Does anybody know or have experience of a hybrid cat called the Savannah? It is a cross between an African Serval and domestic Bengal. I came across this "breed" a while ago when doing research over the Internet, but have yet to know of anybody that actually has handled them. They seem quite spectacular, although at around 25-30 lbs. of lean cat, seems a bit dangerous.

I'm asking here since there seems to be a good number of knowledge feline folks on this board.

S

I have heard of this breed. There is a Savannah breeder in my county actually. I did some reasearch on them a while back. I have not ever heard or read anything about them being dangerous. You can meet some Savannah owners on "catster".

I think you are talking about F1 Savannahs, as the subsequent generations are normally much smaller and more "domestic". F1 Savannahs are quite expensive (and the males are sterile through to F3/F4).

However, you did mix your facts up a bit. Bengals are not "domestic" - they are also a hybrid (Asian Leopard Cat x domestic cat) and as such are restricted from import/export. Savannahs *may* be mixed with Bengal but usually aren't, they are usually mixed to a domestic breed like the Egyptian Mau. The reason Savannah breeders don't use Bengals is because the rosetted pattern, rounded heads and small, rounded ears in the Bengal are the opposite goal of the solid spots, lean heads and large pointed ears coveted in the Savannah breed.

Hope this helps.

Toby's family has a couple of Egyptian Maus, they're out in Oakville - their breeder also breeds Savannahs. Apparently the markings are similar. Toby said they charge aboutr $5000 for a Savannah.

(Personally, unless you show, I don't get it, but hey)

Anyways, if you're interested, you're in Toronto, right - I could get you the name of the breeder.

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

Toby said they charge aboutr $5000 for a Savannah.

:shocked: Yipes!

That's what Toby told me, anyways....I was like, you could buy a top-end dog for less! And dogs fulfill functions other than friendly purring and rubs with a bit of pest control thrown in!

Though, since his family has the Maus and not the Savannahs, he could be off on price. The breeder only has a few litters a year, so seem to be fairly responsible. His mom has a failed breeder and a runt, so they were adopted, not sold. I was like 'ya huh' but that's just the me who used to run a rescue full of non-fancy :heh: cats talking

Thanks for clarifying the breeding facts for me Angela.

Jennifer, who is Toby? And what is a "failed breeder?" I have a pair of Maus as well, but always wanted something bigger. The $5,000 price is what I've heard in other places as well - EEP! was my reaction as well. Are they legal in Ontario? I see there are restrictions on them in same states.

The reason why I thought there may be a safety issue is simply from the size of the cat.

Toby is my boyfriend - his family is the one with the Maus.

Failed breeder is just a female cat that wasn't producing - I think she had one litter and there was only one or two kittens and they weren't the quality the breeder wanted to see, so she decided to stop breeding her and let her go for adoption. From what I know of the breeder, it seems to be pretty ethical.

I'm assuming they're legal in Ontario - just b/c the breeder is here. Not sure if we're allowed to post breeder sites, I'll pm it to you.

Yes, they are legal in Ontario. There are restrictions on import/export, so if you live in Canada you could not take your cat on vacation to Florida, for example. If you ever move out of province you would need to do some paperwork, similar to what needs to be done for a Bengal or other exotic animal. A failed breeder would, I assume, be a cat that is either sterile or does not produce well or to standard.

Maus and Savannahs are very different in the early generations of Savannah. Savannahs are large, exotic, wild-looking and loudly marked with high contrast. To me they look like cheetahs. The earlier generations, are hard to mistake for a "regular cat" - thus the appeal. Maus on the other hand, are a 100% domestic breed (the only naturally spotted domestic cat). As such, they look like... well, spotted domestic cats. I sometims have to look twice (at photos) to make sure it is not a tabby cat.

I have heard of F1 Savannah females going for as much as 8,000.00. 5000.00 is about average what you would expect to pay for a Savannah.

Edit: whoops me and Jen posted at the same time.

Edited by Angela Burrell (11/27/2008 02:40 PM)
Edit reason: eta