Heartbroken after my experience with the local SPCA shelter

[Frauleinash]

I would suggest that with the expanded longevity of a Savannah, a 3 year old Savannah is going to be much like a 2 year old domestic, in fact in most circles it's asserted that a Savannah isn't an adult until it reaches 3 years of age.

I guess I'm just a little confused about what I'm dealing with here, because I'm just learning about all the variations, and when dealing with an f5 or higher.. I was under the impression that they were closer to being a "regular" cat than a savanna? I need to be sure that I can take on the responsibility. I have read that savanna cats, in general, are high energy and typically don't do well with toddlers (I have a small child at home ). Porsche seems like a very docile girl. I heard that savannas live longer than regular cats, but wasn't sure if that info pertains only to the f1 variety.

I guess I have to learn the differences between all the types!

 

[John Popp]

That's a tall order, perhaps like assuming two brothers may be alike.

My two f1 boys are drastically different despite being full brothers from two different litters. One I can pick up have him lay over my shoulder or upside down, completely limp and completely trusting. A true lover boy as affectionate as they come. His brother has a 30 second threshold on being held, will not sit in your lap although he has an awesome purr motor and is an excellent head butter. You just never know, and if the cat you are looking at seems mild mannered, they more than likely are.

 

[Rafiki]

Savannahs have the same lifespan as any domestic cat. They tend to be a bit healthier than some pedigree cats that have been inbred a lot in that the savannah gene pool includes serval so some recessive traits may not show up.

I would disagree that savannahs do not do well with toddlers....it depends on what and how they were exposed to. If a toddler has something resembling a ball, Rafiki would want to play. Rafiki has had nothing but positive experiences with little kids and other animals so she is only afraid of adult humans as a result of 6 months of biweekly vet visits when she was sick. The key is to make sure that the toddler knows how to play with cats.

All cats are individuals and size and behavior will vary. Savannahs are high energy cats, regardless of the generation. If you are interested in a docile cat that will lay on your lap for hours, the typical savannah will not be a good fit. If you like a cat that follows you around and is ridiculously curious about everything you do, as long as you are willing to play and interact with the cat, a savannah may be a great choice.

 

[Rafiki]

This is a great thread created by Pam: http://www.savannahcatchat.com/threads/savannah-cats-myths-and-the-truth.4786/#post-78531

 

[John Popp]

The lifespan of domestic cat breeds has a fair amount of variance to them although perhaps the longevity of a savannah is just anecdotal.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

So... there really IS such a thing as a short, stumpy, fat, small docile lap cat savanna?

Because the Savannah breed is young, it still is pretty much a mix of many outcrosses as well as Serval heritage. Sometimes the genetics that dominate are more the domestic genes... so you might well have a cat with some Serval heritage that looks exactly like a domestic shorthair, or an Egyptian Mau or whatever other cat breeds used to produce that Savannah.

You are correct that it might just be the picture on the website that makes us think that cat might be a Savannah, photography can definitely sometimes show something as different to what it is in real life. A certain angle can emphasize ear size or make a cat look slimmer or leggier etc. There is no genetic test available that can detect Serval heritage (past the F1 generation) hence we can only suspect from looking at a cat.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I guess I'm just a little confused about what I'm dealing with here, because I'm just learning about all the variations, and when dealing with an f5 or higher.. I was under the impression that they were closer to being a "regular" cat than a savanna? I need to be sure that I can take on the responsibility. I have read that savanna cats, in general, are high energy and typically don't do well with toddlers (I have a small child at home ). Porsche seems like a very docile girl. I heard that savannas live longer than regular cats, but wasn't sure if that info pertains only to the f1 variety.

I guess I have to learn the differences between all the types!

As to doing well with toddlers, I have a 2 year old child that came into my household of five Savannahs: two F1s, an F3 and two F5s. While one of my F1s seriously resents her (and that has been a challenge), the others either stay well out of reach or they love her and allow her to practically maul them and get away with things no adult human would be allowed to do. Now that she's learned to run around dragging a wand toy... there's been some great play sessions and I only see that getting better.

Savannahs are a high energy cat but they are just a cat at the end of the day. F1s I regard as completely different.

 

[Frauleinash]

As to doing well with toddlers, I have a 2 year old child that came into my household of five Savannahs: two F1s, an F3 and two F5s. While one of my F1s seriously resents her (and that has been a challenge), the others either stay well out of reach or they love her and allow her to practically maul them and get away with things no adult human would be allowed to do. Now that she's learned to run around dragging a wand toy... there's been some great play sessions and I only see that getting better.

Savannahs are a high energy cat but they are just a cat at the end of the day. F1s I regard as completely different.

Thank you all so much for all the answers! This past week has been like taking a crash course in savanna cat 101. I actually kinda feel silly arguing with the guy about this. Obviously he had his facts backwards and she is more likely an f6 than anything else, which is what prompted this dispute in the first place. I will probably never know her lineage, but I DO wonder why Porsche was not returned to the breeder when the owner gave her up. I find myself scanning the breeders websites in search of her brothers and sisters. .. there really aren't a lot of the smoke variety, I'm finding.

I have decided that this is probably the only opportunity I will ever have in my life to own a savanna, so with that in mind, I am going to try to get her as soon as they open, which sadly, isn't until tomorrow afternoon. I hope I didn't just put out the bat signal on her by posting here

Hopefully if all goes well, you will see some better pictures of her at her new forever home!! *crossing fingers*

 

[Frauleinash]

This is a great thread created by Pam: http://www.savannahcatchat.com/threads/savannah-cats-myths-and-the-truth.4786/#post-78531

Perfect!!

 

[DumaLove]

I find myself scanning the breeders websites in search of her brothers and sisters. .. there really aren't a lot of the smoke variety, I'm finding

She actually isn't a smoke, she is a Silver Spotted Tabby. So not all that uncommon of color.

Congrats and enjoy your new princess!!