Savannah Cat TICA Registration Explained: A, B, C, SBT

Last updated: May 6, 2026

Why TICA Class Codes Exist

Savannah cat TICA registration uses a layered labeling system that tells you two different things about a cat at a glance. The F-number reports how many generations the cat is removed from its wild Serval ancestor. The class letter (A, B, C, or SBT) reports how Savannah-pure the cat’s pedigree is across the four most recent generations of ancestry.

Both pieces of information matter because a hybrid breed needs to track outcrossing carefully. The Savannah breed standard wants to preserve a Serval-like look and athletic frame, but it also needs healthy genetic diversity, which requires occasional outcrossing to approved domestic breeds. The class system lets buyers, breeders, and judges see exactly how much non-Savannah heritage sits in the recent pedigree.

This guide walks you through each class, explains how F-numbers and class letters intersect, and shows what the difference means for shows, pricing, and breeding rights. For breed-wide background, the Savannah cat breed profile sets the stage.

The Four Class Letters at a Glance

TICA recognizes four registration classes for Savannahs, ranked by how recently a non-Savannah outcross appears in the pedigree.

• A status: at least one parent is a non-Savannah outcross. The accepted outcrosses are Domestic Shorthair (DSH), Egyptian Mau, Oriental Shorthair, Ocicat, or wild Serval at the F1 level.
• B status: both parents are Savannahs, but at least one grandparent is a non-Savannah outcross.
• C status: all four grandparents are Savannahs, but at least one great-grandparent is a non-Savannah outcross.
• SBT status: all four grandparents and all eight great-grandparents are Savannahs. SBT stands for Stud Book Tradition. This is the only class eligible for TICA championship competition.

Reading the class letter tells you, in essence, how far back you have to look in the pedigree to find a non-Savannah cat. Reading the F-number tells you how far back you have to look to find a Serval.

How F-Numbers Work

The F-number labels generations from the wild Serval ancestor. F1 means the cat has a Serval parent. F2 means a Serval grandparent. F3 means a Serval great-grandparent, and so on through F4, F5, F6, and F7. Each generation step roughly halves the percentage of Serval heritage carried forward, although the math is not perfectly linear because breeders may use different parents at each step.

F-numbers and class letters are independent labels. A cat can be F4 A, F4 B, F4 C, or F4 SBT depending on whether the recent outcrosses in its pedigree are Servals (which keep the F-number low) or domestic outcrosses (which raise the class letter).

An F4 SBT cat is an interesting milestone. It is the earliest generation that is both four generations removed from a Serval (so the F-number is 4) and fully Savannah-pedigreed across the most recent four generations (so the class is SBT). That combination unlocks TICA championship eligibility for the first time within the breed.

A Status Cats: First-Generation Hybrids and Direct Outcrosses

A-status Savannahs include all F1 cats (where one parent is a Serval) plus any later-generation cat where one parent is a fresh non-Savannah outcross such as an Egyptian Mau or Oriental Shorthair. These cats sit closest to the breed’s outcross sources, which is essential for genetic diversity but not eligible for championship show.

F1 A cats are the most demanding to live with. The Savannah cat care guide walks through what daily life with an early-generation hybrid looks like, including legal restrictions, enrichment, and veterinary access. Many states regulate F1 ownership separately from later generations, so check local rules before pursuing one.

Pricing for A-status kittens depends on which outcross was used and the demand for their specific lineage. F1 A cats generally command the highest prices because they are the closest available link to the wild Serval parent.

B Status Cats: One Outcross at the Grandparent Level

A B-status Savannah has Savannah parents on both sides, but at least one grandparent was a non-Savannah outcross. That places the outcross at two generations back. B-status cats look and behave more like established Savannah cats than A-status cats but still cannot be shown in championship competition.

Many B-status cats land at F2 or F3 generationally, depending on how the Serval line tracks separately through their pedigree. Breeders sometimes use B-status cats as breeding stock to integrate fresh outcross genes into their program while still producing kittens with predictable Savannah type.

C Status Cats: Outcross Pushed to Great-Grandparent Level

C-status Savannahs have all four grandparents Savannah and at least one great-grandparent who was a non-Savannah outcross. The outcross sits at three generations back. Type, temperament, and appearance generally settle close to breed standard at this point, but championship show eligibility still depends on reaching SBT.

C-status cats are common in mid-program breeding lines. Breeders often produce them as a stepping stone toward SBT-pedigreed kittens in subsequent generations. From a pet-buyer perspective, a C-status cat is fully a Savannah in look and feel, with a recent outcross influence that may slightly broaden the gene pool.

SBT Status Cats: Championship Eligibility

SBT is the goal of long-running Savannah breeding programs. To register a kitten as SBT, all four grandparents and all eight great-grandparents must be Savannah-registered. That standard locks the recent pedigree to four generations of pure Savannah ancestry on every branch.

