Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Serengeti cat breed was developed in the United States in the late 20th century. Its creation began in 1994, initiated by American biologist Karen Sausman, who aimed to reproduce the appearance of the African serval without using any wild genes. Bengal cats and Oriental Shorthairs were crossed to achieve a graceful body structure, long legs, large ears, and a distinctive spotted pattern. The name “Serengeti” reflects the inspiration drawn from the African savanna. Despite being relatively young, the breed has already earned recognition as a rare and unique one, combining exotic looks with a friendly domestic temperament.
General Appearance
The Serengeti is a medium-sized cat with a long body and tall limbs, giving the impression of elegance and wild grace. The build is firm yet not heavy, with clear athletic refinement. The head is small in proportion to the body, with large ears and expressive eyes. The main hallmark of the breed is its spotted coat resembling that of wild savanna cats. The tail is long, ringed, and dark-tipped. The coat is short, tight, and glossy, emphasizing musculature. The Serengeti gives the impression of a dynamic yet balanced animal, in which every detail complements the exotic type.
Important Proportions
The Serengeti’s proportions emphasize similarity to wild cats. The body is elongated and slender, the legs tall and fine-boned, giving an overall impression of “long-leggedness.” The head is small and wedge-shaped, with large ears that define the breed’s type. The ratio between limb height and body length must remain balanced; overly short or excessively long legs are considered faults. The tail is long, at least the length of the body, forming a natural continuation of the back line. The head proportions accentuate large eyes and ears, creating a distinctive expression. All body parts must form a unified, elegant, and strong silhouette.
Behavior and Temperament
The Serengeti is active, energetic, playful, and inquisitive. It combines friendliness with courage, making it an ideal breed for families with children or other pets. These cats are highly social, enjoy human presence, and tend to follow their owners around the home, eagerly participating in daily life. They possess a loud, melodious voice reminiscent of Oriental breeds and often express emotions vocally. Intelligent and trainable, they quickly learn simple commands and games. Despite their energy, they remain even-tempered and show no unprovoked aggression.
Head
The head of the Serengeti is wedge-shaped, proportional, and moderately elongated, reflecting the breed’s elegant type. The skull is slightly long, with a flat or gently curved top. The cheekbones are defined but not coarse; transitions are smooth. The forehead is broad between the ear bases, with a soft slope to the nose. The nose is long, straight, and even, without a stop or bump. The chin is firm and well defined, the bite correct, ensuring facial harmony. The cheeks are lean and taut, highlighting the breed’s athletic outline. All lines should form a unified, elegant, and refined profile.
Facial Part
The face is elongated and wedge-shaped, tapering gently to the nose. The muzzle must be neither short nor pointed; its length is about one-third of the head. The nose is long and straight, medium in width, with dark pigmentation matching the coat color. The lips are tight and neat, forming a clear outline. The whisker pads are moderate but distinct; whiskers are long, thick, and symmetrical, reinforcing the wild expression. The chin aligns vertically with the nose line, creating a balanced profile. The face should convey alertness, liveliness, and breed distinctiveness.
Eyes
The eyes are large, round-oval, and widely spaced, emphasizing the wedge-shaped head. They are deep-set with slightly uplifted outer corners, giving an expressive exotic appearance. Eye color ranges from rich golden to deep amber, sometimes with a honey tone. The purer and more intense the color, the higher the breed quality. The gaze is vivid and alert, radiating wild grace. The eyelids are thin and dark-rimmed, enhancing expression. Small, dull, or overly almond-shaped eyes are faults, as they detract from the breed’s signature look.
Ears
The ears of the Serengeti are exceptionally large—one of the breed’s defining traits. They are wide at the base, set high, and continue the lines of the wedge-shaped head. The tips are slightly rounded, not pointed. The inner surface is covered with fine hair, and light tufts may be present. The ears should be upright and slightly angled outward, creating an alert expression. Their height should be at least one-third of the head length, ideally more. Incorrect placement, small size, or narrow bases severely distort the breed type. The ears emphasize the wild and energetic character of the Serengeti.
Neck
The neck is long, slender, and elegant but strong. It should flow smoothly into the shoulders, enhancing the “long-legged” silhouette. Males have more powerful necks, while females appear finer but equally balanced. The neck line must remain smooth, without folds or heaviness, and carry the head high. In profile, it forms a graceful arc that complements the wedge-shaped head and large ears. The neck’s length and posture accentuate the cat’s wild elegance.
Body
The body of the Serengeti is long, sleek, and muscular. The back is straight, the chest deep but not broad, and the abdomen is tucked. The shoulders are dry and connect seamlessly to the long limbs. The sides are flat, the outline elongated, emphasizing dynamism and elegance. The croup is rounded and slightly raised, visually enhancing the long-legged impression. The body must appear strong yet light, avoiding bulk or fragility. From above, the silhouette is streamlined and athletic, evoking the image of wild ancestors.
