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Savannah cat

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Savannah
OriginUnited States
Breed standards
CFA[of america standard]
TICAstandard
Notes
Savannahs are about the size of a small dog
Feline hybrid (Felis catus × Leptailurus serval)

The Savannah is a domestic hybrid cat breed. It is a cross between a serval and a domestic cat.

History

A Savannah cat is a cross between a domestic cat and the serval, a medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat. The unusual cross became popular among breeders at the end of the 1990s, and in 2001 the International Cat Association accepted it as a new registered breed. In May 2012, TICA accepted it as a championship breed.

Bengal breeder Judee Frank crossbred a male serval, belonging to Suzi Woods, with a Siamese (domestic cat) to produce the first Savannah cat (named Savannah) on April 7, 1986.[1] Frank’s Savannah attracted the interest of Patrick Kelley, who purchased one of Savannah's kittens in 1989.[2] Kelley was one of the first enthusiasts who worked towards establishing a new domestic breed based on a serval/domestic cat cross. He approached many serval breeders to help in the development of this new breed, and finally garnered the help of breeder Joyce Sroufe to work with him in taking the steps needed to have the new breed recognized.[2]

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.[3]


Savannah Breed History

The first known Savannah was born April 7, 1986 when Judee Frank's female domestic cat gave birth to a kitten sired by an African Serval. This F1 was the first on record. This unusual female kitten had both domestic and Serval like qualities. Both the kitten and breed were named "Savannah" by Suzi Wood (the breeder who came to own her). Suzi was interested in attempting to breed Savannah back to a domestic cat. At the time nothing was known about the fertility of an African serval / Domestic cat hybrid. As it turned out Savannah was fertile and produced a number of litters of F2's (second generation hybrid crosses) which proved the Savannah might have hope as a new breed.

Suzi Wood wrote two articles for animal publications about her Savannah. This attracted the attention of Patrick Kelley who had hopes of starting a new breed of domestic cat with a wild spotted look. Patrick contacted both Suzi Wood and Judee Frank but neither where interested in taking the breed any farther. Patrick therefore purchased the only female kitten Savannah had produced, and began approaching several breeders of Servals and encouraged them to attempt the development of this new breed along with him. Initially, very few breeders were interested. But Patrick persisted and finally convinced one breeder, Joyce Sroufe, to join him in his efforts. During this time Patrick's F2 Savannah was bred back to a domestic and produced the first F3 Savannah kittens , giving further hope to this new breed. Patrick and Joyce wrote the original Breed Standard and presented it to the TICA (The International Cat Association) Board of Directors in February 1996.

Joyce Sroufe went on to become a very successful Savannah breeder and is often credited with being the founder of this breed. Due to Joyce's diligence, perseverance, and faith in this breed, along with her extensive knowledge and skills in cat breeding, she produced more Savannahs than any other breeder at the time, and was one of the first breeders to breed down to the later generations and produce fertile males. Joyce was also the one who first introduced the breed to the public via exhibition at a major cat show in Westchester, New York in 1997.

Another person who deserves recognition as being instrumental in the development of Savannahs as a very successful and popular breed is Lorre Smith, the first TICA Savannah Breed Chair person, whose dedicated efforts helped launch Savannahs forward within the ranks of TICA at a rate more rapid than any other breed in its history. It was through Lorre's efforts during a moratorium on hybrid breeds within TICA, that this breed was eventually accepted into TICA’s New Breed program.

The response of TICA Judges and the general public has been overwhelmingly favorable over the past few years, establishing Savannah Cats, with their elegant, exotic looks and interactive personalities, as one of the most sought after companion animals in the world today. [4]

Physical features

Close-up showing ocelli and tear-stain markings on a four-month old F1 Savannah

Savannah cats are the largest breed of domesticated cats.[5] The Savannahs' tall and slim build gives them the appearance of greater size than their actual weight. Size is very dependent on generation and sex, with F1 hybrid male cats usually being the largest. F1 and F2 hybrids are usually the largest, due to the stronger genetic influence of the African serval ancestor. Male Savannahs tend to be larger than females. Early-generation Savannahs can weigh 20 lbs or more, with the higher weight usually attributed to the F2 or F3 neutered males, though this is not the norm. Later-generation Savannahs are usually between seven and 30 lbs. Because of the random factors in Savannah hybrid genetics, size can vary significantly, even in one litter.

