1. Origin
The Savannah cat breed has not been around for very long, and originated in America in the 1980s. Judee Frank was already breeding cats, and crossed a serval tomcat with a Siamese cat. On April 7, 1986 , the very first Savannah cat saw the light of day. It was a female cat, and was named Savannah, a reference to the serval's natural habitat.
Serval
Siamese
The cat Savannah grew up to be an adult cat with Judee Frank, who also had a litter of kittens. A Bengal breeder bought one of Savannah's kittens and was very charmed by the beautiful cat with the friendly character and the wild looks. This man, Patrick Kelly, envisioned a new breed of cat; this would 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 breed of cat. Together they came up with a plan, and in 1994 the first litter of kittens was born. At that time, the cat breed did not yet have a name, and Kelly and Sroufe decided – just like Frank at the time – to honor the origins of the cat breed and name the breed after the natural habitat of the serval and the first bred specimen, namely Savannah.
2. Generations
Within the Savannah cat breed, fundamental differences are recognized in the way it is bred, and the distance to the serval. This is done using an F and a number - this method was taken over from America. The F stands for the English filial, which loosely translated means generation. 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 where one of the parents is a serval. An F2 Savannah is two generations removed from a serval; for breeding, no serval was used but the serval is a grandparent. The higher the number, the further the Savannah is removed from the serval.
A breeder will always determine the generation of the kittens; this is based on the parent that is closest to the serval. Then a calculation is used: the generation of the parent that is closest to the serval + 1 generation. The gender of the parents plays no role in this.
For example: An F1 Savannah crosses with an F7 Savannah. The F1 parent is closest to the serval, so 1 is added to this: the kittens are F2 Savannahs.
In current legislation and regulations, the first generations of Savannahs - usually F1 to F3 - are not called Savannahs, and not even pedigree cats but hybrid cats belonging to the serval species. In addition to the letter codes, the term "Foundation cats" is also used for these generations. When you come across a cat with this term, it means that it is directly descended from a Serval.
A, B, C and SBT
An A, B or C can also be added behind 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 it is crossed with a serval and not a Savannah. In technical terms, we call this outcross.
According to the breed standard of the Savannah, outcrossing has not been permitted since 2012, and the letter codes A, B and C are only used on generations F1 to F3. However, practice is lagging behind and has not yet reached the point where only Savannah x Savannah crosses take place. The letter codes are therefore still used, even in lower generations.
In the studbook, Savannahs with the letter code A, B or C are indicated 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 strives for the same ideals as the original creators had in mind, a domestic cat that looks as much as possible like its African ancestor the serval. This means that a small, triangular head with large, upright ears in proportion to the head and a large, long and slender body must be present in a Savannah. In particular, the correct proportion between head and body and the ears are very important. In addition, the light-colored spots on the back of the ears - called ocelli - and ear tufts are desirable external 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
A breed standard is intended for breeders, as a guideline to be able to breed the perfect cat according to the wishes of a certain breed. In addition, judges can use it to arrive at the most objective possible assessment when judging a pedigree cat. The breed standard goes further than just the appearance - certain character traits are also attributed to a breed. For example, the character of the Savannah includes that it is a self-confident, alert, curious and friendly cat. The breed standard of the Savannah applies to purebred, fully domesticated Savannahs (from the 4th generation) and was drawn up by 2 American breeders in consultation with the American cat association but internationally recognized The International Cat Association (TICA).
Breed Standard Savannah (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
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A small head in proportion to the body. The face forms an equilateral triangle
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Straight to slightly rounded forehead
Ears
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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
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Rounded tops
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Ocelli on the back of the ear are highly desirable
Nose
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The nose protrudes slightly in profile
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The nose is broad at the top, with low-set nostrils
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Because the nose protrudes slightly in profile and the line to the chin recedes slightly, the chin appears slightly withdrawn
Lips
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Black lips (regardless of coat color)
Eyes
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Any eye color is allowed
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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
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Clearly visible tear stains
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Inner corner of eye runs parallel to nose line
Body
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A long, lithe and well-muscled body, large in size in relation to the head
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Strong, well developed, but flexible musculature
Coat
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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
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Long, slender neck
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Prominent shoulder blades
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Deep chest
Hip/thighs/abdominal line
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Hips and thighs are full and long and slightly heavier in proportion to the rest of the body
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Slightly raised belly line towards hips
Paws and feet
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Strikingly long, well-muscled legs
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Hind legs slightly longer than the front legs
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Oval feet of average size
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Paw pads brown-black or coal-black
Tail
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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 to be alert, active and enterprising - they are always looking for adventure.
