Savannah Сat

The Savannah cat is a relatively new breed. It is the result of breeding between the African Serval Cat and a domestic cat. Down the line, several domestic cats have been used in order to create the Savannah cat. However, the history of this cat is rather interesting to read and almost seems like a testimony to human whim and fancy!

This peculiar cross breed was first created by Bengal cat breeder. A male Serval that belonged to Suzie was cross bred with a Siamese. The first cat that was created from this breeding program was called Savannah. The naming of this breed is quite obvious. It is named after the habitat of the parent. Serval cats are usually found in the African grasslands or the Savannahs. This historical moment occurred on April 7th 1986.

One of the kittens from this breed was purchased by Patrick Kelly in 1989. Patrick Kelly then went on to become one of the earliest enthusiasts of this breed. He was inspired to establish this new domestic breed. With the help of several other breeders, especially, Joyce Sroufe, he presented the Savannah Breed Standard. In the year 2001, these standards were accepted by the association. Joyce Sroufe who created and owned the original A1 Savannah is also credited for being the real founder of this breed. She was also the first breeder to introduce this breed to the public in the year 1997 in a cat show in New York.

Towards the end of the 1900s, this breed became popular and was registered as a new breed in the year 2001. Only in 2012, the TICA permitted this cat breed into championships.

The Savannah Cat originated from a wild species that was common in the North American region so one would expect this breed to depict several characteristic of a natural predator. This means that an average Savannah Cat would be expected to be solitary, aggressive and even averse to people. However the adorable Savannah Cat is anything but the above.

Dog Like Behavior

The Savannah Cat is known for its dog like loyalty. It is a cat breed that loves to indulge in all the ‘dog and owner activities' and actually obeying commands.

A common greeting practice with the Savannah Cat is the fluffing of the tail. This is not the same as an aggressive gesture that most cats will resort to.

The Savannah Cat is also highly personable. Savannah Cats born with their owners and get really attached just like dogs. They are also very loyal. This is a trait that is usually not expected in cats. Once you bring a Savannah Cat to your home you can be rest assured that your cat will not abandon you. Man cat owners face issues when they change their homes or even simply change the resting spots of their cats.

The Savannah Cat love your attention and can even understand their owner’s words and phrases. So if you are looking for a companion who will be loyal to you and also interact with a lot of interest, the Savannah Cat is the perfect breed for you.

Most cat owners complain that their pets do not like to be cuddled and fussed over. This is why they prefer to have a dog over a cat. If you are one of these people then it means that you have not yet brought home a Savannah Cat.

Savannah Cats are very social creatures. They are attention seekers and will get easily upset if you are not spending enough time with them. If they feel neglected, they will throw tantrums with their incessant chirping and growling. Trust me this is more heart breaking than even the highest pitched meowing.

The Savannah Cat is the most hassle free breed to have at home. They are very laid back in their attitude and love to spend their time indoors. These cats can be left to themselves and can be expected to entertain themselves.

They are also very comfortable around strangers. Very few Savannah Cats will take time to get used to strangers. If they are overwhelmed, they may growl or hiss at strangers. They will seldom attack, however. They are very mellow and at ease even when there are groups of new people introduced to them.

The Savannah Cat is particularly fond of human company. These cats have a rather queer way of showing their affection. They will simply head butt you if they love you. Don't expect the savannah cat to be all cuddly and snuggly. They are wild by heart!

They also have very accurate biological clocks and will make it a point to wake you up each morning at the same exact time. Perhaps, these intelligent beauties can tell time. Either way, your Savannah Cat will bring discipline in your life.

The Savannah Cat also loves to participate in all your household chores with you. If you are vacuuming your carpet, you can enjoy the sight of your Savannah Cat wrestling with the vacuum cleaner. If you are folding your laundry, your Savannah Cat will be perched at the exact same spot where you are most likely to put away your clothes. Of course, he will end up wrestling with the folded clothes, making a mess for you to clean again.

They will, most definitely, share your bed. They will curl up beside your feet or neck and may even make you their mattress when they are in the mood.

The Savannah Cat is perfect for a home with pets or children. Of course, in keeping with the wild descent of these cats, they might be a tad bit uncomfortable if they are fondled too much or even threatened by other pets. So, before you bring home a savannah cat to the kids in your home, instruct them to leave the cat alone till it is comfortable in your home.

The most important thing to consider when you bring home a pet is its adaptability. Every cat breed has a natural pecking order that helps you decide whether or not this cat is a good addition to your household. The pecking order is not of a much concern if you are living alone or just living with other adults in your house. It does become a concern if you already have pets or children at home. The reason the pecking order is important is that you might be putting your pets and children in danger and vice versa.

When it comes to children, the Savannah Cat is extremely tolerant towards them. They will particularly enjoy the company of older children. If you have children under the age of six, never leave them unsupervised with the Savannah Cat. Of course, they are not a threat to the child, but the child can be extremely threatening to your Savannah Cat. If the cat feels uncomfortable or is frightened by a sudden push or touch from the child, he is less likely to attack. He will simply slither away and hide in a secure place in the house. But, he will not like it if your child coaxes him to get out of the hide out. That is when he will get a little defensive.

The breed are usually comfortable around dogs. You can expect your Savannah Cat to be all over the dog once he realizes that the dog is not a threat to his wellbeing. However, the breed of the dog that you have at home is extremely important. If the breed is overtly active and playful, you can expect your Savannah Cat to give him the cold shoulder. Not because he feels threatened, but simply because a Savannah Cat hates being forced to play or run around. With a playful dog that might chase the cat around, don't expect a very happy Savannah Cat.

Savannah Cats are extremely sweet and will never be bad company for other cats in your house. They will simply not get too friendly or affectionate with other cats. In case you have a male Savannah Cat, remember that he is the quintessential alpha male. He will be dominating over the other cats in your household. With ample training and the right introduction, you will not see any cat fights in your home.

The Savannah Cat often is too docile to protect itself. He will choose flight over fight any day.