ZRabbits
Well-Known Member
Well, I finally got my membership card from the NALRC. Plus I received my NALRC guidebook. Very interesting read. .
Gail Gibbons explains the Double Mane very well. The mane on a Lionhead is the result of a genetic mutation. Unlike most other genetic mutations in rabbit fur type it is the dominate gene. You will see the affect on the first generation cross.
Now with every bunny, there are two genetic pairs. With the Double Mane it is MM, with Single Mane it is Mm, and with No Mane it's mm.
Now Ms. Gibbons goes on and states that some people feel that the non-mane rabbits (mm) can be useful in a breeding program. This is where Netherlands, Hollands, and now Rexes came in. They believe a Lionhead caring one mane gene (Mm) will make the best show rabbits. And they can get more Single Mane (Mm) kits if using a Double Mane and Non-mane. Some people feel its necessary to be showable because they are cleaner looking. Hmm, just like the Rex Lionhead?
But thankfully reading Ms. Gibbons article that a great number of Lionhead breeders do not agree with this Single Mane stance. They feel that for the longevity of the Mane and the future of the Lionhead, rabbits should be bred Double Mane.
Within this guidebook I've found out how Lion heads were started. How other breeds were brought into this (like most others) to enhance this breed. Some still question why Hollands were ever used. It's amazing to read how breeders formed their rabbitry. And it's interesting to read the turmoil still going on about Single and Double Manes.
Singles are clean looking, but Doubles hold their Mane so much better. Though a DM doe will lose her mane being pregnant, she will most always get it back. With a single, sometimes it never does. And if more of these test mixes get out, you will really have to check the background of these bunnies to make sure lop ears and rex fur don't pop up in your breeding program.
K
Gail Gibbons explains the Double Mane very well. The mane on a Lionhead is the result of a genetic mutation. Unlike most other genetic mutations in rabbit fur type it is the dominate gene. You will see the affect on the first generation cross.
Now with every bunny, there are two genetic pairs. With the Double Mane it is MM, with Single Mane it is Mm, and with No Mane it's mm.
Now Ms. Gibbons goes on and states that some people feel that the non-mane rabbits (mm) can be useful in a breeding program. This is where Netherlands, Hollands, and now Rexes came in. They believe a Lionhead caring one mane gene (Mm) will make the best show rabbits. And they can get more Single Mane (Mm) kits if using a Double Mane and Non-mane. Some people feel its necessary to be showable because they are cleaner looking. Hmm, just like the Rex Lionhead?
But thankfully reading Ms. Gibbons article that a great number of Lionhead breeders do not agree with this Single Mane stance. They feel that for the longevity of the Mane and the future of the Lionhead, rabbits should be bred Double Mane.
Within this guidebook I've found out how Lion heads were started. How other breeds were brought into this (like most others) to enhance this breed. Some still question why Hollands were ever used. It's amazing to read how breeders formed their rabbitry. And it's interesting to read the turmoil still going on about Single and Double Manes.
Singles are clean looking, but Doubles hold their Mane so much better. Though a DM doe will lose her mane being pregnant, she will most always get it back. With a single, sometimes it never does. And if more of these test mixes get out, you will really have to check the background of these bunnies to make sure lop ears and rex fur don't pop up in your breeding program.
K