Considering a Savannah F3 or F4 male

[admin]

Margitta- if I wanted to say breeders who are not showing are red flags- I would have come out and said- breeders who do not show are red flags. I said if breeders do not show- ask them why.It's not offensive to ask a question and to further inquire about the breeder and their goals.

Margitta - there are many reasons one kitten will place above others and one show does not really tell anything as far as I am concerned...

 

[John Popp]

Interesting, as I was engaged in a conversation about this earlier today.

There are definitely breeders out there who stray from the breed standards who are excellent breeders, paying a great deal of attention to their cats and kittens. Their cats of course wouldn't show well as they stray from breed standards while still producing stunning cats, perhaps beyond what the breed standard says is appropriate. For instance a marbled Savannah wouldn't show well despite being an absolutely beautiful cat.

My personal criteria when searching for a Savannah was all about personality. I didn't have any care for the wrapper, despite ending up with a classic example of a Savannah. It was a painstaking journey as many breeders went into great detail about the wrapper, and only a few could really tell me about the kitten that was inside.

Anyway, length of time in business as a Savannah breeder, cat breeder and my gut was a better qualifier for me. The cat show participation wasn't on my radar and wouldn't be today. I have a great deal of appreciation for what breeders do and understand the level of commitment it takes for people to show their cats. It just doesn't enter into my decision making process and I'm sure quite a few others.

 

[Trish Allearz]

Interesting, as I was engaged in a conversation about this earlier today.

There are definitely breeders out there who stray from the breed standards who are excellent breeders, paying a great deal of attention to their cats and kittens. Their cats of course wouldn't show well as they stray from breed standards while still producing stunning cats, perhaps beyond what the breed standard says is appropriate. For instance a marbled Savannah wouldn't show well despite being an absolutely beautiful cat.

My personal criteria when searching for a Savannah was all about personality. I didn't have any care for the wrapper, despite ending up with a classic example of a Savannah. It was a painstaking journey as many breeders went into great detail about the wrapper, and only a few could really tell me about the kitten that was inside.

Anyway, length of time in business as a Savannah breeder, cat breeder and my gut was a better qualifier for me. The cat show participation wasn't on my radar and wouldn't be today. I have a great deal of appreciation for what breeders do and understand the level of commitment it takes for people to show their cats. It just doesn't enter into my decision making process and I'm sure quite a few others.

Um, I don't think most of the people on this site would purchase a Savannah that looks like...

A Sphynx! A Ragdoll! A Selkirk Rex! A domestic shorthair!

As much as some don't put much value in the painting of the barn (ie colors)- most are concerned about the barn's structure. A Savannah with short little Munchkin legs wouldn't appeal to most. A Savannah with itty bitty rounded ears wouldn't be as appealing.

If someone asks me what makes an ethical breeder and how to find a good breeder, I stand by my list of things to ask :D

 

[Trish Allearz]

I had a point with that post- btw- my point is- knowing the breed standard is important. Most people don't purchase Savannah's JUST for their personality- they prefer the complete package. Color is just color- you can still produce a stellar kitten that adheres to the breed standard, minus the correct color, and still have a wonderful Savannah. HOWEVER- if you don't know the breed standard, don't care to know the breed standard- how the heck are you going to try to produce Savannahs that look like Savannahs? Goodness knows- I don't want Savannahs with big pop-eyes like my Selkirk Rex (round- everything about him is round!). I know I want a certain eye shape because of the standard- which I learn through the breed group, through cat shows, and through active involvement with the breed.

Just sayin

 

[John Popp]

That's certainly beyond the bounds of what my statement connotes, and a longer tail, stripes, marbling or rosettes wouldn't have dissuaded me from choosing the kitten I did. The vast majority of inquiries I see from prospective owners here have size listed high on their priority list, something that there is no mention of on the breed standard list.

As a breeder I think it's important to have a brand identity, and if part of that brand identity is showing cats and working on the breed standards, I think that's great! I don't believe that is something that I would set as a prerequisite for someone else. For some it will certainly have a great deal of merit and others it will spur their interest about as much as the breeding habits of krill.

My takeaway from the process of selecting our first Savannah, is if you don't talk to three breeders you haven't spoke to enough. You really need to see their contracts so you have an understanding of your responsibilities and theirs. You should also have a great deal of comfort with who is on the other end of the phone and their health guarantee should something go wrong.

 

[admin]

I do have to say that most of my pet buyers don't care if I show or not, but they want a nice looking kitten...most just wanted pets and by choice I do not sell many breeders, although i was asked many times...but my prices commensurate with how close my kittens are to the standard...

 

[John Popp]

BTW Trish, I neglected to say that you did mention talking to the breeder and finding out if they didn't show their cats why, and also why they didn't partake in any breed standards groups or committees. For me, I didn't ask for either but that information was volunteered and I was enthralled by the detail presented. I understood their breeding objectives, I now understand yours and I'm certainly not trying to push your buttons.

 

[WitchyWoman]

I'm certainly not trying to push your buttons.

Toooooooooo late

 

[John Popp]

I do have to say that most of my pet buyers don't care if I show or not, but they want a nice looking kitten...most just wanted pets and by choice I do not sell many breeders, although i was asked many times...but my prices commensurate with how close my kittens are to the standard...

That's kind of funny as I had two kittens in my sites that fit my criteria, a spotted classic example of a savannah (but with a crazy long tail) and a a marbled one for 40% less. There wasn't ever a question as to which one was right for us, and as I was sent off with a budget the biggest question was do I ask for permission or beg for forgiveness.

 

[John Popp]

Toooooooooo late

I hope not as I already have one Trish that gets upset with me on a somewhat regular basis.