Ashera is the most expensive and largest domestic cat

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Asher cats are incredibly cute and adorable creatures. They depend on their owners and are practically no different from domestic cats. However, Asher cats are a real conundrum because not everyone agrees that such animals even exist. And why this happens, you will learn from this publication.

Health

Ashera does not tolerate cold and temperature changes well, since its relatives come from the southern regions of the planet. To strengthen the immune system, you should provide your cat with a balanced diet rich in vitamins. Before bathing, close the windows at home so that your pet does not get a draft after leaving the bath.

The pet's weak point is the gastrointestinal tract. To prevent digestive diseases, coordinate your diet with your veterinarian in advance. Make sure that the cat does not steal food from the table or eat indoor plants. Don't spare money on quality food. Visit your veterinarian regularly.

It is too early to draw final conclusions about life expectancy, because the new breed appeared only in 2006. Representatives stated the figure was 15-20 years. This is not difficult to believe, because the life expectancy of the related Savannah is on average 17-20 years.

History of the origin of Asher

History of the origin of Asher

The Ashera cat was a type of hybrid cat sold by the infamous Lifestyle Pets company. Representatives of the brand claimed that the hybrid cat breed was something between an African serval, an Asian leopard cat and a domestic cat. The truth, discovered through DNA testing, was that the Asher cats were simply Savannah cats purchased from other breeders and resold later.

The Savannah cat is a famous hybrid cat breed that was produced by crossing a Serval cat with a domestic cat. They usually sell for significantly less than Asher cats. So Lifestyle Pets simply bought Savannah cats and then resold them as Asher cats.

Fun Fact: The authenticity of the breed has been questioned by Pennsylvania cat breeder Chris Shirk of Cutting Edge Savannahs, who told the San Diego Union-Tribune that several cats sold by Allerca and labeled "Asheras" were actually bred by him as another hybrid, the 'Savannah'. F1' (First generation Savannahs).

The Savannah is a cross between a domestic cat and a Serval, a large, medium-sized, long-eared African cat. The unusual cross became popular among breeders in the late 90s, and in 2001 the International Cat Association accepted it as a new registered breed.

Health issues

An expensive and rare animal requires a very responsible approach to health issues. The owner can acquire a friend only in the nursery. The baby will be handed over to him when he is already strong, independent, accustomed to the tray and scratching post. The cub will already have received the necessary vaccinations.

A kitten goes to a new home neutered or neutered. This prevents the possibility of uncontrolled breeding of offspring outside the nursery. This is how the company maintains its decent income. In addition, crossing Asheras with representatives of other breeds creates the risk of aggressive offspring. Aggression combined with the large size of the cat can lead to serious consequences.

Dairy products
Dairy products

Attention! Due to the fact that Asher cats are bred only in specialized institutions, under the constant supervision and control of professionals, the possibility of selling individuals with any hereditary abnormalities is excluded. The pet is handed over to the owner at one year of age, when its character and inclinations have already been formed.

The package of documents sent by the breeders along with the kitten includes:

  • veterinary certificate;
  • insurance;
  • identification microchip;
  • care kit (food and hygiene products);
  • carrying unit with climate control system;
  • certificate for free consultations with Ronald Tripp, a famous felinologist.

The new owner, first of all, should strictly adhere to the schedule of vaccinations and treatment against ticks, fleas and internal parasites.

There are no genetic diseases in cats of this breed; they have strong immunity. The life expectancy of representatives of the breed is 15-20 years.

Possible diseases:

  1. Parasites.
  2. Diseases of the genitourinary system.
  3. Diseases of the respiratory system.

If you notice the slightest change in the animal's behavior, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Ashera - description of the breed

Ashera - description of the breed

The Asherah cat is the largest breed of cat bred. Their tall and muscular build gives them greater size than their actual weight. Males of F1 hybrids are usually the largest. F1 and F2 hybrids are the largest due to the stronger genetic influence of the African serval ancestor. The size of the breed is highly dependent on generation and gender.

Early generation Ashers can weigh 8kg or more, with the heavier weight usually attributed to castrated F2 or F3 males, although this is not the norm. Due to random factors in the genetics of hybrids, size can vary significantly even within the same litter.

