Savannah Cat Generations: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, and F7
The Savannah cat generations, also known as the filial generation (foundation), indicates the degree of relation to the original serval ancestry. F1–F4 Savannah cats are considered serval hybrids.
From the fifth filial generation onward, Savannah cats are regarded as domestic cats and are not subject to special legal requirements.
For Savannah F1, the serval is the father.
F2 has the serval as the grandfather.
F3 has the serval as the great-grandfather, and
F4 has the serval as the great-great-grandfather.
Savannah Cat Generations / Filial Generation / Foundation
Savannah Cat Generations – From the 5th filial 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 F5 SBT Savannah stud cat, which increases the filial generation of the kittens by one.
Example: An F4 SBT Savannah cat mated with an F5 SBT Savannah stud produces F5 SBT Savannah kittens.
F1 A x F5 SBT or F4 SBT = F2 B
Increase or Decrease of Generation
Here we see a generation increase from F1 to F2, regardless of the foundation of the stud cat. Naturally, when using an F4 stud cat instead of an F5 stud cat, there is a noticeable increase in Savannah-typical quality.
However, if an F5 SBT Savannah cat is mated with an F4 SBT stud cat, the kittens are F5 SBT.
In a Savannah breeding, the generation is always increased by one from the parent with the lowest filial generation.
Example: F4 x F6 = F5 SBT Savannah kittens. It does not matter which parent has the lower filial generation.
What are the differences between the generations?
The Savannah cat is a cross between a domestic cat and a wild serval. Its differences from F1 to F7 influence its appearance, behavior, and adaptation to human care.
To learn more about the differences between the generations, click on the following link: