Colors in Our Caviary
A discussion of cavy colors and genotypes based on our real cavies!
Note - As of 2021, ARBA caught up with the rest of the world in changing 'blue tan' to 'slate tan'. I'm trying to update, but information on older animals may still use the older terms.
Note - As of 2021, ARBA caught up with the rest of the world in changing 'blue tan' to 'slate tan'. I'm trying to update, but information on older animals may still use the older terms.
Alvin
Alvin was a white-crested red boar. He came with a pedigree, which we unfortunately lost. So I know, but can't prove, that all his ancestors for 3 generations were white-crested reds. He was bred to our friend's white-crested red sow and produced all white-crested red pups. So we are pretty sure he is purebred for color...
Breed genotype...
LLrrSnSnTTRxRxStSt
Color genotype...
aaPPeeCC His rich red color makes BB or Bb likely - chocolate-based reds (bb) are usually more dilute and have a ruby cast to the eyes.
RIP Alvin - you were our first and will have a special place in our hearts forever!
Breed genotype...
LLrrSnSnTTRxRxStSt
Color genotype...
aaPPeeCC His rich red color makes BB or Bb likely - chocolate-based reds (bb) are usually more dilute and have a ruby cast to the eyes.
RIP Alvin - you were our first and will have a special place in our hearts forever!
Simon
Simon was a tri color broken (golden agouti, red and white) abyssinian boar. He was not show quality, unpedigreed, and had too few rosettes.
Breed genotype...
L-R-Sn-T-Rx-stst (too few rosettes make Rr likely)
Color genotype...
A-B-C-P-Ep-
As Simon was neutered, we will never know about those hidden genes.
RIP Simon - your outgoing personality taught us just how much fun cavies could really be!
Breed genotype...
L-R-Sn-T-Rx-stst (too few rosettes make Rr likely)
Color genotype...
A-B-C-P-Ep-
As Simon was neutered, we will never know about those hidden genes.
RIP Simon - your outgoing personality taught us just how much fun cavies could really be!
American --
All the rest of Josh's cavies are Americans - or (surprise!) American satins.
Breed genotype...LLrrSnSnTTRxRxstst (satins snsn, satin carriers Snsn)
Breed genotype...LLrrSnSnTTRxRxstst (satins snsn, satin carriers Snsn)
Theodore
Theodore was a broken black sow - no pedigree, but came from Dutch lines. She had one litter of two pups sired by Chip (black and tan) -- Phoenix (silent silver) and Blaze (red) are below. She's grandmother to Dots and Domino (black martens out of Phoenix) and great-grandmother to Cuddles, Hugster, Climber and Jumpy.
Color genotype...
aaB-C(cr/ch)P-Ee (self black)
She also has the 'white spotting gene' - likely Ss as she has <50% white. She's out of Dutch-marked lines, but lacking one or more of the necessary modifier genes.
In order to have a silent silver pup, she must carry either the 'ruby-eyed dilute' cr gene or the more recessive ch.
Peak non-pregnant weight = 2.5 pounds.
Theodore suffered periodic health problems ever since her pregnancy (hair loss, cysts, sudden weight loss) - though she lived on for another 3 years (we got her as an adult, estimate she was 5 or 6 when she died). We believe she may have been diabetic. We lost her suddenly (at a point when she didn't seem to have any problems). RIP Theodore.
Color genotype...
aaB-C(cr/ch)P-Ee (self black)
She also has the 'white spotting gene' - likely Ss as she has <50% white. She's out of Dutch-marked lines, but lacking one or more of the necessary modifier genes.
In order to have a silent silver pup, she must carry either the 'ruby-eyed dilute' cr gene or the more recessive ch.
Peak non-pregnant weight = 2.5 pounds.
Theodore suffered periodic health problems ever since her pregnancy (hair loss, cysts, sudden weight loss) - though she lived on for another 3 years (we got her as an adult, estimate she was 5 or 6 when she died). We believe she may have been diabetic. We lost her suddenly (at a point when she didn't seem to have any problems). RIP Theodore.
