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Origin of the breed

The Savannah Cat breed originated from the hybridization or crossing of a African Serval and a domestic cat. In 1986, a Bengal Breeder named Judee Frank managed to crossbreed a Serval and domestic resulting in the first Savannah (named Savannah). Judee Frank’s Savannah attracted the interest of Patrick Kelly, who had been interested in exotic looking domestic cats for many years and purchased one of Savannah's kittens in 1989. Patrick Kelly’s enthusiasm and vision for establishing a new domestic breed based on the Serval / domestic Cat cross prompted him to research what steps would be needed to be recognized and accepted by an official feline registry. Armed with that information, obtained from Leslie Bowers at TICA, Patrick approached numerous breeders of Servals and encouraged them to attempt the development of this new breed.  Eventually it grew into what it is today.  These cats continue to be highly coveted because of their uniqueness.  They are like no other cat you have ever seen.

The first generation known as an F1 is the product of a Serval to a Domestic breeding. An F2 Savannah has an F1 mother and a domestic father. An F3 Savannah has a F2 mother and a domestic father. F4 and beyond Savannahs are know as SBT (or Stud Book Tradition). It is this generation that is eligible to be shown in TICA. F1-F3 male Savannahs are not used for breeding as they are usually sterile. Fertility in male Savannahs begins at the 4th (F4) generation.

Savannah Size

Most people are first drawn to the Savannah Cat due to their size but it is hard to describe the size of a Savannah Cat in terms of weight. The Savannah Cat is a very tall, long, and lean cat so the weight can be very misleading.
F1's usually range in size from 17 to 25 pounds. They will stand approximately 16-18 inches at the shoulder and are 22-24 inches long from chest to rump.  Each subsequent generation will decrease in size but will stabilize at the third or fourth generation. The Savannah Cat will grow for three years, the first two years they get their height and length and the third year they will put on muscle and weight. F2's will range in size from 16 to 23 pounds and will stand 15-18 inches at the shoulder and 20-22 inches long. F3 's will range in size from 14 to 20 pounds and will stand approximately 14-17 inches at the shoulder and 18-21 inches long. F4's and F5's will range in size from 14 to 18 pounds and will stand 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder and 16-18 inches long. Remember, these are all tall, lanky weights. 

Savannah's have been described as friendly, assertive, active, playful and interested in dogs and children. They 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 like a dog, and even fetch.

Savannah's often greet people with head-butts, or an unexpected pounce. Some Savannah's are reported as being very social and friendly with new people, 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 the Savannah kitten grows up.

Owners of Savannah's say that they are very impressed with the intelligence of this breed of cat. An often noted trait of the Savannah is its jumping ability. Savannah's are known to jump up on top of doors, refrigerators and high cabinets. Some Savannah's can leap 8 feet high from a standing position. Savannah's 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 things. Like Servals, Savannah cats can be crepuscular, meaning their peak activity is between ten and eleven at night and four and five in the morning.

Beware, water is not a fear of the Savannah cat; many will play or even immerse themselves in water.   They just love "fishing."  Many cats will jump right into the tub with you if you let them.  Presenting a water bowl to a Savannah may also prove a challenge, as some Savannah's will promptly begin to "bat" all of the water out of the bowl until it is empty.