Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Savannah breed originated in the United States in the late 20th century as a result of deliberate crossbreeding between a domestic cat and an African serval. The first officially registered individual appeared in 1986, and the further development of the breed was associated with selective work aimed at fixing the exotic appearance of its wild ancestor while preserving a friendly temperament. Bengal, Oriental, and other cats possessing suitable traits were used in breeding. In 2001, the breed received recognition from leading feline organizations, and in subsequent years became popular among admirers of unusual and large domestic cats. The Savannah combines a majestic appearance and active temperament while maintaining the ability to adapt to family life, which makes it unique among modern breeds.
General Appearance
The Savannah is a large, elegant, harmoniously built cat with a distinctly wild appearance. The body is long, long-legged, with strong musculature and graceful lines. The head is medium-sized, proportional, with characteristically large ears. The eyes are expressive, almond-shaped, slightly slanted, giving the breed a predatory expression. The neck is long and muscular, smoothly merging into a strong torso. The limbs are long and slender, the tail is of moderate length with a rounded tip. The coat is short, dense, with a clearly defined spotted pattern resembling the pelt of a wild serval. The overall appearance gives an impression of strength, agility, and refined wildness while retaining a domestic character.
Important Proportions
The proportions of the Savannah emphasize its refinement and wild origin. The height at the withers is approximately half the length of the body, giving the cat a tall, long-legged silhouette. The body length exceeds its height, emphasizing the elongated and elegant lines. The head is a harmonious part of the body, not too large but expressive, with proportionally large ears and eyes. The neck is longer than average, creating an impression of a regal posture. The limbs should be long and slender but with well-developed muscles, allowing the animal to move quickly and lightly. The tail is of moderate length, not exceeding one-third of the body length, harmoniously balancing the figure. All proportions should create an impression of balance, grace, and strength at the same time.
Behavior and Temperament
The Savannah is an active, energetic, and extremely curious cat with high intelligence. It learns easily, can remember commands, and participates in interactive games. It is strongly attached to its owner and often exhibits dog-like behavior: it can walk on a leash, fetch objects, and follow its human. Despite its wild ancestry, the breed is friendly and social, adapts well to family life, and gets along with children. However, it requires enough space and activity, preferring dynamic play and elevated places for observation. The Savannah is independent but always oriented toward interaction with humans.
Head
The head of the Savannah cat, according to the ICCF system, has a wedge-shaped form with soft lines and slightly elongated proportions. The forehead is moderately broad with a smooth transition to the muzzle. The cheekbones are pronounced but not coarse, emphasizing the predatory expression. The chin is strong, forming a straight line with the nose in profile. The head should remain proportional to the body, without excessive massiveness. An important feature is the harmonious balance of length and width, creating an effect of wild yet noble appearance.
Facial Part
The facial part of the Savannah is characterized by an elongated muzzle and a straight profile line. The nose is long, wide at the base, with a slight rise toward the tip. The whisker pads are well developed, giving the muzzle additional volume. The cheeks are taut, smoothly transitioning into the neck. When viewed from the front, the muzzle should resemble a triangle with rounded contours. The overall harmony and expressiveness of the face give the breed its special wild and exotic look while preserving the softness of domestic cats.
Eyes
The eyes of the Savannah are large, expressive, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely toward the nose. The distance between the eyes is considerable, which enhances the wild expression. The color ranges from yellow and amber to green; hazel shades are acceptable. A dark outline around the eyes is an important feature, emphasizing their expressiveness and creating an eyeliner effect. The Savannah’s gaze is alert, lively, and slightly wary, reflecting its active and observant nature. The eyes must be harmonious in size with the head.
Ears
The ears of the Savannah are large, high-set, wide at the base, and tapering to the tips. Their position is as vertical as possible, giving the breed a resemblance to the wild serval. The inner surface is open, and light spots on the back of the ears—the so-called ocelli—are permitted. The ears should be proportional to the head but stand out as one of the breed’s distinctive features. Their shape emphasizes the predatory and alert expression, and their size and vertical placement are key elements of the exterior in the ICCF system.
Neck
The neck of the Savannah is long, dry yet muscular, smoothly merging into the body. Its length emphasizes the elegance and regal appearance of the cat. At the same time, it must be strong enough to harmonize with the tall limbs and developed torso. Smooth transitions enhance the impression of grace. When moving, the neck is held upright, creating an impression of confidence and nobility. This part of the exterior is considered an important element of the breed, emphasizing its majestic silhouette.
Body
The body of the Savannah is long, slender, and muscular, with a well-developed chest. The back is slightly arched, rising smoothly toward the croup, emphasizing the higher hind limbs. The abdomen is tucked up, the waist noticeable but not overly narrow. The overall silhouette resembles wild felines—elongated and strong yet elegant. The cat should give an impression of harmony between lightness and power. All body lines must reflect balance and proportion.