It is a large, sleek and very muscular cat with a thick tail that is carried low. The wild appearance is enhanced by her characteristic dense and luxurious spotted or marbled coat.

The distinctive features of the Ashera are:

  • Wide head;
  • The rounded, elongated ears are widely spaced and pubescent along the inner edge;
  • Oblong-curved body;
  • Elongated slender neck;
  • Extended legs;
  • The round eyes are set wide apart, with a yellowish-golden iris;
  • Ears;
  • The tail is thick, tapering to a black tip.

Ashera is the largest representative of domestic cats. The tall and slender body looks impressive. The cat can reach a length of one meter and weigh up to 14 kg. Size varies by generation and gender. These cats are calm, curious and active. The breed's intelligence level is high. They love to swim, run outdoors and play games.

Popular Asher colors

Popular Asher colors

The Asherah is a well-known hybrid breed created by crossing a domestic cat and a large wild cat, the serval. Asher's cat colors should be reminiscent of her serval cat ancestor, acceptable colors being brown, silver, black and smoke. The Serval cat has a bright oily golden base coat with hard black spots. This golden color is a shade of the brown spotted tabby and should be registered as a brown spotted tabby.

The Inhibitor gene eliminates the yellow pigment in the marked parts of the coat, but does not affect the unmarked areas. An inhibitor gene can suppress all or little of the yellow pigment, causing some cats to have a washed-out brown color. This yellow pigment that shows through is called “tarnish.”

There is also a non-standard (undesirable) color. Such colors tend to be recessive or dilute colors that stem from internal heritage.

These include:

  • Cinnamon – recessive;
  • Chocolate is recessive;
  • Fawn - diluted with cinnamon;
  • Blue - diluted black;
  • Lilac - diluted chocolate.

All colors must pass through a breed committee to be accepted by TICA. The colors currently adopted should resemble the ancestor of the African Serval cat. Each time a color is accepted, breeders evaluate how it will genetically affect the breed. For example, when the color silver was adopted, it meant that it suppresses the brown color.

Character and habits of Asher

Character and habits of Asher

Cats are calm, curious and active. The intelligence level of this breed is high. They love to run outdoors and play games. The typical Asherah is very energetic. They want to be involved in everything. They will be offended when they don't get what they wanted. “Vandalism” is the price you pay for a bored, energetic cat that lacks proper mental stimulation. A bored Asher cat looks like an unhappy baby. Asher owners love the intelligence that this wonderful breed possesses.

An often noted feature of the savannah is its ability to jump. They are known to jump everywhere, on doors, refrigerators, cabinets, etc. Some Savannahs can jump to a height of about 2.5 m from a standing position. Ashers are very inquisitive. They often learn to open doors and cabinets. Anyone purchasing an Ashera will need to take special precautions to prevent the cat from getting into trouble.

Ushers are known for their loyalty. They will follow their owners around the house. They can be easily taught to walk on a leash. Some individuals are sociable and friendly with new people, cats and even dogs, while other individuals may run away or hiss aggressively when a stranger appears.

Interesting fact: There are three factors that influence the behavior of an Asher cat: origin, generation and socialization. Nature is ancestry, and generation and nurture are social adaptation. The development of the Asherah (Savannah) breed is still in its infancy, and most cats have a wide range of behaviors.

Many ushers are not afraid of water and can even dive into water. Some owners shower with their ushers. Presenting a bowl of water for drinking can be a problem because... some animals will immediately begin to "scoop" all the water out of the bowl until it is empty, using their front paws.

Another quirky feature of the Ashera is that it fluffs the base of its tail as a greeting. This behavior should not be confused with the fluffing of fur on the back and along the entire length of the tail, which the Ashera does when afraid. Ushers often flick or wag their tails in excitement or pleasure.

Asher cat character

What is the character of an Asher cat? Breeders claim that despite its great and important appearance, the cat is very affectionate and gentle and gets along well with everyone, especially with children. She is very smart and easy to train. Asher, like a dog, is easy to teach to carry out simple commands. She really enjoys playing and being walked on a leash. During a walk, the cat Asher shows curiosity, looking under every bush. On the Internet you can watch many videos where a cat plays and runs around tirelessly. Truly, such an animal is more likely to torment you with its activity than you will torment it.

