Savannah: Description Of The Cat Breed, Features Of Care And Maintenance, Photos, Reviews Of Cat Owners

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

Mrs. Savannah: all about the most expensive breed of domestic cats

The birth of many pet breeds is due to a person's desire to have a domestic cat with the appearance of a predator. Breeders work tirelessly to meet this need. With the Savannah cat they seem to have succeeded.

Content

• 1 History of the breed

• 2 Description of the savannah

  • 2.1 Photo Gallery: Savannah Colors
  • 2.2 Savannah or Bengal

• 3 Savannah nature

  3.1 Video: Savannah walks on a leash

• 4 Health

  4.1 Author's experience: savannah living in Siberia

• 5 Choosing a small savannah

• 6 How to care for a hybrid cat

  6.1 Feeding the Savannah

• 7 Breeding Savannah cats - the lot of professionals
• 8 Video: about the Savannah breed
• 9 Reviews about the Savannah cat

History of the breed

The history of the origin of many cat breeds is shrouded in mystery. Savannah is lucky in this sense. The date of appearance of the first kittens of this breed is documented - April 1, 1986.

In the 80s of the last century, it was very fashionable in America to keep serval cats at home. Once the owner of one cattery Judy Frank asked another owner Suzy Woods for a serval cat for mating with her pets. No one then could have imagined that a Siamese (according to another version - a simple domestic) cat, who lived with Judy as a free foster child, would become pregnant from a serval and give birth to a lovely spotted kitten. If we consider that the period of bearing offspring in wild African cats is 10 days longer than that of Siamese, then this case is unique, as is the mating process.

A unique breed originated from a chance connection between a wild serval and a domestic cat

The born girl was given the name Savannah. Perhaps it would have ended there, but an unusual cheetah-like cat caught the eye of the famous breeder Patrick Kelly. He bought Savannah-born spotted kittens and persuaded one of the Serval breeders to start breeding a new breed. After 10 years of hard work, the first breed standards were determined. And in 1996, the newly minted breed was presented at an international exhibition. The breed was registered in 2001, and the Savannah received the official status in 2003, and a year later - the status of a new, "advanced" breed.

Savannah description

Savannah is the only cat breed to which the concept of "standard" does not apply. There is only a general description of the breed, basic requirements. But there are many tolerances for the size and location of spots, the shape of the ears and color. Basically, the savannah is an expensive hybrid of a serval with other cats.

To obtain hybrid offspring of savannahs, cats of various breeds are used

All savannas are characterized by the following features:

• the head relative to the body is small, triangular;
• erect, large, rounded ears, almost converging at the base; light spots on the ears are considered a sign of the breed;
• wide, slightly convex nose, the lobe is lowered;
• the body is elongated, lean, the chest is wide, powerful, the groin area is clearly marked;
• the legs are thin, long, muscular, the hind legs are longer than the front ones, the paw pads are always dark in color;
• tail straight, medium length, brightly colored;
• oval eyes with black edging;
• the coat is coarse and elastic with a thick undercoat.

Savannah is one of the largest cats. The body length can reach 1 m, the height at the withers is up to 60 cm, and the weight is up to 15 kg.

Light spots on the ears of the savannah - a breed characteristic

The coat color is necessarily spotted, it can be:

• chocolate;
• golden;
• brown;
• tabby;
• red brown.

Black savannas are highly prized. Of the unusual colors - lilac, marble. The color of the litter depends on the breed of cat with which the serval is crossed.

Photo gallery: Savannah colors

The lilac color of the savanna is rare

In black savannahs, spots on the coat will be visible only in good light.

Brown savannas - most popular

Silver color - the second most popular among savannah owners

Savannah or Bengal

The popularity of "leopard" cats is gaining momentum. Many, who are affordably, want to have a predator at home, preferably a decorative one. Breeders and breeders have several wild predator-like cat breeds to choose from. One of them is a Bengal cat.

