn’t want a quiet, low-key companion.

They are very demanding cats and will need your constant attention. They love to play with toys, but remember anything  becomes a toy to a Bengal e.g.: pens, bits of paper, tissues, plugs etc.

The first Bengal to be imported in the UK was Gogees Tigretracks, a handsome male with a lovely thick pelt, well dusted with the glorious ‘Gold’ glitter.

The female – Gogees Winterhawk Freedom – followed three weeks later. She was a Snow Bengal of very good type.

The next Bengal was imported in 1991. His name was Millwood Whimsey, a cinnamon Bengal, who has established his colour in the UK Bengals.

They were closely followed by other Bengals, providing a working gene pool for UK breeders.

Brown (Black) Spotted Bengal 76 30
Brown (Black) Marbled Bengal 76 20
AOC-Eyed Snow Spotted Bengal 76a 30
AOC-Eyed Snow Marbled Bengal 76a 20
Blue-Eyed Snow Spotted Bengal 76b 30
Blue-Eyed Snow Marbled Bengal 76b 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 females may be smaller than the males.

Head and Neck
Broad medium wedge with rounded 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 line of the bridge of the nose extends to the nose leather making a very slight concave curve.

The nose is large and broad with a slightly puffed nose leather. The muzzle should be full and broad with a (slightly) rounded, strong (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 pointed forward in profile. Light horizontal furnishings are acceptable but ear tufts are undesirable.

Eyes – Almost round, oval, may be slightly almond-shaped preferred, large but not bold. Set on a slight slant toward the base of the ear.

Body- Long, sleek and muscular. Large to medium and robust with the hindquaters 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.

Bengal Tabby Pattern Descriptions

Spotted 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 or spots run over the head on either side of a complex scarab marking, down the neck and onto the shoulders where they may break up into rosettes.

Rosettes are formed by a part circle of spots around a distinctly lighter centre. Strong, bold chin strap, mascara markings, distinct broken or unbroken necklet(s) and blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks or spots are desirable. Spots may vary in size and shape but should be generally large, well formed and distributed at random, or in horizontal alignment.

Contrast with the ground colour must be extreme giving a distinct pattern and a sharp outline to the spots. Arrowhead-shaped spots are desirable. Larger spots may be rosetted. This is prefer to single spotting but is not essential.

The stomach must be spotted except in Blue-Eyed Snow kittens. The legs may show broken horizontal lines and/or spots. The tail should have rings, steaks and/or spots along its length, with a solid dark coloured tip. Spots should not run together vertically forming a mackerel tabby pattern.

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 strap, mascaras markings, distinct broken or unbroken necklet(s) and blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks are desirable.

There should be a distinct pattern with large swirled patches or streaks, clearly defined but not symmetrical, giving the impression of marble, preferably with a horizontal flow. Contrast must be extreme with distinct shapes and sharp outlines.

The stomach must be spotted except in Blue-Eyed Snow kittens. 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 Descriptions for Spotted and Marbled Bengals

Brown Tabby-All variations are allowed in Spotted Bengals but a high degree of rufous colour yielding a yellow, buff, golden or orange ground colour is preferred. Markings may be black or various shades of brown.

There may be a light coloured spot “thumb print” on the back of each ear. These are preferred and are known as ocelli. A very pale colour, preferably white, is highly desirable on the whisker pads and chin and may extend onto the chest, underside the flanks and back. White or very light coloured spectacles encircling the eyes are desirable.

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 and tail tip must be black. The overall appearance should be of gold dusting.
A grey base coat should not be penalised. Eye colour-Gold, green or hazel, deep shades preferred.

Blue-Eyed Snow

The ground colour should be ivory to cream. The pattern may vary in colour from charcoal to dark or light brown with light coloured spectacles, whisker pads and chin.

There may be a light coloured spot “thumb print” 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-Blue, deep shades preferred.

AOC-Eyed Snow

The ground colour should be ivory to tan, with the pattern clearly visible. The pattern may be charcoal or shades of brown with light coloured spectacles, whisker pads and chin. There may be a light coloured spot “thumb print” 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 dark brown with rosy undertones. 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 15
Head and Neck 5
Ears 5
Eye Shape and Colour 20
Body 10
Legs and Paws 5
Tail 10
Coat Texture 10
Coat Colour 20
Pattern and contrast --
Total 100

Withhold All Awards for: Aggressive behaviour.

Withhold Certificates and First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes for:
1 Long, rough or coarse coat.
2 Distinctly ticked coat.
3 Tail tip not the required colour.
4 Whip tail.
5 Stomach not spotted except in Blue-Eyes Snow kittens.
6 Incorrect paw pad colour.
7 Oriental head type, e.g. straight profile, large flared ears.
8 Cobby or Abyssinian, Burmese or Oriental body type.
9 White patches or spots other than the ocelli those reffered to in the Colour descriptions.
10 Any other defect as listed in the preface to the GCCF SOP booklet.