Colour confusion!

[Jenson]

Well, I've just got two new does, a magpie and a dalmation.

I asked on RabbittalkUK what would be a good colour to breed to a magpie and was told chin, because agouti causes the brindling. I'm confused by this because I know harlequins are a good match for dalmations, but I've read that dalmations should never be bred to any agouti rabbit, so I don't get how that works!

This is much more confusing than solid colours. :?

Anyway, here they are.

If anyone can explain how these colours work I'd be very grateful.

 

[missyscove]

I know absolutely nothing about this, but...

That first doe is remarkable! I love love love the pattern on her face. It's something like a checkerboard on her face.

Can I have her?

 

[Jenson]

Thanks! She is rather special isn't she? I'm so glad I found her!

I wouldn't give her up for £100, besides being the only magpie Standard Rex I have found anywhere (I've not heard of anyone else who breeds them either) she has a brilliant personality, she loves her cuddles!

 

[clarzoo]

I don't know much about harlequin genetics. Hopefully Pam will be along soon. But, I do know that genetically speaking a tri-color (dalmation in UK) is a broken (butterfly) version of a harlequin. So, breeding a harlequin to a tri color should be fine, as far as the patterns go. What I am not sure about is the color compatibility. The first rabbit is a Magpie and the second rabbit, if it were solid, would be a Japanese harlequin. Not sure how those two colors work together.

Gorgeous rabbits! Gorgeous pictures!!

 

[pamnock]

The dalmation can be bred to red or jap harlequin. Our US standard DQs for self "aa" tris because they are often shaded like a tort. You shouldn't breed with agouti varieties such as chestnut because it produces harli markings on the chestnuts.

Magpie is a harlequin with the chinchilla gene, which removes all the red.



Pam

 

[Jenson]

Thanks clarzoo and Pam.

I understand now!

 

[pamnock]

I should clarify since I was referring to Chestnut Agouti in general that Chestnut Agouti = Castor.



Pam

 

[Jenson]

Yes, I thought that was what you meant. Thanks Pam!

 

[MsBinky]

*Looks at everyone in bewilderment*

Yanno, a while ago I thought I'd get into breeding but it's waaaaaaaaaaay more complicated than I thought