Differences in behavior between F1 - F8

[karenlynn79]

Another factor to consider is the breeder's description of the kitten's personality. Reputable breeders will be open about individual personalities. For example in our search for our second SV, that's one of my first questions. Is the kitten very energetic, would require lots of attention, maybe is more snugly than their litter mates, likes to be held, doesn't like to be held, is the trouble-maker, etc.. Our F5SBT Zyon fits his description well: playful but sweet and cuddly (when he wants to be). Zyon isn't big but he's long & lean, long legs & looks different than a "regular" cat. We fell in love with his pics & videos and knew he was the right boy for us.

 

[NikkiA]

I'm about as nuts a Witchy is. We share our lives with four SVs, F5 Diablo, F4 Mickey blue eyes, F3 Jarvis, and f2 Baby Rey aka floofy.

Baby Rey is the lightest of our bunch, at 10 lbs, but she is as tall as 15 lb F5 D, and taller than 12lb F4 Mickey.

Jarvis is our big boy, he is 20 lbs. A photo of Jarvis is below. 20lbs of cat is a LOT of cat. 20lbs of fit, muscular, strong cat is a heck of a lot of cat. You might think you want big, but it isn't easy to manage a big kitty when he is upset and doesn't want to do something or doesn't like someone in his space. Deb mentioned that about Atticus above. I'm echoing it.

When Jarvis doesn't want to do something, it doesn't happen.
As others have said, SVs are SVs. The explanation about the difference in intensity is pretty spot on, as is the explanation regarding the meaning of the word "no".

Of our bunch, F2 Baby Rey is pretty easygoing. She is persistent about three things: play, food, and snuggling. If she wants to eat, she is going to to harass you until you feed her. Even if she has just eaten. If she wants to play, she will bring us a toy. If she wants to snuggle, she is going to snuggle with you. If you aren't sitting or lying down, she is going to harass you until you are. If all else fails, she will lay down on or at your feet, and then whine at you if you move.

F3 Jarvis is extremely stubborn. He has a whole host of behaviors he engages in when he wants something. He doesn't stop until he gets what he wants. He is MUCH more stubborn than either of the humans are. He doesn't follow rules well. We have made great progress, but he is like a 2 year old. He constantly needs positive reinforcement. He never stops pushing the boundaries. Jarvis is also up there regarding smarts. He can open doors, drawers, and cabinets. We had to get a new fridge because he was raiding our old one.

F4 Mickey is between the two of them. He is very persistent when he wants something, but his three wants are the same as Rey's. He is also the easiest of the bunch to satisfy, but for the snuggling. I don't want him to sleep on top of my legs. He wants to sleep on top of my legs. Therefore, he sleeps on top of my legs, and if I move him, he just moves back.

F5 Diablo is our smartest kitty. He is *mostly* well behaved. He walks on a leash and a harness, he knows and mostly listens to come, sit, down, up, drop it, and leave it. He is great with adults and with children. He likes EVERYONE.

Diablo came home first, followed by Jarvis, then Mickey, then Rey. I love all four of them very much, but they are all nuts in their own way. I would agree that the lower generations are *mostly* less stubborn and intense, but there are outliers, like Deb's F6 boy.

 

[Jacob Steel]

That was an awesome read! and thats a big kitty haha! Would you suggest a higher sv for a first time savannah owner? Also the cat looks pretty mellow for being picked up haha :D

Also as karen stated, do the traits they have as a kitten carry over for the most part? Like if I picked a more independent and relaxed kitten, would it most likely continue those traits into adulthood?

 

[WitchyWoman]

do the traits they have as a kitten carry over for the most part?

Let me restate that there are no absolutes, but for the most part, the traits of the kitten follow into adulthood. Two of mine were snuggly as kittens, became less so at around a year old (the teenage years) and went back to being love bugs by the time they were 2 yrs old. My F1 has been a velcro cat since he came home and the intensity of his affection has increased with maturity. He will be fully mature at 3 yrs old this February. Then there is my F2 who hated me for the first 3 years of his life and has now, at the age of 7, mellowed to the point where he tolerates being petted. I cannot pick him up -- have never picked him up -- and he has sat on my lap once 6 yrs ago. I'm still glowing from that brief moment.

Also, no matter the traits, nurture also plays a big part. If a kitten, no matter the breed, is traumatized or frightened especially during its first few months in the new home, all bets are off. A scary or unpleasant experience has the potential to irrevocably change the personality of the cat. You have to be prepared to accept the level of affection set by the cat. Some show it in various ways from a distance, others crave human touch.
Aloof kittens can turn into velcro cats and vice versa. In a lot of ways, it's a gamble when you choose to share life with an animal.

What you can expect, regardless of F generation, is that you'll be living with the equivalent of a 3 yr old child who is smarter than you are, more stubborn than a bully breed dog, and who makes the energizer bunny look slow and plodding.

 

[Patti]

Would you suggest a higher sv for a first time savannah owner?

I'm not sure what you mean by 'higher sv'? I think some folk recommend a later generation (e.g., F4 or further from the serval) as a first Savannah, but as others have pointed out, much depends upon the personality of the individual kitten, and the amount of time you have to devote to it, with early generations (e.g., F1 - F3) possibly requiring more of a time committment.