Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Bengal cat is a relatively young breed developed in the United States during the second half of the 20th century. It originated from the crossing of domestic cats with the Asian leopard cat, with the goal of combining the wild beauty of a leopard’s coat with the calm temperament of a domestic feline. The first breeding experiments began in the 1960s, but official development started in the 1980s when a stable type and temperament were achieved. Bengals quickly gained worldwide popularity thanks to their striking spotted or marbled coat resembling wild predators, their athleticism, and their affectionate nature. Today, the Bengal is recognized in many countries and enjoys immense popularity among breeders and cat owners alike.
General Appearance
The Bengal cat is a large, muscular, and harmoniously proportioned animal with an athletic, flexible body. It combines the power of its wild ancestor with the refinement of a domestic cat. The body is medium in length, strong, and well-muscled, yet graceful. Legs are strong and of medium length, with rounded paws. The tail is medium, thick at the base, and slightly tapering at the tip. The head is relatively small compared to the body, with pronounced cheekbones and a broad muzzle. The coat is short, dense, and silky to the touch, featuring a distinct, contrasting pattern—either spotted or marbled. The expression is alert and “wild,” enhanced by large, oval to almond-shaped eyes that give the breed its exotic look.
Important Proportions
The Bengal must display harmony between strength and grace. The body length should slightly exceed shoulder height, creating a sleek, streamlined silhouette. The head is proportional—broad but not large, with smooth contours. The neck is strong and of medium length, blending naturally into the body. The tail should balance the overall structure—neither too long nor too short. Hind legs are slightly longer than the front, giving the impression of readiness to leap. Eye and ear size must complement the head, maintaining balance. Strong contrast and clarity of coat pattern are essential breed features.
Behavior and Temperament
Bengal cats are lively, energetic, and intelligent. They are highly active, playful, and require constant interaction with people. Bengals form deep emotional bonds with their owners and enjoy participating in family life. They are social, get along well with children and other animals when properly socialized, and display curiosity typical of their wild ancestors—climbing, exploring, and even playing with water. Despite their wild appearance, aggression is uncharacteristic; Bengals are friendly and affectionate but need stimulation and engagement.
Head
The head is medium-sized, wedge-shaped with soft contours and slight rounding. The skull is broad and moderately elongated, with a smooth transition from forehead to muzzle. Cheekbones are high and well-developed, emphasizing the breed’s strength. The profile is gently curved; the nose is broad and straight. The chin is firm and aligned with the profile, neither protruding nor receding. The overall look conveys power, grace, and an exotic charm.
Facial Features
The face is expressive with a strong, slightly shortened muzzle. The nose is wide at the base with a gentle curve and rounded tip. Prominent whisker pads give the cat a wild, alert expression. The cheeks are well-defined, and the chin is firm and straight. Altogether, the face appears balanced and confident.
Eyes
The eyes are large, oval to slightly almond-shaped, and set wide apart, giving a vivid, wild expression. The eye placement is slightly slanted, enhancing the exotic look. Color depends on the coat but must be rich and saturated—ranging from yellow to green, with golden hues acceptable. Snow Bengals may have blue eyes. The gaze should be bright, lively, and intelligent.
Ears
Ears are medium-sized, broad at the base, and slightly rounded at the tips. They are set high and wide apart, tilted slightly forward, giving an alert, predatory look. The inner surface is well-furred; small tufts are permissible. Ears must be in proportion to the head—neither too large nor too small.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, and muscular, blending smoothly into the shoulders and body. It is proportionate to the cat’s size, creating an impression of power and flexibility. The neck line should be smooth and balanced.
Body
The body is medium to large, long, and powerful, yet supple and athletic. The back is straight, the chest broad, and the hips and shoulders are well-developed. The skeleton is sturdy, and the muscles are prominent, giving the cat an athletic outline. The body should appear strong but not coarse, maintaining agility and balance.
Tail
The tail is medium in length, thick at the base, and tapering smoothly to a rounded, dark tip. It should be flexible and well-balanced with the body. The tail should display a clear pattern of rings or spots. It must not be too thin, long, or short.
Forelimbs
The forelegs are medium in length, straight, strong, and muscular. Shoulders are powerful, and elbows face straight back. Paws are round, compact, and firm. The stance must be steady, enabling precise and confident movement.
Hind Limbs
The hind legs are slightly longer than the front, giving the Bengal its characteristic poised, dynamic outline. Thighs are muscular, with strong joints and firm paws. Movements are springy and powerful, providing excellent jumping ability.
Gait and Movement
The gait is smooth, elastic, and graceful. Movements are light but powerful, with a fluid, feline rhythm. Bengals move with the effortless confidence of a wild cat—each step showing strength, flexibility, and balance.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, and silky, with a shimmering “glitter” effect. The fur lies close to the body, accentuating the muscular build. Texture is rich yet light. The pattern—spotted or marbled—must be sharply defined and high in contrast, with evenly distributed markings.
Acceptable Colors
The ICCF recognizes brown spotted tabby with rosettes, silver spotted and marbled, snow (lynx, mink, sepia), charcoal, and blue variants. The base tone must be vivid, with strong contrast between background and markings. The tail tip must be dark; paw pads and nose leather should match the overall color tone. The coat pattern is mandatory.
Size
The Bengal is a medium-to-large breed. Males typically weigh 5–7 kg (up to 8 kg in robust individuals), while females are lighter at 4–5 kg. The body is long, muscular, and solid yet elegant and balanced.
Faults
Faults include any deviation from the ICCF standard: weak musculature, overly heavy body, incorrect proportions, tail too long or thin, narrow or overly massive head, disproportionate ears, small or dull eyes, coat lacking luster or glitter, weak contrast, uneven pattern, or excessive undercoat. Behavioral issues such as aggression, shyness, or apathy also lower evaluation.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include structural deformities (tail kinks, limb defects, skull asymmetry), bite irregularities, cleft palate, heterochromia (except in snow variants), white patches on the body or feet (except allowed snow points), absence of pattern, excessively pale or altered coat color, albinism, long hair, or behavioral disorders (aggression, extreme fear, or nervous instability). Any artificial alteration—such as dyeing the coat or trimming whiskers—results in immediate disqualification.
Important Notes
In the ICCF system, Bengals are judged for the balance of wild appearance and domestic temperament. Judges should prioritize coat contrast, clarity of pattern, and overall harmony rather than favoring specific rosette shapes. Socialization is crucial, as Bengals are active and highly intelligent. Excessive fear or aggression is considered a serious fault. Only cats with valid ICCF documentation verifying origin, health, and conformity may participate in shows and breeding.
Conclusion
The Bengal cat represents the perfect fusion of wild beauty and domestic temperament. It embodies strength, grace, and the allure of the leopard while maintaining a friendly, balanced nature. According to ICCF standards, the Bengal must display a strong body, expressive head, vivid coat contrast, and lively personality. Only ICCF-registered cats meeting full breed criteria may be shown or bred. The goal of breeding is to preserve the Bengal’s distinctive coat, agility, and affectionate disposition—ensuring the breed continues to thrive as one of the most admired and recognizable cats in the world.
