Meet Savannah, my Domestic Shorthair.

Outcrossing is something that one should not take lightly.  Fortunately, until 2010, the Cat Fanciers' Association is allowing breeders to outcross to the Domestic Shorthair, and to the American Shorthair to increase genetic diversity for hybrid vigor.

An outcrossing program should always incorporate the following:

1)  Testing for feline health.  Savannah has been DNA tested to ensure good genetic health. 

2)  Heart health.  Savannah has been ultrasounded negative for cardiomyopathy.  She is at least 5 years of age, according to my veterinarian.

3)  Good temperament is essential to outcrossing, as I believe much of temperament is inheritable.  Savannah is very sweet, and loves to be cuddled.

4)  Good type.  Savannah exhibits the very best type for a domestic shorthair.  She is medium sized, and has a strong muzzle.  Her ear set is excellent, and her eyes are open and lemon-shaped.  She has a very strong chin.

5)  Good dentition.  Sound teeth and gums are essential to good feline health.  Savannah's teeth are perfectly straight and she has no signs of gingivitis, a problem we see in felines that is definitely an inheritable trait.

The following pictures are of Savannah.

Outcrossing isn’t something I ever really wanted to do personally, because I can only keep 4 intact females at a time.  What I did though I would like to share with others, and would be glad to guide anyone that has an interest in outcrossing to the DSH. 

First of all, I found a girl that had 2 kittens with her at the local shelter.  The kittens were to be adopted, but they told me she would most likely be put to sleep due to the fact that she was an adult.  She had really super ear set, and a very good, square muzzle.  Lots of hair – a tortie.  She was not a friendly cat, but that soon changed.

After bringing her home, vetting, grooming, having a blood panel run, and dna testing, I found out a lot about the cat I called “Savannah.”  Her dna came back clear of any disease (thanks to catgenes.org, we now have this ability), and she had A/a blood type (another plus).  The vet said she was at least 5 years of age.  She was given shots, wormed, and etc., and I kept her for a year before breeding her.  Her cardio check came back sound.  She never has had any problem physically, and looked better and better the longer I had her.  Her coat came into a luscious condition, and she was more friendly than ever.  Now that she’s 6 years old, and has given me her one litter of kits, she was spayed.  All 3 of her kittens were girls, so I was especially lucky.  Two of her kittens were bred, and now I have my F-2s – 5 hairless, and 2 haired in one litter, and 2 hairless and one haired in the other!  I don’t regret having this outcross program now that I see the benefits for the breed, but it has been a huge effort. 

The hybrid vigor and robustness is so evident in these kittens, you could never imagine!  Not to say that Sphynx kittens aren't robust -- they are!  But these have unusual robustness -- all 7 have been strong and active since Day 1, and never had a sniffle, or any problem whatsoever.  I have also not had to supplement (something I am very very surprised about, as there are 7 of them -- poor mom!).

Restrictions do need to be imposed on those that desire to outcross, because here in the States, we never can police catteries completely, and you never know what someone's true ethics are until you watch what they do instead of just what they say.  But for the most part, you simply have to trust that those that are endeavoring to outcross, are doing the right things, and being honest when placing the progeny of outcrossing.