More is better, right?
More is better! Right? Wrong. Wait. Why isn’t more spots better? Spots are great! Spots are wonderful. More must be better!
That logic falls short when you examine a leopard or more specifically, the cat the Bengal cat originates from — the Asian Leopard Cat. The key to beauty is large random spots, not smaller spots.
ROSETTED/SPOTTED TABBY PATTERN:
Rosettes and spots shall be random, with a horizontal flow to their alignment, and a pattern like no other breed. Ground color should be clear, and as uniform in color as possible. Contrast with ground color must be extreme, showing distinct pattern with sharp edges. Rosettes are two toned, with dark outlines, and a lighter center. Rosettes can be many different shapes, such as round donut, open donut, pancake, paw print, arrowhead, or clustered, and are preferred to single spotting. Strong, bold chin strap and mascara markings desirable. Backs of ears have a thumbprint. A much lighter to white ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly, and inner legs, in contrast to the ground color of the flanks and back. Blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks, spotted legs, and spotted, or rosetted tail are desirable. Belly must be spotted. Allowance for spotted pattern without rosettes. These cats are not required to have two tone markings.
What are the take-aways from above? Pardon the pun but the Target is to produce a Bengal cat with fewer, larger random spots with sharp contrast. There is more but to a pet buyer, this is a good piece of information to understand and use in selecting a Bengal. That’s IF you want a Bengal that looks like what a Bengal is meant to look like.
