GCCF Registration Policy for Bengal Cats and general Bengal Cat Information
Breed Number 76

• FULL REGISTER
  Bengals with Championship or Provisional status which have in their pedigrees within three generations only Bengals excluding Silver and Silver Snow bengals shall be registered on the Full Register, with the exception of those cats whose pedigrees include, within three generations, a Bengal with Preliminary status.
• SUPPLEMENTARY REGISTER
  Bengals with Championship or Provisional status which have in their pedigrees within three generations only Bengals including Silver and Silver Snow Bengals, F1 of Bengal type, F2 of Bengal type, F3 of Bengal type, Bengal Variants, Bengal Silver Variants, Bengal Abyssinian type, Bengal Burmese type or Bengal ASH type shall be registered on the Supplementary Register.
• EXPERIMENTAL REGISTER
  Bengals with Preliminary status which have, in their pedigrees within three generations only Bengals, F1 of Bengal type, F2 of Bengal type, F3 of Bengal type, Bengal Variants, Bengal Silver Variants, Bengal Abyssinian type, Bengal Burmese type or Bengal ASH type shall be registered on the Experimental Register.
• REFERENCE REGISTER - I

  4.1 The progeny of Asian Leopard Cats mated to Bengals are known as F1 of Bengal type and, from 1st June 2002, no further F1s shall be registered by the GCCF.
  The progeny of F1 of Bengal type mated to Bengals shall be registered on the Reference Register as F2 of Bengal type and, from 1st June 2006, no further F2s shall be registered by the GCCF.
  The progeny of F2 of Bengal type mated to Bengals shall be registered on the Reference Register as F3 of Bengal type and, from 1st June 2008, no further F3s shall be registered by the GCCF.
  The progeny of F3 of Bengal type mated to Bengals shall be registered on the Supplementary, Experimental or Reference Register as appropriate.

  4.2 Bengals of unrecognised colours (i.e. Blue and Blue Snow Bengals, Cinnamon and Cinnamon Snow Bengals, Fawn and Fawn Snow Bengals and the corresponding Silver varieties) which have in their pedigrees, within three generations, only Bengals, F1 of Bengal type, F2 of Bengal type, F3 of Bengal type, Bengal Variants, Bengal Silver Variants, Bengal Abyssinian type, Bengal Burmese type or Bengal ASH type shall be registered on the Reference Register but shall be eligible to be considered as registered on the Experimental Register in the event of Preliminary recognition of their breed.

  
  The Brown (Black), Snow, Black Silver and Silver Snow Bengal progeny of Bengals of unrecognised colours as defined above which have in their pedigrees within three generations only Bengals, F1 of Bengal type, F2 of Bengal type, F3 of Bengal type, Bengal Variants, Bengal Silver Variants, Bengal Abyssinian type, Bengal Burmese type, Bengal ASH type or Bengals of unrecognised colours as defined above shall be registered on the Reference Register but shall be eligible to be considered as registered on the Supplementary or Experimental Register in the event of Preliminary recognition of their breed. The first generation shall be overstamped "Carries the dilution gene" and/or "Carries the cinnamon gene" and subsequent generations shall be overstamped "May carry the dilution gene" and/or "May carry the cinnamon gene". All Non-Silver progeny of Silver Bengals shal be overstamped "Silver in Pedigree".

  4.3 Variants: Only Bengal-Abyssinian Variants (using breed number 23 excluding Silvers, Reds, Creams and Torties) and Bengal-Burmese Variants (using breed number 27 excluding Reds, Creams and Torties) registered with the GCCF before 25th June 1997 and their suitable progeny are acceptable in Bengal pedigrees.

  4.4 Silver Variants: Only Bengal Silver Variants (using Classic Silver Tabby ASH) registered with the GCCF before 1st June 2009 and their suitable progeny are acceptable in Bengal pedigrees.

• REFERENCE REGISTER - II

  5.1 Non-agouti progeny of Bengals shall be registered on the Reference Register as no recognised breed and are not acceptable in the pedigrees of Bengals.

  5.2 Longhaired progeny of Bengals shall be registered on the Reference Register as no recognised breed and are not acceptable in the pedigrees of Bengals. Any Bengal which produces longhaired progeny shall be overstamped "Carries the long hair gene". Their shorthaired progeny and subsequent generations shall be overstamped "May carry the long hair gene".

  5.3 The progeny of Bengals mated to any breeds other than Bengals shall be registered on the Reference Register with no progression as no recognised breed and are not acceptable in the pedigrees of Bengals with the exception of those cats defined in 4.3 and 4.4 and Note (iv), Note (v) and Note (vi). Subsequent generations shall also be registered on the Reference Register with no progression as no recognised breed and are not acceptable in the pedigrees of Bengals.

  5.4 Any cats of Bengal appearance which do not conform to this Registration Policy shall be registered on the Reference Register with no progression as no recognised breed and are not acceptable in the pedigrees of Bengals.

