The Savannah Breed is a hybrid of the wild African Serval Cat and various domestic breeds of cat.  The African Serval is an extremely intelligent, beautiful cat that can reach 36 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 40 lbs in the wild.  They come in various colors, with a golden coat and solid black spots being the most common.  Black, or melanistic Servals have also been documented in the wild but are less common. They have large, upright ears on the tops of their heads and long, thin bodies and legs, with small heads and relatively short tails.  Unlike many cats, Servals and consequently Savannahs, have a love of water, a natural affinity for people and a curious nature that can sometimes be mistaken for naughtiness, also referred to as "Savandalism". Savannahs are very high energy cats, even at the lower generations, and require more attention and stimulation than the average feline.  

 

One misconception about the Savannah Breed is that, because they are a wild hybrid, they are in some way dangerous or not suited for children.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  In many ways they do retain their "wild" characteristics:  They can communicate in many different ways with chirps, purrs, head butts and hissing.  Savannahs have the capability of jumping great distances from a stand still, with some documented as having an 8 ft vertical jump.  Earlier generations can display some solitary characteristics and may prefer to be pet rather than held, though this will vary from breeder to breeder and individual to individual.  However, most have a fierce love of humans and other animals, demanding attention from their owners much like a dog.  They will attach themselves to children as well and are often described as having the personalities of a toddler with their playfulness and curiousity.  They are very trainable and can be taught to walk on a leash, play fetch, use the toilet and open doors (many figure this out on their own as well).  Like all animals, they require proper care and understanding in order to forge this bond.  Those who establish this type of bond with their Savannah almost always fall in love with the breed and often end up with multiple Savannah households.