Cavy Color Genetics 102
A quick reminder on terms...
Phenotype is the color you see. Genotype is a code for the genes you see AND the set you don't (which might show up in later pups).
A gene is a segment of DNA coding for a particular trait. Genes come in pairs - one from the mother and one from the father. A locus is a location on the DNA - for example the "A" locus is where the A, Ar, At or a genes reside. An allele is a different form of a gene - for example the melanin gene comes in two forms - black (coded B) and chocolate (coded b). Even though each individual can only have two alleles for a locus, more than two alleles can exist in the population - for example C, ck, cd, cr, and ca are all alleles for the C locus. Gene pairs can be homozygous in which both genes in the pair are the same allele (e.g., aa) or heterozygous in which two different alleles are included in the pair (e.g., Aa).
In a heterozygous gene pair, usually one gene shows and the other is hidden; the gene which shows is said to be dominant and the one which doesn't is said to be recessive. Sometimes the pair is codominant such that a heterozygous pair (e.g., Rnrn = roan) looks different than either homozygous pair (RnRn is lethal white, rnrn is solid colored).
A purebred animal is one that (when crossed with another purebred of the same type) will produce offspring that look like the parent. The term is most commonly used in reference to the breed - a pair of purebred Abyssinians will produce only Abyssinian pups - they don't carry the genes for long hair or no rosettes. The term can also be applied to most colors - a pair of purebred blacks will only produce black pups - they don't carry the genes for chocolate, red or other colors. A handful of colors - such as roan - can never be purebred for color.
The ACBA standard divides cavies into 5 groups - self, agouti, solid, marked and tan/marten. For each breed, different colors of a group may be showable (or not) and they may be shown as a single group, subdivided into separate varieties or subgrouped somewhere in between. For example, Abyssinians are shown in 6 classifications: self, agouti, brindle, roan, any other solid, and marked - while Americans are shown in 19 classifications: black, cream, red, white, any other self (but only beige, chocolate, lilac, red-eyed orange, and gold), brindle, roan, dilute solid, golden solid, silver solid, dilute agouti, golden agouti, silver agouti, dalmatian, dutch, himalayan, tortoiseshell & white, any other marked (including broken and tortoiseshell), and tan/marten pattern.
Patterns called for in the breed standard - such as the white crest of the white crested are controlled by separate genes and not considered in the discussion below.
Phenotype is the color you see. Genotype is a code for the genes you see AND the set you don't (which might show up in later pups).
A gene is a segment of DNA coding for a particular trait. Genes come in pairs - one from the mother and one from the father. A locus is a location on the DNA - for example the "A" locus is where the A, Ar, At or a genes reside. An allele is a different form of a gene - for example the melanin gene comes in two forms - black (coded B) and chocolate (coded b). Even though each individual can only have two alleles for a locus, more than two alleles can exist in the population - for example C, ck, cd, cr, and ca are all alleles for the C locus. Gene pairs can be homozygous in which both genes in the pair are the same allele (e.g., aa) or heterozygous in which two different alleles are included in the pair (e.g., Aa).
In a heterozygous gene pair, usually one gene shows and the other is hidden; the gene which shows is said to be dominant and the one which doesn't is said to be recessive. Sometimes the pair is codominant such that a heterozygous pair (e.g., Rnrn = roan) looks different than either homozygous pair (RnRn is lethal white, rnrn is solid colored).
A purebred animal is one that (when crossed with another purebred of the same type) will produce offspring that look like the parent. The term is most commonly used in reference to the breed - a pair of purebred Abyssinians will produce only Abyssinian pups - they don't carry the genes for long hair or no rosettes. The term can also be applied to most colors - a pair of purebred blacks will only produce black pups - they don't carry the genes for chocolate, red or other colors. A handful of colors - such as roan - can never be purebred for color.
The ACBA standard divides cavies into 5 groups - self, agouti, solid, marked and tan/marten. For each breed, different colors of a group may be showable (or not) and they may be shown as a single group, subdivided into separate varieties or subgrouped somewhere in between. For example, Abyssinians are shown in 6 classifications: self, agouti, brindle, roan, any other solid, and marked - while Americans are shown in 19 classifications: black, cream, red, white, any other self (but only beige, chocolate, lilac, red-eyed orange, and gold), brindle, roan, dilute solid, golden solid, silver solid, dilute agouti, golden agouti, silver agouti, dalmatian, dutch, himalayan, tortoiseshell & white, any other marked (including broken and tortoiseshell), and tan/marten pattern.
Patterns called for in the breed standard - such as the white crest of the white crested are controlled by separate genes and not considered in the discussion below.
Self Group
Self cavies have only one color in their fur - no markings, no rings. All nails must match and generally the entire skin must also be a single color (e.g., whites with dark pigment in the skin of their ears are disqualified). Cavies can be shown in 9 self colors: beige, black, chocolate, cream, lilac, red-eyed orange, red, gold and white. Not all phenotypic selfs are genetic selfs! I divide the selfs into two subgroups for discussion of genetics. Black, chocolate, lilac and beige are true genetic selfs which always have aa as part of their color genotype. Crosses made within the true self group (e.g., black to beige) will always produce selfs and can be said to be 'purebred for self'. Red, red-eyed orange, gold, cream and white are non-extension selfs which alway have ee as part of their genotype and which may or may not be genetic selfs - the non-extension genotype (ee) can hide the effect of any of the pattern alleles causing a self appearance (red can hide agouti, solid or tan). This group can be said to be 'purebred for non-extension'. Crosses made within the non-extension self group will produce only non-extension selfs. However, crosses made between the two 'self' subgroups may produce animals which are NOT self (e.g., crossing a black and a red can give agouti!).
Black - Blacks are true genetic selfs (aa). They have at least one copy of the black pigment allele (B) but may hide the chocolate allele (Bb). They have at least one copy of the dark-eyed allele (P) but may carry the pink-eyed allele (Pp). They have at least one copy of the full intensity allele (C) but can hide any of the other "C" alleles (Cck, Ccd, Ccr, Cca). They have at least one copy of the full extension allele (E) but may carry non-extension (aka red as Ee). They cannot have the white spotting allele (they are ss) or the roan gene (they are rnrn). The base genotype for black is aaB-P-C-E-ssrnrn - if you have a black you know this much of its genotype for certain. A purebred black is aaBBPPCCEEssrnrn. As a relatively dominant color, it is very difficult to establish that a particular black cavy is purebred - but easy to disprove. If the parents of the black cavy were any color other than black, the black cavy is NOT purebred for black. If any color other than black appears in the last 3 generations, it is unlikely that the black cavy is purebred for black. If the cavy ever has a pup that is any color other than black (when crossed to black, chocolate, lilac, or beige), it is NOT purebred for black. A red, orange, gold or cream pup indicates the black parent (both parents) is carrying non-extension (Ee). Bi-color pups (ejej or eje) indicate the black parent is carrying the partial extension allele (Eej) OR the non-extension allele (Ee). Pink-eyed pups (of any color) indicate the black parent (both parents) is carrying the pink-eyed allele (Pp). Chocolate, beige, gold or cream pups indicate that the black (both parents) is carrying chocolate (Bb). Himalayan or pink-eyed white pups indicate that the parent is carrying both pink-eyed and himalayan alleles (PpCca). Dark-eyed white pups (crcr or crca) indicate the black parent is carrying the silver allele (Ccr) or the himalayan allele (Cca).
