The origins of Savannah
The Savannah comes from a cross between the serval, a small African nocturnal feline, twice the Size of Savannah Cats and the domestic cat, and the Bengal cat. The first specimen of the breed was a female named Savannah, created in the United States on April 7, 1986, by breeder Judee Frank, who was looking for a large domestic cat.
Interested in cats with a wild appearance and seduced by a female kitten born in 1989 from the very first Savannah, Patrick Kelly decided to create a breed. To this end, he tries to convince several breeders to try the cross, but only Joyce Sroufe gives him his support. It took them many years to define a standard which they finally presented in February 1996 to the Tica (The international Cats Association). The following year, the breeder presented the Savannah at a cat show in Westchester and managed to obtain the first fertile males.
The Savannah becomes a domestic breed of cat
But it was not until 2001 that the Savannah was recognized as a domestic breed, but only for the third generation resulting from mating with the serval, so first and second-generation hybrids were not accepted. The breed can be exhibited since 2007, according to the LOOF (Official Book of Feline Origins), as “New breeds and colors”; feral cats and hybrids of the F1 and F2 generations are prohibited from showing.
The physical characteristics of the Savannah
The Savannah looks like a miniature cheetah, with its spotted coat and slender build. His body is slender and deep, with a thick bone structure and prominent musculature. Its relatively thick and rather short tail compared to its body ends in a rounded tip colored black. Its slender and long legs with elongated fingers give it a slender, slender and slender appearance. Its dress can be of different shades, ranging from brown to silver through black or even gray-blue. The only obligation is that the spots are respected, with black spots which can have a round or oval shape.
The appearance of the dress can vary greatly depending on the light. Its triangular head is rather small compared to the rest of the body; it is surmounted by two very wide ears at their base and slightly rounded at their tip. Oval in shape, the eyes are slightly almond-shaped, and can be yellow, green, golden or amber; they may have characteristic white tears. The neck is long, muscular, and robust. Its fur is rather flat, a little rough with a particularly silky undercoat. The Savannah weighs between 7 and 14 kilos and can measure up to 40 centimeters (at the shoulder).
The character of the Savannah
The Savannah is an extremely intelligent, skillful, curious, active, observant, loyal, and fearless cat. Very affectionate, he greatly appreciates the exchanges within his home, whether with humans, with other cats, or even dogs. He also gets along very well with other animals.
He asks for lots of hugs. It is an ideal companion for children, whom it adores, in particular, to play with them. Full of energy, he needs to spend himself through play; he can thus spend hours bringing back a toy that is thrown at him. A great hunter, he likes to climb and jump. In addition, provided he was used to it young, he appreciates being walked on a leash.
Surprisingly, he is one of the rare cats that love water, a characteristic inherited from his ancestor the Serval. On the other hand, he hates the cold. The lifespan of this wild-looking cat can easily reach 20 years.
Accessories adapted to the Savannah
As one of the largest cat breeds in the world, the Savannah needs a large living space. Also, to guarantee the constant development of your cat, it is advisable to provide him with a large cat tree to contain his excess energy and his need for physical activity. In addition, you will also preserve the condition of your furniture and your curtains.
You will also think about installing a toilet house that you will teach him to use, and bowls for distributing meals and water. These bowls should be positioned in strategic places in the house depending on whether you observe its behavior and its favorite places. If possible, also buy him toys to distract himself.
Where to adopt a Savannah?
The Savannah breed has been recognized by the Official Book of Feline Origins (LOOF) since 2007 and therefore marketable with a certificate. Our recommended methods of adoption are to go to a licensed Savannah cat breeder and choose one based on your particular requirements. Or, you can adopt one from an animal shelter.
However, also understand that it is possible for you to adopt a cat from a private individual, and in this case, we strongly invite you to do so from a relative and not from a stranger, to avoid any inconvenience and the risks associated with the animal trafficking.
Frequently asked questions about the Savannahs
What is the price of the Savannah cat?
For a purebred Savannah cat, it is necessary to count between 1500€ and 8000€ depending on its characteristics. The cost of maintaining a Savannah cat is around €700 per year.
How to get a Savannah?
To adopt a Savannah, the easiest way is to go to a cattery that especially breeds this breed of cats, you can obtain a Savannah breed cat with certification of its lineage.
What does a Savannah eat?
Like all cats, a Savannah is carnivorous, cat kibble, cat food or raw food will be perfect for him. A Savannah doesn’t require any special diet, just a good high-protein diet.
How to adopt a Savannah F1?
Savannah F1 cats are the cats closest to the serval, they are also the most expensive with a price of around €20,000. Adopting a Savannah F1 requires going to a specialized breeder in France.
