Domestic vs Savannah Analogies

[WitchyWoman]

Well we can't have our cake and eat it too. On one hand, a lot of breeders use the words "exotic" on their sites when describing the looks of the SV, include the serval heritage in the info about the breed, and usually include the word "hybrid" somewhere in that explanation of the SV history. On the other hand, you have buyers who are attracted to the SV precisely because of the notion of owing a cat with exotic heritage and exhibiting some characteristics of said heritage. It's impossible to reconcile the two when demanding the average owner-on-the-street never emphasize what is prominent on breeder sites or expect us to never voice our opinion about our attraction to the exotic/hybrid history of the cat.

I dunno what the solution is but I'd be interested in seeing what would happen should every breeder site simply state that the savannah is a high energy cat with lovely spots and never mention its genetic heritage.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

And how do you MAKE every breeder do that? We can try to educate on how it is dangerous to play up "wild" and "exotic" but we can't force everyone to do anything.

We can admit the serval heritage but still insist it is a domestic cat breed. We can't hide the fact that the Serval is back there nor do we want to...it helps make our breed unique. But it should be included along with the fact that the Savannah is the domestic version of the exotic Serval cat. It is not impossible to reconcile that heritage with the Savannah being a domestic cat.

I don't think that Savannahs exhibit any behavior that a domestic shorthair might not... it's just that we choose a breed that tends to have characteristics when a mixed breed domestic shorthair is more of a gamble to know its behavioral traits. The DSH I had immediately before the Serval exhibited much of the traits I love in the Savannah, she was crazy energetic, spotted, loved to play in water, came when called and fetched toys for hours. Just not every mixed breed domestic shorthair is going to be like that, but if you choose a Savannah kitten you are more likely to get those cool traits. That to me is why you select a specific breed, because you want those traits.

 

[WitchyWoman]

I never stated that we MAKE anyone do anything Brigitte. Your perspective as a breeder and mine as a SV owner are skewed to our particular beliefs and preferences. So we will have to agree to disagree on some points.

The OP tried to make a point that he believes SVs are special and was taken to task for his choice of words. I think it was unwarranted. If, as you state,"Innocent and fun conversations on the internet are taken and quoted by AR activists to 'prove' how hybrid cat breeds are NOT domestic", it leaves us little choice for communication and the ARs have still won because we would be capitulating our right to free speech.

For the record, I think the difference between moggies and SVs is like the difference between Two Buck Chuck and Pernod-Ricard Perrier-Jouet. Both are good in their own way.

 

[DB in RR]

To censure based on humor (for fear of the PC police or AR groups), then I think we are coming close to completely regulated government state where nobody can say anything. ( see discussion and quote at : http://www.savannahcatchat.com/threads/does-this-quote-sum-it-up.1392/ )

And both of you pointed out the own breeder industry (see below) the reason you get so much more per kitten are the same reasons you condemned my statements.

Okay, just a sampling...

http://www.savannahcatbreed.com/
Mentions : Select Exotics ..hybrid ... lightning fast... highly intelligent... offers affection rarely found in the sweetest domestic .. Beautiful!!! Wild looking!!! Very rare!!! And extremely social!!! wide gene pool ... Dubbed the "Clydesdale of the small cats,"

I understand these are speaking to more than the Savannah... but if the breed is going to be branded for marketing to buyers with those attributes...

http://www.savannahcattery.com/Pages/default.aspx

Exotic Cattery .. hybrid ... big and beautiful... Savannahs are the perfect choice for those who want a touch of the wild in your home.

http://www.sanuraexotics.com/

Exotics Savannah Cats

Savannah cats tend to follow you around and want to be involved in your activities much like dogs do.Many Savannah cats have no fear of water and may actually hop in the tub with you. Savannah cats high intelligence is another reason why they are so popular.

http://empirexotics.com/

Exotics .. hybrid ...
The African Serval has the personality of a canine.
Intellect unsurpassed in domestic felines (perfect cross between canine and feline in one animal. A
thought process neither individual animal seems to possess alone)
Examples of non feline traits:
They fetch by nature as they do not want the game to end, can learn to walk on a leash, open doors,
cabinets and containers.
Know their own names, the names of their toys and people in their people pack.
They are highly bonded to their own pack (your family and also the animals in the family.)
They are highly motivated to try and please you when you praise them.
Saying good boy or good girl could produce a game of fetch that may last all night or until you hide the toy.

 

[WitchyWoman]

DB one of the things to keep in mind about this or similar conversations is that most of our breeder members are ethical and trying to do their very best for the breed. The AR threat is very real and its effects are felt everyday.

Brigitte in particular has unimpeachable ethics and works tirelessly for the breed. I respect her very much as a breeder and I like her as a person.

 

[Wyldthingz]

This is true of Brigitte. She is very cautious about how she portrays the Savannah however many breeders just want to sell "exotic." They use "cups", "huge", "leopard-like", the list goes on.
I would never have use the cattery name "Wyldthingz" if I knew what I know now.
Do we really want a wild animal in our home? No, but we do enjoy something that is unique and mysteriously beautiful like the wild animal in the bush.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I never stated that we MAKE anyone do anything Brigitte. Your perspective as a breeder and mine as a SV owner are skewed to our particular beliefs and preferences. So we will have to agree to disagree on some points.

I was only trying to point out that although we might want all breeders to educate about our breed in an ethical manner, there is no way to make them. I continually get calls to "do something" about a certain breeder or something...and what can we do. TICA gets asked to "do something" regularly and has no actual ability to either.

All we can do is educate as much as possible and try to counter the misinformation, and unfortunately this means sounding less-than-humorous and a tad serious when "hot" words are used.

And yes, DB in RR, there ARE websites out there that perpetuate the negative image...just like there are websites that focus on pictures of HUGE Savannahs that erroneously give the impression that all Savannahs are the size of a Labrador Retriever. And some catteries will say anything to sell a kitten. Doesn't make it right.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Kelly I thought you named the cattery after your kids. LOL.

 

[DB in RR]

I am not calling anyone out. I was using words the industry used... to interest potential buyers. As a buyer, we have to decipher the marketing to determine credible catteries from all sort of scammers.

I chose Cahaba Cats because Lori is a moderator of this board, and purchased two F6 kittens, like my previous Savannah. It lent significant credibility, as should any other moderator who is also a breeder.

 

[Wyldthingz]

There are many responsible breeders that are not only NOT moderators here, but NOT here on this list at all. Some don't have time or for their own reasons don't post here. This is a group among many just so you understand that, DB.