The genotype of the Bengal cat is based on the Asian leopard cat, while the savannah is a derivative of the bush cat serval. Serval is larger than Asian cat, and the first generations of savannah are larger than those of Bengals. Both are distinguished by a magnificent spotted skin, but the serval has single-color spots, and the Bengal cat has three-color spots. And, of course, even outwardly they are very different. The savannah has a sinewy, muscular body on slender strong legs, a triangular, small head with large ears. In appearance, it resembles a cheetah. Bengal is more compact: the body is large, strong, the paws are powerful, large, the muzzle is wide, the ears are medium, rounded, tilted forward.

Bengal in appearance is a dense and large fighter

Savannah nature

Everyone who has ever dealt with the savannah notes the high intelligence of this cat. Possessing a rather calm temperament, they are sociable and inquisitive; they easily find a common language with other pets. If there are several animals in the house, the savannah creates a team around itself, in which it will certainly be a leader.

The savannah is especially disposed towards dogs. Probably because they are very similar. Savannah dog habits affect everything. First of all - in relation to a person. They, like dogs, are attached to the owner and are ready to follow him to the ends of the world. They love to walk on a leash. It is easy and enjoyable to learn how to execute dog commands.

They love active hunting games. The breed is based on the serval, which in the wild hunts frogs and catches fish. Therefore, savannas are not afraid of water and swim beautifully. Jumping cats do not cost anything to overcome a three-meter height.

Video: savannah walks on a leash

Since this cat becomes an adult only by the age of three, the character can also change during this time. A playful, calm pet may show the features of a wild animal. Therefore, you should not leave children alone with the savannah.

Even the calmest savannah cat can show "brutal" character

Since this breed is still being formed, it is difficult to determine in advance the nature of the future generation. Kittens with very different temperaments can be born in one litter. Early socialization is very important in the proper upbringing of this semi-wild cat. A kitten, accustomed from early childhood to communicate with people, is likely to become later a companion and friend.

Health

Savannah is unique here - it is the only artificially bred breed that is completely free of genetic diseases. There are two reasons for this: the natural immunity and health of the serval and, since it is a hybrid breed, the lack of intimate relationships.

Kittens need to get all vaccinations and deworming in a timely manner. With good care and physical activity, savannahs can live up to 17–20 years.

Author's experience: savannah living in Siberia

Savannah is a thermophilic creature. It is believed that a descendant of an African cat will not be able to live in cold climates. The history of one savanna named Zosya proves that each animal of this breed is unique and does not want to fit into the generally accepted framework.

It all started with the fact that one of my wealthy acquaintances, after reading special literature, wanted to have a savanna at home. He lives in Siberia, his cottage is far outside the city, practically in the taiga. All the warnings that an expensive cat would not survive in our environment and that $ 18,000 could be wasted did not work. The kitten was ordered from one of the American catteries. How a 4-month-old baby survived a long flight is a mystery. I met the owner with the kitten at the airport. Judging by the little animal's mood and condition, the only thing that worried him was hunger.

After settling into the household and looking around a little, Zosia went straight to … the doghouse. We read, of course, that savannahs quickly find a common language with dogs, but so much so! It is not known what language the Siberian wolfhound and the little savannah spoke, but it took them less than half an hour to become bosom friends. Growing up, Zosia felt more and more like the mistress of the house. She did not allow herself special liberties, but she treated all household members, except the owner, with undisguised contempt. Having occupied the master's pool, she loves to take water procedures alone and is very angry if she is disturbed.

When the first snow fell, Zosia's joy knew no bounds. The African woman loved playing snowballs. Of course, she cannot, like a lynx, live in the cold in the snowy taiga. But in any weather, she demands that she be allowed to visit the wolfhound Rudolf, who lives in the yard, every day.

For the first year, Savannah Zosya was under constant supervision of a personal veterinarian. According to him, the thermophilic cat has perfectly adapted to the Siberian climate.