The coat of a Savannah depends on the breed of cat used for the domestic cross. Early generations have some form of dark spotting on a lighter coat, and many early breeders employed "wild-looking" spotted breeds, such as the Bengal and Egyptian Mau, for the cross to help preserve these markings in later generations. The International Cat Association (TICA) breed standard calls for brown-spotted tabby (cool to warm brown, tan or gold with black or dark brown spots), silver-spotted tabby (silver coat with black or dark grey spots), black (black with black spots), and black smoke (black-tipped silver with black spots) only.[6] In addition, the Savannah can come in nonstandard variations such as the classic or marble patterns, snow coloration (point), and blue or other diluted colors derived from domestic sources of cat coat genetics. Most breeders are trying to cull these nonstandard colours out of the gene pool by selling nonstandard coloured cats as pets, but some Savannah breeders are interested in working with these colours to introduce them as new traits.

The overall look of an individual Savannah depends greatly on generation, with higher-percentage Savannah cats often having a more "wild" look. The domestic breed used will influence appearance, as well. The domestic outcrosses for the Savannah breed that are permissible in TICA are the Egyptian Mau, the Ocicat, the Oriental Shorthair, and the Domestic Shorthair. In addition, some Savannah breeders use "impermissible" breeds or mixes, such as Bengal (for size and vivid spotting) and Maine Coon cats (for size) for the domestic parentage, but these outcrosses can bring many unwanted genes, as well. Outcrosses are rarely used these days, as many fertile males are available, and as a result, most breeders are exclusively breeding Savannahs to Savannahs. The main exception would be when using a serval to produce F1 cats, and even then breeders prefer to use a Savannah with the serval, rather than a non-Savannah female.

A Savannah's wild look is often due to the presence of many distinguishing serval characteristics. Most prominent of these include the various color markings; tall, deeply cupped, wide, rounded, erect ears; very long legs; fat, puffy noses, and hooded eyes. The bodies of Savannahs are long and leggy; when a Savannah is standing, its hind-end is often higher than its prominent shoulders. The small head is taller than wide, and it has a long, slender neck.[7] The backs of the ears have ocelli, a central light band bordered by black, dark grey or brown, giving an eye-like effect. The short tail has black rings, with a solid black tip. The eyes are blue as a kitten (as in other cats), and may be green, brown, gold or a blended shade as an adult. The eyes have a "boomerang" shape, with a hooded brow to protect them from harsh sunlight. Ideally, black or dark "tear-streak" or "cheetah tear" markings run from the corner of the eyes down the sides of the nose to the whiskers, much like that of a cheetah.

Most F1 generation Savannahs will possess many or all of these traits, while their presence often diminishes in later generations. Being a newly developing, hybridized breed of cats, appearance can vary far more than cat owners may expect.

Reproduction and genetics

F2 "B" Savannah kittens at one week of age

As Savannahs are produced by crossbreeding servals and domestic cats, each generation of Savannahs is marked with a filial number. For example, the cats produced directly from a serval/domestic cat cross are the F1 generation, and they are 50% serval.

F1 generation Savannahs are very difficult to produce, due to the significant 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. Also, servals can be very picky in choosing mates, and often will not mate with a domestic cat.

Savannah F3 at one year

F1 Savannahs can be as high as 75% serval. All 75% F1s (technically a backcross BC1) are the offspring of a 50% F1 (true F1) female bred back to a serval. Cases of 87.5% F1 (technically BC2) Savannah cats are known, but fertility is questionable at those percentage Serval levels. More common than a 75% F1 is a 62.5% F1, which is the product of an "F2A" (25% serval, female) bred back to a serval. The F2 generation, which has a serval grandparent and is the offspring of the F1 generation female, ranges from 25% to 37.5% serval. The F3 generation has a serval great grandparent, and is 12.5% Serval.

A Savannah/Savannah cross may also be referred to by breeders as "SV xSV" (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 designation A means one parent is a Savannah and the other is an outcross. B is used for both parents are Savannahs with one of them being an A. The C designation is when both parents are Savannahs and one of them is a B. Therefore, A x (any SV) = B; B x (B,C,SBT) = C; C x (C, SBT) = SBT, SBT x SBT = SBT. F1 generation Savannahs are always A, since the father is a nondomestic outcross (the serval father). The F2 generation can be A or B. The F3 generation can be A, B or C. The F4 generation is the first generation that can be a "stud book tradition" (SBT) cat, and is considered "purebred".

