Introducing a new F2 kitten to my 12 Y.O. DSH

[Patti]

I have a Simba so I can't argue against the name

 

[John Campbell]

He is a very pretty kitty... I sure he will be all you hoped for... and then some!

 

[Chris Elliott]

Beautiful! Incredible ears, and beautiful green eyes. My female F6, Oni, has gorgeous green eyes...

 

[Aaron]

Thanks everyone!! I'm getting crazy anxious to get him home!! ... I think his neuter is scheduled for Thursday. His second Vaccinations should be shortly after that (Vaccination Vet is on Vacation so hopefully not too long after)...

 

[Aaron]

By the way, I think my wife emailed Brigitte and possibly Patti (within the past week or so) expressing her concern for bringing a Savannah home . Thank you for putting her mind at ease. I guess she's afraid of the "wild" stereotype, I've tried and tried to have her research as much information as she can on them to debunk it. I'm nervous that she's not going to accept him as easily as I'd like her to, due to the anxiety that is going on for her. She is onboard, but just anxious. I'm trying to tell her its just a cat! Only more rambunctious and fun!! I just wanted to thank you guys for emailing her back to reinforce the fact that there should be no more concern when it comes to safety and aggression than with our DSH kitties. Hate human fear mongering and ignorance (which has given her the anxiety)!!!! She was scared that I was putting the kids at risk in bringing home a "wild" hybrid. She actually talked to someone at TICA before being given your names (Brigitte and Patti)... and the lady told her that Savannah's above F3 or F4 can't be shown due to a fear of aggression toward their breeders (or those showing them). I'm assuming this is complete B.S.!!

 

[Rafiki]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your handsome new furbaby. My hubby was also very nervous about having a "wild animal" in the house. He now absolutely adores Rafiki and finds her amazingly gentle, much more so than any other cat we have ever had.

 

[Tort518]

Aaron, just echoing the other compliments on your kitten's looks. He is amazing looking.

Have your wife read the forums and I bet it won't be long she'll be more anxious for the little guy to arrive than you and the kids are.

I agree with what Chris mentioned earlier about these forums being a fantastic resource. Make sure to take full advantage of the knowledge and support available on the forums.

 

[NikkiA]

Aaron, welcome to SV cat chat!

I was very apprehensive before we brought our first SV home, Diablo, in November 2011. I needn't have worried - D is a certified therapy pet with the SPCA. He is a big ball of mush who has never met a human he doesn't like.

D turns three this month, and I currently have three SVs under 3 after being apprehensive about my first

 

[WitchyWoman]

I'm nervous that she's not going to accept him as easily as I'd like her to, due to the anxiety that is going on for her. She is onboard, but just anxious. I'm trying to tell her its just a cat! Only more rambunctious and fun!!

Your wife will fall under the spell of that kitten in no time. Essentially you're acquiring the equivalent of another 3 yr old child with all the energy and curiosity and probably some stubbornness. But these cats are smart. And just like a child, they learn limits (which they tend to ignore at their convenience), but they do learn.

I think the important thing is to discuss with the breeder the temperament of the cat. Hopefully, little Simba is showing traits of a confident and well-socialized cat. I think it would be less than ideal to bring a shy, unconfident cat into a house with children and an adult who may be a bit uncertain.

 

[Chris Elliott]

By the way, I think my wife emailed Brigitte and possibly Patti (within the past week or so) expressing her concern for bringing a Savannah home . Thank you for putting her mind at ease. I guess she's afraid of the "wild" stereotype, I've tried and tried to have her research as much information as she can on them to debunk it. I'm nervous that she's not going to accept him as easily as I'd like her to, due to the anxiety that is going on for her. She is onboard, but just anxious. I'm trying to tell her its just a cat! Only more rambunctious and fun!! I just wanted to thank you guys for emailing her back to reinforce the fact that there should be no more concern when it comes to safety and aggression than with our DSH kitties. Hate human fear mongering and ignorance (which has given her the anxiety)!!!! She was scared that I was putting the kids at risk in bringing home a "wild" hybrid.

Here's a great thread about F2's and children. Note the varied opinions and sweet pictures of young kids and F2's:

http://www.savannahcatchat.com/index.php?threads/F2's-ok-for--kids?.4471/

She actually talked to someone at TICA before being given your names (Brigitte and Patti)... and the lady told her that Savannah's above F3 or F4 can't be shown due to a fear of aggression toward their breeders (or those showing them). I'm assuming this is complete B.S.!!

This is not true. I don't show, and I'm simplifying the rules somewhat. This is my understanding:

To be eligible for championship awards, all cats must not have any other breed in the three previous generations. This is impossible for F1 to F3 Savannahs as the Serval isn't a Savannah. If a F4 is bred with a Egyptian Mau, for example, you would have to wait three more generations for a cat eligible for championship awards. This is tracked by the letters A, B, and C following the generation. Two C's bred together make a SBT that is eligible for championship awards.

You'll see that all F1's are F1A, meaning one parent is not a Savannah. F2's can be F2B or F2A. F3's can be C, B, or A. So only F4's and above can be shown for championship awards.

Non-SBT Savannahs can be shown as foundation cats.

A cat that shows aggression to the judges is disqualified. I think this applies to all breeds. It is written into the Savannah standard.

Folks, please correct me where I've gotten this wrong.