In addition, they are very people-oriented. Because they are so curious and enterprising, they find it very interesting to follow their owner and his activities all day long. They are also very intelligent and eager to learn. They quickly understand the cause and effect of their own actions, but also those of their owner. For example, it is also easy to teach them a game such as "fetch". Due to their loyal, affectionate and playful nature, the Savannah is sometimes called "the dog among cats".
The above character traits are derived from the breed standard, and are therefore less applicable to higher generations. After all, the genes of the serval have a greater influence on the F1 to F3, and with these hybrid cats a less domesticated temperament must be taken into account. With these generations, an owner must be prepared for a more shy character, whereby the cats are also less easy to approach, especially by strangers. The territorial drive is also greater with these generations, whereby an owner must pay attention to behavior such as fierce defense and fanatical marking of the territory with urine (spraying).
Breeders of purebred Savannahs do not only select for appearance, but also for character and temperament. These are passed on to a greater or lesser extent by the parents to their offspring. 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 in its first weeks and months of life also influence the final character of a cat. Breeders therefore offer their cats and kittens a homely and safe environment to grow up in, and invest energy and time in socializing kittens.
6. Behavior
With a Savannah you bring an athletic, active and enterprising cat into your home. It is important for this breed that they can get rid of their energy by moving a lot - running, jumping and climbing - and playing. A Savannah therefore needs more space than the average house cat. Moreover, they are above average good hunters!
Mice and birds, flies and moths, frogs and spiders – anything small and moving is best kept away from a Savannah. They can amuse themselves for hours with prey, whether it is live or made from toys. They are extremely well entertained by hunting games – preferably interactive ones in which the owner also plays a role – but can also play 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 appreciate human company. However, they appreciate a cat companion just as much - they quickly find a connection with most cats, and this does not necessarily have to be a pedigree cat. Due to their playful nature, Savannahs are good to keep in a family with (small) children and they generally get along 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 also applies to cats. A healthy diet builds strong bones and muscles and ensures a shiny, soft coat. For an optimal effect, there is food for cats tailored to different life stages: kitten, 1+, 7+ and senior, to give just a few examples. There is also food available aimed at (helping to deal with) certain conditions and the activity level of cats.
Savannahs are sometimes confused with servals, and although they look a lot like them – ideally – they really don’t eat only fresh meat. You can easily feed them “normal” cat food, and yes, they don’t turn their noses up at fresh meat – but that goes for all cats. After all, they are 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 free short, not overly thick coat that is fairly maintenance-free for its owner. As with any cat, it is recommended to get your Savannah used to a brush or comb. If it is necessary or desirable to examine the coat or skin, then brushing or combing is a well-known action.
The eyes and ears of a Savannah do not require any extra attention; Small clumps of eye discharge in the corners of the eyes and excess earwax are of course common, but you can usually carefully wipe these away yourself. Eye and ear problems are rare in Savannahs, but exceptions are possible. In the event of serious irritations and inflammations, it is best to contact your vet immediately.
More and more often you hear that cats have dental problems. These are almost non-existent in Savannahs, but it is still advisable to check the teeth and gums regularly - if there is a problem, you can intervene in time.
Nails may require the most care, as some cats’ nails grow faster than others, and some cats sharpen their nails better or more often than others. Nails that are too long can get caught on something, and the cat can hurt itself. A Savannah generally likes to use a scratching post, and it is advisable to offer enough attractive options. These do not have to be classic sisal scratching posts, you can also opt for a pure natural tree stump. Keep in mind that if a cat likes to scratch its nails, you should also replace the scratching options in time.
9. Breeding Savannahs
There is a lot involved in breeding Savannahs, and not every cat is suited for it. It is not only about propagating and maintaining the breed, or possibly even improving the breed, but also about the health and well-being of both the current and future generations.
Breeding Savannahs is done in a responsible and well-considered manner. This means that there are a number of costs involved. Think of the purchase of good breeding animals, various (mandatory) examinations and the vet bills that can sometimes be high. There is no question of puppy mill breeding - you will not become rich by breeding Savannah cats responsibly. That is also not the goal.
Responsible breeders consider their catteries as a hobby (that has gotten out of hand), where it is wonderful to see with your own eyes how kittens develop and slowly but surely discover the world. As cat lovers, we get a lot of satisfaction from this, but it also brings a great responsibility. Breeding is therefore never without risk. During the birth, complications can occur that cause a kitten or perhaps even the mother cat to not 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 the birth is imminent.
Are you considering breeding Savannah cats? Make sure you weigh the pros and cons and thoroughly research everything that comes with breeding, and don't forget to include the costs before you actually decide to breed Savannah cats.
Would you like to know more about breeding Savannah cats and all the issues involved, such as legislation and regulations, becoming a member of cat associations and setting up your own cattery? Please contact us via the contact form .