Savannah cats are very rare and expensive, and are produced by cross breeding Servals (wild African) and domestic cats. Breeding is highly selective and limited to a few developers around the world. The goal of the breeding program is to create a uniquely beautiful domestic cat, which has the physical features of the Serval cat but retains the loving temperament of the domestic feline. While it is not difficult to breed a Serval to a Serval, the mating of a Serval with a domestic can be very difficult. Judy Frank, a Bengal breeder from Pennsylvania accomplished the very first documented breeding in the mid 1980s. Still in the early stages of development, the Savannah usually weighs about twenty pounds.
Savannahs make wonderful family pets and are extremely friendly and talkative. They are magnificent to look upon, with beautiful spotted and striped coats and colors ranging from silver to amber. Distinctive markings known as “tear drop” are found around their eyes and large ears. They are graceful with long necks, legs and tails that are about ¾ the length of other cats’. The heads are longer than they are wide. Curious and very and playful, the name of the breed derives from the native African grasslands indigenous to the Serval cat and the name given to the very first kitten born from Frank’s first crossing of the breeds.
Owners of these amazing cats say that the intelligence demonstrated is far superior to that of most other cats. Savannahs have been known to learn how to open doors, cupboards and anything they can fit into and explore. Many can be trained to walk in harness and do tricks. They have no fear of water and will jump into a shower or bath just to be near their owners, should they feel so inclined. They are dog-like in loyalty and are known to follow their owners about the house. They greet visitors with head-butts and sometimes pounce out of nowhere, just to say hello. They get along well with dogs and other cats. They do not meow but have been known to “chirp”.
Do YOU own one of these amazing cats? Please share your experiences.
Related Articles: “The Egyptian Mau: A Noble History”
http://blogs.families.com/admin/b2browse.php?blog=28&p=5473