Interesting facts about ushers

Interesting facts about ushers

The most interesting fact about the Asher is that such a breed does not exist at all. Ashers are improved cats selected from the savannah population. And since the Savannah is a relatively new breed, the exact criteria for its color, behavior and shape have not yet been developed. Therefore, confusion often arises. The Ashara has become a popular pet due to its interesting and exotic appearance.

Interesting facts about the breed include:

  1. Ashers are smart and cunning and love to be on high ground. They can be found on kitchen cabinets, refrigerator tops, and interior cabinets;
  2. It is quite common for Asher to play in water. Therefore, toilets should be kept closed, although the animal may learn to open them;
  3. Sounds you may hear from an Ashera include chirping, meowing and hissing sounds;
  4. The Australian Federal Government has banned the import of Asheras into Australia because the larger cats potentially threaten the country's native wildlife species. A government report into the proposed cat import warns that the hybrid breed could introduce improved hunting skills and increased size of wild specimens, putting native species at risk.

It quickly became apparent that the Savannah Asherah had some canine qualities. This led to an increase in the popularity of the breed. An Asher cat becomes attached to its owner and will follow him or her around like a dog.

Asher cats are also excellent swimmers. Asher breeding became popular in the late 1990s. The International Association accepted the breed in 2001. Less than ten years later, the Savannah cat was recognized by TICA as a champion breed.

Ashera breed nutrition

What do Asherah cats eat? These cats are known to be prone to stomach upsets, so you should feed your Ashera only high-quality foods. Do not give preference only to dry food for elite breeds. It can only be made as an additive to the main diet. Since this cat has the genes of a wild predator, it must be fed accordingly. Fish, beef and poultry are the Asherah's favorite dishes. Don’t forget that she has stomach problems, so she needs to be given meat that is raw, but lean. Pour boiling water over sea fish before serving. Naturally, the volume of portions should be significantly higher than that of a regular cat, because the Asher is much larger. The Ashera cat breed goes outside to the toilet, like a dog.

The cat gets used to walking and using the toilet outside the apartment, so it will begin to ask to go outside on its own, feeling the desire to relieve itself.

Pros and cons of usher

Pros and cons of usher

You should take an honest look at your life and possibilities, and then decide whether it is worth getting such a pet, and whether it will fit into your life. Because people overestimate their abilities, the Asherah can find itself in a difficult position. Some studies show that changing a place of residence and parting with its previous owner has a bad effect on the animal's condition, and some of them cannot survive this trauma.

Learn all the pros and cons of the Asherah so you have a clear understanding of what to expect when you bring home this exotic cat.

Pros:

  1. Ashera (savannah) is a type of cat with a very striking appearance;
  2. They are loyal, loving and playful pets. Very attached to their owners;
  3. Can walk safely on a leash. Socialized individuals relate well to children and other animals;
  4. They are an exotic wildcat hybrid, so they are less domesticated. People adopting this unique animal must be active and devote enough time to playing with the pet;
  5. This is a stately cat of large size.

Minuses:

  1. Once the Ashera is left alone in the house, it demonstrates to its owners that this cat is much more wild than typical breeds. Therefore, it is difficult for novice owners who have been away from home for a long time to cope with it and many ushers end up in a shelter. This is not very good for an intelligent animal that needs to be active;
  2. They can spoil things and not necessarily intentionally. Things simply break down in their quest to explore the world around them. The closer they are to their ancestor, the more unpredictable their behavior;
  3. Because they do not have a long history of domestication, their hunting instinct is very keen and, due to their size, they rarely miss small prey;
  4. If you have small children or many responsibilities, the Asherah will become jealous;
  5. Say goodbye to all your plants, knick-knacks or pillows. Now everything belongs to the cat.

How to buy a leopard cat

There are many cats, some of them are given away for free to good hands, some for a nominal fee, and others for a lot of money. So this rare Asher cat breed is one of the most expensive in the world. To buy an Asher kitten, you need to pay from 22 to 127 thousand dollars, in the USA it will cost 1500 dollars, outside it will be more expensive. You can buy a cat without waiting in line, just by paying $6,000.

You can also purchase a kitten on the website of the breed producers. The only thing is that you will have to wait a long time, because the queue is very long. The company produces no more than 100 kittens per year, so the price increases every year. Those who want to have such a “golden” kitten have to wait a long time, and therefore it became a luxury and prestige.

