Wow! Silver late gen Savannahs vs Maus

[Brooke]

I had never really seen a Mau before until I was looking though this year's Cats USA magazine. If I didn't know better, I could almost confuse Kovu for a Mau! After doing a quick google search, I can hardly tell the difference between silver savannahs with smaller spots and maus. For a quick example..
vs.
I know there are outcrosses to Maus in SV lineages, but what are the major distinguishing physical characteristics between the two? I'm just finding crazy that they look so alike. Or maybe its just that I have an untrained eye.. haha

 

[admin]

Hi Brooke,

Check out this post: http://www.savannahcatchat.com/threads/egyptian-mau-vs-savannah.1940/

 

[Brooke]

Hmm that thread doesn't say too much, Paige, just says its different and not as tall as an SV. But even some savannahs aren't miles tall, right?

 

[admin]

Hmm that thread doesn't say too much, Paige, just says its different and not as tall as an SV. But even some savannahs aren't miles tall, right?

Yes...I guess the main difference is that an EM is totally Domestic and the SV is a hybrid...they do look different and the main differences can be outlined in each breed's standard...someone more knowledgeable than me will perhaps post though...

 

[Wyldthingz]

This is a good point. Certain breeds have influenced the Savannah. With the lower generation SVs, breeding back into certain cat breeds will produce a Savannah that looks less Savannah and more like it's relatives, Bengal, Oriental, Mau, Ocicat. I think there is something called "cattery blindness" where the breeder fails to see these characteristics in their own breeding. They get pretty kittens with nice spots and they think that is the goal of breeding, however they are producing cats that more resemble something else than a Savannah. Cat shows really help a we get to see other breeds side by side with the Savannah.

You are correct however that a silver Savannah shouldn't look like a silver Mau. I don't think that you are off base in saying this.

 

[Medesha]

To my untrained eyes, the body-shape and face of the Egyptian Mau looks pretty different from my Vakai and Riyl...

 

[Ashley]

lol Brooke, I made that other post! We were browsing cats online & found a Mau that looks almost identical to "our" Kovu. Glenn was like whaaaat?! lol

 

[Brooke]

This is a good point. Certain breeds have influenced the Savannah. With the lower generation SVs, breeding back into certain cat breeds will produce a Savannah that looks less Savannah and more like it's relatives, Bengal, Oriental, Mau, Ocicat. I think there is something called "cattery blindness" where the breeder fails to see these characteristics in their own breeding. They get pretty kittens with nice spots and they think that is the goal of breeding, however they are producing cats that more resemble something else than a Savannah. Cat shows really help a we get to see other breeds side by side with the Savannah.

You are correct however that a silver Savannah shouldn't look like a silver Mau. I don't think that you are off base in saying this.

This is interesting, but makes a lot of sense.. Thanks for giving your input. I'd never heard of cattery blindness before.. but I am pretty new to the cat world

 

[Brooke]

lol Brooke, I made that other post! We were browsing cats online & found a Mau that looks almost identical to "our" Kovu. Glenn was like whaaaat?! lol

How funny


But yeah, as far as distinguishing between the two breeds goes, I can tell a significant difference between Savannahs with a higher percentage of Serval and the Mau... But when they get to the lower percentages it seems like they become more similar to me.

 

[Wyldthingz]

But yeah, as far as distinguishing between the two breeds goes, I can tell a significant difference between Savannahs with a higher percentage of Serval and the Mau... But when they get to the lower percentages it seems like they become more similar to me.[/quote]

My very first F2 was 1/2 Egyptian Mau (and a nice show quality one as well) and an F1. She was very servally in her temperament and personality but she did have a bit of Mau look to her. A nice lower gen silver shouldn't look like a Mau even if they are silver.

Now look at Ocicat photos. There are a lot of Savannahs that I think look more like Ocicats!