Chocolate - Chocolates are true genetic selfs (aa). They have two copies of the recessive chocolate pigment allele (bb) and can never hide black. They have at least one copy of the dark-eyed allele (P) but may carry the pink-eyed allele (Pp). They have at least one copy of the full intensity allele (C) but can hide any of the other "C" alleles (Cck, Ccd, Ccr, Cca). They have at least one copy of the full extension allele (E) but may carry non-extension (aka red as Ee). They cannot have the white spotting allele (they are ss) or the roan gene (they are rnrn). The base genotype for chocolate is aabbP-C-E-ssrnrn - if you have a chocolate you know this much of its genotype for certain. A purebred chocolate is aabbPPCCEEssrnrn. As a relatively dominant color, it is very difficult to establish that a particular chocolate cavy is purebred - but easy to disprove. If any color other than chocolate appears in the last 3 generations of the pedigree, it is unlikely that the chocolate cavy is purebred for chocolate. If the cavy ever has a pup that is any color other than chocolate (when crossed to chocolate or beige), it is NOT purebred for chocolate. A orange, gold or cream pup indicates the chocolate parent (both parents) is carrying non-extension (Ee). Bi-color pups (ejej or eje) indicate the chocolate parent is carrying the partial extension allele (Eej) OR the non-extension allele (Ee). Pink-eyed pups (of any color) indicate the chocolate parent (both parents) is carrying the pink-eyed allele (Pp). Himalayan or pink-eyed white pups indicate that the parent is carrying both pink-eyed and himalayan alleles (PpCca). Dark-eyed white pups (crcr or crca) indicate the chocolate parent is carrying the silver allele (Ccr) or the himalayan allele (Cca).
Lilac - Lilacs are true genetic selfs (aa). [for those who came to rabbits first, in cavies lilac is the pink-eyed dilute of black, NOT the dilute of chocolate as in rabbits!] Lilacs have at least one copy of the black pigment allele (B) but may hide the chocolate/beige allele (Bb). They have two copies of the pink-eyed allele (pp) and never carry the dark-eyed allele. They have at least one copy of the full extension allele (E) but may carry non-extension (aka red as Ee). They cannot have the white spotting allele (they are ss) or the roan gene (they are rnrn). The base genotype for lilac is aaB-pp--E-ssrnrn - if you have a lilac you know this much of its genotype for certain. The intensity of the color in a lilac coat can be modified by the c alleles. C- animals will be a dark, rich color. ck- cavies will be slightly lighter. cd- animals will give the preferred pale lilac shade. cr- lilac cavies are often too light to show. A top show-quality purebred lilac is aaBBppcdcdEEssrnrn. Except for the "C" locus, lilacs are usually purebred (though chocolate and partial/non-extension alleles can be carried). If the parents of the lilac cavy were any color other than lilac, the lilac cavy is NOT purebred for lilac. If chocolate, beige, orange, cream, gold, or white appear in the last three generations of the pedigree, it is unlikely that the lilac cavy is purebred for lilac. A red, orange, gold or cream pup indicates the lilac parent (both parents) is carrying non-extension (Ee). Bi-color pups (ejej or eje) indicate the lilac parent is carrying the partial extension allele (Eej) OR the non-extension allele (Ee). Chocolate, beige, gold or cream pups (all bb) indicate that the lilac (both parents) is carrying chocolate (Bb). Himalayan or pink-eyed white pups indicate that the parent is carrying the himalayan allele (ca) or the silver allele (cr).
Beige - Beige cavies are true genetic selfs (aa). They have two copies of the recessive chocolate pigment allele (bb) and can never hide black. They also have two copies of the pink-eyed allele (pp) and can never hide the dark-eyed allele. They have at least one copy of the full extension allele (E) but may carry non-extension (aka red as Ee). They cannot have the white spotting allele (they are ss) or the roan gene (they are rnrn). The base genotype for beige is aabbpp--E-ssrnrn - if you have a beige you know this much of its genotype for certain. The intensity of the color in a beige coat can be modified by the c alleles. C- animals will be a darker shade. ck- cavies will be slightly lighter. cd- animals will give the preferred pale beige shade. cr- beige cavies are often too light to show. A top, show-quality purebred beige is aabbppcdcdEEssrnrn. Except for the "C" locus, beige cavies are usually purebred for beige - though they may hide partial and non-extension alleles. If any color other than beige appears in the last 3 generations, especially non-extensions, brokens or whites, it is unlikely that the beige cavy is purebred for beige. A gold or cream pup indicates the beige parent (both parents) is carrying non-extension (Ee). Bi-color pups (ejej or eje) indicate the chocolate parent is carrying the partial extension allele (Eej) OR the non-extension allele (Ee). Himalayan or pink-eyed white pups indicate that the parent is carrying a the himalayan allele (ca).
Red - Red is a non-extension self (ee) which may be a genetic self or may be masking any of the other A series alleles (despite the self appearance, genetically red can be agouti, solid, tan or self). Reds have two nonextension alleles (ee) and at least one dark-eyed allele (P-). They cannot have the white spotting allele (they are ss) or the roan gene (they are rnrn). Because the non-extension combined with crcr, crca, or caca turns the animal white, reds cannot have these genotypes even though they may carry either the cr or ca allele (but not both). The base genotype for red is ----P---eessrnrn - if you have a red you know this much of its genotype for certain. A homozygous chocolate genotype (bb) usually dilutes the red color to a brighter orange. This color is allowed to be shown as red (or possibly gold), but is not preferred. C- produces the darkest red color. ck- (with sufficient modifiers) also produces a red color sufficiently dark to be shown. cd- dilutes the red color too signficantly to be shown as red. Agouti, solid and tan based reds (A- and Ar- and at-) may have darker black shading on the ears, which is not preferred. A purebred red must have the genotype ----PP--eessrnrn - with the "C" series genotype CC, Cck, or ckck. This genotype crossed with itself will produce only reds. The top show-quality purebred reds will have genotype aaBBPPCCeessrnrn. They will also have modifier genes in play to darken the red color to the preferred rich 'Irish setter' color.