The cost of representatives of the Ashera breed depends on gender and the purpose of acquisition, because in recent years they have been sold more for the purpose of reproduction than for simple maintenance. Prices range from 20 to 30 thousand dollars for one Asher kitten, which is the price of a new car. The royal subspecies is considered the most expensive of the entire breed; four such kittens are born per year, and the cost of one is 127 thousand dollars. Ashera took first place in the ranking of the most expensive cat breeds.

Asher Breeding

Asher Breeding

Since Ashers are produced by crossing a Serval and a domestic cat, each generation is marked with a serial number.

The F1 generation Asher is extremely difficult to produce due to the significant difference in gestation time between the Serval and the domestic cat. This period lasts 75 days for a serval and 65 days for a cat. Pregnancies are often terminated. In addition, servals can be very picky in their choice of partners and are often reluctant to mate with a domestic cat.

Savannah cross products may also be referred to (SV is the TICA code for the Savannah breed), in addition to the branch number. The Savannah numbers branch also has a letter designation referring to the SV-to-SV breeding generation. The designation "A" means that one parent is a Savannah and the other is an outcross. "B" is used when both parents are Savannahs, with one of them being "A".

Fun fact: Asherah is named after the goddess of the same name. This breed was deceptively brought into the market through fraud. The results of DNA tests confirmed that Asherah cats are Savannah cats.

The designation "C" is when both parents are Savannahs and one of them is a "B". F1 generation Savannahs are always "A" since the father is not a domestic cross (the sire is a serval). Generation F2 is either "A" or "B". The F3 generation is either "A", "B" or "C". The F4 generation is the first generation that can be a cat.

Caring for Ushers

Caring for Ushers

The philosophy of raising an Asherah is to make your pet what you make it to be. Providing proper daily care and mental stimulation will lead to the development of a healthy, well-adjusted animal into adulthood.

If you are planning to get an Asherah kitten, you will need to obtain the necessary care items and choose a room for keeping. As a cat owner, you also need important details on how to ensure proper exercise. Asher kittens are lively and curious, which can lead to serious trouble if you don't take the necessary precautions.

What to do first:

  1. Hide all wires;
  2. Add latches on cabinets;
  3. Remove the door handles.

Quarantine is a time interval of 2-3 weeks of personal individual communication with the new owner. A rushed adoption process can result in a fearful, moody, and unsure pet. Quarantine should be in a medium-sized room. This room should be ideal so that the kitten is not too confined so that the kitten does not feel threatened.

Remember that your kitten requires a visit to the veterinarian's office for vaccinations. Quarantine is also an ideal time to strengthen habits.

When you take your kitten home, you should follow several rules:

  • Be calm when you bring your kitten home;
  • Place the container with the pet on the floor and let the kitten come out on its own;
  • To encourage your kitten to come out for the first time, coax it with a toy;
  • Keep the kitten in a small room and then let him run around the house more;
  • Sit on the floor, at kitten level, to play and interact with him.

Care and maintenance

Cats of this breed are purchased only by owners of luxury mansions, country villas, multi-storey apartments with a large number of apartments, where a large room is allocated and furnished for their maintenance. The animal needs a lot of space to play, spacious areas for training and maintaining physical fitness. Living in a private home will make walking much easier. The pet should be provided with plenty of toys so as not to get bored when the household is away.

Ashers are not clingy, although they do like to be petted and played with. Thanks to their intelligence, they will find the right time to attract attention.

When raising pets, you need to be patient, devoting a lot of attention and time to this process. The kitten must learn to calmly accept hygiene procedures: cleaning the ears, treating the eyes, trimming the claws. Immediately upon arrival at a new place of residence, the baby should be accustomed to a harness or collar with a leash.

Asherah
Asherah

Very important! Under no circumstances should you hit or shout at the animal! In the process of education, it is allowed to indicate in a stern voice what can and cannot be done. The owner must become an authority whose word is law.

Grooming the coat does not require much effort. Ashers hardly shed and do not need brushing. They only need to bathe from time to time, but not more than once a month, wiping them dry at the end of the procedure.

