Soton Savannahs – Comprehensive Master Glossary

🔹 Breeding Terminology

* Active Kitten: A kitten sold with breeding rights.

* DEFRA Code of Practice: UK regulatory standards for breeders encompassing welfare, housing, health, and breeding responsibilities.

* Dam: The female parent of a litter of kittens.

* Induced Ovulation: A reproductive process in queens where egg release occurs only after mating; the physical act stimulates ovulation.

* Litter: A group of kittens born simultaneously.

* Mating / Calling: The period when a queen enters estrus and is receptive to breeding.

* Non-Active Kitten: A kitten sold strictly as a pet, without breeding privileges.

* Pedigree: A documented lineage verifying ancestry, breed purity, and registration status.

* Queen: A female breeding cat used for producing litters.

* Responsible Breeder Program: TICA’s ethical breeding standards ensuring animal welfare, transparency, and proper husbandry.

* SBT (Stud Book Tradition): A pedigree classification indicating the cat is at least four generations removed from its wild ancestor, demonstrating stabilized breed traits.

* Sire: The male parent of a litter of kittens.

* Stud: A male breeding cat used for producing litters.

* Stud Fee: The charge for utilizing a stud for mating purposes.

* TICA: The International Cat Association, the governing body responsible for registering cats, kittens, and breeders.

🔹 Health & Husbandry

* Health Screening / Testing: Genetic and medical evaluations performed on parent cats to ensure the health of litters (e.g., PKDef, PRA-b, HCM, depending on breed).

* Kitten Contract: A legally binding agreement detailing ownership, care requirements, and breeder policies.

* Microchipping: The implantation of a small chip for permanent identification of a cat, mandated by UK law.

* Socialisation Program: A structured plan exposing kittens to people, sounds, handling, and various environments to promote confident, well-adjusted pets.

* Vaccination: Routine immunizations protecting kittens from core diseases (e.g., FeLV, FHV, FPV).

* Worming: Treatments administered to eliminate intestinal parasites.

🔹 Hybrid Cat Terminology

* F1, F2, F3, etc.: Generational indicators denoting proximity to the wild ancestor (F1 = 50% wild; F2 = 25% wild; F3 = 12.5% wild; F4+ classified as SBT).

* High-Energy Cat: A cat requiring substantial mental and physical stimulation, common in Bengal and Savannah breeds.

* Hybrid Breed: A breed resulting from the crossbreeding of domestic and wild species (e.g., Savannah = Serval × domestic cat).

* Prey Drive: Innate hunting instincts such as chasing, stalking, and pouncing.

* Vocalisation: Distinctive sounds including chirps, chatters, trills, and loud meows, often characteristic of hybrid breeds.

🔹 Coat Colours & Genetics

* Agouti Gene (A/a/Apb): Governs whether a cat exhibits a tabby/patterned coat or a solid coat.

* Apb (Charcoal Gene): The “Asian Leopard Cat” allele responsible for charcoal coat patterns.

* Brown (Black) Marbled: A swirling pattern of dark contrasting markings rather than discrete spots.

* Brown (Black) Spotted: The classic Bengal/Savannah coloration featuring a golden or brown background with black or dark brown spots.

* Charcoal: A coat variant characterized by bold dark markings, mask-like facial features, and a dark dorsal cape.

* Glitter Gene: Produces a sparkling or shimmering effect on the coat, particularly in Bengals.

* Karpati: A rare pattern creating a frosted appearance starting from the legs upward.

* Marble Pattern: Large swirling or flowing markings forming a dramatic, fluid design.

* Rosetted Spots: Two-tone spots resembling leopard rosettes.

* Spotted Pattern: Distinct dot-like markings distributed across the coat.

🔹 Cat Behaviour Terminology

* Bonding: The social connection established between a cat and its human family.

* Clicker Training: Positive reinforcement training utilizing a sound marker to reward desired behaviours.

* Confidence Building: Behavioural techniques applied during kitten socialisation to prevent fear and anxiety.

* Enrichment: Activities and environments designed to stimulate a cat’s mind (e.g., climbers, toys, puzzles).

* Territorial: Behaviour where cats defend their home area against unfamiliar cats.

🔹 Kitten Care Terminology

* Litter Training: Teaching kittens to consistently use a litter tray.

* Raw Feeding: A diet comprising uncooked, species-appropriate meats.

* Scratch Training: Instruction on appropriate scratching behaviour using posts, trees, and boards.

* Weaning: The transition from milk to solid food, typically occurring around 4–5 weeks of age.

🔹 Breeding Administration Terminology

* Breeding Licence: The local authority permit required for commercial cat breeding in the UK.