Red-eyed orange - Red-eyed orange is a non-extension self (ee) which may be a genetic self or may be masking any of the other A series alleles (despite the self appearance, genetically orange can be agouti, solid, tan or self). Red-eyed oranges have two nonextension alleles (ee) and two pink-eyed alleles (pp). They cannot have the white spotting allele (they are ss) or the roan gene (they are rnrn). Because the non-extension combined with crcr, crca, or caca turns the animal white, red-eyed oranges cannot have these genotypes even though they may carry either the cr or ca allele (but not both). Likewise, genotypes cdcd, cdcr, and cdca will lighten the color to gold or cream so red-eyed oranges cannot be these genotypes though they can carry any one of these alleles (cd, cr or ca, but not two from this group). The base genotype for red-eyed orange is ----pp--eessrnrn - if you have a red-eyed orange you know this much of its genotype for certain. You also know that one of the "C" series alleles must be C or ck. A homozygous chocolate genotype (bb) dilutes the color to a brighter orange - which is preferred over the darker black base (though black-based oranges are allowed). Likewise, the ck- genotypes are also brighter than the C- genotypes and are preferred. Agouti, solid and tan based red-eyed oranges (A- and Ar- and at-) may have darker black shading on the ears, which is not preferred. A purebred red-eyed orange must have the genotype ----pp--eessrnrn - with the "C" series genotype CC, Cck, or ckck. This genotype crossed with itself will produce only reds. The top show-quality purebred red-eyed oranges will have genotype aabbppckckeessrnrn. They will also have modifier genes in play to brighten the orange color.
Gold - Gold is a non-extension self (ee) which may be a genetic self or may be masking any of the other A series alleles (despite the self appearance, genetically gold can be agouti, solid, tan or self). Gold in the ACBA standard combines two colors shown in Britain (and elsewhere) as buff (with dark eyes) and saffron (with pink eyes). They cannot have white spots (they are ss) or roaning (they are rnrn). The cdcd genotype is needed to remove the 'orange shading' as called for in the standard. Thus a gold has the base genotype ------cdcdeessrnrn - if you have a gold you know this much of its genotype for certain. That said, pink-eyed reds, dark eyed oranges, and non-extension cavies with darker C alleles but lacking modifiers, or creams with the wrong modifiers darkening the color can easily be mistaken for (and even shown as) golds. All golds with the proper base genotype will produce only golds (when bred to each other) and can be considered purebred. The homozygous chocolate genotype dilutes the color - which is preferred. Agouti, solid and tan based golds (A- and Ar- and at-) may have darker black shading on the ears, which is not preferred. The preferred purebred gold genotype is aabb--cdcdeessrnrn. Gold is accepted in both dark-eyed and pink-eyed variants, so genotypes PP, Pp and pp can all be considered purebred golds.
Cream - Cream is a non-extension self (ee) which may be a genetic self or may be masking any of the other A series alleles (despite the self appearance, genetically cream can be agouti, solid, tan or self). Creams must have a homozygous chocolate genotype (bb) to lighten the color sufficiently. Creams must also have the genotype cdcr or cdca to lighten the color. Because cdcd is too dark (gold), and crcr too light (white), all creams are heterozygous. This means that creams are NEVER purebred - breeding cream to cream will always throw the occasional gold or white. Although sometimes difficult to see, creams cannot have white spots (they are ss) nor roaning (they are rnrn). The base cream genotypes are --bb--cdcreessrnrn and --bb--cdcaeessrnrn. Creams are accepted with either dark or pink eyes - they can have genotype PP, Pp or pp. Agouti, solid and tan based creams often have darker ears, making the self genotype (aa) preferred.
White - White is a non-extension self (ee) which may be a genetic self or may be masking any of the other A series alleles (despite the self appearance, genetically white can be agouti, solid, tan or self). Either the cr or the ca allele can lighten non-extension cavies to the point that they appear white. The based genotypes for white are ------cr-ee and ------cacaee. Because white patterns are invisible on a white coat, white cavies can hide the whitespotting gene (they can be SS, Ss or ss) and the roan gene (they can be Rnrn or rnrn - note RnRn is lethal). With the exception of roan carriers (which might produce the 'deformed lethal whites') whites can be considered purebreds which will only produce whites (when bred to whites). Whites are accepted in pink-eyed or dark-eyed and can be PP, Pp or pp. Black-based whites (B-) and whites hiding agouti, solid or tan patterns are more likely to have dark-tipping on the ears (a disqualification) - especially with cr. and dark eyes. Thus the preferred genotypes for whites are aabbppcacaeessrnrn (pink eyes) and aabbPPcrcreessrnrn (for dark eyes).
Solid Group
Solid cavies have fur of one pattern on their body with no other markings or patterns. Stomachs are colored the same as backs without patches, eye spots, pea spots, etc. Most solids have a speckled appearance - either due to relatively even mixing of two colors of hair (as in brindles and roans) or individual hairs which include multiple colors (as in golden, silver and dilute solids). Three totally separate genes can result in a solid appearance. Ar is an A series allele resulting in the 'true' solids in which each hair is comprised of rings of color. Ep is an E series allele which, with the correct modifiers, results in brindle which is an even intermixing of the base color (black, chocolate, lilac, beige) with non-extension pigmented (red, orange, gold, cream, white) hairs. Animals which have both genes at play, genotype Ar-Ep-, will have the base solid pattern with intermixed non-extension pigmented hairs. Roans result from the Rnrn genotype which speckles a colored coat with white. Although dalmatians are also caused by the roan genotype, their spotted pattern is not even and they are shown as marked rather than solids. Roans can never be purebred as the required genotype is heterozygous. Breeding roan to roan is not advised as it produces 25% 'lethal whites'.
Golden solid - The golden solid is a true solid color caused by the Ar allele. Each hair of a golden solid consists black hairs with red/gold tips and the eyes are dark. Unlike the golden agouti (below) this includes the entire belly. The base genotype for the golden solid is Ar-B-P-C-E-ssrnrn. The solid allele can hide the self allele (Ara). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Arat results in red/gold eye circles, belly and pea spots) or the agouti allele (AAr is agouti). Golden solids can hide chocolate (b) and any of the pink-eyed (p allele) or c series (ck, cd, cr, ca) dilutions. Golden solids can also hide the alleles for brindle/broken (Eep) and non-extension (Ee). A purebred golden solid is genotype ArArBBPPCCEEssrnrn. As a relatively dominant color, it is difficult to prove that a particular cavy is a purebred for golden solid - but easy to disprove. When bred to anything other than an agouti, a purebred golden solid will produce only golden solids.
Silver solid - The silver solid is a true solid color caused by the Ar allele. Each hair of a silver solid consists of black hairs with silver/white tips and the eyes are dark with a ruby cast. Unlike the silver agouti (below) this includes the entire belly. The base genotype for the silver solid is Ar-B-P-cr-E-ssrnrn. The solid allele can the self allele (Ara). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Arat results in silver/white eye circles, belly and pea spots) or the agouti allele (AAr is agouti). Silver solids can hide chocolate (b) and the pink-eyed dilutes (p allele). Silver solids can also hide the white/himalayan allele (crca). Silver solids can also hide the alleles for brindle/broken (Eep) and non-extension (Ee). A purebred silver solid is genotype ArArBBPPcrcrEEssrnrn. As a relatively dominant color, it is difficult to prove that a particular cavy is a purebred for silver solid - but easy to disprove. Purebred silver solids can produce only silver solids, agoutis (only when bred to agoutis), and golden solids (when bred to anything with higher C alleles - C, ck, cd).