Tail
The tail of the Savannah is of medium length, thick at the base, and slightly tapering to a rounded tip. Its length is usually shorter relative to the elongated body, which is a characteristic breed feature. The tail is covered with dense fur with clearly defined dark rings and a contrasting tip. In a relaxed state, it is carried low; in motion—slightly raised. The tail harmoniously completes the cat’s overall silhouette and should not be excessively long or short.
Forelimbs
The forelimbs of the Savannah are long, slender, and dry but with well-developed musculature. The bones are strong, emphasizing power and endurance. The paws are oval, compact, with well-closed toes. When moving, the impression of lightness and elasticity is created. The forelegs are straight and parallel. The leg length emphasizes the refined and tall silhouette of the breed. It is important that the limbs be in harmony with the body, enhancing its wild elegance.
Hind Limbs
The hind limbs are longer than the front ones, creating the effect of a raised croup. The thighs are strong and muscular, the knees well defined. The paws are oval, matching the front in size and compactness. The hind legs are straight and stable; movements are smooth and strong. Thanks to these proportions, the cat has a unique graceful posture and the ability to jump high. This feature is one of the key breed characteristics reflecting its wild origin.
Gait and Movement
The Savannah’s gait is light, springy, and graceful. When moving, the cat gives the impression of a wild predator ready to pounce. The steps are long and confident, the movements fluid and elastic. When running, its high speed and ability to make sharp turns are noticeable. The gait demonstrates strength and elegance simultaneously. Movements should never appear stiff or heavy. The dynamics must emphasize the breed’s origin and leave an impression of energy, confidence, and natural grace.
Coat
The Savannah’s coat is short, dense, and close-lying, with a soft yet resilient texture. The guard hairs are fine and glossy, with little or no undercoat. The coat is easy to care for, does not mat, and always remains smooth. To the touch, it feels silky with a light elasticity. The main requirement is a clearly defined spotted pattern giving the cat the appearance of a wild serval, considered the primary feature of the breed type.
Permissible Colors
The main colors of the Savannah are brown spotted tabby, silver spotted, black, and black smoke. Variations with a golden tone are also allowed. The pattern must be distinct, with rounded or oval spots evenly distributed over the body, limbs, and tail. Color contrast is essential: the clearer the spots and cleaner the background, the higher the quality of the animal. Blurred or striped patterns are undesirable. In the ICCF standard, a sharp, well-defined spotted coat is a priority.
Size
The Savannah is one of the largest domestic cat breeds. Males are significantly larger than females: their weight can reach 10–12 kg, sometimes more, with a height of 45–50 cm at the withers. Females are more graceful, usually weighing 6–8 kg and standing about 35–40 cm tall. The weight must be distributed harmoniously, without signs of coarseness or heaviness. The body should remain elegant and elongated. The size depends on the generation (F1–F5), but within the ICCF system, proportions are evaluated rather than absolute size.
Faults
Faults include any deviations from the harmonious appearance and typical proportions. Legs that are too short or too long, a heavy body lacking firmness, a narrow chest, or weak musculature are considered undesirable. Faults also include ears that are too short or excessively long, poorly defined ocelli, small eyes, or incorrect shape. A blurry, dull, or striped pattern and absence of distinct spots are also considered faults. Any signs of timidity, unprovoked aggression, or excessive passivity are not typical of the breed.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations from the ICCF standard: the presence of white spots (except for small marks on the chest or abdomen), incorrect color, or absence of a spotted pattern. Polydactyly, strabismus, tail deformities, or limb defects are not permitted. Cats with health issues, chronic diseases, or congenital defects are not allowed for breeding. Disqualification also applies in cases of uncontrolled aggression, cowardice, or absence of documented pedigree. Only healthy cats with verified lineage may participate in exhibitions.
Important Notes
The Savannah is an active and energetic breed requiring spacious living conditions and opportunities for activity. Owners must provide physical and mental stimulation; otherwise, the cat may exhibit destructive behavior. The ICCF standard emphasizes that the cat must be healthy, well-socialized, and balanced. Particular attention is paid to nutrition: the diet should be well-balanced and rich in protein. Breeding of individuals without documents confirming origin is not permitted. Owners are advised to carefully maintain the breed type.
Conclusion
According to the ICCF standard, the Savannah breed combines the wildness of appearance with a balanced temperament, making it unique among domestic cats. It must maintain harmony between strength, elegance, and social behavior. Participation in shows and breeding is allowed only with ICCF documents confirming pedigree and compliance with breed requirements. Without official registration, cats cannot be admitted to breeding or show evaluations. Thus, ICCF ensures control over breed preservation, health, and quality, guaranteeing the high status and value of each individual.
