The Savannah is a cross between a serval (a medium-sized wild cat) and a domestic cat. The International Cat Association recognized Savannahs as a separate breed of cat in 2001. The F generation indicator refers to the ancestors: F1-F4 Savannahs are considered to be hybrids due to their high proportion of serval genes. The letter designator indicates more information of a cat's pedigree:
| A | one parent is a Savannah |
| B | both parents are Savannahs |
| C | both parents and grandparents are Savannahs |
| SBT | all the members of the last three generations are Savannahs |
Characteristics
Savannah cats resemble their serval ancestors, they look like a serval-imitation, but smaller. Their fur is tipically gold and beige with spots on it which makes this breed quite distinctive and unique. They have a tall and slender build, strong and long legs - hind legs are usually longer the forelegs, thick tail of medium length. Triangular-shaped face, small head, huge, tall, wide and rounded ears on the top of the head: typical distincive characteristics of the breed. They have larger, deep-set eyes, all eye colors are allowed. Due to their slender body their appearance is particularly graceful. The members of the F1 generations are the largest, weighing between 6-11 kg, as the genetic influence of the serval parent is great.
Savannahs are very friendly, playful and enjoy having company. They are extremely energetic with high activity levels. Due to their personalities it is not recommended to keep them solitary. This breed is often referred to as the cat version of dogs due to their temperament. They bring back their toys and are easily trainable to walk on a leash. They love water and having great baths. They are good choice for families with children and also get on well with other animals. They are constantly curious, looking for adventures and always ready to something new. The most optimal environment for them is a large and safe outdoor enclosure. They lifespan is high, they can live up to 12-15 years.