Savannah — breed standard (TICA: size, coat, temperament, type)

Savannah — breed standard (TICA: size, coat, temperament, type)

Claims

• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The Savannah is a TICA Traditional-category breed in the Solid, Tabby and Silver/Smoke divisions, descended from the African Serval and resembling it in a smaller stature with a long neck, long legs and tall ears.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The coat is short to medium, of good substance and slightly coarse, with coarser guard hairs over a softer undercoat; the spots feel softer than the guard hairs, and the coat lies fairly flat and is not overly dense.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Only a spotted pattern is accepted: the spots are bold and solid, in dark brown to black, and may be round, oval or elongated, arranged with parallel stripes from behind the head over the shoulders and back; smaller spots appear on the legs, feet and face, and black Savannahs may show ghost spotting.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Accepted colours are black, black silver spotted tabby, brown (black) spotted tabby and black smoke, with no preference for ground colour in the brown spotted tabby; lips are black and tear-duct lines prominent, with nose-leather colour varying by division.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The head forms an equilateral triangle with a small size relative to the body, very large high upright ears with rounded tips, small-to-medium hooded eyes, a wide nose with low nostrils, and a long lean neck; the torso is long, lean and well muscled with prominent shoulder blades, longer-than-average legs (hind slightly longer) and an oval medium foot.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Temperament should be confident, alert, curious and friendly; a cat that shows definite challenge is disqualified, while fear or fleeing is allowed but threatening is not, and extra toes are also a disqualification.