Savannah cat (comprehensive article)

Savannah Cat Videos

You can see some more Savannah cat videos in a pop-up window by clicking on the following link: Savannah cat videos

These videos mainly show A1 Savannahs farm where Martin and Kathrin breed the Savannah cat.

Origin

The breed originates from Judee Frank’s decision to mate a Serval with a domestic cat in 1986. This is about 10 years beyond the creation of the Bengal breed (1975). Patrick Kelly took up the baton and developed the breed after buying one of Frank’s Savannah kittens in 1989. Kelly teamed up with a Serval breeder Joyce Scroufe and together they founded the Savannah breed.

There was (an indeed there still is) some resistance to breeding in this way (crossing wild with domestic – remember the CFA don’t register the Bengal or Savannah) but in due course and by a narrow margin of agreement at TICA (The International Cat Association), the breed was registered in 2000. Today, 2012, the breed has been fully recognized and is a championship breed able to compete at cat shows. This is the top level of recognition.

This was a relatively rare breed. However, times change. However, from what I have read people who adopt a Savannah cat must be prepared to take on a little added responsibility as they are a bit more demanding that the average domestic cat. The Savannah cat, though, is rapidly becoming an increasingly popular breed (claimed 22,000 as at 2001 – Wikipedia). A1 Savannahs are the leading Savannah breeder and they report (at May 2009) that they are having a good year. They entertain prospective buyers from all over the world and have had constructed a guest house to accommodate them.