Tibbles
(Tibbles is a golden agouti sow - no pedigree. She has two pups - Speedy (red) and Tazzy (black and tan) - sired by Chip. ... Speedy gave her 4 grandpups (Merry, Christmas, Santas and Dasher - all black tan). Dasher gave her two great-grandpups (Domino and Dots - black martens), Merry gave her 2 great-grandpups (Ornament and Angel - black tans), and Santas gave her two great-grandpups (Present and Gift - black tans). Domino gave her 4 great-great-grandpups (Climber, Jumpy, Hugster and Cuddles)
Color genotype...
A(a)B-C-P-Ee
(Tibbles must be carrying at or a to have a black and tan baby. As tans only recently passed COD (2011) and are still fairly rare in our area, Aa is the more likely genotype)
Angel (below) is a satin -- and Tibbles is likely the source of that satin gene (Tibbles is grandmother on one side and great-grandmother on the other in this line-breeding -- checking with Tibbles breeder, she had a red sire and a satin carrier great-grandsire via the red lineage). So very likely that Tibbles is a satin carrier.
Peak non-pregnant weight = 2.5 pounds.
sold -- she should do better in her buyer's agouti program than with our tans.
Color genotype...
A(a)B-C-P-Ee
(Tibbles must be carrying at or a to have a black and tan baby. As tans only recently passed COD (2011) and are still fairly rare in our area, Aa is the more likely genotype)
Angel (below) is a satin -- and Tibbles is likely the source of that satin gene (Tibbles is grandmother on one side and great-grandmother on the other in this line-breeding -- checking with Tibbles breeder, she had a red sire and a satin carrier great-grandsire via the red lineage). So very likely that Tibbles is a satin carrier.
Peak non-pregnant weight = 2.5 pounds.
sold -- she should do better in her buyer's agouti program than with our tans.
American Tan Pattern --
The tan pattern gene was discovered in Britain in ~2000 and was imported to the US shortly thereafter. Tan pattern was added to the ACBA breed standard in 2011 -- Josh got his first ones in a 4-H auction in November of 2010 and these have been the focus of our core breeding program ever since.
Chip
Our original 'herd sire' Chip is a black tan boar and father to our first three litters (8 pups - Sneaky, Nibbles, Sail, & Whitefoot, Speedy & Tazzy, Phoenix & Blaze), grandfather to 1 litter (4 pups - Merry, Christmas, Santas and Dasher), great-grandfather to 3 litters (Domino & Dots, Ornament & Angel, Present & Gift) and GG grandather to 1 litter (Cuddles, Hugster, Climber & Jumpy). We are now 10 generations down and still have a lot of his descendents as the core of our line. Having 8 pups makes it helpful to figure out his genotype, even though we don't have his pedigree.
Color genotype...
at(at)B(B)CcrP(P)Ee
Two of his 8 pups are reds -- perfect ratio for the e carrier (Ee).
One pup is a silent silver (see Phoenix below) so his second 'C' gene is likely cr. cr is frequently found in tan lines because the combination results in silver martens (accepted 2012) -- Chip is the most likely source of the cr gene that gave us our first black martens (Domino and Dots).
All 22 descendants (to 4 generations - to 10 barring known other sources) to date have dark eyes, so PP is more likely than Pp.
Of 19 descendants (excepting the red and silent silver, which would hide black or chocolate), all are black (B) based and tan pattern. This suggests that he is NOT carrying chocolate or self (he's likely atatBB).
Sold - every other guinea pig in our current breeding herd is related to Chip. He's too good (and still too young) to retire but we want to avoid inbreeding, so he went to improve someone else's herd.
Estimate weight 2.5 pounds.
Color genotype...
at(at)B(B)CcrP(P)Ee
Two of his 8 pups are reds -- perfect ratio for the e carrier (Ee).
One pup is a silent silver (see Phoenix below) so his second 'C' gene is likely cr. cr is frequently found in tan lines because the combination results in silver martens (accepted 2012) -- Chip is the most likely source of the cr gene that gave us our first black martens (Domino and Dots).
All 22 descendants (to 4 generations - to 10 barring known other sources) to date have dark eyes, so PP is more likely than Pp.