Being hybrids, Savannahs typically exhibit some characteristics of hybrid inviability. Because the male Savannah is the heterogametic sex, they are most commonly affected, in accordance with Haldane's rule. Male Savannahs are typically larger in size and sterile until the F5 generation or so, although the females are fertile from the F1 generation. Currently (2011), breeders are noticing a resurgence in sterility in males at the F5 and F6 generations. Presumably, this is due to the higher serval percentage in C and SBT cats. The problem may also be compounded by the secondary nondomestic genes coming from the Asian leopard cat in the Bengal outcrosses that were used heavily in the foundation of the breed.

Females of the F1-F3 generations are usually held back for breeding, with only the males being offered as pets. The reverse occurs in the F5-F7 generations, but to a lesser degree, with the males being held as breeding cats, and females primarily offered as pets.

Temperament

A 20-pound (9 kg) F2 Savannah

Savannahs are commonly compared to dogs in their loyalty, and they will follow their owners around the house like a canine. They can also be trained to walk on a leash and to fetch.[8]

Some Savannahs are reported to be very social and friendly with new people and other cats and dogs, while others may run and hide or revert to hissing and growling when seeing a stranger. Exposure to other people and pets is most likely the key factor in sociability as Savannah kittens grow up.

An often-noted trait of the Savannah is its jumping ability. They are known to jump on top of doors, refrigerators and high cabinets. Some Savannahs can leap about 8 feet (2.5 m) high from a standing position. Savannahs are very inquisitive, and have been known to get into all sorts of things. They often learn how to open doors and cupboards, and anyone buying a Savannah will likely need to take special precautions to prevent the cat from getting into trouble.

Many Savannah cats do not fear water, and will play or even immerse themselves in water. Some owners even shower with their Savannah cats.[9] Presenting a water bowl to a Savannah may also prove a challenge, as some will promptly begin to "bat" all the water out of the bowl until it is empty, using their front paws.

Another quirk Savannahs have is to fluff out the base of their tails in a greeting gesture. This is not to be confused with the fluffing of fur along the back and full length of the tail in fear. Savannahs will also often flick or wag their tails in excitement or pleasure.

Vocally, Savannahs may either chirp like their serval fathers, meow like their domestic mothers, both chirp and meow, or sometimes produce sounds which are a mixture of the two. Chirping is observed more often in earlier generations. Savannahs may also "hiss"—a serval-like hiss quite different from a domestic cat's hiss, sounding more like a very loud snake. It can be alarming to humans not acquainted to such a sound coming from a cat.

There are three basic factors that affect the nature of the Savannah cat behavior: lineage, generation and socialization. These three factors follow the nature vs nurture argument with nature being breed lines combined with generation and nurture being social up bringing. As of 2014 the Savannah breed development is still in its infancy and most Savannah cats have a very broad range of behaviors.

If a breed line has a tendency for a specific behavior over other behaviors it is likely to be passed to the breed lines offspring. As outside lines are used there is a merging affect of the base behaviors.

When breeding lines starting from early generations such as first filial and second filial generations (F1 and F2 Savannahs), behavior stemming from the wild out cross, the Serval, is more apparent. Behaviors like jumping, fight or flight instincts, dominance, nurturing behaviors are more noticeable in early generations. Since fertile males that are F5 and F6 are used in most breeding programs later generation Savannah cats behaviors tend to act more like traditional domestic cats. Over lying behavior traits for all generations are high activity and high curiosity.

Probably the most influential factor is early socialization. Kittens socialized with human contact from birth and human interaction each day reinforces kitten and cat human interaction behavior that lasts through out the cats life span. Kittens within litters will tend to have varied social skills with some that like human interaction and others that fear it. If kittens that fear humans never grow past that fear they will tend to exhibit a more shy behavior and are likely to hide when strangers are present. Kittens that look forward to their human visits and like to engage in play with their humans tend to grow to cats that are more welcoming of strangers and less frightened of new environments. These cats tend to be more the life of the party versus a cat that will find a hiding place until the party is over. Human cat socialization should be practiced each day with positive reinforcement for kitten to grow into a well rounded social Savannah cat. Kittens that go for long periods of time without human interaction and only interact with their mothers or siblings many times do not develop a strong bond with humans and tend to be less trusting of their humans. These kittens tend to be more shy and are likely to hide when humans that they don't know are present.

