The Savannah: Poor Man’s Cheetah

The Savannah Cat Breed in Brief:

Origin: United States

Weight: 8-25 pounds

Average Litter Size: 3-5

Grooming Needs: Low

Life Expectancy: 15+ years

Good With Kids: Older children

Good With Other Animals: Yes

Have you always wanted a wildcat in your home? While the keeping of exotic animals is prohibited in many states, breeders still desired a cat that reminded them of their wild and more exotic ancestors. By crossing domesticated shorthaired cats with African Servals, breeders were able to achieve just this; creating a beautiful and exotic cat that is commonly known as the “Poor Man’s Cheetah.”

The History of the Savannah

The first Savannah cat was bred during the early 1980’s, when a Bengal cat breeder by the name of Judee Frank decided to try breeding an African serval male to a female domestic cat. The breeding would result in a beautiful female, later named “Savannah,” who would continue on to become the foundation cat for her breed. Savannah would transfer to the hands of a fancier named Patrick Kelley, who decided that he wished to continue more of these unique felines. It took some work, as many breeders were not interested in a wildcat hybrid, but Kelley was determined; attending various cat shows, making numerous phone calls, and talking to everyone that he could about the new breed of cat, Kelley finally found a breeder who was interested in cooperating with him and helping to create the new breed. This adventuresome woman was a breeder by the name of Joyce Sroufe.

Before long, both Patrick Kelley and Joyce Sroufe were both breeding second and third generation Savannah crosses. Interesting to note was that, while the size of the Savannah began to decrease as they were crossed with other Savannah cats, rather than crossing back to the serval relative, these unique little cats retained their distinctive body type, personality and beautiful wild cat markings. Collaborating on the project, Kelley and Sroufe sat down and put together the first copy of the Savannah Cat Standard, which was later presented to the TICA Board. The standard for the breed was accepted and, in no time, the Savannah became a registered breed of the TICA.

The Savannah Appearance

Much taller and with a lankier frame than most other domestic cats, the Savannah is a sight to behold. Averaging anywhere from 8-25 pounds, it is not uncommon for breeders to claim weights of 30-40 plus pounds to occur in first-generation Savannah crosses. They are more than capable of getting into their share of mischief, and those long athletic legs ensure that he is quite the jumper - hanging out on the top of doors is a favorite pastime.

Savannahs have very large and pronounced ears, a very graceful and long, arched neck, and very thin and agile long legs. Their coats can be found in numerous colors, ranging from the warmest of golden shades, to a cool and shimmering silver spotted background. Their coats are distinctively spotted and they often sport the dark mascara lines and tear stains of their wild ancestors. Additionally, the Savannah sports light-banded ears, outlined in black, in a unique marking known as oscilli.

The Savannah Temperament

Like any breed of cat, the Savannah cat’s temperament can vary greatly from cat to cat, particularly due to the fact that he is often outcrossed to a variety of other cat breeds, such as the Egyptian Mau and Bengal. As a rule however, the Savanna is a very loving and loyal feline, well noted for his intelligence and mischievous nature. Very fond of jumping, these large and lanky cats tend to be very acrobatic and it is not uncommon to find them up high, draping off of doors, window ledges, fireplace mantles or waiting atop the refrigerator. If you decide you want a Savannah kitten, start early and find safe spots for all of your breakables - those crash and smash noises are great fun!

The Savannah is generally a very friendly and affectionate individual and is well-suited for families with elderly people or with other pets. Children can be a bit of a concern, particularly with larger Savannah cats, simply because any animal can bite or scratch when injured or frightened, and the earlier generation Savannahs can be rather large and strong. As with any animal, it is always advisable that you supervise them with small children.

Savannah Cat Grooming Requirements

The shorthaired coat of the Savannah is simple to groom. Requiring little more than the occasional brushing to help remove any dander or dead hairs from his coat, it is recommended that you do this once every one to two weeks. Handling your Savannah kitten often, especially when you brush him, is a good way to take note of any changes in your kitten‘s health or behavior, often allowing you to nip potential problems in the bud.

In addition to brushing his coat, it’s also advisable that you keep a close watch on your kitten’s toenails and clip them as necessary - while Savannah kittens will often use scratching posts, nail clipping is a necessity to prevent them from catching their toenails and splitting them or even pulling them out. Keeping an eye on your kitten’s ears is equally important, but only clean the outer parts of the ear with a Q-tip, should you see any dirt. A foul odor or excessively dirty ears should be examined by your veterinarian immediately, as it could be a sign of infection or mites.

Savannah Health Concerns

Unlike many other breeds of pedigreed cat, the Savannah cat is currently outbred to various domestic shorthaired cats. Because of the open availability of the gene pool, this unique breed of cat has what is known as “hybrid vigor,” meaning that he is more resistant and less likely to suffer from the genetic conditions many of his purebred counterparts encounter. Nevertheless, it is still important to watch your cat for any signs of potential health risk, such as:

• Hip dysplasia
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKI)
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Amyloidosis

Is the Savannah Cat the Right Breed For You?

The Savannah is a stunningly beautiful animal, possessing an incredible intelligence and a very amiable nature. This does not, however, guarentee that this cat is the perfect breed for you. To begin with, the Savannah is a relatively new breed and there are still not many breeders of this unique hybrid. Because of the low number of cats available, prices on the Savannah are often quite steep, with $1,000.00 not unheard of for a pet quality Savannah and breeders fetching $3,000.00 or more. Needless to say, this price tag ensures that this cat is not for everyone.

Furthermore, care should be taken when small children are in close proximity to a Savannah. While not aggressive in nature, it is still possible for even the most docile of cats to bite or scratch when frightened or injured. Considering the size of the Savannah, this could create a painful injury and it’s important that small children be supervised at all times, not only with the Savannah, but with other pets.

Shawna L. Krautheim

2007