NOTES:

• Historically, the progeny of Asian Leopard Cats mated to other breeds such as American Shorthairs and Egyptian Maus were also known as F1 of Bengal type.
• The progeny of Asian Leopard Cats mated to any breeds other than Bengals shall not be registered.
• Bengal Variants were registered on the Reference Register either as Bengal Abyssinian Cross or Bengal Burmese Cross. The second and third generations are registered on the Reference Register as Spotted or Marbled Bengal Abyssinian type and Spotted or Marbled Bengal Burmese type.
• Bengal Silver Variants shall be registered on the Reference Register either as Spotted or Marbled Bengal ASH Cross. The second and third generations shall be registered on the Reference Register as Spotted or Marbled Bengal ASH type.
• Cats already registered with the GCCF as Bengals which have in their pedigrees Abyssinians, Burmese, Egyptian Maus, Ocicats, American Shorthairs or Asian Leopard Cats shall continue to be recognised as Bengals, as shall their suitable progeny.
• Imported Bengals which have in their pedigrees, within three generations, only Bengals, F1 of Bengal type born before 1st June 2002, F2 of Bengal type born before 1st June 2006, F3 of Bengal type born before 1st June 2008, Bengal Egyptian Mau crosses born before 1st June 2002 and their suitable progeny, Bengal ASH crosses born before 1st June 2009 and their suitable progeny and Asian Leopard Cats shall be registered as Bengals on the appropriate Register.
• If amendments to this Registration Policy are approved by Council such that a cat that was previously registered as no recognised breed would have been registered as a Bengal if the amended Registration Policy had been in force at the time of registration, the registered owner of that cat may apply to the GCCF Office for a change in the cat’s description and breed number to that of a Bengal of the cat’s colour and pattern.
• This Registration Policy will be effective from 24th October 2007.

GCCF BENGAL STANDARD OF POINTS With effect from 24th October 2007
Breed Number 76

Bengal Tabby Pattern Descriptions

Spotted Pattern

The spectacles which encircle the eyes should preferably extend into vertical streaks which may be outlined by an "M" marking on the forehead. Broken streaks or spots run over the head on either side of a complex scarab marking, down the neck and onto the shoulders where they may break up into rosettes. Rosettes are formed by a part circle of spots around a distinctly lighter centre. Strong, bold chin strap, mascara markings, distinct broken or unbroken necklet(s) and blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks or spots are desirable. Spots may vary in size and shape but should be generally large, well formed and distributed at random, or in horizontal alignment. Contrast with the ground colour must be extreme giving a distinct pattern and a sharp outline to the spots. Arrowhead-shaped spots are desirable. Larger spots may be rosetted. This is preferred to single spotting but is not essential. The stomach must be spotted (except in Blue-Eyed Snow kittens). The legs may show broken horizontal lines and/or spots. The tail should have rings, streaks and/or spots along its length, with a solid dark-coloured tip. Spots should not run together vertically forming a mackerel tabby pattern.

Marbled Pattern

The spectacles which encircle the eyes should preferably extend into vertical streaks which may be outlined by an "M" marking on the forehead. Broken streaks run over the head on either side of a complex scarab marking, down the neck and onto the shoulders. Strong, bold chinstrap, mascaras markings, distinct broken or unbroken necklet(s) and blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks are desirable. There should be a distinct pattern with swirled patches or streaks, clearly defined but not symmetrical, giving the impression of marble, preferably with a horizontal flow. Contrast must be extreme with distinct shapes and sharp outlines. The stomach must be spotted (except in Blue-Eyed Snow kittens). The legs may show broken horizontal lines and/or spots. The tail may be ringed, marbled and/or spotted along its length, with a solid dark-coloured tip. The marbled markings should have as little similarity to the classic tabby as possible. A vertical striped mackerel tabby tendency is also undesirable.

Colour Descriptions for Spotted and Marbled Bengals

Brown Tabby

All variations are allowed but a high degree of rufous colour yielding a yellow, buff, golden or orange ground colour is preferred. Markings may be black or various shades of brown. There may be a light coloured "thumb print" on the back of each ear. A very pale colour, preferably white, is highly desirable on the whisker pads and chin and may extend onto the chest, underside and inner legs. Alternatively, the chest, underside and inner legs may be pale in contrast to the ground colour of the flanks and back. White or very light coloured spectacles encircling the eyes are desirable. The eye rims, lips and nose leather should be outlined in black and the centre of the nose leather should be brick red. Paw pads and tail tip must be black. Preference should be given to marbled cats with three or more shades; that is ground colour, markings and dark outlinings of these markings. The overall appearance should be of gold dusting. A grey base coat should not be penalised.

Eye Colour

Gold, green or hazel, deep shades preferred.

Blue-Eyed Snow(Siamese restriction of coat pattern)

The ground colour should be ivory to cream. The pattern may vary in colour from charcoal to dark or light brown with light coloured spectacles, whisker pads and chin. There may be a light coloured "thumb print" on the back of each ear. The eye rims, lips and nose leather should be outlined in black and the centre of the nose leather should be brick red. Paw pads should be brown with rosy undertones. The colour may be darker on the points than on the body; as little contrast as possible is preferred. The tail tip must be dark brown or charcoal. The overall appearance should be of pearl dusting.

