Ideal Savannah Standard
Breed Standard

The following colors, come in Spotted or Clouded (Marbled) Tabby Division only.

Traditional Category: Brown or Silver only.

Mink Category: Seal or Silver Mink only.

Lynx Category: Seal or Silver Lynx only.

Solid Category:  Black Solid only.

Smoke Category: Black Smoke only.

The Serval cat is the foundation cat for the Savannah Breed.  The first and subsequent generations derived from the breeding of a Serval cat to a domestic cat or a Serval cat to a Savannah cat is recognized as a domestic Savannah cat.  The goal of the Savannah breeding program is to create a domestic cat which has physical features distinctive to the Serval cat, and with the loving, dependable temperament of the typical domestic cat. The overall impression of the Savannah is a tall, lean, graceful cat with striking large spots and/or randomly swirling bold markings on a luxurious clear light background (except for solid colors, which have no defined markings).  The Savannah cat is bred to resemble the tall, lean, muscular Serval cat of the African plains from which it's ancestors originated. Affectionate and outgoing, with  exceptionally long neck, legs and ears, as well as a short, three-quarter length tail, the Savannah is both unusual and beautiful.  The Savannah is also an exceptionally graceful, well-balanced cat with striking color and/or pattern.

CONFORMATION

The Savannah cat is a tall, slim but muscular cat with a deep chest.  The torso, legs, neck and ears are long.  The head is shaped like a broad wedge and is complimented with a sturdy jaw, large nose and modest whisker pads.  The ears are well cupped and set close together at the top of the head; the ears are large in size with wide bases and rounded tips; short ear tuffs allowed.

 
SPOTTED PATTERN:

The spotted Savannah has sharp contrast between its dark markings and its background color.  On the top of the head, almost between the ears four bold stripes run down the neck to the shoulder blades.  At the shoulder blades the lines break up into spots that run in two straight broken lines along the spine to the tail.  Spots on the back as well as the shoulder can be rounded or run together into double or triple blended spots.

The torso and flanks of the cat are well spotted.  Large round spots are preferred to small round spots.  Rosettes are allowed but large round spots are preferred.  Spots should be large and rounded as opposed to square or triangular.  Spots running in a horizontal line (front to back) across the cats body are preferred.  Angular or rounded spots are preferred on the legs.  The tail is spotted near the base and turns to a banded pattern about three quarters down toward the tip of the tail.  Tail tip should be dark.

On the face there are prominent dark lines extending down from the tear ducts and bracket the nose.  A few spots or flecks mark the face.  Except for the above mentioned tear duct lines, other facial markings should be in the form of spots or flecks as opposed to tabby type lines or stripes.  There is a broken black collar stripe along the throat. Virtually white undersides and belly desirable.  Belly must have dark markings as well.  There should be a virtually white spot running across the back of each ear.  These narrow virtually white ocelli are bordered in with dark marking at the top and bottom of each ear.

CLOUDED PATTERN:

The Clouded Savannah shall consist of horizontally flowing colors and patterns with sharp contrast, distinct shapes, and sharp edges to the markings when the cat is stretched with a chaining look being preferred. Vertical striping and/or classic bulls eye are undesirable.  Cats with three or more shades; i.e., ground color, markings, and dark outlining of those markings are permissible, but single color dark markings on a light background preferred.  Contrast must be extreme, with distinct shapes and sharp edges.  Virtually white undersides and belly desirable.  Belly must have dark markings as well.

SOLID PATTERN:

The solid colored Savannah should be of one color. Dark shadow markings of Spotted or Clouded patterns on a dark background are permissible.  If visible the spots or markings should conform to the Savannah's spotted or clouded standard.  No white markings allowed.

Brown Tabby:

All variations are allowed; however, a degree of rufinism yielding a yellow, buff, tan, golden, or light orange ground color is preferred over a gray or dark orange red background.  Markings may be virtually black, tan, or various shades of brown. Light spectacles encircling the eyes and a virtually white ground color on the whisker pads, chin, belly, and inner legs (in contrast to the ground color of the flanks and back) is desirable.  Rims of eyes and nose should be outlined with black, the nose leather can be either brick red, solid black or black with a light red or pink line running down the center. The lips are black, as are the prominent black tear duct lines on the inner sides of each eye.  The eyes are somewhat oval to almond shaped.  Eye color should be a rich yellow, green, golden or caramel brown, the more richness and depth of color the better.  Tail tip must be virtually black.  Paw pads should be deep charcoal or brownish black, no speckling or mottling allowed.

Silver Tabby:

The ground color, including lips and chin, pale pure silver.  Markings dense black.  Rims of eyes, nose and lips outlined in black.  Eye color a rich yellow, green, golden or caramel brown, the more richness and depth of color the better.  Nose leather can be either brick red, solid black or black with a light red or pink line running down the center.  Paw pads should be deep charcoal or brownish black, no speckling or mottling allowed.
 

Seal Mink Tabby:

Ground color should be ivory, cream, or light tan with pattern clearly visible. Seal mink tabby pattern may be various shades of seal mink to a dark seal mink.  Ivory or cream spectacles encircling the eyes, and ivory or cream whisker pads and chin are desirable.  There should be very little or no difference between the color of body markings and point color.  Paw pads should be dark brown with rosy undertones allowed. Tail tip should be dark seal brown.  Eye color should be aqua (blue green) but may also be green, or green gold, the more richness and depth of color the better.

