Savannah

The first known Savannah was born on 7 April 1986, from a domestic female and an African serval sire. The F1 female kitten was named Savannah ^[1]. Patrick Kelly and Joyce Sroufe wrote the original TICA breed standard ^[1]. TICA accepted the breed for registration in 2001 and for championship in 2012 ^[1].

• Build: tall and lean, with a long neck and long legs; looks heavier than it is ^[1].
• Head: tall ears set on top of the head; hooded eyes, flat on top ^[1].
• Coat: short, without a heavy undercoat ^[1].
• TICA standard colours: brown (black) spotted tabby, silver spotted tabby, black and black smoke ^[1].
• Size: most are only the size of a large domestic cat ^[1].

Savannahs are high-energy, get bored easily and need daily interaction ^[1]. They're great jumpers and like perching on doors and fridges ^[1]. They aren't lap cats, but they're loyal and greet people with headbutts ^[1]. Many like water and can learn to walk on a leash and play fetch ^[1]. TICA says they suit families with older children ^[1]. The Cat Group notes that hybrids keep many wild-type behaviours, and owners may struggle with some of them ^[3].

• Coat: occasional brushing is enough ^[1].
• Activity: lots of toys, high perches and daily play ^[1].
• Legal: check local laws before you buy ^[1].

• Screening: TICA recommends screening for pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) ^[1].
• HCM: TICA notes some history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with no specific genetic test ^[1].
• Lifespan: TICA estimates 12–15+ years ^[1]. We found no breed-specific longevity study.

Ask the breeder about the parents' screening results, and talk to your vet about any specific concern.

A note on welfare

The Cat Group, a coalition of cat welfare organisations, does not support breeding wild-cat hybrids or keeping them as pets, on welfare grounds ^[3]. It considers hybrids fewer than five generations from the wild cat most at risk. Servals can weigh up to about 15 kg against 4–5 kg for a domestic cat, so mating risks injury to the domestic parent; many hybrid pregnancies don't reach full term; and no commercial test can confirm a cat's generation ^[3]. TICA notes the breed is still illegal in some states and countries ^[1].

Don't confuse with…

• Bengal: descended from the Asian leopard cat, with dark-outlined rosettes ^[4].
• Ocicat: boldly spotted but 100% domestic ^[5].
• Serval: a wild African cat species, not a pet breed ^[1][3].

• The first Savannah was born on 7 April 1986 and gave the breed its name ^[1].
• A Savannah once held the Guinness record for tallest cat, at just over 19 inches ^[1].
• Many Savannahs like water and play fetch ^[1].