Savannah Cat
The Savannah cat is an exotic hybrid of the medium sized African Serval and a domestic cat, The savannah is tall, lean and graceful with striking dark spots and dashes. TICA accepted the Savannah for registration in 2001 and the first Savannah was accepted for championship status in 2012. The breed is named after the first known hybrid called 'Savannah' who was born in 1986. This first Savannah would be an F1, still classed as a wild cat in the UK requiring a dangerous wild animals licence (DWAL). F1's have a Serval parent and are generally the largest of the savannahs, with large ears, long legs and attractive markings. F2-F3 are still early generation hybrids with a Serval grandparent or great grandparent, while considered 'domestic pets' in the UK they do still retain an element of their wild cat ancestry and are usually unsuitable to first time Savannah cat owners. F4 to F8 generations tend to be more like 'normal' domestic cats and are often the most suitable first Savannah cat. Savannah cats are very energetic and require a lot of entertainment from their humans, they are highly intelligent and can be trained to walk on a harness and can easily learn simple tricks. They shed little so little grooming is required, maybe a good brush once a week, many savannahs LOVE water! Water enrichment activities can be most entertaining and some of ours even enjoy a shower! Savannahs are also great at jumping and climbing, they will scale tall furniture with ease...not always with elegance though, so be sure to keep anything precious, valuable and breakable out of the savannah cats way! A well socialised Savannah cat is the most wonderful companion, they can be very loyal and very loving cats. Savannahs in general aren't always lap cats, some will be but some won't and will prefer to be next to you. They do however all enjoy lots of fusses and head bumps and rubbing all over you!