1. Origin
The Savannah cat breed is relatively new and originated in America in the 1980s. Judee Frank bred cats and crossed a male serval with a female Siamese. On April 7, 1986 , the very first Savannah cat was born. It was a female and was given the name Savannah, a reference to the serval's natural habitat.
Serval
Siamese
The female cat Savannah grew into an adult cat with Judee Frank, who in turn had a litter of kittens. A Bengal breeder acquired one of Savannah's kittens and was very charmed by the beautiful cat with its friendly character and wild looks. This man, Patrick Kelly, envisioned a new cat breed. It was to be a cat with the impressive and exotic appearance of an African serval combined with the character traits of a domesticated cat.
Kelly contacted another Bengal breeder, Joyce Sroufe, and shared his plans to breed a new cat breed with her. Together they devised a plan, and in 1994 the first litter of kittens was born. At that time, however, the cat breed did not yet have a name, and Kelly and Sroufe decided, just like Frank had done back then, to honor the origins of the cat breed and name it after the serval's natural habitat and the very first specimen bred, namely Savannah.
2. Generations
Within the Savannah cat breed, significant differences are recognized regarding breeding methods and the distance to the serval. This is done using an F and a number – a method adopted from America. The F stands for the English filial, which roughly translates to generation, and the number indicates how many generations the Savannah is removed from a serval.
The F1, F2, and F3 are considered first generations. An F1 Savannah is therefore a first-generation Savannah in which one of the parents is a serval. An F2 Savannah is two generations removed from a serval. No serval was used for breeding; instead, the serval is a grandparent. Consequently, the higher the number, the further removed the Savannah is from the serval.
A breeder will always determine the generation of the kittens; this is based on the parent closest to the serval. A calculation is then applied: the generation of the parent closest to the serval + 1 generation. The sex of the parents plays no role in this.
For example: An F1 Savannah crossed with an F7 Savannah. The F1 parent is closest to the serval, so 1 is added to this: the kittens are F2 Savannahs.
Under current laws and regulations, the first generations of Savannahs—typically F1 through F3—are not called Savannahs, nor even purebreds, but rather hybrid cats belonging to the serval species. In addition to letter codes, the term "Foundation cats" is also used for these generations. When you encounter a cat with this designation, it means that it is a direct descendant of a Serval.
A, B, C and SBT
An A, B, or C can also be added after an F. This method is used when one of the parents or (great-)grandparents is not a Savannah. For example, an F1 is automatically an F1 A because the cross is performed using a serval and is therefore not a Savannah. In technical terms, we call this outcrossing.
In accordance with the Savannah breed standard, outcrossing has not been permitted since 2012, and the letter codes A, B, and C are only used for generations F1 through F3. However, practice lags behind this and has not yet reached the point where only Savannah x Savannah crosses take place. Therefore, the letter codes are still used, even in lower generations.
In the studbook, Savannahs with the letter code A, B, or C are designated as “experimental Savannah”. Only Savannahs with at least 3 generations (parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents) of pure Savannah x Savannah are considered purebred and registered as Stud Book Tradition in the studbook.
3. Appearance
A Savannah breeder pursues the same ideals as the original creators of the breed envisioned: a domestic cat that resembles its African ancestor, the serval, as much as possible in appearance. This entails that a Savannah must possess a small, triangular head with large, upright ears in proportion to the head, and a large, long, and slender body. The correct proportion between head, body, and ears is particularly important. Additionally, the light-colored spots on the back of the ears—called ocelli—and ear tufts are desirable physical characteristics.
Solid spots
When you think of a wild cat, you think of stripes or rosettes. However, a serval has solid spots – that means that they have spots in one color (solid). According to the breed standard, the spots of a Savannah must be solid dark brown to black in color, and round, oval or slightly elongated in shape. Both rosettes and spots in a color other than dark brown or black will result in a lower rating during a cat show.
Size and weight
The way a Savannah is crossed determines the size and weight of the cat. For example, higher generations are generally larger and heavier than lower generation Savannahs.
A first generation Savannah is closest to the serval and has an average shoulder height of 45 cm and a weight of 9 kilos. This decreases as the generations increase. From the 4th generation onwards, a Savannah is on average equal in size and weight to a normal to large domestic cat. However, one must take into account that male cats become larger and heavier than female cats of the same generation.