Of 19 descendants (excepting the red and silent silver, which would hide black or chocolate), all are black (B) based and tan pattern. This suggests that he is NOT carrying chocolate or self (he's likely atatBB).
Sold - every other guinea pig in our current breeding herd is related to Chip. He's too good (and still too young) to retire but we want to avoid inbreeding, so he went to improve someone else's herd.
Estimate weight 2.5 pounds.
Dale
Dale was a black tan sow. She had a litter of 4 perfect black and tan pups sired by Chip.
at-B-C-P-E-
given the gene mix that Chip is carrying (based on his pups with Theodore and Tibbles) and that Dale's pups were all perfectly marked, it seems very likely that Dale is NOT carrying such a mixed genotype and is more likely purebred (atatBBCCPPEE)
Estimated peak non-pregnant weight 2.5 pounds.
Dale won lots of show awards - including BOV MI State 4H Rabbit/Cavy Show (1/28/12) and BOV at her last show (Ionia 2012). We lost Dale to an apparent stroke at a fairly young age. RIP Dale.
at-B-C-P-E-
given the gene mix that Chip is carrying (based on his pups with Theodore and Tibbles) and that Dale's pups were all perfectly marked, it seems very likely that Dale is NOT carrying such a mixed genotype and is more likely purebred (atatBBCCPPEE)
Estimated peak non-pregnant weight 2.5 pounds.
Dale won lots of show awards - including BOV MI State 4H Rabbit/Cavy Show (1/28/12) and BOV at her last show (Ionia 2012). We lost Dale to an apparent stroke at a fairly young age. RIP Dale.
Phoenix (Chip x Theodore)
Phoenix was a silent silver boar. He has smudges of pale grey below his nose and on his feet. His ears are darker grey. His skin (except for the ears) is entirely pink and his nails are white. His eyes are dark. (Unfortunately, those smudges on his ears are too dark to allow him to show as a DEW).
Two C alleles can result in white (or nearly white) guinea pigs. chch results in himalayans (with pink eyes) or pink-eyed whites. cr results in silver agoutis, silver solids, silver martens, and dark-eyed whites. Phoenix does not have pink eyes, so I lean toward crcr or crch. cr is common in tan lines, so the first cr is probably from Chip. Theodore could be a black hiding the ch or cr genes, or a dark silver self expressing cr -- so could have given Phoenix either cr or ch.
With cr as the dominant, one would expect that the 'base genotype is only partially hidden'. cr does not dilute the black pigment substantially, only the red pigment. Thus Phoenix must also be ee (red genotype hidden beneath the 'silver' cr). With a tan and a self for parents, and dark smudges on his points, ata is the most likely genotype (aa is less likely to give the residual points and we have no other evidence for his sire, Chip, to be a self carrier). Thus most likely genotype is ataBBPPcr(cr/ch)ee.
Incidentally, Phoenix could also be carrying the white-spotting gene (Ss) - can't see white spots on a white coat!
Phoenix has grown to be a BIG boy, tipping the scale at 3.5 pounds - that's muscle, not fat as he likes to run laps in his cage all day.
His young cagemate Dasher turned out to be a girl, rather than the boy we thought -- so Phoenix is the father to two lovely black marten sows, Domino and Dots. Neither has misplaced white spots. Leaning towards thinking he wasn't hiding the white-spotting gene - but two pups isn't enough to say for sure.
Dots presented him with 4 grandpups (Cuddles, Hugster, Climber and Jumpy) -- all black marten.
Domino also presented him with 4 grandpups -- 3 black tan (Lavastream, Firebeam, Brownie) and a black marten (Cupcake).
Brownie sired 3 self pups (great-grandpups) in black, lilac and red.
This means Brownie carried self (a) and lilac (p) ... the 'p' likely came from Brownie's blue-tan sire, but the 'a' may trace all the way back to Phoenix (and Theodore)
Phoenix died suddenly at 3 years old in the middle of eating a carrot - not sure whether it was a heart attack or he choked. RIP Phoenix.
