The Savannah was spotted for the first time by Judy Frank in 1986 in Pennsylvania who was herself a Bengal cat breeder. The kitten was a cross between the African Serval and a domestic Siamese. Patrick Kelly, founder of savannahcat.com, along with Joyce Sroufe made successful efforts to develop the breed using the kittens of the first hybrid cross.
Appearance
The Savannahs look a lot like the African Serval in their tall and lean body though they are smaller in size. They have long legs and a proportionally long neck. Its coat has spotting of black or brown colors with a few bars. The base color ranges from golden to tawny and silver. Although, the preferred type would be brown spotted tabby, silver spotted tabby and black, you also find white, blue and marble patterns. They have long ears and a short, dense tail. Their occasional thick, black ear tufts also resemble those of the Serval. The Savannahs, on average, weigh around 15 to 25 pounds that makes them the biggest domestic cat.
The males are generally sterile which greatly hinders the development of this breed. Otherwise, the Savannahs have little grooming requirements and are one of the rare cat species that love water.
Personality
The Savannahs are a very excitable and social breed. They like to be around people and are not afraid of strangers. You will also find them jumping around on higher object, which is aided by their long legs to as much as ten feet!! Because of this, it is recommended you keep their nails trimmed. The head-bump is their way of showing their affection for their owners. They will follow you around and seek constant attention. They are excellent with dogs and other pets and prefer companionship at all times. Although they are not aggressive, their size makes them a danger for younger children and thus, must not be adopted by such households.
Possessing high intelligence, the Savannahs are easy to train and can learn how to play fetch, sit and stay. They can also be leash trained. They have high energy levels. They also like to be mischievous and are fun-loving but are very loyal and affectionate. Their behavior is very good towards everyone if they have been raised properly. They are likely to get into fights because of their excited nature and must not be allowed to go outdoors unattended for fear of accident. Because of their wild appearance, they can also be killed by those who think of it as wild or even steal them.
They like to eat raw meat and must also be given supplementary vitamins because of their growth. It is also recommended that you keep all your valuable show pieces away because this cat is bound to knock it over! They must also be pampered with a lot of toys to vent their hunter instinct and high energy. They love to talk to people they like the most.
The Savannahs are very clever. They quickly learn to open cabinets and open doors. They also like to keep their hygiene up and prefer a regularly scooped litter box.
Health and Care
The Savannahs are allergic to some vaccines so before getting it vaccinated, do consult your cat’s breeder and vet. The kittens may also be born premature because of a difference of 10 days between a Serval and a domestic. The kittens might also have to be kept in care for a 24-hour period until their developmental health is ensured. Other than this, Savannahs are not known to have any serious health issues. In fact, they have been reported to live lives as long as 20 years.
Recognizing Organizations
The International Cat Association TICA
TICA Standards
The International Progressive Cat Breeders’ Alliance
Canadian Cat Association CCA
Organizations dedicated to Savannahs
The International Savannah Cat Club
Savannah Cat Rescue
The International Savannah Breeders’ Association (TISBA)
Asheras that are known to be propriety cats are actually plain, regular Savannahs. They are also no more hypoallergenic than any other cat. The only way you can for real find out if a cat is actually hypoallergenic is by spending time with it.
Cost of a Savannah
Since this breed is rare and high in demand, usually there are waiting lists. It can cost anything from $1000 to $20,000, the price varying according to the generation, markings, etc. Also, bargains might mean trouble, so remain cautious!
If you want to buy an adult Savannah, they can be made available through Savannah Cat Rescues in North America and United Kingdom.
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