top of page

CHARCOAL TABBY PATTERN

2016 - 2019 CFA Bengal Standard for CHARCOAL TABBY PATTERN:

There should be definite contrast between ground color and markings, with distinct shapes, and clearly defined edges.  Pattern should have a horizontal flow.  Preference will be given to very dark markings, with clear outlines, and well contrasted to the ground color.  There must be white, or nearly white spectacles or "goggles" encircling the eyes.  A wide, dark, "cape" running down the length of the back is desirable.  Color on chest and belly should be lighter than ground color.  Kittens are sometimes rosetted, adults are usually spotted.

MIDNIGHT CHARCOAL TABBY (Apb/a):

TWILIGHT CHARCOAL TABBY (Apb/Apb):

Bengals Carrying Non-Agouti:

These are examples of how a single non agouti allele (carries non-agouti) influences the color of non-charcoal bengals.   Generally, it makes them darker, outer rings don't fade in female when hormones come in and it tends to take reds away.

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. Move the "Charcoal Tabby Pattern" within the "ROSETTED/SPOTTED TABBY AND MARBLE TABBY COLORS" section into the "BENGAL PATTERNS AND COLORS" (underneath "MARBLE TABBY PATTERN").  Also, rename this to: "Charcoal Tabby Pattern Effect" as suggested in 2017 and 2018 ballots (as well as Marianne's 2017 paper for her group)

 

Rationale:

A. Moving this into a 3rd Pattern section shortens the number of colors that can be created by adding in "Charcoal.

B.  It is a Pattern effect as it has to do with the Agouti Genes.

 

PROPOSAL #42 ON THE 2019 BALLOT.  Results:  41 Yes, 37 No - 69 voters need 42 to pass.   Did not pass by 1 vote.

Note:  BCS thinks that we can work on this a bit more to illustrate the fact that a Bengals needs to be either Rosetted/Spotted or Marbled.  Charcoal is an "add on" similar to the colors that can combine together.  We need to decide if this needs to be addressed in the writing or it can be inferred as is done in the color section of the standard where all of the color sections that can all combine together.  Perhaps this trait is best put into the color category since it's certainly the way that it's expressed.

 

2. ONLY if Proposal #42 passes, change the description for "CHARCOAL BENGAL PATTERN EFFECT":

 

CHARCOAL TABBY PATTERN:  There should be definite contrast between ground color and markings, with distinct shapes, and clearly defined edges.  Pattern should have a horizontal flow.  Preference will be given to very dark markings, with clear outlines, and well contrasted to the ground color.  There must be white, or nearly white spectacles or "goggles" encircling the eyes.  A wide, dark, "cape" running down the length of the back is desirable.  Color on chest and belly should be lighter than ground color.  Kittens are sometimes rosetted, adults are usually spotted.

 

CHARCOAL TABBY PATTERN EFFECT:  Charcoal Tabby Effect can be present and shown in all acceptable tabby patterns and colors (e.g. Black Charcoal Silver Spotted Tabby).  Any color Charcoal Tabby meets the Rosetted/Spotted or Marbled Tabby descriptions with more dramatic spectacles.  Less contrast between pattern and ground color as well as a darker overall appearance in-between a tabby and a solid.  Mask runs from the nose bridge to the nose tip and connects from the mascara lines to the nose bridge.   Wide, dark "cape" on dorsal side may be present. 

Rationale(s):

A.  Moving this pattern effect into "PATTERNS" is appropirate as agreed to by 49% of the 2018 council as well as many other council members in 2017.

B.  Moving all parts that are "Pattern" into this pattern grouping will make is easier to recognize that cats can be both Charcoals and Minks (for instance -  We have one exhibitor that can't register her  Mink Charcoal because it is not a color currently described in our standard).    This would solve this issue.

C.  Doesn't penalize Apb/Apb Bengals for a less dramatic cape and mask.

D.  the Apb allele for the Agouti gene is the Charcoal gene.    Having 2 of them shouldn't be undesirable.  

E.  Apb/Apb Charcoal Bengals are more connected to their ALC ancestry than Apb/a Charcoals.   A Bengal having two of the ALC non-agouti allele's should not be penalized for the above traits coming through.   

F. Apb/Apb is highly suspected for what the Iriomote Island cats are.   This is a self-sustained subspecies of ALC's and some people find this more desirable.  

G. Having a Bengal with one non-agouti allele "Abp/a" makes most all of these cats darker.   Not just charcoals.  

 

Obstacle(s):

A.  This does not mention the actual color range of gray to black for the "Brown (Black)" charcoal tabby Bengal.  We may need to address the differences between Apb/Apb charcoals and Apb/a charcoals at some point in the future.