Dilute solids - Dilute solid is actually a group of several colors in which the coat (and possibly eyes) are of a lighter (dilute) shade than the golden or silver. All dilute solids are true solids caused by the Ar allele. The solid allele can hide the self allele (Ara). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Arat results in silver/white eye circles, belly and pea spots) or the agouti allele (AAr is agouti). Dilute solids come in 10 ACBA recognized colors as follows:
Golden/lilac solid - lilac hairs with orange tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-B-ppC-E-ssrnrn
Chocolate solid - chocolate hairs with red tips and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype Ar-bbP-C-E-ssrnrn
Gold/beige solid - beige hairs with orange tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-bbppC-E-ssrnrn
Lemon solid - black hairs with cream tips and dark eyes - base genotype Ar-B-P-cd-E-ssrnrn
Lemon/lilac solid - lilac hairs with cream tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-B-ppcd-E-ssrnrn
Cream solid - chocolate hairs with cream tips and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype Ar-bbP-cd-E-ssrnrn
Lemon/beige solid - beige hairs with cream tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-bbppcd-E-ssrnrn
White/lilac solid - lilac hairs with silver/white tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-B-ppcr-E-ssrnrn
Cinnamon solid - chocolate hairs with silver/white tips and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype Ar-bbP-cr-E-ssrnrn
White/beige solid - beige hairs with silver/white tips and pink eyes. - base genotype Ar-bbppcr-E-ssrnrn
Eye color of the dilute solid tells you the genotype at the P locus. Pink-eyed dilute solid cavies are always pp. Dark-eyed and ruby-eyed dilute solids are genotype PP or Pp. The ruby cast to some dark-eyed cavies can be caused by any of several dilution genes - genotype Pp, genotypes Bb or bb, or any visible or hidden cr.
Tip color of the dilute solid tells you the genotype at the C locus. Dilute solids with red/orange/gold tips to their fur are C- (rarely ck-). Dilute solids with cream tips are cd-. Dilute solids with silver tips are cr-.
Base color of the dilute solid tells you the genotype at the B locus. Chocolate and beige base colors are genotype bb. Black and lilac base coats are genotype B-.
Because the dilution effects are caused by separate genes, the dilute solid group cannot be said to breed true -- breeding dilute solids to one another without regard for the particular color will frequently result in gold or silver solids (or shades different from either parent). Each of the individual colors within the dilute agouti group, however, can be purebred.
Brindle - Brindle is a solid pattern evenly mixing two colors of hair - red and black. Brindling of other colors is possible (e.g., chocolate and orange) but these are not showable in the ACBA standard. Brindle is not a 'true solid' and does not have the Ar allele. Brindle results from the substitution of the EpEp or Epe genotype in the self black genotype along with modifier genes to achieve the desired even mixing of the two colors. Because the modifiers are easily lost when crossing to any other color or pattern (where they cannot be seen and so cannot be selected for), most show quality brindles are purebred aaBBPPCCEpEpssrnrn + modifiers.
Roan - Roan is a solid pattern evenly mixing any self (black, lilac, chocolate, beige, red, orange, gold or cream) or solid color (golden, silver or dilute solid) with white. The ideal roan has white evenly mixed over the entire coat giving a solid appearance -- but most roans are significantly darker (with less white) on their heads and this is allowed in the ACBA standard. Roaning is not a result of the Ar allele, it is a result of the roan gene. All roans are genotype Rnrn. Thus roans can never be purebred. Roans should never be bred to each other because it can result in lethal white pups (with genotype RnRn) which are deformed. Breeding roans to whites or very light dilute solids (cr-) is discouraged because the roaning is too easily hidden. Instead, roans with good pattern should be bred to selfs or solids of the desired (preferrably matching) background color.
Golden solid - The golden solid is a true solid color caused by the Ar allele. Each hair of a golden solid consists black hairs with red/gold tips and the eyes are dark. Unlike the golden agouti (below) this includes the entire belly. The base genotype for the golden solid is Ar-B-P-C-E-ssrnrn. The solid allele can hide the self allele (Ara). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Arat results in red/gold eye circles, belly and pea spots) or the agouti allele (AAr is agouti). Golden solids can hide chocolate (b) and any of the pink-eyed (p allele) or c series (ck, cd, cr, ca) dilutions. Golden solids can also hide the alleles for brindle/broken (Eep) and non-extension (Ee). A purebred golden solid is genotype ArArBBPPCCEEssrnrn. As a relatively dominant color, it is difficult to prove that a particular cavy is a purebred for golden solid - but easy to disprove. When bred to anything other than an agouti, a purebred golden solid will produce only golden solids.
Silver solid - The silver solid is a true solid color caused by the Ar allele. Each hair of a silver solid consists of black hairs with silver/white tips and the eyes are dark with a ruby cast. Unlike the silver agouti (below) this includes the entire belly. The base genotype for the silver solid is Ar-B-P-cr-E-ssrnrn. The solid allele can the self allele (Ara). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Arat results in silver/white eye circles, belly and pea spots) or the agouti allele (AAr is agouti). Silver solids can hide chocolate (b) and the pink-eyed dilutes (p allele). Silver solids can also hide the white/himalayan allele (crca). Silver solids can also hide the alleles for brindle/broken (Eep) and non-extension (Ee). A purebred silver solid is genotype ArArBBPPcrcrEEssrnrn. As a relatively dominant color, it is difficult to prove that a particular cavy is a purebred for silver solid - but easy to disprove. Purebred silver solids can produce only silver solids, agoutis (only when bred to agoutis), and golden solids (when bred to anything with higher C alleles - C, ck, cd).
Dilute solids - Dilute solid is actually a group of several colors in which the coat (and possibly eyes) are of a lighter (dilute) shade than the golden or silver. All dilute solids are true solids caused by the Ar allele. The solid allele can hide the self allele (Ara). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Arat results in silver/white eye circles, belly and pea spots) or the agouti allele (AAr is agouti). Dilute solids come in 10 ACBA recognized colors as follows:
Golden/lilac solid - lilac hairs with orange tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-B-ppC-E-ssrnrn
Chocolate solid - chocolate hairs with red tips and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype Ar-bbP-C-E-ssrnrn
Gold/beige solid - beige hairs with orange tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-bbppC-E-ssrnrn
Lemon solid - black hairs with cream tips and dark eyes - base genotype Ar-B-P-cd-E-ssrnrn
Lemon/lilac solid - lilac hairs with cream tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-B-ppcd-E-ssrnrn
Cream solid - chocolate hairs with cream tips and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype Ar-bbP-cd-E-ssrnrn
Lemon/beige solid - beige hairs with cream tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-bbppcd-E-ssrnrn
White/lilac solid - lilac hairs with silver/white tips and pink eyes - base genotype Ar-B-ppcr-E-ssrnrn
Cinnamon solid - chocolate hairs with silver/white tips and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype Ar-bbP-cr-E-ssrnrn
White/beige solid - beige hairs with silver/white tips and pink eyes. - base genotype Ar-bbppcr-E-ssrnrn
Eye color of the dilute solid tells you the genotype at the P locus. Pink-eyed dilute solid cavies are always pp. Dark-eyed and ruby-eyed dilute solids are genotype PP or Pp. The ruby cast to some dark-eyed cavies can be caused by any of several dilution genes - genotype Pp, genotypes Bb or bb, or any visible or hidden cr.
