SV's get a bad rap because of their wild heritage. Heck, my vet said they "known" for behavioral issues. My response is yes, they are very bad cats. They never let you alone in the bathroom, they talk a lot and a roll of paper towel has no idea what's coming should a savannah get a hold of it.
SV's are not lap cats but they can and some have moments of it but mostly they like to play and eat-A LOT! Lol! At least mine do. I have lower gen cats an f7sbt and an f5b - even at the lower gen they are nutty and off the wall. They are a barrel of fun. I never recommend them to people unless they understand what they are in for. I think they are great cats for families with children because they are so playful. They are also very smart - my house is much cleaner now because of them. They are a lot like dogs in some respects. No,one would get a dog and not walk it or play with it, same with SV's - they need to be played with and some like to walk outside.
In our house we trade pets for play. It is not a strange sight to see one or both boys parked right in front of a toy just waiting for you to play with them. Biz brings me toys even if I'm sitting on the toilet, hahah.
They are really sweet cats. Everyone I've ever seen and the those of them who are a bit anti-social like my f7 would rather hide until you leave then hiss or bite, neither boy has ever, ever done that - to each other yes to any human - no. They will also greet you at the door, cry at the top,of their lungs for you if should ever close a door on them and when they are sleepy they will plop down next to you for a cozy nap.
Servals historically have liked to live around people and are pretty easy to domesticate. They have different needs than a savannah which makes them much more difficult financially to own and they are still wild but not like am Asian leopard.
I will admit that I was a bit disappointed when we got our f7 because he wasn't a lap cat. I know of thought he would want to cuddle a little bit. He didn't. He hid and his only relationship was food and play with us. It took me time to understand him, once I did it's the best relationship I've ever had with a pet, maybe even a human, lol. Biz started out a cuddler then quickly became a hyper little cat who only plays and can't sit still long enough to be pet. I always say we have playing cats not petting cats hahaha. If you want to pet them give them food or sneak in a stroke while they hunt the mouse.
I've been overjoyed with both kitties. And I agree people who work for agencies should know what they are talking about. I've corrected my vet lots of times. SVs misbehave as much my friends tortie does. They are cats! I don't care what breed it is some are hyper and playful. They also mellow with age. I will attest that my f7 stayed in his kitten phase about 2.5 years. He's probably full grown now - he grew for a long time 9lbs when we got him at 7 months to 17 pounds today - that was 2.5 years ago. He acted like a kitten the entire time. Now that he has a buddy he's back to kitten mode. It's nice because he plays like a lunatic but is mature enough to sit with you, cuddle, he can be pet now, lol without running off to get a toy. It's a great mix honestly and fun to have a "kitten" for so long.