PROPOSAL #43 ON THE 2019 BALLOT.  Results:  41 Yes, 27 No - 68 voters need 41 votes to pass.  PASSED but since it was conditioned upon the passing of #42, ultimately, it failed.

NOTE:  ONLY if Proposal #42 does not pass (creating a Charcoal Pattern Effect item within the pattern section), The following 4 Proposals are all related.  Only differences are the color groups below -  This note may save you some time reading.  They section out the colors for Charcoals into groups according to the following:

Snow Charcoals - PROPOSAL #70 ON THE 2019 BALLOT. Results:  30 Yes, 37 No - 67 voters need 41 votes to pass.  Did not pass.

Blue Snow Charcoals - PROPOSAL #71 ON THE 2019 BALLOT.  Results:  29 Yes, 37 No - 66 voters needs 40 to pass.  Did not pass. 

Silver Snow Charcoals - PROPOSAL #72 ON THE 2019 BALLOT.  Results:  29 Yes, 37 No - Did not pass.

Blue Silver Snow Charcoals - PROPOSAL #73 ON THE 2019 BALLOT.  Results:  29 Yes, 37 No - 66 voters need 40 votes to pass.  Did not pass.

3. ONLY if Proposal #42 does not pass, add in a new Color and description for SEAL LYNX POINT CHARCOAL, SEAL MINK CHARCOAL and SEAL SEPIA CHARCOAL as a group.

 

SEAL LYNX POINT CHARCOAL, SEAL MINK CHARCOAL AND SEAL SEPIA CHARCOAL:  Same as corresponding non-charcoal colors with the addition of Mask, Goggles and Cape and will usually have darker point coloring.   

 

RATIONALE:  

A.  While the word "charcoal" is included within the pattern section parenthesis sections of these color descriptions, it is a bit hidden.  It is not very clear that these are acceptable color/pattern combinations and have been missed in 2019 when trying to register these color/traits.  

B.  Using the section "(Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal)" after the desctription title for only the Snows, Blues and Silvers leaves out the Chocolate, Cinnamon, lilac and Fawn colors that can also be charcoal.

C. Using the section "(Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal)" after the description title can be confusing as it can be seen that these 3 patterns are all separate.    But, it is only Rosetted/Spotted and Marbled that are separate.   Charcoal can be in addition to these main 2 patterns.

 

PROPOSAL #70 ON THE 2019 BALLOT. Results:  30 Yes, 37 No - 67 voters need 41 votes to pass.  Did not pass.

 

4.  ONLY if Proposal #42 does not pass, add in a new Color and description for BLUE LYNX POINT CHARCOAL, BLUE MINK CHARCOAL AND BLUE SEPIA CHARCOAL as follows:

 

BLUE LYNX POINT CHARCOAL, BLUE MINK CHARCOAL AND BLUE SEPIA CHARCOAL:  Same as corresponding non-charcoal colors with the addition of Mask, Goggles and Cape and will usually have darker point coloring.  

 

 

RATIONALE:  

A.  While the word "charcoal" is included within the pattern section parenthesis sections of these color descriptions, it is a bit hidden.  It is not very clear that these are acceptable color/pattern combinations and have been missed in 2019 when trying to register these color/traits.  

B.  Using the section "(Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal)" after the desctription title for only the Snows, Blues and Silvers leaves out the Chocolate, Cinnamon, lilac and Fawn colors that can also be charcoal.

C. Using the section "(Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal)" after the description title can be confusing as it can be seen that these 3 patterns are all separate.    But, it is only Rosetted/Spotted and Marbled that are separate.   Charcoal can be in addition to these main 2 patterns.

 

PROPOSAL #71 ON THE 2019 BALLOT.  Results:  29 Yes, 37 No - 66 voters needs 40 to pass.  Did not pass.  

 

5.  ONLY if Proposal #42 does not pass, add in a new Color and description for SILVER LYNX POINT CHARCOAL, SILVER MINK CHARCOAL AND SILVER SEPIA CHARCOAL as follows:

 

SEAL SILVER LYNX POINT CHARCOAL, SEAL SILVER MINK CHARCOAL AND SEAL SILVER SEPIA:  Same as corresponding non-charcoal colors with the addition of Mask, Goggles and Cape and will usually have darker point coloring.

 

 

RATIONALE:  

A.  While the word "charcoal" is included within the pattern section parenthesis sections of these color descriptions, it is a bit hidden.  It is not very clear that these are acceptable color/pattern combinations and have been missed in 2019 when trying to register these color/traits.  

B.  Using the section "(Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal)" after the desctription title for only the Snows, Blues and Silvers leaves out the Chocolate, Cinnamon, lilac and Fawn colors that can also be charcoal.