Tip color of the dilute solid tells you the genotype at the C locus. Dilute solids with red/orange/gold tips to their fur are C- (rarely ck-). Dilute solids with cream tips are cd-. Dilute solids with silver tips are cr-.
Base color of the dilute solid tells you the genotype at the B locus. Chocolate and beige base colors are genotype bb. Black and lilac base coats are genotype B-.
Because the dilution effects are caused by separate genes, the dilute solid group cannot be said to breed true -- breeding dilute solids to one another without regard for the particular color will frequently result in gold or silver solids (or shades different from either parent). Each of the individual colors within the dilute agouti group, however, can be purebred.
Brindle - Brindle is a solid pattern evenly mixing two colors of hair - red and black. Brindling of other colors is possible (e.g., chocolate and orange) but these are not showable in the ACBA standard. Brindle is not a 'true solid' and does not have the Ar allele. Brindle results from the substitution of the EpEp or Epe genotype in the self black genotype along with modifier genes to achieve the desired even mixing of the two colors. Because the modifiers are easily lost when crossing to any other color or pattern (where they cannot be seen and so cannot be selected for), most show quality brindles are purebred aaBBPPCCEpEpssrnrn + modifiers.
Roan - Roan is a solid pattern evenly mixing any self (black, lilac, chocolate, beige, red, orange, gold or cream) or solid color (golden, silver or dilute solid) with white. The ideal roan has white evenly mixed over the entire coat giving a solid appearance -- but most roans are significantly darker (with less white) on their heads and this is allowed in the ACBA standard. Roaning is not a result of the Ar allele, it is a result of the roan gene. All roans are genotype Rnrn. Thus roans can never be purebred. Roans should never be bred to each other because it can result in lethal white pups (with genotype RnRn) which are deformed. Breeding roans to whites or very light dilute solids (cr-) is discouraged because the roaning is too easily hidden. Instead, roans with good pattern should be bred to selfs or solids of the desired (preferrably matching) background color.
Agouti group
Agouti cavies have fur with a ring pattern (ticking) over their entire body EXCEPT the belly, which should be the same color (tan to white) as the tip color. Agoutis come in golden, silver and dilute - the same colors as solids (except NOT in brindle or roan) Agouti is the result of a dominant A allele. Purebred agoutis are AA, but agoutis can carry the Ar, at or a alleles.
Golden agouti - Each hair of a golden agouti consists black hairs with red/gold tips - except the belly hairs, which are red/gold - and the eyes are dark. This color pattern is considered the original pattern of wild cavies - with all other colors being mutations of this original pattern. The base genotype for the golden agouti is A-B-P-C-E-ssrnrn. The agouti allele can hide the self allele (Aa) and the solid allele (AAr). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Aat results in red/gold eye circles and pea spots). Golden agoutis can hide chocolate (b) and any of the pink-eyed (p allele) or c series (ck, cd, cr, ca) dilutions. Golden agoutis can also hide the alleles for brindle/broken (Eep) and non-extension (Ee). A purebred golden agouti is genotype AABBPPCCEEssrnrn. As the most dominant color, it is difficult to prove that a particular cavy is a purebred for golden agouti - but easy to disprove. A purebred golden agouti will produce only golden agoutis. Interestingly, British breeders state that the Aa genotype golden agoutis have better show color than the purebred.
Silver agouti - Each hair of a silver agouti consists of black hairs with silver/white tips - except the belly which is silver-white - and the eyes are dark with a ruby cast. The base genotype for the silver agouti is A-B-P-cr-E-ssrnrn. The agouti allele can hide the self allele (Aa) and the solid allele (AAr). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Aat results in silver/white eye circles and pea spots). Silver agoutis can hide chocolate (b) and the pink-eyed dilutes (p allele). Silver agoutis can also hide the white/himalayan allele (crca). Silver agoutis can also hide the alleles for brindle/broken (Eep) and non-extension (Ee). A purebred silver agouti is genotype AABBPPcrcrEEssrnrn. As a relatively dominant color, it is difficult to prove that a particular cavy is a purebred for silver agouti - but easy to disprove. Purebred silver agoutis can produce only silver agoutis, and golden agoutis (when bred to anything with higher C alleles - C, ck, cd).
Dilute agoutis - Dilute agouti is actually a group of several colors in which the coat (and possibly eyes) are of a lighter (dilute) shade than the golden or silver. The agouti allele can hide the self allele (Aa) and the solid allele (AAr). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Aat results in eye circles and pea spots). Dilute solids come in 10 ACBA recognized colors (the same as dilute solids) as follows:
Golden/lilac agouti - lilac hairs with orange tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-B-ppC-E-ssrnrn
Chocolate agouti - chocolate hairs with red tips/belly and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype A-bbP-C-E-ssrnrn
Gold/beige agouti - beige hairs with orange tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-bbppC-E-ssrnrn
Lemon agouti - black hairs with cream tips/belly and dark eyes - base genotype A-B-P-cd-E-ssrnrn
Lemon/lilac agouti - lilac hairs with cream tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-B-ppcd-E-ssrnrn
Cream agouti - chocolate hairs with cream tips/belly and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype A-bbP-cd-E-ssrnrn
Lemon/beige agouti - beige hairs with cream tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-bbppcd-E-ssrnrn
White/lilac agouti - lilac hairs with silver/white tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-B-ppcr-E-ssrnrn
Cinnamon agouti - chocolate hairs with silver/white tips/belly and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype A-bbP-cr-E-ssrnrn
White/beige agouti - beige hairs with silver/white tips/belly and pink eyes. - base genotype A-bbppcr-E-ssrnrn
Eye color of the dilute agouti tells you the genotype at the P locus. Pink-eyed dilute agouti cavies are always pp. Dark-eyed and ruby-eyed dilute agoutis are genotype PP or Pp. The ruby cast to some dark-eyed cavies can be caused by any of several dilution genes - genotype Pp, genotypes Bb or bb, or any visible or hidden cr.
Tip/belly color of the dilute agouti tells you the genotype at the C locus. Dilute agoutis with red/orange/gold tips to their fur are C- (rarely ck-). Dilute agoutis with cream tips/belly are cd-. Dilute agoutis with silver tips/belly are cr-.
Base color of the dilute agouti tells you the genotype at the B locus. Chocolate and beige base colors are genotype bb. Black and lilac base coats are genotype B-.
