CFA BENGALS
MARBLED PATTERN
Worth 15 of the 25 points for Pattern - (100 Points Total)
The Marbled Pattern of the Bengal Cat has two main styles. One having lots of swirls of all three tones of coloring (trying to avoid circular rings on the sides of the body). The second being "sheeted" where the sides of the body doesn't have many swirls and contains more of the darkest outer ring color (of the Rosetted Bengal). This later pattern style helps to create the larger and Pancake Rosette patterns and the beauty of this pattern usually happens once the kitten/adult bodies are larger where a stained glass effect happens where some of the ground color and 3rd color shows.
2018 CFA Bengal Standard for MARLED PATTERN:
The marble pattern is full of swirls, with a pattern like no other breed. Ground color should be clear, and free of ticking. Contrast with ground color must be extreme, showing distinct markings with sharp edges. Markings are two toned, having a horizontal or diagonal flow. Side pattern symmetry not required. There should be no resemblance to the Classic Tabby pattern, and a circular patatern or bullseye is undesirable. The more random the pattern, the better. Additional color tones inside the pattern, giving a "stained glass" effect is desirable. Patterned shoulder markings, and multi-toned markings on legs and tail desirable. Rosettes and spots can be present, particularly on the legs. Strong chin strap, mascara markings desirable. Backs of ears have a thumbprint. Color on chest and belly should be lighter than ground color. Belly must be patterned. Allow for maturity for "stained glass" or full coloration to appear.
Examples of MARBLED BENGALS - OPEN PATTERN:
Examples of MARBLED BENGALS - SHEETED PATTERN:
Sheeted marbles can produce darkly outlined rosettes in their spotted offspring.
Examples of MARBLED BENGALS with Bullseye circles - Less Desireable.
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 “MARBLE TABBY PATTERN”, clarify language regarding clarity with the same language as the Rosetted/Spotted Pattern in Proposal #36 as follows:
MARBLE TABBY PATTERN: The Marble pattern is full of swirls, with a pattern like no other breed. Ground color should be clear, and free of ticking. as clear and uniform in color as possible. Contrast with ground color must be extreme, showing distinct markings with sharp edges.
RATIONALE: All Bengals in CFA accepted colors and patterns have ticked coats. Therefore, they will not be “free of ticking” as the standard currently states. What I believe the original standard was trying to convey is that we prefer a coat/pelt with the highest amount of Clarity which is achieved by having all color groups as uniform as possible. This shows the lowest amount of ticking (Banded Agouti hairs) and provides the sharpest rosettes and solid spot edges.
PROPOSAL #37 ON THE 2019 BALLOT. Results: 40 Yes, 28 No - 68 voters need 41 "yes" votes to pass. Did not pass.
2. Within the “MARBLE TABBY PATTERN” section, add wording regarding Spectacles/Goggles as proposed in the "SPOTTED/ROSETTED PATTERN" in Proposal #38 as follows:
MARBLE TABBY PATTERN: ... Rosettes and spots can be present, particularly on the legs. Strong chin strap, mascara markings desirable. Lighter colored spectacles or goggles encircling the eyes. Backs of ears have a thumbprint....
RATIONALE: Goggles/Spectacles occur in all color variations and it’s more efficient to describe it under “PATTERN” rather than in each individual color.
PROPOSAL #39 ON THE 2019 BALLOT. Results: 38 Yes, 30 No - 68 voters need 41 "yes" votes to pass. Did not pass.
6. Clarify that we want a lighter colored thumbprint on the back of the ears as proposed in the "ROSETTED/SPOTTED PATTERN" with Proposal #40 as follows:
MARBLE TABBY PATTERN: ...Strong, bold chin strap and mascara markings desirable. Backs of ears have a lighter colored thumbprint....
Rationale:
A. We should address the fact that we want "lighter" colored thumbprints. As currently written, it would be OK to have darker thumbprints.
PROPOSAL #41 FOR THE 2019 BALLOT. Results: 31 Yes, 37 No - 69 voters need 42 "yes" votes to pass. Did not Pass.