C. Using the section "(Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal)" after the description title can be confusing as it can be seen that these 3 patterns are all separate.    But, it is only Rosetted/Spotted and Marbled that are separate.   Charcoal can be in addition to these main 2 patterns.

 

PROPOSAL #72 ON THE 2019 BALLOT.  Results:  29 Yes, 37 No - Did not pass.

 

6.  ONLY if Proposal #42 does not pass, add in a new Color and description for BLUE SILVER LYNX POINT CHARCOAL, BLUE SILVER MINK CHARCOAL AND BLUE SILVER SEPIA CHARCOAL as follows:

 

BLUE SILVER LYNX POINT CHARCOAL, BLUE SILVER MINK CHARCOAL AND BLUE SILVER SEPIA CHARCOAL:  Same as corresponding non-charcoal colors with the addition of Mask, Goggles and Cape and will usually have darker point coloring.  

with the addition of Mask, Goggles and Cape and will usually have darker point coloring.

 

 

RATIONALE:  

A.  While the word "charcoal" is included within the pattern section parenthesis sections of these color descriptions, it is a bit hidden.  It is not very clear that these are acceptable color/pattern combinations and have been missed in 2019 when trying to register these color/traits.  

B.  Using the section "(Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal)" after the desctription title for only the Snows, Blues and Silvers leaves out the Chocolate, Cinnamon, lilac and Fawn colors that can also be charcoal.

C. Using the section "(Rosetted/Spotted, Marble, Charcoal)" after the description title can be confusing as it can be seen that these 3 patterns are all separate.    But, it is only Rosetted/Spotted and Marbled that are separate.   Charcoal can be in addition to these main 2 patterns.

 

PROPOSAL #73 ON THE 2019 BALLOT.  Results:  29 Yes, 37 No - 66 voters need 40 votes to pass.  Did not pass.

 

Breed Council Change Considerations for 2019 that did not get on the Ballot:

A. Changes to the proposed 2018 version:

 

2018 Ballot - CFA Bengal Standard proposed for CHARCOAL TABBY PATTERN EFFECT with proposed changes highlighted:

Rosetted/spotted or Marble Pattern.  Charcoal Tabby Effect can be present and shown in all acceptable tabby patterns and colors (e.g. Black Charcoal Silver Spotted Tabby).  Any color Charcoal Tabby meets the Rosetted/Spotted or Marbled Tabby descriptions with more dramatic spectacles.  These are the following differences:  Less contrast between pattern ground color and a dark, with the overall appearance in-between a tabby and a solid.  Cream to white spectacles or "goggles" encircle the eyesDark mMask runs from the nose bridge to the nose and connects from the mascara lines to the nose bridge.  Wide, dark "cape" on dorsal side may be present

Rationale(s):

A. Moves the spectacles from being considered a difference.   They are similar to what occurs in many brown Bengals.

Obstacle(s):
A.  This does not mention the actual color of dark gray to black for the "Brown (Black)" charcoal tabby Bengal.    We may need to address the differences between Apb/Apb charcoals and Apb/a charcoals at some point in the future.

 

CURRENTLY NOT ON THE BALLOT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL #43 WHICH INCLUDED MUCH OF WHAT IS SUGGESTED HERE.

 

B. Housekeeping:   Fix the following issues with the way the Charcoal pattern is described in our current 2016- 2019 standard:

 

Current 2016-2019 CFA Bengal Standard for CHARCOAL TABBY PATTERN (Issues highlighted in rose):

There should be definite contrast between ground color and markings, with distinct shapes, and clearly defined edges.  Pattern should have a horizontal flow.  Preference will be given to very dark markings, with clear outlines, and well contrasted to the ground color.  There must be white, or nearly white spectacles or "goggles" encircling the eyes.  A wide, dark, "cape" running down the length of the back is desirable.  Color on chest and belly should be lighter than ground color.  Kittens are sometimes rosetted, adults are usually spotted.

Rationale(s):

A.  "Pattern should have a horizontal flow" is not consistent with our pattern description for Rosetted/Spotted Bengals where Rosettes/Spots can also be random.

B.  "Should" in the above section is incorrect.   Not all Bengal Breeders prefer horizontal flow to random.   Random is more aligned with Leopard and Jaguar patterns.   This probably should be written the same as the brown pattern description since the only thing different is either the ALC agouti allele or the non-agouti allele.

C.  We probably don't need to address the rosette/spotted part of the pattern here in the charcoal section since it's already been addressed previously.

D. "Preference will be given to very dark markings, with clear outlines, and well contrasted to the ground color" is not the best way to say this.

   a.  "Very dark markings" does not take into consideration the inner color (or lighter tone) of a rosette.  

   b.  a better way of saying this would be "Very dark outer rings to the Rosettes/Spots."

   c.  "well contrasted" for a Charcoal is not correct.   With this dark coloration, we have the least amount of contrast between the outer rosette/spot ring and the base color of grey to dark grey.   Judges and Breeders need to know that this style of Bengal has one of the least amount of contrast (similar to the contrast of a Lynx Point Bengal)

E. "Wide, dark, cape" -   Is not correct as some Apb/Apb bengals do not have a strong cape and should not be penalized for this.