Two C alleles can result in white (or nearly white) guinea pigs. chch results in himalayans (with pink eyes) or pink-eyed whites. cr results in silver agoutis, silver solids, silver martens, and dark-eyed whites. Phoenix does not have pink eyes, so I lean toward crcr or crch. cr is common in tan lines, so the first cr is probably from Chip. Theodore could be a black hiding the ch or cr genes, or a dark silver self expressing cr -- so could have given Phoenix either cr or ch.
With cr as the dominant, one would expect that the 'base genotype is only partially hidden'. cr does not dilute the black pigment substantially, only the red pigment. Thus Phoenix must also be ee (red genotype hidden beneath the 'silver' cr). With a tan and a self for parents, and dark smudges on his points, ata is the most likely genotype (aa is less likely to give the residual points and we have no other evidence for his sire, Chip, to be a self carrier). Thus most likely genotype is ataBBPPcr(cr/ch)ee.
Incidentally, Phoenix could also be carrying the white-spotting gene (Ss) - can't see white spots on a white coat!
Phoenix has grown to be a BIG boy, tipping the scale at 3.5 pounds - that's muscle, not fat as he likes to run laps in his cage all day.
His young cagemate Dasher turned out to be a girl, rather than the boy we thought -- so Phoenix is the father to two lovely black marten sows, Domino and Dots. Neither has misplaced white spots. Leaning towards thinking he wasn't hiding the white-spotting gene - but two pups isn't enough to say for sure.
Dots presented him with 4 grandpups (Cuddles, Hugster, Climber and Jumpy) -- all black marten.
Domino also presented him with 4 grandpups -- 3 black tan (Lavastream, Firebeam, Brownie) and a black marten (Cupcake).
Brownie sired 3 self pups (great-grandpups) in black, lilac and red.
This means Brownie carried self (a) and lilac (p) ... the 'p' likely came from Brownie's blue-tan sire, but the 'a' may trace all the way back to Phoenix (and Theodore)
Phoenix died suddenly at 3 years old in the middle of eating a carrot - not sure whether it was a heart attack or he choked. RIP Phoenix.
Blaze (Chip x Theodore)
Blaze is a red boar. He inherited the white-spotting gene from his mother (Ss), giving him the distinctive little white blaze on his nose. Unlike his mother, his blaze is perfectly symmetrical, but unfortunately too small to qualify as broken (white spots must exceed the size of a 50-cent piece to qualify as broken).
As the non-extension red gene covers up everything else (like blue-eyed white in rabbits) we can't say a lot about his genotype (beyond the obvious ee) except for a guess based on his parents...
Likely color genotype:
ataBBPPC-ee (could be CC, Ccr or Cca).
Sold as pet, renamed Buggzy by his new owner. Unfortunately, we heard later that he was lost to a respiratory infection about a year after we sold him.
As the non-extension red gene covers up everything else (like blue-eyed white in rabbits) we can't say a lot about his genotype (beyond the obvious ee) except for a guess based on his parents...
Likely color genotype:
ataBBPPC-ee (could be CC, Ccr or Cca).
Sold as pet, renamed Buggzy by his new owner. Unfortunately, we heard later that he was lost to a respiratory infection about a year after we sold him.
Speedy (Chip x Tibbles)
Speedy is a red sow. She is also Tibbles' pup and full sister to Tazzy. She got her name for zipping around the cage and generally being tough to catch. lol - in addition to being fast, Speedy is our noisiest piggy. She wheeks very loudly the ENTIRE time she is on the showtable (except when Josh sings to and pets her).
Red means genotype C-ee and everything else masked.
No sign of chocolate (so far) in either parent (or any descendants from them) so likely BB.She, both parents and all siblings and half-sibs are dark-eyed (as well as all her descendants - barring obvious outcrosses that created our blue line), so likely PP.
Her mother is an agouti (likely Aa, possibly Aat), her father a tan (likely atat), and she has 4 black tan daughters and all tan pattern descendants so far. 4 black tan pups makes it unlikely (though still possible - only ~70% certainty) that she is hiding the agouti (A) gene.
She isn't white or dilute, so has at least one C. Her father carries cr, so there's a 50-50 chance she's a carrier. More than 50% as she has marten granddaughters (though they could have gotten the cr through their father).