Because the dilution effects are caused by separate genes, the dilute agouti group cannot be said to breed true -- breeding dilute solids to one another without regard for the particular color will frequently result in gold or silver solids (or shades different from either parent). Each of the individual colors within the dilute agouti group, however, can be purebred.
Golden agouti - Each hair of a golden agouti consists black hairs with red/gold tips - except the belly hairs, which are red/gold - and the eyes are dark. This color pattern is considered the original pattern of wild cavies - with all other colors being mutations of this original pattern. The base genotype for the golden agouti is A-B-P-C-E-ssrnrn. The agouti allele can hide the self allele (Aa) and the solid allele (AAr). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Aat results in red/gold eye circles and pea spots). Golden agoutis can hide chocolate (b) and any of the pink-eyed (p allele) or c series (ck, cd, cr, ca) dilutions. Golden agoutis can also hide the alleles for brindle/broken (Eep) and non-extension (Ee). A purebred golden agouti is genotype AABBPPCCEEssrnrn. As the most dominant color, it is difficult to prove that a particular cavy is a purebred for golden agouti - but easy to disprove. A purebred golden agouti will produce only golden agoutis. Interestingly, British breeders state that the Aa genotype golden agoutis have better show color than the purebred.
Silver agouti - Each hair of a silver agouti consists of black hairs with silver/white tips - except the belly which is silver-white - and the eyes are dark with a ruby cast. The base genotype for the silver agouti is A-B-P-cr-E-ssrnrn. The agouti allele can hide the self allele (Aa) and the solid allele (AAr). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Aat results in silver/white eye circles and pea spots). Silver agoutis can hide chocolate (b) and the pink-eyed dilutes (p allele). Silver agoutis can also hide the white/himalayan allele (crca). Silver agoutis can also hide the alleles for brindle/broken (Eep) and non-extension (Ee). A purebred silver agouti is genotype AABBPPcrcrEEssrnrn. As a relatively dominant color, it is difficult to prove that a particular cavy is a purebred for silver agouti - but easy to disprove. Purebred silver agoutis can produce only silver agoutis, and golden agoutis (when bred to anything with higher C alleles - C, ck, cd).
Dilute agoutis - Dilute agouti is actually a group of several colors in which the coat (and possibly eyes) are of a lighter (dilute) shade than the golden or silver. The agouti allele can hide the self allele (Aa) and the solid allele (AAr). It cannot hide the tan pattern gene (Aat results in eye circles and pea spots). Dilute solids come in 10 ACBA recognized colors (the same as dilute solids) as follows:
Golden/lilac agouti - lilac hairs with orange tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-B-ppC-E-ssrnrn
Chocolate agouti - chocolate hairs with red tips/belly and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype A-bbP-C-E-ssrnrn
Gold/beige agouti - beige hairs with orange tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-bbppC-E-ssrnrn
Lemon agouti - black hairs with cream tips/belly and dark eyes - base genotype A-B-P-cd-E-ssrnrn
Lemon/lilac agouti - lilac hairs with cream tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-B-ppcd-E-ssrnrn
Cream agouti - chocolate hairs with cream tips/belly and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype A-bbP-cd-E-ssrnrn
Lemon/beige agouti - beige hairs with cream tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-bbppcd-E-ssrnrn
White/lilac agouti - lilac hairs with silver/white tips/belly and pink eyes - base genotype A-B-ppcr-E-ssrnrn
Cinnamon agouti - chocolate hairs with silver/white tips/belly and dark or ruby eyes - base genotype A-bbP-cr-E-ssrnrn
White/beige agouti - beige hairs with silver/white tips/belly and pink eyes. - base genotype A-bbppcr-E-ssrnrn
Eye color of the dilute agouti tells you the genotype at the P locus. Pink-eyed dilute agouti cavies are always pp. Dark-eyed and ruby-eyed dilute agoutis are genotype PP or Pp. The ruby cast to some dark-eyed cavies can be caused by any of several dilution genes - genotype Pp, genotypes Bb or bb, or any visible or hidden cr.
Tip/belly color of the dilute agouti tells you the genotype at the C locus. Dilute agoutis with red/orange/gold tips to their fur are C- (rarely ck-). Dilute agoutis with cream tips/belly are cd-. Dilute agoutis with silver tips/belly are cr-.
Base color of the dilute agouti tells you the genotype at the B locus. Chocolate and beige base colors are genotype bb. Black and lilac base coats are genotype B-.
Because the dilution effects are caused by separate genes, the dilute agouti group cannot be said to breed true -- breeding dilute solids to one another without regard for the particular color will frequently result in gold or silver solids (or shades different from either parent). Each of the individual colors within the dilute agouti group, however, can be purebred.
Tan/marten group
The tan/marten group is the result of the fourth 'A series' allele - at - which is intermediate in the dominance series. The tan allele (at) is dominant over self - ata is a tan pattern. At is co-dominant with the agouti (A) and solid (Ar) alleles - Aat agoutis will have eyes circles and pea spots. Arat 'solids' will have eyes circles and peaspots AND tan/white bellies - causing them to be easily mistaken for agoutis.
The tan/marten group is divided into 10 colors comprising two groups:
Tans have a self appearing coat (black, 'blue', lilac, chocolate or beige) with red/tan eye circles, pea spots (above/behind the ears), and bellies. Base genotype at-C-.
Black tan - at-B-P-C-E-ssrnrn
Lilac tan - at-B-ppC-E-ssrnrn
Chocolate tan - at-bbP-C-E-ssrnrn
Beige tan - at-bbppC-E-ssrnrn
Blue tan - Blue in the ACBA standard is the color called 'slate' elsewhere in the world - not a true blue dilution (D gene) seen in rabbits and other mammals. The blue/slate color is caused by an intermediate allele in the P series -- pg is recessive to dark eyes (P) and dominant over pink eyes (pp) - and results in cavies with a ruby-blue cast to their eyes - similar to but usually slightly darker than the shade seen in the eyes of lilac rabbits. The ACBA standard currently accepts blue only in the tan/marten group - though slates are certainly possible in other patterns and are shown as self slate, slate broken, etc elsewhere in the world. Blue tan is base genotype at-B-pg-C-E-ssrnrn.
Martens have a self appearing coat (black, 'blue', lilac, chocolate or beige) with silver/white eye circles, pea spots (above/behind the ears), and bellies. Base genotype at-cr-.
Black marten - at-B-P-cr-E-ssrnrn
Lilac marten - at-B-ppcr-E-ssrnrn
Chocolate marten - at-bbP-cr-E-ssrnrn
Beige marten - at-bbppcr-E-ssrnrn
Blue marten - at-B-pg-cr-E-ssrnrn
No other C series dilutions (e.g., ck, cd) are currently allowed in the ACBA standard.
The tan/marten group is divided into 10 colors comprising two groups:
Tans have a self appearing coat (black, 'blue', lilac, chocolate or beige) with red/tan eye circles, pea spots (above/behind the ears), and bellies. Base genotype at-C-.