F.  "Kittens are sometimes rosetted, adults are usually spotted".   While we have seen more Bengals without defined rosettes as adults, it is certainly possible and are probably more desired than solid spots.    See example "CC" above.

 

Obstacle(s):

A.  So much to change with this current version - the proposed 2018 version seemed better to start revisions.   

 

CURRENTLY NOT ON THE BALLOT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL #43 WHICH INCLUDED MUCH OF WHAT IS SUGGESTED HERE.

C.  Write a new description for Charcoals.  

 

It is possible that the Charcoal effect comes from the subspecies of ALC's that live on the Iriomote Island.   You can see from photos of these cats that they look like apb/apb charcoal bengals in coloration.   These cats do not have the domestic "non-agouti" allele (also known an "a") as part of their Agouti genetics.    This non-agouti allele darkens up most all Bengal colors and helps fading from occurring so it shouldn't be relegated to only the Charcoals (although it does give charcoal bengals a much darker and more dramatic appearance).    We could call these "Twilight Charcoals" and then the Bengals that are Apb/a could be called "Midnight Charcoals."   Neither have a preference or negative connotation to them.    I think it is wise to separate these genetics early on now that we have a better understanding of them.  

The Iriomote cats are all the same/similar coloring and self sustained on this island so it tracks that apb/apb charcoals should also be recognized in Bengals but with softer black markings, reds/golds that come through and other features yet to be identified.   These "Twilight Charcoals" can often have a wash of brown as part of their coloring.   They are usually (but not always) less dramatic in color/markings.   Since it's a direct part of the ALC lineage, I don't think we should consider the Twilight CHarcoals less appealing because they have 2 of the charcoal alleles :)    They are actually more authentic to the ALC ancestor.

Apb/Apb = Twilight Charcoals

Apb/a    = Midnight Charcoals

a/a       =  Melanistic

Ad/Ad    = Full Domestic Agouti

Ad/a    =  Carrying for non-agouti most often darkens up Charcoals, Browns, Silvers, Snows (darker outer rings that don't fade with female hormones and point coloring) etc.    It may not show as a full "solid" or full "non-Agouti" but it does effect the pattern/color. 

Rationale:  

A.  Non-agouti and the variations of Agouti (ALC, Irimote?, Domestic etc.) are connected by the two alleles of the Agouti/Non-Agouti gene.  These examples could be described and highlighted as different colors just like we do for the Colorpoint genetics.   In this way, our Twilight Bengals (apb/apb) don't get penalized for not having a strong "Black Cape", "Darkest Face Mask" and "No reds"  that is usually seen in the Midnight Charcoal Bengals.   The majority of Bengals that have a non-agouti (domestic) allele are darker - not just the Charcoals.   Consider that an apb/apb Bengal is actually more aligned with it's wild ancestor as this gene came from an ALC.

B.  I think that getting these 2 charcoal colors coded correctly from the near beginning of Bengals in CFA makes good sense.

C.  Since melanistic/smoke are currently AOV colors, some breeders may prefer to not have non-agouti in their charcoals.   This would help track this (in addition to inexpensive genetic testing being the best resource for this)

 

Obstacle:

A.  Carrying Non-Agouti (any cat with a single non-agouti allele) effects all colors of Bengals (and probably all cats in general).   If we go down this path for charcoals, would we feel obligated to address the fact that a brown Bengal who carries non-agouti usually has less reds and rosettes that don't usually fade due to hormones?

B.  It may not necessary to separate out the variations in charcoals if we put in an allowance for the Apb/Apb Charcoals or hold back from describing the effects that the non-agouti allele has on most all colorations, not just charcoals.
C.  US Davis states on their webpage for Charcoals that an Apb/a is the charcoal (leaving out the Apb/Apb)  this needs to be discussed with them so that all of us can have a better understanding of the genetics involved and how recessive genes are expressed.   For instance, is it true that a cat having a recessive gene from both parents mean that the gene is expressed?    If so, then Apb/Apb Bengals may be more correct in their expression of color than the more dramatic Apb/a Bengals.

CURRENTLY, THIS SECTION NEEDS MORE DISCUSSION AND UNDERSTANDING BEFORE IT CAN BE FULLY CONSIDERED TO BE ON THE BALLOT.   NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2019 PROPROSED BALLOT BUT WILL HOPEFULLY BE ON THE 2020 BALLOT.

bottom of page