cats (and their human) on show
I can't lie, cat shows are a little bit crazy, but I promise no cats are remotely traumatized in the process (the humans I can not vouch for)
The cats sit and lie around in their own special cage, decorated with bespoke curtains and bedding designed to bring out the color in their eyes (look, I already admitted they are a little crazy...). The cats are then occasionally brought out and handled by a highly qualified judge and their steward during the course of the day. And they get a little play each time. But most of the day they just sleep - so it's like being at home. There is definitely no singing or dancing involved.
There are 3 groups in most Australian cat shows - Bengals belong in Group 3, short haired cats, along with a really varied line up of cat breeds ranging from the fully hairless Sphinx, to the tight curls of a Rex and even now the long hair of a Cashmere Bengal.
Then there are 3 rings, which basically means 3 judges. And each Judge will select their best in breed, from those their best in ring, and from the 3 best in rings: "Supreme In Show".
There are usually over 80 cats at a cat show, and their breeders travel from all over the country collecting points, which in turn become titles. Cats are thoroughly vet checked on entry to a show, and judges (and other breeders) are highly conscious of the health and well-being of all the cats there. This is why it makes a lot of sense to get your kitten from a breeder who shows cats: that way you can be confident they are fully registered breeders who keep their cats healthy and well cared for.
The Standard for the Bengal Cat
Each cat is judged against an almost ridiculously tight set of breed standards (full kudos to judges who have memorized this intricate and unique list for 50+ breeds). The "best in breed/ ring/ show" is judged against how well that cat scores against the breed standards.
For bengals, judges are looking for the illusive perfect balance between the asian leopard cat and the domestic kitty who first created the bengal cat we know and love.
Put simply the cat should look wild and act like a huntress who loves the chase but isn't actually that hungry (so strong prey drive but only in play)
The Bengal Body
The Famous Bengal Coat
The Bengal Body
Judges are looking for a wild cat in line with their asian leopard cousin
Males are medium to large, with females a little smaller. But never delicate, the build of a Bengal is ideally an athletic, muscular build with substantial bone structure.
A long, thick tail with rounded tip and a strong neck and well-defined musculature finished off the bengal physique
The Bengal Head
The Famous Bengal Coat
The Bengal Body
We start with large oval eyes perfect for hunting in a dark jungle and dark mascara lines around eyes (no, we never draw it on, as I said, crazy, but not that crazy)
Then judges look for a broad wedge-shaped head and small ears. Ears are really where bengal lovers and judges tend to differ, as the larger ears that are more common in benga
We start with large oval eyes perfect for hunting in a dark jungle and dark mascara lines around eyes (no, we never draw it on, as I said, crazy, but not that crazy)
Then judges look for a broad wedge-shaped head and small ears. Ears are really where bengal lovers and judges tend to differ, as the larger ears that are more common in bengals are super cool to look at and watch twitching
The face is finished off with pronounced whisker pads, and just watch them twitch when prey is brought out of the fridge
The Famous Bengal Coat
The Famous Bengal Coat
The Famous Bengal Coat
Firstly, bengals don't have fur, they have a pelt and it should feel like thick luxurious velvet to the touch (which is great as bengals love being preened and patted)
The markings can be spotted or marbled, but always clear and distinct with contracts between background and pattern.
The spots, or rosettes, should flow horizontally through
Firstly, bengals don't have fur, they have a pelt and it should feel like thick luxurious velvet to the touch (which is great as bengals love being preened and patted)
The markings can be spotted or marbled, but always clear and distinct with contracts between background and pattern.
The spots, or rosettes, should flow horizontally through the body line (which makes them look constantly in movements). And ideally you want spots on a white belly.
A unique piece of magic to the bengal coat is a distinctive glitter effect in the coat- rich, intense coloring.
The bengal is traditionally brown, and this color remains most judges favorite, but newer colors (still true to wild cats) like Mink and Silver are becoming popular and bringing variety to the line up
Catamount Gazipur Tiger (Snow) Lilly
Catamount Gazipur Tiger (Snow) Lilly
Catamount Gazipur Tiger (Snow) Lilly
Recent Show Results:
March 8th: Cats NSW
Best in breed
Reserve best in show
March 1st: ANCATS
Best in breed
Reserve best in ring
February 1st: ANCATS
4th In Ring
2nd Best In Breed
Best In Section
November 3rd 2024: Cats NSW
Best In Breed (kitten)
Reserve Best In Show *2 (kitten)
Catamount Cobra Lily
Catamount Gazipur Tiger (Snow) Lilly
Catamount Gazipur Tiger (Snow) Lilly
Recent Show Results:
March 8th: Cats NSW
Best in breed
3rd place in show (kitten)
March 1st: ANCATS
Best in breed
Reserve best in show (kitten)
February 1st: ANCATS
(Cobra's first show)
Best In Breed *2 (kitten)
4th Best In Show (kitten)
Boleyn
Catamount Gazipur Tiger (Snow) Lilly
Boleyn
Recent Show Results:
March 8th: Cats NSW
Only Junior Handler (but still best :) )
March 1st: ANCATS
1st Place: Junior Handler
February 1st: ANCATS
1st Place: Junior Handler
November 3rd 2024: Cats NSW
1st Place Junior Handler