Breed Council Change Considerations for 2019 that did not get on the Ballot:
A. Consider changing language using "ground color" since:
A. Many marbled bengals don't have a recognizable ground color as their tri-coloring (or shading) leans towards an more even distribution.
and
B. Since most sheeted marbled bengals have the outer ring color as the largest component to their pattern.
Rationale:
Obstacle:
A. It may not be necessary. Most of us correlate lightest color with the ground color on a Bengal.
NOT CURRENTLY ON THE PROPOSED 2019 BALLOT - MAY BE UNNECESSARY AND NEEDS MORE TIME FOR CONSIDERATION AND FEEDBACK.
B. Consider changing if we decide to have an overall section for "Bengal Pattern" rather that could help us from repeating language within both the Rosetted/Spotted" & "Marbled" (and possibly Charcoal Pattern Effect).
Rationale:
A. The aspects of both pattern groups will stand out more when it comes to their individual sections.
B. Hopefully condenses our standard by not repeating same/similar phrasing.
Obstacle:
A. Too many hierarchies can create confusion.
THE 2019 BALLOT RESULT AND POSSIBLE ACCEPTANCE BY THE CFA BOD WILL RESULT IN SOME CHANGES SO THAT WE CAN SEE IF THIS IDEA IS A GOOD ONE OR IF IT'S UNNECESSARY.
C. Group of approx. 12 members have sent in this proposal for "MARBLE TABBY PATTERN":
Proposed:
MARBLE TABBY PATTERN: The Marble pattern is full of swirls, with a pattern like no other breed. Ground color should be clear, and free of ticking. Contrast with ground color must be extreme, showing distinct markings with sharp edges. Markings are two toned, having a horizontal or diagonal flow. Side pattern symmetry not required. There should be no resemblance to the Classic Tabby pattern, and a circular pattern or bullseye is undesirable. The more random the pattern, the better. Additional color tones inside the pattern, giving a “stained glass” effect is desirable. Patterned shoulder markings, and multi-toned markings on legs and tail desirable. Rosettes and spots can be present, particularly on the legs. Strong chin strap, mascara markings desirable. Backs of ears have a thumbprint. Color on chest and belly should be lighter than ground color. Belly must be patterned. Allow for maturity for “stained glass” or full coloration to appear.
Rationale:
A. It is possible to maintain extreme contrast between ground color and rosettes with minimal ticking. Ticking is a trait of the agouti gene which contributes to the appearance of tabby pattern; therefore, some banding will be evident. We also feel that listing all the different types of rosettes in the standard isn’t necessary, and that changing the term solid spot to single spot is a more accurate description.
Obstacles:
A. Only submitted to BCS on 7/31 with only 2 weeks before the proposed ballot is required to be turned into CFA.
B. No consensus within the CFA Breed Council for this change as it hasn't had time for people to see, read, discuss and suggest changes.
C. Most Bengal breeders agree that when the ground color contains shades of color that are much closer to one another, it enhances the appearance of the coat and pattern on a Bengal. It is more similar to Leopards, Jaguars, Snow Leopards, Ocelots, Margays - even Cheetahs.
D. While it is true that banded hair strands have multiple colors, this is not the only aspect in which Clarity is associated. It mostly has to due with the colors of the strands of fur being closer together in tone/color. This is a higher level aspect of the Bengal coat that many breeders are trying to achieve.
E. It dilutes the current standard.
F. We do not want to encourage Bengals that are less clear and/or have more ticking with a widely varied color range.
G. There is language in this "Rationale" that speaks to rosettes. We are in the Marble Pattern.
H. Please look at Ballot Proposal #38. This is a compromise that combines aspects of this suggestion together with aspects that another large group within the council would like.
CURRENTLY NOT A SEPARATE QUESTION FOR THE PROPOSED 2019 BALLOT AS IT WAS ONLY SUBMITTED ON 7/31/19. IT IS CURRENTLY POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE ON 8/3/19 SO THAT THE COUNCIL CAN START TO GET FEEDBACK FROM ALL OF IT'S MEMBERS.