Speedy had 1 litter of 4 sow pups (Merry, Christmas, Santas and Dasher) -- all black tan like their father (Sneaky).
Dasher gave her 2 grand pups (Domino and Dots) who are lovely black marten sows. Since this means Dasher is a cr carrier, either Speedy or Sneaky (or both) must carry the cr gene.
Merry gave her 2 black tan grand pups (Angel and Ornament) and Santas gave her another two (Present and Gift). Angel is a satin - thus her mother (Merry) is a satin carrier and it is very likely that Speedy was well - especially given that Tibbles had to be the source of the satin gene.
Dots gave her 4 great-grandpups (Cuddles, Hugster, Climber and Jumpy) -- all black martens.
Speedy had an inconsistent show career - she got excellent marks on type, but her top color is too bright and ears too dark - as is typical of tan-bred reds.
BOV MI State 4H Rabbit/Cavy Show (1/28/12) [noted by the judge as the best self sow, though the show did not present awards for groups]
2nd in Class MSRBA Youth A (3/3/12)
1st in class Midland Youth B 2012
With a majority of our breeding herd now descended from her, Speedy moved on to improve someone else's herd.
Estimate non-pregnant weight 2.5 pounds.
Red means genotype C-ee and everything else masked.
No sign of chocolate (so far) in either parent (or any descendants from them) so likely BB.She, both parents and all siblings and half-sibs are dark-eyed (as well as all her descendants - barring obvious outcrosses that created our blue line), so likely PP.
Her mother is an agouti (likely Aa, possibly Aat), her father a tan (likely atat), and she has 4 black tan daughters and all tan pattern descendants so far. 4 black tan pups makes it unlikely (though still possible - only ~70% certainty) that she is hiding the agouti (A) gene.
She isn't white or dilute, so has at least one C. Her father carries cr, so there's a 50-50 chance she's a carrier. More than 50% as she has marten granddaughters (though they could have gotten the cr through their father).
Speedy had 1 litter of 4 sow pups (Merry, Christmas, Santas and Dasher) -- all black tan like their father (Sneaky).
Dasher gave her 2 grand pups (Domino and Dots) who are lovely black marten sows. Since this means Dasher is a cr carrier, either Speedy or Sneaky (or both) must carry the cr gene.
Merry gave her 2 black tan grand pups (Angel and Ornament) and Santas gave her another two (Present and Gift). Angel is a satin - thus her mother (Merry) is a satin carrier and it is very likely that Speedy was well - especially given that Tibbles had to be the source of the satin gene.
Dots gave her 4 great-grandpups (Cuddles, Hugster, Climber and Jumpy) -- all black martens.
Speedy had an inconsistent show career - she got excellent marks on type, but her top color is too bright and ears too dark - as is typical of tan-bred reds.
BOV MI State 4H Rabbit/Cavy Show (1/28/12) [noted by the judge as the best self sow, though the show did not present awards for groups]
2nd in Class MSRBA Youth A (3/3/12)
1st in class Midland Youth B 2012
With a majority of our breeding herd now descended from her, Speedy moved on to improve someone else's herd.
Estimate non-pregnant weight 2.5 pounds.
Tazzy (Chip x Tibbles)
Tazzy is a black tan boar. He's named for the Tasmanian devil (cartoon and real) though he's a total sweetheart.
Admission - Tibbles and Dale had their litters one day apart in the same cage. I marked all the ears of Dale's litter with a blue sharpie and the ear of Tibbles' black-and-tan with a red sharpie. But their moms washed the marks off. Nonetheless, we are pretty sure Tazzy is Tibbles' because he is still the reddest of the black tan pups (which we noticed when marking him that first day).
Color genotype...
at(a)B-C(cr/ch)P-E(e)
His sire carries white (ch or cr) and red (e) so there is a 50-50 chance (for each gene separately) that he is also a carrier. ata more likely than atat.
Tazzy had started a decent show career - until his right ear was badly torn by one of his brothers. 3rd in class (Intermediate boar, American tan) MI State 4H Rabbit/Cavy Show (1/28/12)
Tazzy is the father to 2 black tan pups (Angel and Ornament). Angel is a satin -- thus Tazzy must be a satin carrier.
