Domestic vs Savannah Analogies

[Trish Allearz]

I think the issue is terminology here... I don't think the OP is harping on the DOMESTIC part of DSH, but the fact that 'regular' kitties (which would lump in any kitty that is not a SV ) do not have a catch-all that does not ruffle our over-sensitive figurative feathers. 'Regular' kitties are typical called domestic shorthairs- the word we catch is 'domestic' because we worry about the AR groups and we choose not to actively label our breed as an 'exotic' breed of cat.

BUT take the domestic out of this sentence ad it's completely innocent and fun. OP writes, "Domesitc cats are like street cars, and Savannah are like Nascars, and their Serval ancestors are Formula 1." Change that to "Moggies are like street cars, and Savannahs are like Nascars.."

Less offensive, yes?

It really is a shame that we, as a community, have to be so extremist in our views of simply terminology. For example- Savannahs are exotic. Don't hang me- hold on- the definition of exotic includes, "Strikingly unusual". To ME- those long legs, those large ears- they are strikingly unusual and they make our breed. (Or at least help define our breed).

Anyhoo- I'm useless in this discussion, but just wanted to blather on, I guess. It's just a shame that we have to be so darn worried about innocent word usage. Is it appropriate? Heck yeah- the ARs are nutsos. But it's still a shame.

 

[DB in RR]

I understand the legislative issues, but describing the characteristics of a Savannah compared to an aggresive breed of dog like a Pitbull or Rottweiller, these characteristics are mild in that comparison.

Dog bite statistics ::

Each day, about 1,000 U.S. citizens require emergency care treatment for dog bite injury.


How many treatments are rendered from cats? What is the severity of these? I know they happen, like this week a man cornered a rabid Bobcat and was attacked. But this was a wild animal that was cornered, and rabid. I am thinking these type of attacks with more domesticated cats are close to zero.

Using the analogy for dogs, I have a very loyal Golden Retriever ( Compare that to the average man ). Then look at a Doberman, I liken this to a well tuned Martial Artist, and the Rottweiler or Pitbull the Body Builder on Steroids. These can all be "GOOD" dogs, but that is dependent upon the owner and their training. For example, there is a golden that is a few blocks from us that no kids will walk by the chain link fence, as they do not trust it.

The point is that hiding behind worthy attributes because they are differently attributed than DSH, well makes it look like we are hiding something. Stand proud, and point to the facts in the Dog bite studies above, that these cats are way less of a problem than any singled out aggressive breed of dog.

AND --- I like Trish's comment above.

 

[Pam Flachs]

DB, I'm not sure why you are comparing the physical characteristics of Savannahs to aggressive dog breeds...in not one, but two of your posts. Savannahs are DOMESTIC CATS. Period. They are not aggressive; they can bite or scratch as well as any other breed of domestic cat, but do NOT have the tendency to do so more than any other housecat. The stray feral domestic cat that was trapped (and relocated) in our neighborhood some years ago gave every indication he would gladly injure anyone who came near him...none of my Savannahs from F2-F8 have ever bitten or scratched me or anyone else, nor ever give any indication of even thinking about it.

When we describe our Savannahs as "dog-like", we are comparing them to characteristics dogs portray such as loyalty, energy level and love of playing with toys, greeting visitors, and the fact that Savannahs would much rather be in your company than asleep under the bed for hours compared to many housecats....and NOT "dog-like" that they might someday bite us or are aggressive in any form.

As one who has worked to fight legislation aimed at banning Savannahs as housepets, your thought process concerns me. In fact, you remind me of prospective customers who call me wanting "a big cat that will scare the neighbors". Those sort of people do not get a kitten from me. This is the kind of thinking that gets Savannahs banned in many places, and something that we fight hard to get changed, and not always successfully. Consider yourself lucky to be able to legally own a Savannah where you live!