Choosing a small savannah

Of course, such exotic and expensive kittens should only be purchased from professional breeders. The kitten should be taken at 3-4 months of age. By this time, all necessary vaccinations should be made. A prerequisite is that all Savannah kittens at the age of 3 months are tested for aggressiveness. Only animals that have passed the "test" for human tolerance are allowed to be kept at home. According to existing rules, completely "wild" individuals are subject to euthanasia. But not all breeders follow these rules. Be sure to check your parents' documents. Better to see them themselves and check the pedigree.

Assess the conditions of keeping kittens, diet. Kids should be well-fed, playful, contact. Do not take an aggressive, hissing kitten: such a good-natured hunter will never grow out of such, as an adult savannah should be.

When choosing a kitten, be careful, pay attention to its parents and conditions of detention

Savannah kittens are quite expensive. Where big money is spinning, there is a high probability of deception. Having a pedigree is not a guarantee that a purebred kitten will be sold to you. In order not to fall for the bait of crooks, you need to know the external signs of the breed, although in small savannas they are not yet sufficiently pronounced. Therefore, pay attention to the pattern and color of the coat. The only color allowed for this breed is spotted. Only in black savannah spots can be poorly expressed. Inadmissible: marbled color, three-color rosette spots, white spots. Parallel stripes run from the head to the shoulder blades and fan out to the tail on the back.

How to care for a hybrid cat

Savannah is a very large cat and requires a lot of space and equipment for active play. Such a pet is not suitable for keeping in an apartment. It will be more comfortable for him in a private house, where it is possible to keep a cat in the house in the cold season, and in a spacious aviary in summer.

The dense short wool of the savannah with a thick undercoat does not fall off and does not need daily brushing, it is enough to walk once a week with a stiff brush over the wool to remove dead hairs. Keep your big ears clean and clean them with a soft cloth as they get dirty. Regular teeth cleaning is a must. You need to accustom a cat to it from childhood.

Savannahs love water, you can even arrange a pool for it on the site

It is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the savanna when installing a toilet. Most likely, you will have to make a large tray with your own hands and take into account that the savannah needs much more filler than an ordinary cat. You will also need to negotiate with a semi-wild pet about scattering filler yourself. The best thing is to teach the savannah to the toilet. To do this, you need to make a special overlay on it with a small hole.

Savannah feeding

There are two opinions about the nutrition of the savannah. Some suggest feeding a hybrid cat with premium dry food, while others adhere to a natural diet. There is no doubt that savannah, as a direct descendant of a wild cat, needs a lot of meat. This should be considered when choosing a natural diet.

Savannah will need to be fed meat

The diet should include:

• various cereal porridges with boiled meat;
• raw meat;
• offal (liver, lungs, heart);
• turkey;
• chickens;
• fish (infrequently, but regularly).

Proper nutrition - balanced, which will ensure the cat's well-being and prolong its life

Breeding Savannah cats - the lot of professionals

The breeding process of Savannah cats is very complicated and only available to professional breeders. That is why this breed is so rare and expensive. Since this is a hybrid breed, a wild serval is required to produce the first offspring. With each new generation, genes are lost, and the savannah becomes like an ordinary cat. Up to the fourth generation, males are sterile. This also makes reproduction difficult.

The following levels of offspring are accepted by felinologists:

• first generation (F1) from a wild serval and a domestic cat, the gene pool is 50/50% divided;
• the second generation (F2) from crossing F1 with a domestic cat, there are no more than 30% of wild cat genes;
• third generation (F3) - serval + F2, wild genes up to 13%.

After the third generation, further mating does not make sense, a new African cat is required.

Video: about the Savannah breed

Savannah cat reviews

Owning a Savannah cat is a luxury not available to everyone. And yet, if you forget about the cost and complexities of content, it's great to have such an intelligent, beautiful and loyal friend nearby, outwardly almost no different from a wild African predator.