Black tan - at-B-P-C-E-ssrnrn
Lilac tan - at-B-ppC-E-ssrnrn
Chocolate tan - at-bbP-C-E-ssrnrn
Beige tan - at-bbppC-E-ssrnrn
Blue tan - Blue in the ACBA standard is the color called 'slate' elsewhere in the world - not a true blue dilution (D gene) seen in rabbits and other mammals. The blue/slate color is caused by an intermediate allele in the P series -- pg is recessive to dark eyes (P) and dominant over pink eyes (pp) - and results in cavies with a ruby-blue cast to their eyes - similar to but usually slightly darker than the shade seen in the eyes of lilac rabbits. The ACBA standard currently accepts blue only in the tan/marten group - though slates are certainly possible in other patterns and are shown as self slate, slate broken, etc elsewhere in the world. Blue tan is base genotype at-B-pg-C-E-ssrnrn.
Martens have a self appearing coat (black, 'blue', lilac, chocolate or beige) with silver/white eye circles, pea spots (above/behind the ears), and bellies. Base genotype at-cr-.
Black marten - at-B-P-cr-E-ssrnrn
Lilac marten - at-B-ppcr-E-ssrnrn
Chocolate marten - at-bbP-cr-E-ssrnrn
Beige marten - at-bbppcr-E-ssrnrn
Blue marten - at-B-pg-cr-E-ssrnrn
No other C series dilutions (e.g., ck, cd) are currently allowed in the ACBA standard.
Marked
A catch-all group for cavies that do not appear a single even color but rather have a defined pattern determined by genes other than the A series alleles.
Marked includes the following subgroups - himalayan, dalmatian, dutch, tortoiseshell, tortoiseshell and white, and broken.
Himalayan - Himalayan cavies exhibit a pattern similar to the pattern seen in himalayan or pointed rabbits in which the ears, nose, and feet are a dark color and the rest of the coat white - eyes are always pink. With the darkest points preferred, most himalayans are black-based, though dark chocolates are allowed. The ca allele is responsible for the himalayan pattern - like the ch gene in rabbits, this gene is temperature-sensitive so animals which grow their coats in colder temperatures will have darker points (and possibly more dark color or 'smut' extending into the white portions of the coat) while coats grown in warmer temperatures will have lighter points. The ca allele is the most recessive of the C series alleles - himalayans are always caca. Himalayans must also be full extension (E-) - cavies which have the non-extension genotype (ee) will lose the point color on the ears to be pink-eyed whites. The caca genotype also strips the eye color -- although they always have pink eyes, himalayans can hide the darker-eyed genotypes (they can be PP, Pp, Ppg, pgpg, php or pp). Good himalayans always have a self genotype on the A series (aa) - as agouti, solid or tan genotypes fade the point color. Introduction of roan genes into himalayans is to be avoided as they may be invisible roans (cacaRnrn) that could later have lethal white (RnRn pups). White spotting (SS or Ss) is generally invisible on the himalayan genotype, but may cause mismarkings (e.g., a white ear or foot) and so is to be avoided as well. Thus the preferred base genotype for himalayan is aaB---cacaE-ssrnrn.
Dalmatian - Dalmatian cavies are a variation on roan in which modifier genes cause the colored hairs to cluster together in spots rather than be evenly intermixed. Like roans, dalmatians are never purebred because the RnRn genotype gives lethal whites. Instead, the base Dalmatian genotype is Rnrn (+modifiers) and they are produced by crossing a dalmatian with a self of the desired color. SS and Ss genotypes may be invisible, but may result in large patches without spots, so are usually avoided. ACBA accepted dalmatian colors include:
Black aaB-P-C-E-ssRnrn +modifiers
Chocolate aabbP-C-E-ssRnrn + modifiers
Lilac aaB-ppC-E-ssRnrn
Beige aabbppC-E-ssRnrn
Red --B-P-C-eessRnrn
Orange ----ppC-eessRnrn (or ck-)
Gold ------cdcdeessRnrn
Although technically allowed, cream dalmatians do not show spotting well enough to do well on the show table and are usually avoided. Dalmatian spotting is invisible on white selfs, so mixing dalmatian genes with whites is avoided.
Dutch - Dutch are the result of a white spotting gene (S) with modifier genes that place the 'spots' in the correct pattern - white blaze and collar. Dutch are accepted in any self, true solid (not roan or brindle) or agouti base color. Dutch can be SS or Ss, though only the SS will breed true and the Ss much more frequently throw mis-marked pups.
Tortoiseshell - Unlike 'tort' rabbits, tortoiseshell cavies are not shaded, rather they exhibit a pattern similar to harlequin rabbits with a pattern of red and black patches. As with harlequins, the responsible gene is a partial extension - ep allele on the E series which is recessive to full extension but dominant over non-extension. Also as with harlequins, modifier genes are needed to get the preferred alternating patch pattern. Tortoiseshell cavies are all selfs -- agouti and solid patterns would show in the black patches (and are shown as broken rather than tortoiseshell). Similarly, tortoiseshell cavies are also shown only in black - chocolate, lilac, beige and other dilutions are shown as broken. Tortoiseshells are genotype aaB-P-C-ep-ssrnrn + modifiers.
Tortoiseshell and White - The equivalent of 'tri-color' in rabbits. Tortoiseshell and white cavies have patches of black, red and white. The white is added to the base harlequin genotype by the addition of the S allele. Unlike tri- rabbits, the ideal pattern is the alternating patches - with all three colors present on each side of the body (at least 2 patches of each color). Achieving the ideal pattern is difficult and relies on modifier genes for both the ep (as in tortoiseshell) and S ( but different from the dutch modifiers). Tortoiseshell and whites are all self blacks without dilution (other color patterns with three colors are shown as broken) - aaB-P-C-ep-S-rnrn + modifiers.
Broken - Unlike rabbits, where broken means a single color pattern plus white, in cavies broken can be any two or three colors. Unlike the spotted and blanket pattern brokens preferred for rabbits with a range of 10-50% color, broken cavies are preferred in large patches (greater than a 50-cent piece) of color as close as possible to 50-50 (or 33-33-33 for three-color brokens). Brokens can include any combination of self, true solid or agouti colors - evidence of tan, brindle, dalmatian, dutch, himalayan or roan patterns are disqualifications. (a poorly marked dutch cannot be shown as broken, a dalmatian with one large patch cannot be shown as broken, etc). Likewise, the black/orange and black/orange/white coloration of tortoiseshell and tortoiseshell & white cannot be shown as brokens. Brokens come in 3 basic genetic types:
Agouti, solid and/or dilute tortoiseshells - achieved by the ej- genotype with any color or pattern other than self black. These will have 2 colors - one from the non-extension series (orange, gold, cream or white) and one true self, true solid, or agouti (lilac, chocolate, beige, golden solid/agouti, silver solid/agouti or dilute solid/agouti). Agouti based and solid-based can only be told apart if the solid patch happens to extend into the belly (which will only happen with the solid).
