Posts tagged "SavannahCat"

$10K Savannah Cat Returned By Good Samaritan?

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Jan 13th 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Exotic Pets, Pets News

Anita Stixrud

A rare house cat that went missing from its home last week in the small town of South Hill, Wash. was found back on its doorstep, and its owner, who had offered a reward for her return, thinks she was brought back by an anonymous angel.

On Friday, local KOMO News stated that seven-month-old Tabia had disappeared from the home of Anita Sitxrud, who had a few reasons to be especially concerned about the cat. For one, Tabia had never been let outside the house before. Secondly, Tabia is no ordinary house cat. She is a $10,000 Savannah, a rare hybrid domestic cat breed that is half serval, a species of African wildcat. Finally, Stixrud said that the cat was a very important part of her son's life, who has Asperger's Syndrome and a heart condition.

The story stated that the Stixrud family was offering a reward for Tabia's return, though it did not state how much.

However, a follow-up report by KOMO News that ran Sunday morning stated that Tabia was found unharmed on the family doorstep late Saturday night. Anita Sitxrud then told KOMO News that she believes the cat was brought there by somebody, rather than just showing up on its own, though no evidence of such appeared in the news report.

Owning an Animal Hybrid: What to Know

by Evan Jacobs (Subscribe to Evan Jacobs's posts): Nov 11th 2009 2:00PM Filed Under: Exotic Pets

A Savannah Cat. Flickr/gottawildside@sbcglobal.net

Recently, eccentric model Bai Ling made headlines by adopting what she claimed was a cheetah/domestic cat hybrid, although experts agree that this would be impossible in nature. Most likely, what she had was a Savannah Cat. Still, people want to know how they can get their hands on their own hybrid pets. Well, be careful what you wish for; hybrid house pets can be a handful. Here is a quick overview of two popular hybrid animals.

The Savannah Cat: A cross between a serval and a house-cat, the Savannah cat is much larger than the typical house-cat, and can reach up to 30 pounds for a healthy adult male. They often have leopard spots, but can vary in color wildly, a symptom of hybridization. Similar to dogs in temperament, Savannahs are extremely loyal and affectionate, can be walked on a leash, and can even be trained to do tricks. They are intelligent and extremely curious, so you will have to cat proof your home.

The Wolf-Dog: With a similar appearance to an Alaskan Malamute, a wolf-dog is a cross between -- what else? -- a wolf and a dog. The dog half of the hybrid usually is wolf-like in appearance, i.e. shepherds, Malamutes, huskies, etc., resulting in varied coat patterns. The wolf-dog's temperament is highly unpredictable, extremely curious, destructive and can often have aggressive traits.

If you want to adopt an animal like this, be sure you extensively research the requirements for adoption and care, as many owners give up on these animals when they become too much to handle.

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Miniature Dogs

Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.

David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs