CFA BENGALS
COAT PATTERNS
Worth 25 of the 100 Points
We currently do not have a section for Bengals that describes the common traits of all Patterns & Colors. We only have them for the specific Patterns listed below.
"Pattern Specific Point Allocation" sections below: (15 Points each)
Click Button to go to the ROSETTED/SPOTTED PATTERN Webpage
Click Button to go to the MARBLED PATTERN Webpage
Click Button to go to the CHARCOAL PATTERN Webpage
Click Button to go to the SNOW PATTERN Webpage
Click Button to go to the AOV Webpage where the Pattern/Colors that are not currently accepted for Championship Showing are addressed. (AOV stands for "Any Other Variety")
These include: Melanistics, Smoke (Silver Melanistic), Chocolate, Cinnamon, Lilac and Fawn
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. Within the POINT SCORE section, add a new line for "Clarity". Value "Clarity" by 10 points which will come from the 5 points in "Eye Color" and 5 of the 15 points in "Pattern". The Pattern section would be worth 30 points instead of the current 25.
PATTERN (30)
Contrast................................................................10
Clarity.....................................................................10
Pattern-Specific Point Allocation........10
Rationale:
A. Our standard already states "Ground color should be clear, and free of ticking" - This would give it point value.
B. Since we enjoy all various styles of pattern in the standard for our breed (with the exception of vertical barring and hopefully circular rosette/spot patterns), having 15 points allotted to this seems to be too much and we would benefit from addressing the aspects of pattern that really enhance the beauty of our breed.
Obstacles:
A. One council member thinks this may take away from Pattern by decreasing the points. This is the reason that the Proposal keeps the 2 separate sections of "Coat & Color" and "Pattern". In this way, these 3 aspects of the Bengal Coat/Pelt are kept together to better illustrate that "Pattern" is worth 30 points for our breed since it's the #1 defining trait in a Bengal.
PROPOSAL # 31 IN THE 2019 BALLOT. Results: 25 Yes, 42 No - 67 votes need 41 "yes" votes to pass. Did not pass.
2. Within the description section of the standard, add a new description for “CONTRAST & CLARITY” as follows:
CONTRAST & CLARITY: All parts of the pattern should be as clear and uniform in color as possible. Ground color should be as different in value as possible to outer (darkest) markings. Combined, this creates a sharp defined outline to the pattern.
Placement in Description list:
TAIL:
COAT:
CONTRAST & CLARITY:
ALLOWANCES:
RATIONALE: Clarity is a very important aspect to the Bengal Coat for the pattern, color and contrast to be a sharp and defined as possible. It is already in our standard, but it is unclear where this aspect would be given points.
PROPOSAL #32 IN THE 2019 BALLOT. Results: 26 yes, 41 No - 67 voters need 41 "yes" votes to pass. Did not pass.
3. Move the “Charcoal Tabby Pattern” to immediately after “MARBLE TABBY PATTERN” and rename.
BENGAL PATTERNS AND COLORS
ROSETTED/SPOTTED TABBY PATTERN:
MARBLE TABBY PATTERN:
CHARCOAL TABBY PATTERN EFFECT:
ROSETTED/SPOTTED TABBY AND MARBLE TABBY COLORS:
BROWN (BLACK) TABBY:
BLACK SILVER TABBY:
BLUE TABBY:
BLUE SILVER TABBY:
CHARCOAL TABBY PATTERN:
CHARCOAL TABBY COLORS:
RATIONALE: The charcoal pattern expresses as a color but is an Agouti gene variant that would normally affect pattern (Melanistic/solid/non-Agouti cats). Therefore, we feel it fits nicely into the pattern section. Calling it a “pattern effect” allows it to be combined with all other colors and patterns. This was approved by 49% on last years ballot and is also supported by another large group within the council.
PROPOSAL #42 ON THE 2019 BALLOT. Results: 41 Yes, 28 No - 69 voters need 42 "yes" votes to pass. Did not pass. (by 1 vote)
4. ONLY if Proposal #42 passes, change the description of the CHARCOAL TABBY PATTERN EFFECT as follows:
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: This attempts to join 2 large portions of the breed council’s suggestions into a single version where all interests are included positively. The main part of the change was already accepted by 49% of the council last year as well as approved in 2017 from another large portion of the breed council. A few changes made to be more inclusive for Apb/Apb Charcoals.
PROPOSAL #43 ON THE 2019 BALLOT. Results: 41 Yes, 27 No - 68 voters need 41 votes to pass. PASSED Council but since #42 did not pass and this was a condition of the this Proposal, it was not brought to the CFA BOD for consideration.
Breed Council Change Considerations for 2019 that did not get on the Ballot:
A. Within the POINT SCORE section, remove "-Specific Point Allocation" and leave it simply "Pattern".
Rationale:
A. Cleans up our Point allocation section.
B. More emphasis is given if we removed the additional wording
B. No longer necessary to be part of this section of the standard as the current version has been in place for a long time.
NOT CURRENTLY ON THE 2019 BALLOT AS THERE ARE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WISH FOR THIS TO STAY A PART OF "PATTERN". PERHAPS IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WE WILL NOT NEED TO HAVE THIS ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION FOR PATTERN, BUT FOR NOW - IT SEEMS LIKE IT STILL MAY BE HELPFUL.