Aren't those so adorable! They are"sports". No eyebands are charlies. You'llsometimes see single eyebands referred to as "boxers".
According to genetics articles that I've read, the English Spotting andDutch marking genes that are required to produce the Dwarf Hototpattern are closely linked. There are 9 different possiblegenetic combinations. According to Glenna Huffmon's book ongenetics, the desired combination for proper Hotot markings ishomozygous English Spotting gene EnEn and heterozygous Dutch markinggene Dudu. Modifying genes also play a roll inpattern.
The 8th edition of Rabbit Production lists the Hotot genotype ashomozygous for both English Spotting and Dutch marking, but accordingto Glenna, the homozygous dudu produces the "charlies" with noeyebands, where the homozygous dominant DUDU (the genotype of mostrabbits, except the Dutch), produces more body color and in combinationwith the recessive homozygous enen (no spotting) would produce theDutch marked rabbit.
Which brings us to the apparent genotype of your english spotted Dutchmark where the genotype is said to be Enen dudu. The "en"(non-spotting) is often brought in from breeders using solid rabbitssuch as Netherland Dwarfs. At this point, Glenna Hoffmansgenotypes are the generally accepted belief. Modifying geneswould also cause some variation in pattern (for example, the width ofthe eyeband.)
These mismarks can certainly be used in your breeding program and can produce properly standard marked Hotots.
Pam