SBT is the only Savannah class eligible for TICA championship competition. Show breeders prioritize SBT lines and often charge premium pet prices for SBT pet-quality kittens because the pedigree research and breeding selection takes more time and money to maintain. SBT cats can be any F-number from F4 upward, depending on how the Serval ancestry tracks through the pedigree.

Maintaining SBT lines requires careful breeder coordination because the entire eight-great-grandparent panel must be Savannah-registered. A single non-Savannah outcross anywhere in that panel resets the class clock to C, B, or A depending on its position. Some breeders maintain stud books going back many generations specifically to support SBT-quality breeding decisions.

If you want a Savannah you can show, an SBT kitten is the only option. If you want a Savannah you can love, any class works, with realistic expectations matched to that class.

Approved Outcrosses and Why They Matter

TICA’s Savannah outcross policy has tightened over time as the breed has matured. The currently approved outcrosses include domestic shorthair, Egyptian Mau, Oriental Shorthair, and Ocicat, plus the wild Serval at F1. Each outcross brings specific traits that align with the breed standard.

• Egyptian Mau: contributes spotting clarity and a Mau-elegant body line. The Egyptian Mau breed profile shows the contributions.
• Oriental Shorthair: contributes refined head shape and large ear set.
• Ocicat: contributes athletic build and reliable spotting. The Ocicat breed profile covers the source.
• Domestic Shorthair: contributes genetic diversity and is the historical foundation outcross.

Maintaining approved outcrosses prevents inbreeding depression and keeps Savannah type consistent over generations.

Class, Generation, and Show Eligibility Together

If you plan to show your Savannah, you need an SBT cat and an F-number that is consistent with the SBT requirement. Practically speaking, that means F4 SBT or later. Earlier-generation cats can be registered with TICA but are entered in supplementary categories rather than championship classes.

If you plan to breed, your cat’s class influences which mates are appropriate. Most breeders pair toward higher class status across generations, gradually moving from A to B to C to SBT. Some intentionally bring in fresh outcrosses to maintain genetic diversity, which resets the class clock.

For pet-only buyers, the class system mostly affects price and pedigree paperwork rather than daily life. The cat in front of you is a Savannah regardless of letter.

Reading a TICA Pedigree

A typical Savannah pedigree shows the cat at the top, parents in the next row, grandparents in the next, and great-grandparents in the bottom. Each ancestor lists name, registration number, color, and breed code. Outcrosses appear with their non-Savannah breed code (for example, OSH for Oriental Shorthair).

To verify a class code yourself, count outcrosses across the recent pedigree. No outcrosses in the four most recent generations means SBT. An outcross at the great-grandparent row means C. At the grandparent row, B. At the parent row, A. The class is set by the most recent outcross, not the count.

Ask any breeder for a copy of the pedigree before placing a deposit. Reputable breeders share this freely and will walk you through the codes. If a breeder is reluctant to share pedigree paperwork or insists you wait until pickup, that is worth noting in your overall evaluation. Pedigree transparency is one of the strongest signals of a serious breeding program.

Life Stages: Kitten Through Senior

Kitten Stage

Class status does not change kitten care fundamentals. Kitten-proof your home, start handling and harness training early, and feed a high-quality kitten diet on a schedule. A-status and SBT kittens both need play, socialization, and structured routine.

Adult Stage

By two to three years, your Savannah will have settled into adult patterns. Continue twice-daily play sessions, annual veterinary visits, and rotation of enrichment. Discuss any breeding plans with your breeder mentor, especially if your cat is unaltered and registered with breeding rights.

Senior Stage

From age eight onward, schedule twice-yearly veterinary visits. Use the senior cat care checklist to track home observations. Add joint-friendly furniture if your cat begins hesitating at the highest perches. SBT or A, every Savannah is the same dedicated companion in their golden years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an F-number and a class letter on a Savannah?

The F-number counts generations from the wild Serval ancestor. The class letter (A, B, C, SBT) reports how Savannah-pure the recent pedigree is. They are independent labels and both appear on a TICA registration.

Can I show any Savannah cat at TICA?

Only SBT cats are eligible for championship competition. A, B, and C cats can be registered but compete in supplementary categories rather than championship classes.

What is the earliest generation eligible for SBT?

F4 SBT is the earliest. The label requires all four grandparents and all eight great-grandparents to be Savannah-registered, and that condition is first achievable at the F4 generation when the Serval ancestor is also four generations back.

Are A-status Savannahs less healthy than SBT cats?

Health depends primarily on breeder screening, individual lineage, and care, not on class status. Reputable breeders cardiac-scan parents and screen for known concerns regardless of class.

Do I need to know the class letter if I just want a pet?

Not strictly, but it helps you understand pricing, appearance expectations, and any legal restrictions. Earlier-generation, lower-letter cats can be more demanding in care and more regulated in some jurisdictions.