HEAD - A broad medium wedge with rounded contours, slightly longer than it is wide. The head should be rather small in proportion to the body, but not taken to extremes. The profile has a gentle curve from the forehead to the bridge of the nose. Allowance should be made for jowls in adult males.

EARS - Medium to small, rather short with a wide base and rounded tips. They are set as much on the sides as on the top of the head, following the contour of the face in the front view and pointing forward in profile. Light horizontal furnishings are acceptable, but ear tufts are undesirable.

EYES - Oval but may be slightly almond-shaped. They are large, but not bold and are set wide apart on a slight slant towards the base of the ear.

NOSE - Large and broad with a slightly puffed nose leather and may be slightly roman.

CHEEKS - High cheek bones.

JAWS - Full and broad with prominent whisker pads.

CHIN - Firm in profile, of good depth and in a vertical line with the tip of the nose.

NECK - Thick and muscular. Long and in proportion to the body.

BODY - Medium with substantial boning. Long, very muscular and robust.

LEGS - medium length, strong and muscular. The hind legs should be a little longer than the front legs and more robust.

PAWS - Large and rounded.

TAIL - Medium length, thick and even, slightly tapered at the end with a rounded tip.

TEMPERAMENT - Temperament must be unchallenging. Cat may exhibit fear, seek to flee or generally complain aloud, but may not threaten to harm. Bengals should be confident, alert, curious and friendly cats.

COAT - Short to medium length, thick and luxurious, like a pelt, unusually soft to the touch and with a luminous sheen.

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PATTERNS

SPOTTED - The spectacles which encircle the eyes should preferably extend into vertical streaks which should be outlined by an "M" marking on the forehead. A colored thumbprint (ocelli) is preferred on the back of the ears. A strong, bold chin strap, mascara markings, distinct broken or unbroken necklet(s) and blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks or spots are desirable. Broken streaks or spots run over the head, on either side of a complex scarab, down the neck and onto the shoulders, where they may break up into rosettes or spots.

Rosettes are formed by a part circle of spots around a distinctly lighter centre. Arrowhead-shaped spots are preferred. Larger spots may be rosetted. This is preferred to single spotting, but is not essential. Spots should generally be large, well-formed and distributed at random, or in horizontal alignment. Contrast with the ground color must be extreme, giving a distinct pattern and a shape outline to the spots. Spots should not run together vertically to form a distinct mackerel tabby pattern. The belly must be spotted. The legs have broken horizontal lines and/or spots. The tail should have rings, streaks and/or spots along its length, with a dark solid-colored tip.

MARBLED - The spectacles which encircle the eyes should preferably extend into vertical streaks, which should be outlined by an "M" marking on the forehead. A colored thumbprint (ocelli) is preferred on the back of the ears. Broken streaks run over the head on either side of a complex scarab marking, down the neck and onto the shoulders. A strong, bold chin strap, mascara markings, distinct broken or unbroken necklet/s and blotchy horizontal streaks are desirable.

Markings are uniquely different from the classic gene, with as little "bulls-eye" similarity as possible. Instead, the pattern is random, with large, swirled patches or streaks, clearly defined but not symmetrical, giving the impression of marble, preferably with a horizontal flow when the cat is stretched. Vertical, striped mackerel influence is also undesirable. The belly must be spotted. Legs have broken horizontal lines and the tail is widely-ringed and/or marbled along its length, with a dark solid-colored tip. In the marbled pattern, preference should be given to cats with three or more shades i.e. ground color, markings and dark outlining of those markings. Contrast must be extreme, with distinct shapes and sharp edges.

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COLORS

BROWN - Markings may be virtually black or various shades of brown or tan. The preferred ground color ranges from light tan, orange, golden, yellow or grayish brown, with the pattern clearly visible, with a high degree of rufousing. Light spectacles encircling the eyes and a very light shade of the ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and inner legs (in contrast with the ground color of the flanks and back) is desirable. The tip of the tail equals the darkest shades of the markings. Sorrel or Golden colors are included in the brown range. The overall appearance should be of gold dusting, called glitter, which is most desirable. A grey base coat should not be penalized.

Eye color: Gold, green or hazel, with deep shades preferred and should harmonize with intensity of coat color.

Eye rims and lips: Black or harmonize with coat color.

Nose leather: Outlined in black, with the centre of the nose leather in shades ranging from pink to brick red, to harmonize with coat color.

Paw pads: Black or to harmonize with coat color.

SNOW GROUP

SEAL LYNX POINT - Markings are light sepia. The preferred ground color ranges from cream, ivory, to almost white, harmonizing with the color of the markings. A colored thumbprint (ocelli) is preferred on the back of the ears. Light spectacles encircling the eyes and a virtually white ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and inner legs (in contrast with the ground color of the flanks and back) is desirable. The tip of the tail equals the darkest shades of the markings. There should be little difference between the color of the body markings and of any points. The overall appearance should have a paler effect of pearl dusting, called crystal, which is most desirable.

Eye color: Blue, with deeper shades preferred and should harmonize with the intensity of coat color.

Eye rims and lips: Brown or paler shades to harmonize with coat color.

Nose leather: Outlined in brown, with the centre of the nose leather in shades ranging from rosy tones to brick red, or to harmonize with coat color.

Paw pads: Seal with slightly rosy tones, to harmonize with coat color.

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MINK - Markings are medium to light sepia. The preferred ground color ranges from ivory, cream or light tan, with clearly visible pattern, often with a high degree of rufousing. A thumbprint (ocelli) is preferred on the back of the ears. Light spectacles encircling the eyes and a very light shade of ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and inner legs (in contrast with the ground color of the flanks and back) is desirable. The tip of the tail equals the darkest shades of the markings.

Eye color: aqua or blue-green, with deeper shades preferred and should harmonize with the intensity of coat color.

Eye rims and lips: Brown or paler shades to harmonize with coat color.

Nose leather: Outlined in brown, with the centre of the nose leather in shades ranging from pink to brick red, to harmonize with coat color.

Paw pads: Seal with slightly rosy tones, or to harmonize with coat color.

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SEPIA - Markings are medium to dark sepia. The preferred ground color ranges from ivory, cream or light tan, with clearly visible pattern, often with a high degree of rufousing. A thumbprint (ocelli) is preferred on the back of the ears. Light spectacles encircling the eyes and a very light shade of ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and inner legs (in contrast with the ground color of the flanks and back) is desirable. The tip of the tail equals the darkest shades of the markings.

Eye color: Green to gold, with deeper shades preferred and should harmonize with the intensity of coat color.

Eye rims and lips: Brown or paler shades to harmonize with coat color.

Nose leather: Outlined in brown, with the centre of the nose leather ranging from rosy tones to brick red, or to harmonize with coat color.

Paw pads: Seal with slightly rosy tones, or to harmonize with coat color.