The color and coat pattern only counts for 4 out of 100 points in the show ring. Compared to the 80 out of 100 points of the over all body type confirmation.
Head: In shape the head of a Savannah cat is broad, modified wedge with wonderful rounded contuers. The head should be longer than it is wide. Facing the front you should see a distance triangular shape to the face. The nose is long yet with a small chin, this adds to the wild look. Notice where I highlighted in green the pattern on the head, it is preferred to have the “l l” rather than “M” marking although this is not in the breed standard. Just me being a picky breeder! ;)
Tail: Notice the orange box showing how the tail length should be 3/4 in length. A serval carries its tail down or under not over the back. Breeders desire a thick tail not thin like a rat :p
Ears: Ear placement should be up on top of the head which is shown by the blue rectangle.
Spot pattern: Spots of a Savannah cat should flow in a horizontal pattern this is highlighted by the yellow line.
Upper cut: The light blue curved line shows the upper cut that a Savannah should have. The upper cut highlights the stream line fast physics desired in the Savannah cat.
Ear pattern: The savannahs gorgeous ears should be defined by it most propionate marking the Ocile. The ocile in the will would trick a fellow predator that the cat is actually looking at the predator when it is not.
Leg pattern: Notice on the higher generations you will find that the spotting goes all the way to the toes of the cat. Some times, although rare, this pattern is on lower genrations.
Coat pattern: The coat pattern should have a stunning horizontal flow as if the spots where a strand of pearls. Spots are perfered to be jet black, although hard to obtain. Little to no barring to the pattern. Rosettes are frowned upon.
Leg pattern: Again notice the leg pattern highlighter with the pink square. The spots run all the way down the leg.
Coat pattern: Also you see again how the spots on the coat flow in a horizontal pattern.
Head type: The head of a savannah cat should be triangular in shape which only enhances the the slim stature of the savannah.
Pictured above is a SBT Bengal cat female, I am using bengals since many do not know the difference between savannah and bengal type. This is not meant to put the Bengal breed down in any form, it only highlights the extremely breed accepted different body and coat patterns. Hopefully this will help those needing diagrams.
Incorrect body: Short and choppy like a pit bull. Notice the bright green square highlighting how a bengal should have a short square like body type. This is completely opposite of a savannah cat. Also notice NO up tuck in the belly area like a savannah should have, although I do believe in the Bengal breed standard the upper cut is desired.
Incorrect Tail: The bengal cat should have a long thick tail. Again opposite of a Savannah.
Incorrect legs: The bengal cat have shorter legs in portion to a Savannah cats legs highlighted by the pink lines.
Incorrect head: The bengal cat has an egg shape head that should be round like an egg.
Incorrect markings: As much as possible we like to avoid rib bars, highlighted above with the green square. Also notice how the pattern is more random. However this is not the best example of a nasty rib bar. The worst barring I have seen has been seven rib bar in a row, almost making the savannah looked striped.