SavvannahInfo

The Savannah Cat is a cross between an African Serval and a normal house
cat. They weigh 15 to 30 lbs. and are considerably larger, up to two and half
cat. They weigh 15 to 30 lbs. and are considerably larger, up to two and half
times the size of an average domestic feline, depending on a number of
breeding factors: the genetic influence of the African Serval in the breeding,
the gender, and the generation.

African Serval:

The name is derived from the location of the African Serval cat's origin, it
being the Savannahs (grasslands) of Africa. This beautiful hybrid has a sleek
physique with long legs, slender body, large pointed ears and an exotic coat
varying from tan with black spots to a silver coat with brown/black spots.

The Savannah cat is often compared to dogs in their disposition, displaying
more outgoing, friendly, affectionate behavior. The Savannah cat exhibits
more obvious signs of loyalty to their owners like following them around the
house, playing fetch and other characteristics associated more with a dog.
Unlike your average domestic cat, their love of water is noteworthy, always
enjoying the chance to play, frolic and immerse themselves in it.

Although Savannahs did not gain worldwide popularity and recognition until the
late 1990s, the first known Savannah (pairing of an African Serval and a
domestic cat) was achieved in the Mid-1980s by breeder Judee Frank. Judee
Frank's Savannah attracted the interest of Patrick Kelly, who purchased one of
Savannah's kittens. 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 several breeders who owned Servals
and encouraged them to attempt the development of this breed. Initially, very
few breeders were interested. But Patrick persisted and finally convinced one
breeder, Joyce Sroufe, to join him in his efforts. Patrick and Joyce wrote the
original breed standard and presented it to the TICA Board of Directors in
February 1996. Today, Patrick's well-known SavannahCat.com is the
foremost promoter of our breed on the internet and he has also had much
success promoting Savannahs in "Cat Fancy" magazine.

Joyce Sroufe went on to become
a very successful Savannah breeder
and is often credited with being the
founder of this breed. Due to Joyce's
diligence, perseverance, and faith in
this breed, along with her extensive
knowledge and skills in cat breeding, she produced more Savannahs than any
other breeder at the time and was the first to breed down to the later
generations and produce fertile males. Joyce was also the one who first
introduced the breed to the public via exhibition at a major cat show in
Westchester, New York in 1997. Her breeding program provided kittens to the
pet world that resulted in an explosion of demand for these cats. It also
provided breeding females and fertile males that became the basis for many
other Savannah breeding programs. Joyce's experience and belief in and
commitment to the breed enabled her to mentor new breeders interested in
becoming involved with the development of this breed.

Another person who deserves much recognition as being instrumental in the
development of Savannahs as a very successful and popular breed is Lorre
Smith, the first TICA Savannah Breed Chairman, whose dedicated efforts
helped launch Savannahs forward within the ranks of TICA at a rate more
rapid than any other breed in TICA history. It was through Lorre's efforts
during the moratorium on hybrid breeds within TICA, that this breed was
eventually accepted by TICA into its New Breed program. Lorre worked
diligently with other breeders to refine the breed standard and thereby ensure
the success of the Savannah breed in its advancement through the steps
required within TICA in its march towards championship status. Savannah
Breed Section Members are currently working on advancing to championship
status within TICA and expect to achieve this major milestone within the next
five years. It is largely through Lorre's efforts that the breed has advanced so
rapidly through TICA and has been so well accepted by TICA officials.

The response of TICA Judges and the general public has been
overwhelmingly favorable over the past few years, establishing Savannah
Cats, with their elegant, exotic looks and interactive personalities, as perhaps
the most sought after companion animal in the world today.
(The information above is from the website of Cranberry Coast Cattery)