Silver Mink Tabby:

Body virtually snow white, platinum gray shading on back permissible.  Paw pads black preferred, dark seal possible.  Light spectacles, whisker pads, and chin.  There should be very little or no difference between the color of body markings and point color.  Dark Pink nose leather outlined in black or very dark brown.  Tail tip black - dark seal mink, eye color should be aqua (blue green) but may also be green, or green gold, the more richness and depth of color the better.

Seal Lynx Tabby:

Ground color should be ivory to cream with a medium - pale visible ghost pattern.  Pattern can vary in color from seal brown, light brown, tan, or buff, with light spectacles, whisker pads, and chin.  Point color may be darker then body markings.  Paw pads should be dark brown with rosy pink undertones allowed.  Tail tip must be dark seal brown.  Eye color must be blue, the more richness and depth of color the better.

Silver Lynx Tabby:

Body virtually snow white, platinum gray shading on back permissible, with a medium - pale visible ghost pattern.  Paw pads black preferred, dark seal permissible.  Light spectacles, whisker pads, and chin.  Point color may be darker then body markings.  Dark Pink nose leather outlined in black or very dark brown.  Tail tip black - dark seal mink, eye color must be blue, the more richness and depth of  color the better.

Black Solid:

The black Savannah should be a Lustrous solid jet black. Dark shadow markings of Spotted or Clouded patterns on a dark background are permissible.  If visible the markings should conform to the Savannah's spotted or clouded standard.  No white markings allowed. Eye color should be a rich yellow, green, golden or caramel brown, the more richness and depth of color the better.  Nose leather, lips, and paw pads should be black or charcoal.

Black Smoke:

White undercoat deeply tipped with black. Cat in repose appears to be black.  In motion the white undercoat is apparent.  Extremities and face black with narrow band of white at base of hair next to skin which may be seen when fur is parted with sufficient contrast against ground color for pattern to be visible.  Eye color should be a rich yellow, green, golden or caramel brown, the more richness and depth of color the better.  Nose leather and paw pads black.

 
Broad, modified wedge with rounded contours.  Longer than it is wide.  When viewed from the front the face should form a distinctive triangle.  The head is slightly smaller than in proportion to the body.  In profile the nose is long but with a modest chin and should add to the cats wild appearance.

PROFILE

Curve of the forehead should flow into the bridge of the nose with no break.  Bridge of nose extends above the eyes; the line of the bridge extends to the nose tip, making a nearly straight, convex curve.

EYES

The eyes are somewhere between oval and almond shaped, medium in size.  The more richness and depth of color the better.

EARS

Ears are large and alert, well cupped with a wide base and slightly rounded tips.  The tops of the ears are moderately hairy on the inside.  The base of the ears should almost meet in the front center of the head. Short ear tuffs allowed.

NECK

Slender, but muscular as well as long.

BODY

The shape is long and narrow, but strong.  When viewed from the front the cat appears narrow due to the extreme length of legs, depth of body and length of neck.  The boning is sturdy yet graceful.  The body should be firm and smoothly muscled throughout.

LEGS and FEET

The legs are strong yet slender.  The feet are small with long toes.

TAIL

The tail is sturdy, thick and approximately three-quarters the length of the average cats tail.  When the cat is attentive it should be, held high or somewhat arched and curved over the rump.

COAT

The coat is short to medium, dense, soft and luxurious.  The coat may or may not be glittered.

ALLOWANCES

Smaller size, in balanced proportion, of females.  Slightly longer coat in kittens.  Jowls in adult males.

PENALIZE

Small ears, round head.  More than one vertical stripe or bar on either side forming a mackerel tabby pattern on spotted cats; circular bulls eye pattern on clouded cats; substantially darker point color (as compared to color of body markings) in Seal Mink cats.  For any distinct locket on the neck, chest, abdomen or any other area.  For a concave break where forehead meets the bridge of the nose.  Do not penalize for mousy undercoat.

COLORS (See Colors)
 

TEMPERAMENT

Temperament must be unchallenging; any sign of definite challenge, i.e. bite shall disqualify.  The cat may exhibit fear, seek to flee, or generally complain aloud but may not threaten to harm.  The ideal Savannah is to be a confident, alert, curious and friendly cat.

WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS

Belly not marked on non solid colors.  Kinked or abnormal tail. Incorrect number of toes.  Improper bite.  Any white markings on the Solid colors. Surgically altered tail.  Crossed eyes.

BREED GROUP

Bengal, Chausie, Oriental Shorthair, Serengeti, Egyptian Mau and Ocicat or combinations there of only.

ALLOWABLE OUT-CROSSES

Serval.

© November 2000 - 2004 by
The International Savannah Breeders' Association (TISBA)

All text and photographs are the property of TISBA and may not be copied, reproduced or reprinted without written authorization.

Disclaimer

All Rights Reserved

The photo used to design the background for the TISBA Website is courtesy of Graham Whistler Productions
Web-site: www.gwpmultimedia.com

Some Graphics Courtesy of