Big cats of the Asher breed are very picky about the quality of their food. You can feed them only with high-class “Holistic” products. But using dry food on an ongoing basis is not recommended. You can sometimes treat your pet with crispy pillows. The main supplier of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is natural nutrition, which is based on:

  1. Lean varieties of fresh meat (poultry, veal, beef).
  2. Sea fish.
  3. Boiled or steamed vegetables.

Before feeding, the meat must first be kept in the freezer for 3 days. And then it should be doused with boiling water and chopped into small pieces.

Milk and dairy products should be excluded from the menu.

The beast's dishes and tray must be kept clean. It is imperative to ensure that there is constant access to water.

Asher diet

Asher diet

We suggest eating a properly balanced pre-cooked or homemade raw diet. Providing a balanced raw diet is key. A properly balanced diet is the healthiest option for an Asherah. If you are unable to feed your Asherah raw food, we recommend canned cat food rather than dry food. Cats are carnivores. This means that they rely on nutrients found only in animal products.

Hunting cats consume prey that contains high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat and minimal amounts of carbohydrates. Cats also require more than a dozen other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and amino acids. Their systems are set up to digest a natural diet that is high in moisture, high in protein and very low in carbohydrates.

A diet high in carbohydrates will stress your cat's digestive system and reduce the efficiency of protein absorption. If the diet does not contain enough animal protein for their daily needs, or they cannot process enough of this protein, cats will sabotage their body's muscles to get their daily needs. In addition, eating a sufficient amount of animal protein in food signals that cats are full. Without it, they will constantly overeat, causing more and more carbohydrates to turn into fat.

Feeding a properly balanced raw diet is the best diet possible. Raw foods in the diet require the most planning. Kittens are fed as much as they want, twice a day until they are 1.5-2 years old (ashers grow for a very long time). Adults consume 3–6% of their body weight raw, but may eat more (some cats simply burn more energy).

How much does an asherah cost?

The Asher breed continues to participate in popularity ratings and has no equal in price. The cost of a kitten initially reached $22,000-27,000. Today the price of a kitten in the USA is $1,500-2,000, buying out of turn is $6,000-7,000.

In Russia you can buy a cat by paying about 2 million rubles. This includes the cost of the package of documents and delivery.

Expensive breed
Expensive breed

The exorbitant cost is not an obstacle for many wealthy people trying to get a big cat of the Asher breed. It is almost impossible to buy it without an appointment.

Conditions for purchasing a kitten by a private person:

  1. The buyer must personally visit the nursery and select an animal. If possible, it is good to invite a veterinarian with you. Such a careful approach when choosing a pet is fully justified by its cost.
  2. You must make a preliminary deposit of $600 or more.
  3. The choice can be made only among those individuals who have reached 3 months of age.
  4. You can get a pet only when it turns 1 year old.

Kittens for breeding can only be purchased by representatives of nurseries.

The high cost of the breed is explained by the small number of specimens offered, which are still offered for sale by the Lifestyle Pets company. Only about 100 individuals are offered to buyers each year.

Diseases and health problems

Diseases and health problems

Ashers are susceptible to the same health problems as any other cat. To prevent general health problems, you need to carry out all the preliminary measures that the veterinarian indicates. The main health problem faced by Ashera owners is obstruction due to eating a small toy such as a feather, a piece of rubber or a piece of plastic. Cat owners sometimes buy misplaced toys that are easily destroyed and swallowed because they are cute and inexpensive.

Many cats with birth defects can still maintain a high quality of life. Treatment options for abnormalities vary, as with any health problem. Defects can occur at any time during the developmental stages of the embryo or fetus.

Congenital health problems:

  • Cleft palate;
  • Polydactylism (extra fingers);
  • Dwarfism;
  • Additional vertebrae;
  • Hydrocephalus;
  • Liver shunt.

Non-congenital health problems include fungal, bacterial and viral infections.

Namely:

  • Bacterial infections;
  • Urinary tract infection;
  • Campylobacteriosis;
  • G-streptococcus;
  • Viral infections;
  • Respiratory tract infection (URI);
  • Fungal infection;
  • Ringworm.

If you think your Asherah is sick, notify the breeder and veterinarian immediately. If your veterinarian doesn't take your concerns seriously, it might be a good idea to seek advice from another professional.

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