Please reconsider what you are saying here and perhaps to others who are not familiar with Savannahs. As a Savannah owner, you need to be proud, yes, but you need to emphasize that Savannahs are domestic housecats; tall, leggy, energetic big eared spotted housecats with huge personalities; different only in looks and personality....a very unique and special domestic cat

 

[DB in RR]

DB, I'm not sure why you are comparing the physical characteristics of Savannahs to aggressive dog breeds...in not one, but two of your posts. Savannahs are DOMESTIC CATS. Period. They are not aggressive; they can bite or scratch as well as any other breed of domestic cat, but do NOT have the tendency to do so more than any other housecat. The stray feral domestic cat that was trapped (and relocated) in our neighborhood some years ago gave every indication he would gladly injure anyone who came near him...none of my Savannahs from F2-F8 have ever bitten or scratched me or anyone else, nor ever give any indication of even thinking about it.

When we describe our Savannahs as "dog-like", we are comparing them to characteristics dogs portray such as loyalty, energy level and love of playing with toys, greeting visitors, and the fact that Savannahs would much rather be in your company than asleep under the bed for hours compared to many housecats....and NOT "dog-like" that they might someday bite us or are aggressive in any form.

As one who has worked to fight legislation aimed at banning Savannahs as housepets, your thought process concerns me. In fact, you remind me of prospective customers who call me wanting "a big cat that will scare the neighbors". Those sort of people do not get a kitten from me.

Please reconsider what you are saying here and perhaps to others who are not familiar with Savannahs. As a Savannah owner, you need to be proud, yes, but you need to emphasize that Savannahs are domestic housecats; tall, leggy, energetic big eared spotted housecats with huge personalities; different only in looks and personality....a very unique and special domestic cat

Sorry .. I completely agree they are not aggressive, and legislators should take note. The connotation of WILD , EXOTIC to some people seem like they should be feared. To me, four years olds in a candy shop can be wild and maybe feared. Anyway, words mean a lot, and can be interpreted in many different ways. Why is their legislation against Hybrids? I think most likely it is perception, and fears.

The comparison to dogs in aggression is purely that Savannahs are not aggressive, and there are worse things to fear than the loyal loving long legged energetic house cat. If I am missing the boat on why some cities/counties/states have issues with Hybrids, what are those reasons, and why are they inaccurate?

 

[WitchyWoman]

DB you might spend some time perusing the discussions here http://www.savannahcatchat.com/forums/savannah-cat-legal-talk/ to get an idea of why some folks get a bit aroused about the exotic/hybrid issue.

 

[DB in RR]

In fact, you remind me of prospective customers who call me wanting "a big cat that will scare the neighbors".

Not sure your perception here is warranted. I have never mentioned scaring the neighbors.

What I was trying to put across is that the attributes of a Savannah are mild and to not be feared compared to other pets. And there are other pets in our neighborhood that are to be feared. And they are there LEGALLY.

 

[ambiente18]

It seemed to me at the beginning of the post compared the car, Nascar and a Formula 1 you spoke about other things

 

[John Popp]

As soon as you apply the "less dangerous than" or "not as feared as" labels it's an admission there is some level of danger or reason to be feared, albeit to a lesser extent.

I do agree that this started out as a quest for some fun analogies, we just need to be careful where we tread.

 

[DB in RR]

I want to apologize. I put this thread out as a light hearted result of a conversation I had with my daughter, and the analogy I used.

Analogy (from Greek ἀναλογία, analogia, "proportion"[1][2]) is a cognitive process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject (the analogue or source) to another particular subject (the target), and a linguistic expression corresponding to such a process.

Kimberly got it, and so did rascaldad, and ambiente18. The rest I guess I ruffled your feathers. I guess the reason I loved the attributes I endear to Savannahs ( and I am not just a new owner but a previous owner too --- or rather I have been owned by Boo ), is because the only time I am having fun in living life is when I take their attitude.

"Live free - Play Harder - Sleep when you can't do anymore, and let know one tell you how to live your life."

My point lighten up.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I agree, this thread did take a serious turn....but realize there IS a reason for this. Those of us that have been involved in Savannahs for years have had to face potential legislation stemming from those innocent comments about how "wild" or "exotic" the Savannah is and how very very different from a "domestic cat". Yes, they are a cool breed, but they are still a breed of domestic cat. That is how the USDA defines them and that is how we want them to continue to define them.

Innocent and fun conversations on the internet are taken and quoted by AR activists to "prove" how hybrid cat breeds are NOT domestic. We aren't saying this to burst your bubble or spoil your fun. We love the fun side of our cat breed, but we are also passionate about retaining our rights to have them. I hope that you can understand this.