Health considerations

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a health concern in many pure breed cats. A link has recently[when?][citation needed] been found between Bengal Cat (a similar hybrid) and HCM; there are cases that indicate that HCM may also be a reoccurring health issue in servals. Several responsible Bengal Breeders have their breeder cats scanned for HCM on an annual basis, though this practice is not as widespread in the Savannah community.

Some veterinarians have noted servals have smaller livers relative to their body sizes than domestic cats, and some Savannahs inherit this, so care is advised in prescribing some medications. Lower doses per unit of weight of the cat may be necessary. In addition, the blood values of Savannahs may vary from the typical domestic cat, due to the serval genes.[citation needed]

Anecdotal evidence, though no completed scientific studies, indicate Savannahs and other domestic hybrids (such as Bengals) do not respond well to anesthesia containing ketamine. Many Savannah breeders request in their contracts that ketamine not be used for surgeries.[citation needed]

Some breeders state Savannah cats have no known special care or food requirements, while others recommend a very high quality diet with no grains or byproducts. Some recommend a partial or complete raw feeding/raw food diet with at least 32% protein and no byproducts. Some recommend calcium and other supplements, especially for growing cats and earlier generations. Others consider it unnecessary, or even harmful.[7] Most Savannah breeders agree that Savannahs have a need for more taurine than the average domestic cat, and therefore recommend taurine supplements, which can be added to any food type[citation needed].

Ownership laws

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Laws governing ownership of Savannah cats in the United States vary according to state. The majority of states follow the code set by the United States Department of Agriculture, which defines wild or domesticated hybrid crosses as domesticated. Some states have set more restrictive laws on hybrid cat ownership, including Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Georgia. Some cities may have laws that differ from the state. For example, Savannahs more than five generations from the serval are allowed to be owned in New York state, but not in the city of New York.[10]

The Australian Federal government has banned the importation into Australia of the Savannah cat, as the larger cats could potentially threaten species of the country's native wildlife not threatened by smaller domestic cats.[11][12] A government report into the proposed importation of the cats has warned the hybrid breed may introduce enhanced hunting skills and increased body size into feral cat populations, putting native species at risk. The report states the Savannah cats are not worth the risk.[13][14]

Savannah cats are legal in every province of Canada, although some provinces have restrictions on the ownership of F1 and F2 generations, and importing Savannahs from the United States requires rabies vaccination and special permits.[15]

Many other nations have few or no restrictions on F2 and later generations.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Blast from the Past. . . . The Very First F1 Savannah" (PDF). Feline Conservation Federation. 51 (4): 32. 2007. (Original essay: Wood, Suzi (November 1986). LIOC-ESCF 30 (6): 15.)
  2. ^ a b "SIMBA spotlight on Patrick Kelley". The Savannah Cat Newsletter. S.I.M.B.A. Fall 2003. pp. 9–12. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
  3. ^ "TICA Savannah breed introduction". TICA. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
  4. ^ Tica's Savannah Breed Section ... Savannah Breed History http://www.savannahbreedsection.org/history.php journal {{citation}}: Check |url= value (help); External link in |title= (help) "Savannah Breed History" ~ ‘Savannah Breed History ~ written by Cynthia King of the Kasbah Ltd., Patrick Kelley of SavannahCat.com, and Patti Struck of Jasirisana Savannahs
  5. ^ Kloepfer, Nicholas. "Top 5 Biggest Domestic Cats". Feline Breeder. Cats Around The Globe. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  6. ^ "TICA Breed Standard for Savannahs (SV)" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  7. ^ a b "Petworld: Volume 6, Issue 6". Retrieved 2006-11-24.
  8. ^ "Inside Chicago: Cats Who Act Like Dogs". Archived from the original on April 6, 2004. Retrieved 2006-08-26.
  9. ^ "Meet the breeds". Kittens USA. 10. Fancy Publications: 64–69. 2006–2007.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  10. ^ Saulny, Susan (May 12, 2005). "What's Up, Pussycat? Whoa!". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2006.
  11. ^ "Scientists rally to keep out supercats". ABC news. June 13, 2008. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
  12. ^ Cooper, Dani (June 23, 2008). "Savannah cats not worth risk, says report". ABC Science. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
  13. ^ Australian Associated Press (August 3, 2008). "Savannah cats banned from Australia". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
  14. ^ "Final environmental assessment of the suitability of the import of the Savannah Cat (Domestic Cat x Serval hybrid specimens) into Australia ", [24 July 2008] [1]
  15. ^ [2]
  16. ^ [3]
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