Tail
The tail is long, thin, and flexible, continuing the body line harmoniously. Its length must be at least equal to the body from shoulders to base. The base is medium, tapering gradually to a rounded tip. The tail is covered in short, dense hair with distinct rings ending in a dark tip. At rest, it is carried straight; in motion, it curves gracefully, complementing the cat’s fluid movement. Short, thick, kinked, or malformed tails are disqualifying faults.
Forelimbs
The forelegs are long, straight, and slender yet strong. The elbows are directed backward, not turned out. The bones are of medium strength, with lean muscles accentuating athleticism. The pasterns are firm, slightly slanted, ensuring stability and shock absorption. The paws are oval, compact, with firm pads. The legs should visually lengthen the silhouette, enhancing resemblance to the serval. Excessively thin or massive legs disrupt the breed’s balance and grace.
Hind Limbs
The hind legs are longer than the front ones, giving the Serengeti its distinctive stance. The thighs are muscular but lean, the shanks long with well-defined joints. The hocks are strong and parallel, neither close-set nor turned out. The paws are oval and match the front ones. The hind legs provide a springy motion and powerful propulsion. Incorrect alignment, short hind legs, or cow-hocks are serious faults, as they destroy the silhouette and wild fluidity.
Gait and Movement
The Serengeti moves gracefully, lightly, and elastically with long strides. The motion should evoke speed and smoothness. The front legs extend freely, while the hind legs drive with strength, keeping the back level. Movements are supple and springy, resembling those of wildcats. The tail balances the body naturally. Stiffness, cow-hocks, weak pasterns, or heavy movement are undesirable. Gait is a vital aspect of the breed type, showcasing elegance and wild poise.
Coat
The coat is short, close-lying, fine-textured, and silky to the touch. The undercoat is minimal or absent, resulting in a smooth, glossy appearance. The coat should be even in length, enhancing the streamlined body and visible musculature. There must be no long or harsh guard hairs.
Permissible Colors
The Serengeti is recognized only in spotted tabby patterns. Main variations include golden, silver, and brown with different tones. Spots must be clear, rounded or slightly oval, evenly distributed without merging into stripes. The tail must be ringed with a dark tip. The chin and chest may be lighter. Solid or marble patterns, faded or low-contrast coats are disqualifying.
Size
The Serengeti is a medium-to-large cat that appears taller than it is massive. Males are larger and stronger, weighing 4.5–6.5 kg and standing 38–40 cm at the withers. Females are lighter and more refined, weighing 3–4.5 kg, with a height up to 35 cm. The body is long and slender, creating the illusion of greater height. The tail is proportional and nearly equals the body length. Extremely small, heavy, or bulky cats are undesirable.
Faults
Faults include any deviations from the breed’s elegant balance. Structural faults include a short or heavy head, weak chin, nose bump, or broken wedge profile. Small or low-set ears, dull or misshaped eyes, heavy or fragile bodies, short or thick legs, round paws, or thick tails detract from the type. Coats with undercoat, rough texture, or poor gloss are faults. Blurred or merged spots, faint contrast, and marble-like patterns are undesirable. Character faults such as timidity, aggression, or lack of curiosity lower evaluation.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include absence of a spotted pattern, marble or solid coloration, white patches on the body, or eyes of incorrect colors (green, blue, or odd-eyed). A short, kinked, or broken tail, jaw deformities, incorrect bite, or missing canines are disqualifying. Limb deformities, lameness, joint or skeletal disorders, and severe behavioral issues (aggression or extreme fear) also result in disqualification. Genetic diseases and lack of ICCF documentation exclude cats from breeding or show participation.
Important Notes
The Serengeti is a rare breed that requires responsible breeding practices. Breeders must preserve its main traits: long legs, large ears, contrasting spotted coat, and elegant body lines. Line breeding must avoid loss of type, such as shorter legs or smaller ears. Kitten markings may be faint and develop fully by 12–18 months; evaluations should consider age. Sexual dimorphism is allowed—males more muscular, females more refined—but both must retain correct type. Seasonal coat and color variations are acceptable. The breed’s loud voice and active behavior are characteristic traits, not faults. Breeding must be conducted within the ICCF system, ensuring health, purity, and preservation of the exotic type.
Conclusion
The Serengeti is a unique and modern breed that combines the exotic beauty inspired by the wild serval with the affectionate nature of a domestic cat. Distinguished by long legs, large ears, spotted coat, and graceful body, it represents a blend of wildness and poise. Within the ICCF system, the breed holds a special place, evaluated under strict standards ensuring structural and behavioral perfection. Show participation requires official ICCF documentation confirming origin and compliance with the standard. Breeding cats must be healthy and free of disqualifying faults. The primary goal of ICCF breeders is to preserve and enhance the Serengeti’s type, maintain genetic diversity, and build a strong, sustainable population. The Serengeti embodies harmony between wild beauty and loyal companionship, qualities ICCF is dedicated to protecting for future generations.
