CFA BENGALS
SEAL LYNX POINT COLOR
2016 - 2019 CFA Bengal Standard for SEAL LYNX POINT COLOR:
(Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal): Ground Color can range from ivory to cream, with color on chest and belly being lighter. Markings may vary from light tan to dark seal brown, and be clearly visible. Points vary from warm brown to brownish black. Markings are distinct and separated by lighter ground color. Color around the eyes, temples, and muzzle are light. The point color should not be significantly darker than the body markings. Tail tip should be dark seal brown. Ears warm brown with lighter thumb print in center. NOSE LEATHER: Pink to brick red. PAW PADS: Black. EYE COLOR: Blue
Seal Lynx Points have 2 color point alleles from the Siamese Cat - This is what causes Siamese Cats to have darker tails and faces, this are the parts of their body that are exposed to lower temperatures than their bodies. Because of this, most Lynx Point kittens start off solid white and their spots/patterns don't become apparent until the fur on their bodies is exposed to colder temperatures that begin when they are birthed. Usually around 2 weeks of birth is when the color starts to come in and it continues to develop and usually gets darker as the kitten progresses in age towards Adulthood. As with many "rules", there are exceptions - See the kitten at the bottom of the page where the kitten is darkest when younger! Note: For the Bengal Breed, we strive for less point color because we like the connection in appearance to the Snow Leopard from the mountains of Nepal.
Seal Lynx Point Bengal Colors in Adults:
Seal Lynx Point Bengal Colors in Kittens:
A Single Seal Lynx Point Bengal with unusual coloring change (this kitten starts off darker than what she grows into):
Breed Council Change Considerations:
NOTE: Rose highlight indicates a "Strike-through" of wording in the Bengal Breed standard to be removed. Gold highlight indicates an "underline" which is new wording being proposed to add in to the Bengal Standard.
1. Proposed combination of 2 large groups in council for SEAL LYNX POINT COLOR as follows:
SEAL LYNX POINT (Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal): Ground Color can range from ivory to cream, with color on chest and belly being lighter. Markings may vary from light tan to dark seal brown, and be clearly visible. Points vary from warm brown to brownish black. Markings are distinct and separated by lighter ground color. Color around the eyes, temples, and muzzle are light. The point color should not be significantly darker than the body markings. Tail tip should be dark seal brown. Ears warm brown with lighter thumb print in center. NOSE LEATHER: Pink to brick red. PAW PADS: Black. EYE COLOR: Blue.
SEAL LYNX POINT (Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal): Ground Color ranges from ivory to light beige. Clearly visible markings on body range from light tan to dark seal brown. Nose leather: Pink to brownish black. Paw pads: Brownish black, rose undertones allowed. Eye color: Blue. Tail tip: Dark seal brown to black.
Rationale:
A. Combining both large groups proposals into a single section. Giving neither group's preference for having or not having darker points due to thermal nature of the Lynx Point.
B. This option adds in Tail Tip color description.
C. We can remove the statement about point colors being darker because it is already covered in the Penalize section of the standard. It's unnecessary to be repeated.
Obstacle:
A.
PROPOSAL #56 ON THE 2019 BALLOT. Ballot results: 40 yes, 28 no - 68 voters need 41 to pass. Did not pass.
Breed Council Change Considerations for 2019 that did not get on the Ballot:
A. Accept the 2018 Proposed CFA Bengal Standard for SEAL LYNX POINT COLOR:
Ground Color ranges from ivory to light beige. Clearly visible markings range from light tan to dark seal brown. Point color not substantially darker than body markings. Dark seal brown to black tail tip. NOSE LEATHER: brick to brownish black. PAW PADS: brownish black, rosey undertones allowed. EYE COLOR: blue.
Rationale:
A. 49% of last years council already approved.
Obstacle:
A. Some breeders in a 2nd group outside of this one like the pointing on a lynx point which this standard would discourage.
B. No Tail tip color.
THIS IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING PROPOSED IN THE 2019 BALLOT IN FAVOR OF #3 ON THIS PAGE WHICH COMBINES AND INCLUDES PREFERENCES FROM 2 LARGE GROUPS IN OUR COUNCIL.
B. Accept the 2017 Proposed document by a 2nd group for SEAL LYNX POINT COLOR:
Ground Color ranges from ivory to light beige. Clearly visible markings range from light tan to dark seal brown. Points may be substantially darker than body markings due to thermal nature. NOSE LEATHER: brick to brownish black. PAW PADS: brownish black, rosey undertones allowed. EYE COLOR: blue.
Rationale:
A. Already approved by another large group within the council (Marianne's 2017 document)
B. Some breeders in this group like the pointing on a lynx point which is why it's worded in this manner.
Obstacle:
A. Seems to give preference to Bengals with darker point coloration. Some Bengal breeders are selecting away from this trait for these reasons:
i. It looks more like the pattern and coloring of a Snow Leopard (they do not have strong colors on their points)
ii. Differentiates between the Bengal breed and other breeds that encourage strong pointed colorations like the Oriental Breeds.
THIS IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING PROPOSED IN THE 2019 BALLOT IN FAVOR OF #1 ON THIS PAGE WHICH COMBINES AND INCLUDES PREFERENCES FROM 2 LARGE GROUPS IN OUR COUNCIL.