Genetics
A-B-C-D-E-W-VV-
Learn more about Genotypes/Phenotypes & the genes we currently work with in our program.
A Locus- Agouti
(A)- Agouti (Chinchilla)
Agouti is the classic wild rabbit color with ticking all the way up the hair shaft. Agouti is dominant.
(at)- Tan (Otter)
The Tan gene produces a tan color around their eyes/ears/bellies & has no ticking. Tan is dominant over self but recessive to agouti.
(a)- Self (Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac)
Self is a solid, plain base color but can look different if other modifiers are at play. Self is the most recessive gene.
All possible (A) gene outcomes-
(AA)- Agouti
(Aat)- Agouti carrying tan
(Aa)- Agouti carrying self
(atat)- Tan
(ata)- Tan carrying self
(aa)- Self
B Locus-
(B)- Black, Blue, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Tricolor/Harlequin, Magpie.
Black is the most dominant color. It can be diluted (D locus mutation) & modified with the Broken gene (En).
(bb)- Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Chinchilla, Tricolor/Harlequin, Magpie.
Chocolate reduces black pigment.
All possible (B) gene outcomes-
(BB)- Black
(Bb)- Black carrying chocolate
(bb)- Chocolate
C Locus
(C)- Full Color
Even distribution of color all over rabbit- (black/black tort/blue/cream/blue otter)
(cchd)- Chinchilla Dark
No yellow pigment in color- (chinchilla/squirrel/magpie/frosty/black silver marten)
(cccl)- Chinchilla Light/Sable
No yellow pigment & adds a black shaded tone to the fur. (seal/sable chinchilla/smoke pearl)
(ch)- Himalayan/Pointed White
All pigment is on rabbits nose, ears, legs & tail with red eyes.
(c)- REW/Ruby Eyed White
Rabbit with red eyes & no pigment.
D Locus
(D)- Dense (black, chocolate, chestnut, orange, chinchilla)
(Dd)- Dense Carrying Dilute
(d)- Dilute (blue, lilac, cream, squirrel, opal)
This gene determines the level of color expressed.
E Locus
Es- Steel
E- Extension
ej- Harliquin/Tricolor
e- Non- extension
En/Enen- Broken
En/EnEn- Charlie
en/enen- Solid
V Locus- Vienna
V/VV- Normal (Not BEW)
v/vv/Vv- BEW
The blue eyed white gene.
All possible (V) gene outcomes-
(VV)- Non blue eyed rabbit
(Vv)- Non blue eyed rabbit carrying Vienna
(vv)- Blue eyed white. This rabbit appears as a BEW but can be genetically anything depending on sire/dam.
(v)- Regular/heavy Vienna marked rabbit/ can have full blue eyes or marble brown & blue eyes.
W Locus- Wideband
Wideband gene is responsible for the yellow agouti lacing. It allows the markings to be yellow/red instead of white. The depth/intensity of yellow/red color can vary due to Rufus modifiers. To create a Tan the otter gene is combined with Wideband.
All possible (W) gene outcomes-
(WW)- No Wideband
(Ww)- Carrying Wideband
(ww)- Wideband
What is our goal?
Always to better the breed/type/quality/temperament of the Holland Lop. Health comes first and foremost. Our next goal would be to bring untraditional colors & genetics into the competitive holland lop community.
Why not have both exceptional type & unique coloring?