The size of Savannah cats depends upon how far removed genetically they are from the wild serval which is the wild cat element in all Savannah cats. To put it another way the size of individual Savannah cat depends on whether they are a first-generation (first filial or F1) from the wild or F2 and so on to F5 (fifth generation).
Obviously, an F1 Savannah cat is the largest because this cat’s parents are a male serval and a female, tabby domestic cat. Therefore you would expect this cat to be a lot smaller than a serval which is a medium-sized wild cat species but much larger than a standard domestic cat.
I have met and played with an F1 Savannah cat and they certainly are large but not extraordinarily large. They are very impressive in their overall body conformation and stature. As to particular sizes I can rely on a well-known breeder to provide these but before I do so I like to say that at the time when I played with Savannah cats (around ten years ago) the world’s tallest domestic cat was an female F1 called Magic who was 17.1 (43.43 cm) inches to the shoulder. Magic was certified for this award by Guinness World Records in September 2009.
Savannah cats sizes
F1 Savannah cat males weigh between 17 to 25 pounds (7.7-11.3 kg). They stand about 16 to 18 inches to the shoulder. This is according to Select Exotics. I would suggest that the higher end at 18 inches is an absolute maximum, I’d have thought, unless they are making them larger these days. F1 Savannah cat females weigh from 13 to 19 pounds
Male F2 Savannah cats weigh between 16 to 25 pounds with some apparently reaching 30+ pounds. To the shoulder they measure 15 to 18 inches. Females are smaller at 12-16 pounds in weight and will be less tall, accordingly. Motzie was a famous F2 Savannah cat (see above).
Male F3 Savannah cats ranging weigh between 14-24 pounds and stand approximately 14 to 17 inches at the shoulder. Females weigh between 10 to 13 pounds.
F4 and F5 male Savannah cats range in weight between 14-20 pounds and stand 14 to 16 inches at the shoulder while females range from 10 to 13 pounds.
I’m sure that the information provided above is a general indication as to size and weight. No doubt there will be some exceptional individual cats who are bigger and some will be smaller. The average weight of a domestic cat i.e. not a wild cat hybrid, is around 10 pounds and therefore at the top end of the scale an F1 Savannah cat when weighing 30 pounds would be three times the weight of a standard domestic cat.
That said, judging by some of the photograph that I see on the Internet, the ever popular Maine Coon cat can be just as large or perhaps even larger.
Perhaps the biggest difference between a large Maine Coon and an F1 Savannah cat is their character and you can’t ignore the price. F1 Savannah cats will be in the price range of US$10,000-$20,000, while top-quality Maine Coon cats might be priced at around $3,000 depending on the quality and the quality depends upon how closely they match the breed standard and other consumer orientated factors such as size and stature and overall appearance. As to character, the Maine Coon will be a standard domestic cat, socialised and acclimatised to living with people and pets while the F1 Savannah will be the same but on speed or crack cocaine. I am joking but the point is they are sharper and more active and therefore potentially more demanding.
