The overall look of the Bengal cat can depend on its generation and its wild and domestic parentage. The first three generations of the Bengal cat are called foundation Bengals and these are classified as F1-F3 (now more commonly reffered to as 1G, 2G and 3G).

High percentage F1 Bengal (ALC x F1 Bengal)

High percentage F1 Bengal

F1 Bengal

F1 Bengal Cat Anakin

F2 Bengal

F2 Bengal Cat Bibi

F3 Bengal

F3 Bengal Cat Sittingpretty Thunderbolt

Once you reach the fourth generation of Bengals, they are described as SBT which stands for Stud Book Tradition. Stud Book Tradition is a term chosen by The International Cat Association (Tica) and the Tica Bengal breed standard sets outs the traits which are called for in our SBT Bengals:

Head

Shape: Broad modified wedge with rounded contours. Longer than it is wide. Slightly small in proportion to body, but not to be taken to extreme. The skull behind the ears makes a gentle curve and flows into the neck. Allowance to be made for jowls in adult males. Overall look of the head should be as distinct from the domestic cat as possible.

Bengal head

Ears: Medium to small, relatively short, with wide base and rounded tops. Set as much on side as top of head, following the contour of the face in the frontal view, and pointing forward in the profile view. Light horizontal furnishings acceptable; but lynx tipping undesirable.

Bengal ears

Eyes: Oval, almost round. Large, but not bugged. Set wide apart, back into face, and on slight bias toward base of ear. Eye color independent of coat color except in the lynx points. The more richness and depth of color the better.

Bengal ears

Chin: Strong chin, aligns with tip of nose in profile.

Bengal chin

Muzzle: Full and broad, with large, prominent whisker pads and high, pronounced cheekbones. Slight muzzle break at the whisker pads.

Bengal muzzle and whisker pads

Nose: Large and wide; slightly puffed nose leather.

Bengal nose

Profile: Curve of the forehead should flow into the bridge of the nose with no break. Bridge of nose extends above the eyes; the line of the bridge extends to the nose tip, making a very slight, to nearly straight, concave curve.

Bengal profileBengal profile

Neck: Long, substantial, muscular; in proportion to the head and body.

Bengal profile

Body

Torso: Long and substantial, not oriental or foreign. Medium to large (but not quite as large as the largest domestic breed).

Bengal torsoBengal torso

Legs: Medium length, slightly longer in the back than in the front.

Bengal legs

Feet: Large, round, with prominent knuckles.

Bengal feet

Tail: Medium length, thick, tapered at end with rounded tip.

Bengal tail

Boning: Sturdy, firm; never delicate.

Wildwaters Tiger Of Sittingpretty

Musculature: Very muscular, especially in the males, one of the most distinguishing features.

Bengal musculature

Coat

Length: Short to medium. Allowance for slightly longer coat in kittens.

Texture: Dense and luxurious, close-lying, unusually soft and silky to the touch.

Pattern: Spotted or Marbled

Bengal coatBengal coatBengal coat

Sources: The International Cat Association (TICA) Bengal Breed Standard

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