4. Breed standard
The breed standard is intended for breeders as a guideline to breed the perfect cat according to the requirements for a specific breed. Additionally, judges can use it to arrive at the most objective assessment possible when judging a purebred cat. Moreover, the breed standard goes beyond mere appearance. Certain character traits are also attributed to the breed. Regarding the character of the Savannah, for example, it is stated that it is a confident, alert, curious, and friendly cat. The Savannah breed standard applies to purebred, fully domesticated Savannahs (from the 4th generation onwards) and was drawn up by two American breeders in consultation with the American Cat Association and the internationally recognized International Cat Association (TICA).
Savannah Breed Standard (SV)
TICA breed standard
Category: traditional
Types: solid, tabby and silver/smoke
Colors: black, brown (black) spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby and black smoke
Head
-
A small head in proportion to the body. The face forms an equilateral triangle
-
Straight to slightly rounded forehead
Ears
-
Strikingly large ears, standing straight up, broad at the base, set high on the head (in a slight outward line). The outer ear set-on starts above the upper eye level (higher is permitted). The inner ear set-on starts at the level of the top of the skull
-
Rounded tops
-
Ocelli on the back of the ear are highly desirable
Nose
-
The nose protrudes slightly in profile
-
The nose is broad at the top, with low-set nostrils
-
Because the nose protrudes slightly in profile and the line to the chin recedes slightly, the chin appears slightly withdrawn
Lips
-
Black lips (regardless of coat color)
Eyes
-
Any eye color is allowed
-
Medium sized eyes, moderately deep set with a space of at least one eye width between them. Upper part of the eye is boomerang shaped, lower part is almond shaped
-
Clearly visible tear stains
-
Inner corner of eye runs parallel to nose line
Body
-
A long, lithe and well-muscled body, large in size in relation to the head
-
Strong, well developed, but flexible musculature
Coat
-
Fairly short, not excessively thick coat, which lies fairly smoothly against the body. The coat has clear, dark brown to black spots (the spots are smaller on legs, feet and face)
Neck/shoulders/chest
-
Long, slender neck
-
Prominent shoulder blades
-
Deep chest
Hip/thighs/abdominal line
-
Hips and thighs are full and long and slightly heavier in proportion to the rest of the body
-
Slightly raised belly line towards hips
Paws and feet
-
Strikingly long, well-muscled legs
-
Hind legs slightly longer than the front legs
-
Oval feet of average size
-
Paw pads brown-black or coal-black
Tail
-
Tail of medium length, medium to thick with a blunt tail tip
5. Character
Despite its wild origins and exotic appearance, the Savannah is generally very friendly, affectionate, and above all, curious. They are known for being alert, active, and enterprising. They are always looking for adventure.
In addition, they are particularly people-oriented. Because they are so curious and enterprising, they find it very interesting to follow their owner and their activities closely throughout the day. They are also very intelligent and eager to learn. They quickly understand the cause and effect of their own actions, as well as those of their owner. For example, it is also easy to teach them a game like "fetching." Due to their loyal, affectionate, and playful nature, the Savannah is sometimes called "the dog among cats."
The characteristics just mentioned stem from the breed standard and are therefore applicable to a lesser extent to higher generations. After all, the serval's genes have a greater influence on the F1 through F3 cats, and a less domesticated temperament must be taken into account with these hybrid cats. With these generations, an owner must be prepared for a shyer temperament, whereby the cats are also less receptive to being approached, particularly by strangers. Territoriality is also greater in these generations, and an owner must watch out for behaviors such as fiercely defending and fanatically marking territory with urine (spraying).
Breeders of purebred Savannahs select not only for appearance but also for character and temperament. These are, after all, passed on to their offspring by the parents to a greater or lesser extent. However, it is not only hereditary factors that play a role. The circumstances in which a kitten grows up and the events that take place during its first weeks and months of life also influence the cat's eventual character. We therefore offer the cats and kittens a home-like and safe environment to grow up in and invest energy and time in socializing the kittens.
6. Behavior
With a Savannah, you bring an athletic, active, and enterprising cat into your home. It is important for this breed to be able to expend their energy by moving around a lot—running, jumping, and climbing—and playing. Consequently, a Savannah needs more space than the average house cat. Moreover, they are exceptionally good hunters!
Mice and birds, flies and moths, frogs and spiders – anything small and moving had better stay away from a Savannah. They can entertain themselves for hours with prey, whether live or toy. They are extremely amused by hunting games, preferably interactive ones in which the owner also plays a role, but they can also play perfectly well on their own.
Due to their social and affectionate nature, Savannahs are not suited to being left alone all day. They are very devoted to their owner and greatly appreciate human company. However, they appreciate a feline companion just as much. They quickly bond with most cats, and this does not necessarily have to be a purebred. Because of their playful character, Savannahs are well-suited to families with (small) children and generally get along very well with dogs.
Vocalizing
Every owner describes the sound of their own cat slightly differently. The vocalization of a Savannah is different from that of a normal house cat, and that has its origins in the serval. A serval does not meow, but makes a fairly modest, chirping sound. They can also hiss and hiss quite a lot, sounds that you will mainly hear in the first generation of Savannahs.
From the second generation onwards, vocalization returns in the sounds of the familiar meow. That does not mean that Savannahs meow a lot - this is often linked to the individual. However, the majority of Savannahs only meow sparingly, but a few meow a lot and loudly. In these individuals, the origin also lies at the basis of vocalization - there has often been crossing with vocal, oriental breeds such as the Siamese.
The environment can also play a role in this - the more noise in the house, the more a Savannah will make itself heard. Savannahs raised in a home environment are often “sociable chatterboxes” – when their owners talk to them, they like to “chat” back.
Tomcats vs. Females
People with experience with cats will recognize that tomcats are generally a bit more affectionate and cuddly than females. In a situation with only females, they can be a bit catty and feisty. Savannah cats are no exception.
However, we do see a difference between tomcats and females in Savannahs – although both are enterprising, tomcats take it a step further. You will also notice that tomcats are a bit more fanatical when playing. For both, castration or sterilization brings a bit more peace to their character.
Undesirable behavior
If you hinder an animal in its natural behavior, this can ultimately lead to problem behavior that is often undesirable. You have read earlier that Savannahs are energetic and active cats – they need a challenge. You can provide this by paying attention to their needs in your home and giving them space to run, climb and jump, by doing a lot together, or by giving them a cat friend. If a Savannah cannot get rid of its energy, the chance of unwanted behavior increases. Also when a Savannah is forced to live in a small space with other cats, the chance that the Savannah will show unwanted behavior is high.
Spraying is often seen as unwanted behavior by owners. After all, no one likes the smell of urine wafting around the house. However, spraying - the standing release of small amounts of urine into the environment - is something that occurs more often in Savannahs than in cats that do not have exotic ancestors. Both male and female cats can spray, for example to mark their territory (male cats), or because they are in heat and male cats want to let them know that they are open to mating (female cats).
We see many mammals emitting scent signals with urine. It is very normal, natural behavior and should not be immediately dismissed as undesirable behavior. Do you not want your cat to spray in the house? Then have your cat castrated or sterilized in time. A castrated tomcat has little to no territorial drive, and a sterilized female cat does not have to attract tomcats. Incidentally, it is possible that a cat continues to spray after sterilization or castration. In such a case, contact your vet. Spraying can also have a medical cause, such as kidney problems or bladder grit, and a cat can suffer considerably from this. If your vet has ruled out a medical cause, it is advisable to consult a cat behavior specialist. Cats are sensitive to stress and change, Savannahs are no exception. A cat behavior specialist can help you discover what the cause is and give advice on how to deal with or even solve spraying behavior and restore harmony in the house.
7. Nutrition
"You are what you eat" is a saying you often hear, and it applies to cats as well. A healthy diet ensures strong bones and muscles, and a shiny, soft coat. For optimal effect, there is cat food tailored to different life stages: kitten, 1+, 7+, and senior, to name just a few examples. There is also food available aimed at (helping to cope with) specific conditions and the activity level of cats.
Savannahs are sometimes confused with servals, and although they ideally resemble them in many ways, they certainly do not eat only fresh meat. You can perfectly well feed them “regular” kibble, and yes, they won’t turn up their noses at fresh meat, but that applies to all cats. After all, they remain true carnivores by nature.
You can put together your Savannah's food yourself, but you do not have to. It takes knowledge and experience about the nutritional needs of your Savannah to put together a varied and balanced diet yourself. If you have not done any research into this, it is not wise to try it.
In that case, trust the manufacturers of cat food; if you buy high-quality food from a reputable food manufacturer, you can assume that they have studied the correct amount and composition of the building blocks and nutrients in the food; this applies to both cat food and raw food. Never add extra vitamins, minerals or supplements on your own initiative without consulting your vet. It is very important - for every cat - that they receive all the nutrients they need every day; too much or too little can cause harmful effects in the long run.
Taurine
A key nutrient for cats is taurine; this is a so-called amino acid that cats cannot produce themselves but do need to stay healthy. Savannahs in particular have a great need for this. They usually get enough of this amino acid through their food. It is therefore important to ensure that the type of food contains sufficient taurine - whether you feed your cat cat food, raw food or a combination. A lack of taurine can cause cats to develop serious eye problems, but can also affect the nervous system and heart. In extreme situations, a cat can even die from a lack of taurine.
In principle, you can also trust the food manufacturer for taurine; cat food that is sold as "complete food" contains the right amount of taurine. This does not mean that this applies to all types of food and all brands. So always read the ingredients carefully for your Savannah to be sure.
If you choose to (partly) put together your Savannah's food yourself, you must take into account that every type of meat and fish contains a natural amount of taurine that can vary. In addition, taurine is lost when you cook, bake or defrost meat and fish. So it is important to look into this for the health of your Savannah.
Water
Cats are notoriously bad drinkers; in the wild, cats hardly drink at all - they get most of their fluids from the prey they eat. When a cat's diet consists of only dry food, a cat needs to drink a relatively large amount of water to get enough fluid, and chances are they won't. Never resort to milk, whether it's cow's milk, goat's milk or coffee creamer, or other drinks - this can lead to digestive problems. Stick to food that is intended for cats.
Supplementing the diet with wet food, for example, is a good solution. The best and simplest thing you can do for your cat is to make sure he has fresh drinking water available all day long, so he can drink whenever he wants. Plain tap water in a bowl often does the trick. If your cat is more picky, you can choose to put down a drinking fountain; These are usually able to entice many cats to drink enough, but collected rainwater is also drunk with pleasure.
Do you notice that your cat is suddenly drinking more than normal? There may be a medical cause for this, and it is therefore wise to contact your vet.
8. Care
The Savannah has a fairly short, not excessively thick coat that is reasonably low-maintenance for its owner. As with any cat, it is recommended to accustom your Savannah to a brush or comb. Should it be necessary or desirable to examine the coat or skin, brushing or combing is a familiar procedure.
A Savannah's eyes and ears do not require any extra attention. Small clumps of eye discharge in the corners of the eyes and excess earwax do occur, of course, but you can generally gently wipe these away yourself. Eye and ear problems are rare in Savannahs, but exceptions are possible. In the event of severe irritation or inflammation, it is best to contact the veterinarian immediately.
You hear more and more often that cats have dental problems. These are virtually non-existent in Savannahs, but it is still advisable to check their teeth and gums regularly. Should a problem arise, timely intervention is possible.
Nails likely require the most care, as one cat's nails grow faster than another's, and one cat sharpens its nails better or more often than another. Nails that are too long can get caught on something, causing the cat to injure itself. A Savannah generally enjoys using a scratching post, and it is advisable to offer plenty of attractive options. These do not have to be just classic sisal scratching posts; a natural tree stump is also an option. Keep in mind that for a cat that likes to scratch its nails, you should also replace the scratching options in a timely manner.
9. Breeding Savannahs
There is a great deal involved in breeding Savannahs, and not every cat is suitable for it. After all, it is not only about multiplying and maintaining the breed, or possibly improving it, but also about the health and well-being of both the current and future generations.
The breeding of Savannahs is carried out in a responsible and well-thought-out manner. This means that certain costs are involved. These include the purchase of high-quality breeding animals, various (mandatory) examinations, and veterinary bills that can sometimes run high. This is not a case of puppy farming. You will not get rich by responsibly breeding Savannah cats. That is not the goal, either.
Responsible breeders view their catteries as a hobby (that got out of hand), where it is wonderful to see with their own eyes how kittens develop and slowly but surely discover the world. As cat lovers, we derive great satisfaction from this, but it also entails a great responsibility. Breeding is therefore never without risk. Complications can occur during delivery that cause a kitten, or perhaps even the mother cat, not to survive. As a breeder, you always keep these kinds of sad events in mind when a mating is planned, during the gestation period (64 days), and when delivery is imminent.
Are you considering breeding Savannah cats? Carefully list the pros and cons and thoroughly research everything involved in breeding beforehand. Don't forget to factor in the costs before you actually decide to start breeding Savannah cats.
Would you like to know more about breeding Savannah cats and all the matters involved, such as laws and regulations, joining cat associations, and setting up your own cattery? Then please contact us via the contact form .