The F1-F3 Myth

[admin]

Niels, Themba can change...with lots of love and patience and letting him come to you on his terms...there are many success stories here, so don't give up

 

[Kristine]

Okay, so I thought it'd be interesting to hear your thoughts on this...

One question I have to ask when people inquire about babies is what generation they are interested in (these are serious inquiries- not looksies). Maybe half of the people interested in the F6s will follow it up with, "Well, I've heard how difficult (ferocious/mean/wild) the F1s-F3s can be, so I think the F6 is best."

Now- I LOVE it when homes KNOW what they want, but I don't want them to base their wants off of misinformation.

For those with F4s-F7s, why did you decide they were the right generation for you? For those who thought the F1s-F3s were too difficult/ferocious/wild, etc- has being on this site opened your eyes?

My first Savannah was an F2 male. He was the SWEETEST cat ever. My F1 was a high maintenance cat, but she was not mean or aggressive. Temperamental, yes, more determined than my other generations to get what she wanted, yes, but mean, no. I credit that in large part to her breeder, Tina Robertson at Dreamsavannahs who raised her F1's with her kids and in her house (-:

 

[Kristine]

I don't have a whole lot of experience with F1s-F2s, and I may have just lucked out, but my F3 is one of the most good natured sweet tempered kittens I have ever been around. He LOVES people and cries and cries when he is alone. He's the envy of every person I bring him around INCLUDING my dad who isn't a big cat person. I have had cats my whole life growing up, and I used to foster kittens for about one or two years when I was in school. This breed seems to bring out the most in the characteristics you love about cats. My 10 week old is currently asleep on my chest after playing on my laptop for half an hour. I managed to sneak a picture of him being a derp.

That is an adorable picture (-:

 

[NikkiA]

We bought our F5 boy first, D, because I did not want a gigantic cat. Next, we bought our F3, Jarvis, because we were both in love with our F5 boy D.
We bought him from the same breeder.
They are two different cats, with two different personalities, but neither are aggressive. Jarvis, our F3 boy, is shy and a bit scared of new people. He is growing into himself more and more, but he is still hesitant around new people.
D, our F5 boy, is very confident, very friendly and the sweetest cat I have ever met.
Jarvis is a sweetie too, just in different ways. He comes when called, he likes to be with us, and he loves to snuggle in bed. He does not like to be held, and he is easily frightened, but he is a good boy. He just needed time from us to be more confident - he is the first one to meet us when we come home, he knowns the cars, and meets both of us at the door.

 

[Mischief]

I rent and one of my primary concerns about the earlier generations was how they are with window screens. Also the price of the F1's or F2's were a factor.

 

[DChap]

After our DSH of 18yrs passed I soon knew we were just not "whole" without a cat in our household. For several years our housekeeper had been telling me about two of his clients that had Savannah's (F1's and 2's) and I was always intrigued. I began a little research and from what I read on breeder websites came to the conclusion that an F3 would be the best choice for us because of the cost and energy levels of what I'd read online about F1 and F2's. I contacted a local breeder who had advertised F3's but at the time she had only F4's available. Since I had never actually seen a Savannah, my son and I went to see her kittens and of course we immediately fell for one of them and the rest is history. I found this website about 2 weeks after I made my deposit on Tojo and am eternally grateful for it. If I had known then what I know now Im sure I would have gone for an F2 or a BST and hopefully someday I will. I now understand, recognize and appreciate the breed standards along with personality traits. But I have to say my Tojo is the greatest joy an animal has ever brought to my life, I love him to death and am looking forward to many years ahead with him.

 

[Wyldthingz]

I think they are all different. It is hard to stereo type a personality. However, everything my F1 does is extreme- when she is affectionate it can be painful because she is so big. She has given me hickies on my arm, scratches, bruises but she is REALLY sweet and being affectionate when she did it. I find my lower gens a bit more cozy, huggy-holdy just because they are more manageable. Personally, I am more attached to my lower gens but I love my F1s. I still think an F1 is different from all the rest, that servalness really persists. Do note, that all of mine came from good breeders that socialized, not kittens raised in cages outside, or poorly breed breeding stock (breeding cats with bad temperaments or quirks). My most "naughty" cats were lower generation cats, escapers, door darters, fighters not the F1s or F2s.

 

[feedtheflame]

F4 was the earliest generation i could afford, so thats what i decided to go with. Having him home now and seeing what a savannah is like im not sure i could handle a higher generation! he meows incessantly right now and is really clingy (well, he's still adjusting though). Here i was worried a lower 'F' wouldnt be serval enough, HA! Savannahs surprised me, they're everything i heard and waayy more

 

[Niels]

Oke glad to hear, he can stil turn around.

Not that i find his behavior a problem.
If i wanted a cat to hold and cuddle all day then i didn't buy a Savannah.

I'm glad he stays at night at me, I'm used to do 30min playtime in the bed and then we sleep together.
Other family here who only see him in the daytime find it hard to believe that he can be sweet at night.

 

[scorpius]

For those who thought the F1s-F3s were too difficult/ferocious/wild, etc- has being on this site opened your eyes?

Before I got my F1 male, I did do quite a bit of research here, searching old posts, etc. It was helpful for me.

In general, it was said over and over again here, F1's are just more of everything. I'd say that is very accurate and in a good way for my likings at least. My F1 is just more in need of my attention, that's really it! He actually waits for me at the door when I come home and as I pick him up he begins purring ravenously (behavior like a dog really). He does not destroy my home. To date, zero dollars of damage. He is not difficult, ferocious or wild just to dispel any myths. He is though a show off, purring attention thing, and ok, does make some funny noises . Finally, yes he does expect my F2 male to clean him everyday like royalty (and yes, my F2 male does! ). Good thing he doesn't expect me to do the same (LoL!). dj