Savannah Cat Generations: F1, 2G, 3G, 4G & from 5G – SBT
The Savannah cat generation, also called the filial generation (Foundation), indicates the degree of relation to the original Serval ancestry. F1 – 4G Savannah cats are considered Serval hybrids.
From the fifth filial generation onward, Savannah cats are regarded as domestic cats and are no longer subject to special legal regulations.
F1: The Serval is the father.
2G: The Serval is the grandfather.
3G: The Serval is the great-grandfather.
4G: The Serval is the great-great-grandfather.
5G and beyond: From the 5th generation onward, the cats are referred to as SBT (Stud Book Tradition).
Savannah Cat Generations / Filial Generation / Foundation
Savannah Cat Generations – From the 5th generation (Savannah cat generation / Foundation) onward, it is possible to breed purebred Savannah cats. Prior to this, they are considered purebred serval (Savannah) hybrids. From the 5th filial generation, they are recognized as a distinct breed: the purebred Savannah cat.
The abbreviation “A” indicates that only one parent is a Savannah. “B” means both parents are Savannah cats. “C” indicates that the parents as well as the grandparents are Savannah cats. “SBT” (Stud Book Tradition) means that all ancestors in the last three generations were Savannah cats.
Typically, a Savannah cat is mated with an 5G SBT Savannah stud cat, which increases the filial generation of the kittens by one.
Example: An 4G SBT Savannah cat mated with an 5G SBT Savannah stud produces 5G SBT Savannah kittens.
F1 A x 5G SBT or G4 SBT = G2 B
Increase or Decrease of Generation
Here we have a generational increase from F1 to 2G, regardless of the foundation of the male cat.
However, if a 5G SBT Savannah cat is bred with a 4G SBT male, the kittens are 5G SBT.
In a Savannah breeding, the generation is always increased by one from the parent with the lower generation.
Example: 4G × 6G = 5G SBT Savannah. It does not matter which parent has the lower generation.
What are the differences between the generations?
The Savannah cat is a crossbreed between a domestic cat and a wild Serval. Its differences from F1 to 7G influence appearance, behavior, and adaptation to human care.
To learn more about the differences between the generations, click on the following link: