f3 owner info

[Wyldthingz]

I think all your questions are very good- it is better to be informed then find that you have a needy cat that likes to play a lot and would prefer a different breed!
After you decide if you like the breed then there is the question of generation, F1- F8 and which would be most suitable for your lifestyle. If I had to pick one, I don't know which.

 

[Laura W]

Let me say first, I am not a breeder and have no interest in becoming one. I just love cats and have had cats my entire life. Echo has been with us 8 1/2 mths.

How safe are they around children, anyone have issues with any aggression?
Don't have children in the home anymore, but any animal is an individual and most can be taught to play nice and proper manners as long as you understand that they need outlets for instinctive behaviors such as scratching posts and appropriate entertainment. Aggression? Normally, only in self defense. Someone backs you into a corner or scares you, your going to react and defend yourself as will any animal. My experience has been they will retreat before reacting and if they do react, it's only out of fear and you didn't heed their warnings and body language.

Has anyone had issues with spraying from a cat that was fixed at a young age?
I adopted my F2 at 2 1/2 yrs old and was told he had inappropriate elimination and spraying. He was already altered prior to 7 mths when they got him. Not once has he ever displayed either behavior in our home. Give them a kitty box with high sides, which is common sense if it's a tall cat (I use a storage bin with a hole cut in the front with split fish tubing around all 4 edges so he doesn't get scratched. Storage box is close to 2 ft long because he is a large boy) with at least 4" of litter and I clean it daily.

Can they go outside?
Only in an enclosed area, including the top and I would suggest watching them very closely for some area you may have overlooked. Any cat will has potential to be very creative in going where they want. I have always been of the mind "Would you let your young child roam and risk getting lost, stolen or possible killed? No? So why would you let your pet?" Pets deserve the same treatment you would give a young child. Both are a lifetime commitment. It really is like having a 2 yr old around.

And, compared to other cats, what is the best and worst trait of these animals?
Best traits: Way too many to list! Having a SV is the most awesome experience. Just the sight of him warms my heart in a way that I can't even explain. My boy is entertaining and curious and has so much interest in everything around him. He loves our Bengal kitty so much and is very protective of her, tolerates her and her antics. When she was spayed and couldn't jump onto the bed, he scruffed her and put his paw behind her to help her up and cuddled and looked after her the entire night. It is amazing how gentle he is with her.

Worst trait: It really is like having a 2 yr old around. If they can knock it over, crawl into it, jump on it, play with it or drag it off, they will. It's actually very charming and not a bad trait at all. Pretty cute actually. Just have to remember that interaction is on his terms and what he's comfortable with at the time. People are individuals, so are animals.

You have to spend quality time with them. If you can't, don"t get a SV. If you can, you will never regret it.

 

[F/3]

Simba turned one year old sept 4th. I'm getting him neutered Monday. He hasn't started to spray. I waited because he has a small hernia that we were hoping would heal itself. Well it didn't so be will get that taken care of the same time he gets neutered.

 

[Jeni]

Hello, I've been researching this breed and would like to know more firsthand info from an owner (not a breeder or someone in opposition to hybridization).

How safe are they around children, anyone have isues with any aggression?

Has anyone had issues with spraying from a cat that was fixed at a young age?

Can they go outside?

And, compared to other cats, what is the best and worst trait of these animals?

Thank you for sharing.

Alyon,

I recently bought a F2 female. I have two miniature schnauzers and three kids, with the youngest child being 2 1/2 years old. I too was nervous about how the kitten would react to our youngest child. She actually LOVES her! When my daughter comes in the room, Aniyah (the kitty) knows it's playtime and comes out to play ball with my daughter. If, and that's a BIG IF, I can get my daughter to sit still long enough, Aniyah will curl up in her lap and sleep. We have had absolutely ZERO issues with her swatting/scratching or biting my daughter, even in the event of an accidental tail pulling. That is certainly more than I can say for the two schnauzers....and they AREN'T Hybrids!!!!!

Aniyah is only 15 weeks old so this doesn't really give you all the answers you are looking for but it certainly can help give you insight as to what an F2 kitty is like with children. I think any pet, hybrid or not, can be raised with children and learn to get along well with them. It's training the kids how to act toward the animal that would concern me!

I've always been a cat owner and lover and to me, the Savannah is: Just a kitty, big ol' ears, very affectionate and loving, HUGE personality, and extremely brilliant in every way.

Good luck in your research!

 

[SV Dad]

the Savannah is: Just a kitty, big ol' ears, very affectionate and loving, HUGE personality, and extremely brilliant in every way.

Well said! I have had cats all my life. All DSH's until the wife wanted to try a "bred cat with spots".
So the wife takes me to see a breeder with a Bengal kitten. We weren't sure about how the kitten was walking. So the breeder says, "I have another spotted cat for you to look at."
(For those of you reading this and thinking about getting a Savannah, this is how it all starts!)
Well, one hour later, that F5 kitten is on it's way to her new home.
As poster Deborah says "Savannahs are like potato chips -- you can't have just one."
And in a few years I reached the critical mass of Savannahs with the addition of 2 more F3 brothers.
***CAUTION*** These cats are an addiction!!!!
No, make that "***WARNING***!.

 

[Todd L]

Well said! I have had cats all my life. All DSH's until the wife wanted to try a "bred cat with spots".
So the wife takes me to see a breeder with a Bengal kitten. We weren't sure about how the kitten was walking. So the breeder says, "I have another spotted cat for you to look at."
(For those of you reading this and thinking about getting a Savannah, this is how it all starts!)
Well, one hour later, that F5 kitten is on it's way to her new home.
As poster Deborah says "Savannahs are like potato chips -- you can't have just one."
And in a few years I reached the critical mass of Savannahs with the addition of 2 more F3 brothers.
***CAUTION*** These cats are an addiction!!!!
No, make that "***WARNING***!.

Well put Rascaldad, We bought our first SV in Feburary. Not six months later we added another. There so much fun its hard to only have one. Im glad i did too because there best buds and they play with each other all the time. There like our kids. =)