White patched - achieved by the S- genotype with any other color or pattern. These will usually have two colors, one of which is white and the other can be any self, true solid, or agouti color (black, lilac, chocolate, beige, red, orange, gold, cream, golden agouti/solid, silver agouti/solid or dilute agouti/solid). 'Agouti color' here can be achieve with either the A or Ar allele. They may appear to have three colors if the agouti patches (A) appear on the belly (where they will be tan rather than tipped).
Tri-colors - achieved by the combination of the ej- and S- genotypes. These have three colors - one from the non-extension series (red, orange, gold, cream or white), one true self, true solid or agouti (black, lilac, chocolate, beige, golden agouti/solid, silver agouti/solid, or dilute agouti/solid) and white (from the white-spotted gene). (note that it is possible for both the non-extension series and the white spotted to give white, so possible to have a two-color 'tri-').
Marked includes the following subgroups - himalayan, dalmatian, dutch, tortoiseshell, tortoiseshell and white, and broken.
Himalayan - Himalayan cavies exhibit a pattern similar to the pattern seen in himalayan or pointed rabbits in which the ears, nose, and feet are a dark color and the rest of the coat white - eyes are always pink. With the darkest points preferred, most himalayans are black-based, though dark chocolates are allowed. The ca allele is responsible for the himalayan pattern - like the ch gene in rabbits, this gene is temperature-sensitive so animals which grow their coats in colder temperatures will have darker points (and possibly more dark color or 'smut' extending into the white portions of the coat) while coats grown in warmer temperatures will have lighter points. The ca allele is the most recessive of the C series alleles - himalayans are always caca. Himalayans must also be full extension (E-) - cavies which have the non-extension genotype (ee) will lose the point color on the ears to be pink-eyed whites. The caca genotype also strips the eye color -- although they always have pink eyes, himalayans can hide the darker-eyed genotypes (they can be PP, Pp, Ppg, pgpg, php or pp). Good himalayans always have a self genotype on the A series (aa) - as agouti, solid or tan genotypes fade the point color. Introduction of roan genes into himalayans is to be avoided as they may be invisible roans (cacaRnrn) that could later have lethal white (RnRn pups). White spotting (SS or Ss) is generally invisible on the himalayan genotype, but may cause mismarkings (e.g., a white ear or foot) and so is to be avoided as well. Thus the preferred base genotype for himalayan is aaB---cacaE-ssrnrn.
Dalmatian - Dalmatian cavies are a variation on roan in which modifier genes cause the colored hairs to cluster together in spots rather than be evenly intermixed. Like roans, dalmatians are never purebred because the RnRn genotype gives lethal whites. Instead, the base Dalmatian genotype is Rnrn (+modifiers) and they are produced by crossing a dalmatian with a self of the desired color. SS and Ss genotypes may be invisible, but may result in large patches without spots, so are usually avoided. ACBA accepted dalmatian colors include:
Black aaB-P-C-E-ssRnrn +modifiers
Chocolate aabbP-C-E-ssRnrn + modifiers
Lilac aaB-ppC-E-ssRnrn
Beige aabbppC-E-ssRnrn
Red --B-P-C-eessRnrn
Orange ----ppC-eessRnrn (or ck-)
Gold ------cdcdeessRnrn
Although technically allowed, cream dalmatians do not show spotting well enough to do well on the show table and are usually avoided. Dalmatian spotting is invisible on white selfs, so mixing dalmatian genes with whites is avoided.
Dutch - Dutch are the result of a white spotting gene (S) with modifier genes that place the 'spots' in the correct pattern - white blaze and collar. Dutch are accepted in any self, true solid (not roan or brindle) or agouti base color. Dutch can be SS or Ss, though only the SS will breed true and the Ss much more frequently throw mis-marked pups.
Tortoiseshell - Unlike 'tort' rabbits, tortoiseshell cavies are not shaded, rather they exhibit a pattern similar to harlequin rabbits with a pattern of red and black patches. As with harlequins, the responsible gene is a partial extension - ep allele on the E series which is recessive to full extension but dominant over non-extension. Also as with harlequins, modifier genes are needed to get the preferred alternating patch pattern. Tortoiseshell cavies are all selfs -- agouti and solid patterns would show in the black patches (and are shown as broken rather than tortoiseshell). Similarly, tortoiseshell cavies are also shown only in black - chocolate, lilac, beige and other dilutions are shown as broken. Tortoiseshells are genotype aaB-P-C-ep-ssrnrn + modifiers.
Tortoiseshell and White - The equivalent of 'tri-color' in rabbits. Tortoiseshell and white cavies have patches of black, red and white. The white is added to the base harlequin genotype by the addition of the S allele. Unlike tri- rabbits, the ideal pattern is the alternating patches - with all three colors present on each side of the body (at least 2 patches of each color). Achieving the ideal pattern is difficult and relies on modifier genes for both the ep (as in tortoiseshell) and S ( but different from the dutch modifiers). Tortoiseshell and whites are all self blacks without dilution (other color patterns with three colors are shown as broken) - aaB-P-C-ep-S-rnrn + modifiers.
Broken - Unlike rabbits, where broken means a single color pattern plus white, in cavies broken can be any two or three colors. Unlike the spotted and blanket pattern brokens preferred for rabbits with a range of 10-50% color, broken cavies are preferred in large patches (greater than a 50-cent piece) of color as close as possible to 50-50 (or 33-33-33 for three-color brokens). Brokens can include any combination of self, true solid or agouti colors - evidence of tan, brindle, dalmatian, dutch, himalayan or roan patterns are disqualifications. (a poorly marked dutch cannot be shown as broken, a dalmatian with one large patch cannot be shown as broken, etc). Likewise, the black/orange and black/orange/white coloration of tortoiseshell and tortoiseshell & white cannot be shown as brokens. Brokens come in 3 basic genetic types:
Agouti, solid and/or dilute tortoiseshells - achieved by the ej- genotype with any color or pattern other than self black. These will have 2 colors - one from the non-extension series (orange, gold, cream or white) and one true self, true solid, or agouti (lilac, chocolate, beige, golden solid/agouti, silver solid/agouti or dilute solid/agouti). Agouti based and solid-based can only be told apart if the solid patch happens to extend into the belly (which will only happen with the solid).
White patched - achieved by the S- genotype with any other color or pattern. These will usually have two colors, one of which is white and the other can be any self, true solid, or agouti color (black, lilac, chocolate, beige, red, orange, gold, cream, golden agouti/solid, silver agouti/solid or dilute agouti/solid). 'Agouti color' here can be achieve with either the A or Ar allele. They may appear to have three colors if the agouti patches (A) appear on the belly (where they will be tan rather than tipped).
Tri-colors - achieved by the combination of the ej- and S- genotypes. These have three colors - one from the non-extension series (red, orange, gold, cream or white), one true self, true solid or agouti (black, lilac, chocolate, beige, golden agouti/solid, silver agouti/solid, or dilute agouti/solid) and white (from the white-spotted gene). (note that it is possible for both the non-extension series and the white spotted to give white, so possible to have a two-color 'tri-').