* Registration Certificate: Official TICA document verifying pedigree and ownership.

🔹 Advanced Breeding & Genetic Terminology

* Allele: Different versions of a gene (e.g., Apb, A, a).

* Carrier (Genetic Carrier): A cat that carries a recessive gene without expressing the associated trait.

* Genotype: The genetic composition of a cat, including both visible and non-visible genes.

* Hybrid Vigour: Enhanced health and strength sometimes observed in hybrid breeds.

* Line Breeding: Breeding cats with shared ancestry to stabilize specific traits.

* Outcrossing: Introducing unrelated genetics to increase diversity and improve health.

* Phenotype: The observable physical traits of a cat (e.g., colour, markings, size).

* Recessive / Dominant: Dominant genes express with one copy; recessive genes require two copies to be expressed.

* Selective Breeding: The practice of choosing cats with desirable traits to achieve specific breeding outcomes.

🔹 Savannah-Specific Terminology

* Belly Spots: Spots located on the underside of the cat, required by Savannah breed standards.

* Hooded Eyes: Eyes exhibiting a distinct low brow structure, typical in higher-generation Savannahs.

* Long-Legged Type: The Savannah cat’s characteristic tall, lean physique.

* Ocelli: Eye-shaped white spots on the back of Savannah ears, representing the wild expression.

* Serval: The African wild cat species used to develop the Savannah breed.

* Wild-Type Head: A wedge-shaped head with large ears, considered desirable for Savannah cats.

🔹 Bengal-Specific Terminology

* ALC (Asian Leopard Cat): The wild cat species used to create the Bengal breed.

* Cluster Rosettes: Groups of small rosettes forming a larger pattern.

* Doughnut Rosettes: Rosettes with a hollow centre surrounded by a dark ring, highly prized.

* Glittered Coat: A sparkling effect on individual hair shafts unique to Bengals.

* Pelted Coat: A soft, plush coat texture reminiscent of wild cats.

* Rosettes: Two-toned spots resembling leopard prints.

🔹 Colour & Pattern Extensions

* Melanistic: An almost entirely black variant that retains underlying patterning.

* Polygenes: Multiple genes collectively influencing pattern clarity and contrast.

* Seal Lynx (Snow): A very light coat colour with blue eyes.

* Seal Sepia: A warm-toned snow Bengal variant with brown or gold eyes.

* Silver: A colour variant characterized by the removal of warm tones, resulting in a cool grey base.

* Ticked Torso: Each hair shaft is banded with multiple colours, often reducing overall contrast.

🔹 Temperament & Behaviour Terminology

* Arousal Threshold: The level at which a cat becomes overstimulated.

* Confidence Curve: The critical period between 2–12 weeks during which socialisation shapes lifelong behaviour.

* Environmental Enrichment: The addition of activities, scents, climbing structures, toys, and similar stimuli.

* High Stimulation Breed: Cats requiring elevated mental and physical challenges, such as Bengals and Savannahs.

* Redirected Aggression: Aggressive behaviour resulting from frustration due to stimuli beyond the cat’s reach.

🔹 Breeder Management & Welfare Terminology

* Biosecurity: Hygiene and safety protocols implemented to prevent disease transmission within catteries.

* Cattery Set-Up: The design and management of secure breeding environments.

* Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): A technique involving gentle stimulation of neonatal kittens to enhance resilience and confidence.

* Kittening Box: A secure, enclosed space where the queen delivers and nurtures her kittens.

* Queens Pen / Nursery Pen: Designated areas for pregnant queens or nursing kittens.

* Queening: The process of a queen giving birth.

* Stud House: Separate accommodation for stud males to prevent unintended matings and spraying.

* Weaning Support: Supplemental nutrition, hydration, and training provided during the transition to solid food.

🔹 Legal & Administrative Terminology

* Breeding Restrictions: Contractual limitations prohibiting the breeding of non-active kittens.

* Change of Keeper Form: Documentation required to transfer microchip ownership.

* Deposit Agreement: A non-refundable payment securing a kitten for a prospective buyer.

* Handover Pack: Information and items provided to new kitten owners, including documents, food, and toys.

* Licence Number: The official local authority breeder licence number required in the UK.

🔹 Sales & Buyer Terminology

* Kitten Matching Assessment: The process of selecting the appropriate kitten based on the buyer’s lifestyle and experience.

* Lifetime Support: Ongoing breeder advice and assistance throughout the kitten’s life.

* Reservation Fee: Payment made to secure a specific kitten.

* Viewing Policy: Guidelines governing visits to view kittens, including age and health protocols.

* Waiting List: A registry of individuals expressing interest in future litters.