Eye Colour

Blue, deep shades preferred.

AOC-Eyed Snow(Burmese/Tonkinese restriction of coat colour)

The ground colour should be ivory to tan, with the pattern clearly visible. The pattern may be charcoal or shades of brown with light coloured spectacles, whisker pads and chin. There may be a light coloured "thumb print" on the back of each ear. The eye rims, lips and nose leather should be outlined in black and the centre of the nose leather should be brick red. Paw pads should be dark brown with rosy undertones. The tail tip must be dark brown or charcoal. The overall appearance should be of pearl dusting.

Eye Colour

Gold, green or blue-green.

Black Silver Tabby

Markings should be black on a silvery-white ground colour showing extreme contrast. The base of the hair should be glacial white. There may be a light coloured “thumb print” on the back of each ear. A very pale colour, preferably silvery-white, is highly desirable on the whisker pads and chin and may extend onto the chest, underside and inner legs. Silvery-white coloured spectacles encircling the eyes are desirable. The eye rims, lips and nose leather should be outlined in black and the centre of the nose leather should be brick red although a black nose leather is acceptable. Paw pads and tail tip must be black. There should be little or no tarnish (brown pigmentation) present in the coat colour. The overall appearance should be of diamond dusting but this is not essential.

Eye Colour

Gold, green or hazel, deep shades preferred.

Blue-Eyed Silver Snow (Siamese restriction of coat pattern)

Markings may vary from charcoal or shades of brown on a silvery-white ground colour showing good contrast. The base of the hair should be glacial white. There may be a light coloured “thumb print” on the back of each ear. A very pale colour, preferably silvery-white, is highly desirable on the whisker pads and chin and may extend onto the chest, underside and inner legs. Silvery-white coloured spectacles encircling the eyes are desirable. The eye rims, lips and nose leather should be outlined in black and the centre of the nose leather should be brick red although a black nose leather is acceptable. Paw pads should be brown with rosy undertones. The tail tip must be dark brown or charcoal. The colour may be darker on the points than on the body; as little contrast as possible between the points and the body is preferred. There should be little or no tarnish (brown pigmentation) present in the coat colour. The overall appearance should be of diamond dusting but this is not essential.

Eye Colour

Blue, deep shades preferred.

AOC-Eyed Silver Snow (Burmese/Tonkinese restriction of coat colour)

Markings may vary from charcoal to shades of brown on a silvery-white ground colour with the pattern clearly visible. The base of the hair should be glacial white. There may be a light coloured “thumb print” on the back of each ear. A very pale colour, preferably silvery-white, is highly desirable on the whisker pads and chin and may extend onto the chest, underside and inner legs. Silvery-white coloured spectacles encircling the eyes are desirable. The eye rims, lips and nose leather should be outlined in black and the centre of the nose leather should be brick red although a black nose leather is acceptable. Paw pads should be brown with rosy undertones. The tail tip must be dark brown or charcoal. There should be little or no tarnish (brown pigmentation) present in the coat colour. The overall appearance should be of diamond dusting but this is not essential.

Eye Colour

Gold, green or blue-green.

 

There's a bit of confusion on this rule (Standing Rule 601.1) and since it changed at the beginning of the 2007/2008 show season - but some of the paperwork still hasn't been updated - here's the latest position:

Your cat does not need to be registered with TICA to be shown with TICA (unless it is being shown in the New Traits or New Breeds classes - you must have a TICA registration number first before entering these classes).

In order to be awarded a title, your cat must first be registered with TICA. However, all title points and Finals accumulated whilst the cat was not registered are eligible to be included in any title claims.

Scores for Regional and International Awards are only accumulated for cats registered with TICA. Your cat's first show (where it was shown unregistered) will count for points towards these awards but you must apply to register the cat before its second show, to avoid losing any regional points at that second and subsequent shows. For the purposes of this rule, back-to back shows count as "one show".

The key words are "apply to register". The date that paperwork arrives in the EO is the effective date of registration, since it may take a while for it to be processed.

Once the registration number is in the show catalogue, then the accumulation of award points is done automatically by the Executive Office when they have checked the catalogue after the show. The scores are calculated on an annual basis (1 May to 30 April).

For any show where a cat is in the Master show catalogue without a registration number, then the exhibitor must apply to the Executive Office asking for those shows to be scored for Regional/International Awards - and you have until 7th May each show year to do this. You can do this by e-mail to scoring@tica.org .

 

NB: cat is shorthand for kitten, adult, alter, HHP or HHP Kitten. Registered kittens (whether pedigree or HHP) are not eligible for titles but can earn Regional Winner (RW) or International Winner (IW) awards.

In TICA, unlike the "first past the post" system used in other show formats, every Colour, Division and Finals placement counts towards earning titles. The points value (for titles) associated with placements are as follows: