Savannahs Available: Savannah Cat And Savannah Kitten Breeders And Information.

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The Savannah is a tall, lean, graceful cat with striking dark spots and other bold, exotic, jungle-like markings. Savannahs result from crossing African Serval cats with domestic cats, and they closely resemble the Serval, but are smaller in stature. The breed is affectionate and outgoing, and possesses an exceptionally long neck, legs, very tall ears, and medium-length tail.  The Savannah is mysteriously beautiful, exceptionally graceful, and a well-balanced cat.  They are much more social than average domestic cats, and can be compared to dogs in their measure of loyalty and some of their behaviors.

Bengal breeder Judee Frank crossbred a male Serval cat with a Siamese (domestic cat) to produce the first Savannah cat (named Savannah) on April 7, 1986. Frank’s Savannah attracted the interest of Patrick Kelley, who purchased one of Savannah's kittens in 1989. Kelley was one of the first enthusiasts who chose to work towards establishing a new domestic breed based on the Serval/domestic cat cross. 

In 1996, Patrick Kelley and Joyce Sroufe wrote the original version of the Savannah breed standard, and presented it to the board of The International Cat Association. In 2001, the board accepted the breed for registration.  The Savannah is now shown at TICA shows in the Advanced New Breed Class, and breeders are currently working toward Championship status, which hopefully will be achieved in the next few years.

The Savannah displays a remarkable personality. It is a very curious, assertive cat that seeks out adventure at every turn.  A very active cat that needs a great deal of interaction on a daily basis--either with its human family or with a companion cat--it is also a very loyal cat that will bond strongly with its human family. The Savannah is often not a lap cat, but will show affection in its own way, often by greeting family members at the door, following them around the house, and giving them frequent headbutts.

Many Savannahs, like Bengals, love to play in water. They can easily be trained to walk on a leash with a harness, and most love to play games like fetch.  The Savannah cat is a unique and amazing feline. Most people who own or have met Savannahs will say that they have never met cats like them before, and become avid fanciers.

The Savannah has many traits that make it stand out amidst the crowd of pedigreed breeds. Perhaps the most obvious are the unusually tall, large ears that are set right on top of its head. Another unique trait of the Savannah is hooded eyes that are flat across the top.

As Savannahs are produced by crossbreeding Servals and domestic cats, each generation of Savannah kittens is marked with a filial number, which range from F1, F2, F3 and on up.  For example, the cats produced directly from a Serval/domestic cat cross are called the F1 generation. F1 generation Savannah kittens are very difficult to produce, due to the difference in gestation periods between the Serval and a domestic cat (75 days for a Serval and 65 days for a domestic cat), and sex chromosomes. Pregnancies are often absorbed or aborted, or kittens are born prematurely. Servals can also be very picky in choosing mates, and often will not mate with a particular domestic cat.

A Savannah/Savannah cross may also be referred to by breeders as SVxSV (SV is the TICA code for the Savannah breed), in addition to the filial number. Savannah generation filial numbers also have a letter designator that refers to the generation of SV to SV breeding. The letters are A, B, C and SBT.  F4 Generation is the first generation that can be an SBT. SBT stands for "stud book tradition" and is considered a "purebred" cat.  There are more details available, but as I was researching the Savannah cat’s genetics and reproduction, I began to feel as if I was taking an algebra lesson!

The following description of the personalities of the various F levels of Savannahs has been borrowed, with her permission, from Susan Mosher, owner/breeder of “Majestic Savannahs.”

Savannah Personalities

Which Cat Is Right For You?

F1 Savannahs--The F1 will range from 50% - 82% or higher wild blood.  The F1 does not like being held but does love to be scratched, petted, and to be in contact with humans.  They will show a friendly, playful, active nature.  They generally gravitate to one person and get along with other pets just fine.  The weight of an F1 will range from 15-30 lbs., but like all generations, they look much larger due to their long legs and long, lean bodies.

F2 Savannahs--The F2 will range from 25% - 50% wild blood and will have a weight range of 15-25 lbs.  They appear very much alike in size to the F1, especially the males.  The F2 will bond with one to two people and will get along with other pets.  The F2 will generally make a better pet and will be held for short periods of time.  They love human interaction and are friendly and active.

F3 Savannahs--The F3 is probably a better choice for a family that has children.  Though they do not like being held for long periods, they too love attention and are friendly to other animals.  They do not spray very often and have a more domestic cat personality.

F4 Savannahs--The F4 is enjoyable for the entire family and loves attention.  They are quite friendly and playful and will provide countless hours of entertainment and love.  The F4 has less of a problem with spraying than the other generations.

Exposure to other people and pets is most likely the key factor in sociability as Savannah kittens grow up, regardless of their generation.  Even F1s can become highly socialized if they are separated from their mothers at an early age, and exposed to a lot of human interaction.

Savannah owners say that they are very impressed with the high intelligence of this breed.  An often-noted trait of the Savannah is its jumping ability. Savannahs are known to jump up on top of doors, refrigerators and high cabinets. Some Savannahs can leap about eight feet high from a standing position!

Many Savannah cats do not fear water, and will play or even immerse themselves in water. Some Savannahs even shower with their owners—as I myself have with my own Bengals! Presenting a water bowl to a Savannah can also prove challenging, as some will promptly begin, using their front paws, to "bat" all the water out of the bowl until it is empty.

The Savannah is not a constantly talkative cat, but the sounds they do make are quite unusual.  They may either chirp like their Serval fathers, meow like their domestic mothers, or do both, sometimes producing sounds which are a mixture of the two. Chirping is observed more often in generations that are closer to their Serval ancestry.  Savannahs may also hiss--a Serval-like hiss quite different from a domestic cat's hiss, sounding more like the hiss of a very loud snake. It can be alarming to humans not accustomed to such a sound coming from a cat!

Susan Mosher, breeder and owner of “Majestic Savannahs,” and I, had a lively, spirited, funny conversation about her breed.  Her first comment was that the breed is very intriguing, and extremely intelligent.  She said that when you are looking into their eyes, you can just SEE their thinking process carrying on.  You can only fool a Savannah once, she said—and never again.

They are so intelligent that they can learn to turn on water faucets, open cabinets, and even use and flush the toilet.  Outdoor spigots are fair game too; Susan reported that she had one Savannah female who repeatedly flooded her own large outdoor run by turning on the faucet herself.  Of course, they do not learn to turn OFF the faucets when they’re done!

Savannahs are very alert and comical, and provide lots of entertainment for their owners.  They like to be in physical contact a great deal, and are affectionate “attention-hogs,” according to Susan.  They enjoy travelling, and many owners routinely take their Savannahs with them in the car.

As much as they love attention, they prefer for it to be on their own terms.  Many do not like being picked up and confined in any way, preferring to initiate contact themselves.  One of Susan’s Savannahs loves to sit on the back of the couch and play endlessly with Susan’s hair.

They must be watched closely around food, as they have been known to stand on their hind legs and pluck meat right out of a sizzling frying pan on the stove.  “Dennis the Menace,” was Susan’s final description of her beloved breed!

For more information about Susan Mosher’s cattery and her wondrous kittens for sale, visit her website, “Majestic Savannahs.”

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