With plans to make his son Ornament our next major herd-boar, Tazzy has moved on to 'retirement' as a 4H show-pet.
Weight 2.5 pounds.
Admission - Tibbles and Dale had their litters one day apart in the same cage. I marked all the ears of Dale's litter with a blue sharpie and the ear of Tibbles' black-and-tan with a red sharpie. But their moms washed the marks off. Nonetheless, we are pretty sure Tazzy is Tibbles' because he is still the reddest of the black tan pups (which we noticed when marking him that first day).
Color genotype...
at(a)B-C(cr/ch)P-E(e)
His sire carries white (ch or cr) and red (e) so there is a 50-50 chance (for each gene separately) that he is also a carrier. ata more likely than atat.
Tazzy had started a decent show career - until his right ear was badly torn by one of his brothers. 3rd in class (Intermediate boar, American tan) MI State 4H Rabbit/Cavy Show (1/28/12)
Tazzy is the father to 2 black tan pups (Angel and Ornament). Angel is a satin -- thus Tazzy must be a satin carrier.
With plans to make his son Ornament our next major herd-boar, Tazzy has moved on to 'retirement' as a 4H show-pet.
Weight 2.5 pounds.
Whitefoot (Chip x Dale)
Whitefoot is a black tan boar. He was born with white toes on one foot, but the toenails have since come in dark and the white reduced to just a few scattered hairs. Such white marks are not unusual in ch carriers. All the white hairs disappeared by 4 months old!
I'm pretty sure that Whitefoot was Dale's pup, but not 100% sure (see above re Tazzy).
Color genotype... at-BBC(cr/ch)PPE(e) (white toes suggest Cch but Ccr more likely based on parentage, likely atat, 50-50 chance he's a red carrier).
Whitefoot was sold and we have lost track of him.
I'm pretty sure that Whitefoot was Dale's pup, but not 100% sure (see above re Tazzy).
Color genotype... at-BBC(cr/ch)PPE(e) (white toes suggest Cch but Ccr more likely based on parentage, likely atat, 50-50 chance he's a red carrier).
Whitefoot was sold and we have lost track of him.
Nibbles (Chip x Dale) & Sail
Nibbles and her sister were nearly identical black tan sows.
Color genotype...
at-B-C(cr/ch)P-E(e)
Her sire carries white (ch or cr) and red (e) so there is a 50-50 chance (for each gene separately) that she is also carrier.
Sister "Sail" was sold along with Whitefoot and we lost track of her. Unfortunately we lost Nibbles due to pregnancy complications (toxemia/hypocalcemia). RIP Nibbles.
Color genotype...
at-B-C(cr/ch)P-E(e)
Her sire carries white (ch or cr) and red (e) so there is a 50-50 chance (for each gene separately) that she is also carrier.
Sister "Sail" was sold along with Whitefoot and we lost track of her. Unfortunately we lost Nibbles due to pregnancy complications (toxemia/hypocalcemia). RIP Nibbles.
Sneaky (Chip x Dale)
Sneaky is a black and tan boar. Originally mis-identified as a sow, at 6 weeks we caught him engaging in some very 'male' behavior with the girls (sisters, half sisters, mom and 'stepmoms' were sharing a cage). Glad he turned out to be more immature than he thought he was!
Color genotype...
at-B(B)C(cr)P(P)E(E)
His sire carries white (ch or cr) and red (e) so there is a 50-50 chance (for each gene separately) that he is also carrier.
Sneaky is the father to 4 black tan pups (Merry, Christmas, Santas and Dasher) from a red mother (Speedy). Thus it is unlikely that he is carrying red - even though his father (Chip) is a red carrier.
Dasher gave him 2 black marten grandpups (Domino and Dots). Therefore Dasher is a cr carrier -- which means either Sneaky or Speedy or both are cr carriers.
Merry gave him two black tan grandpups (Angel and Ornament) and Santas gave him another 2 (Present and Gift).
Dots gave him 4 great-grandpups (Cuddles, Hugster, Climber and Jumpy) - all martens.
Domino gave him 4 great-grandpups Cupcake (marten), Brownie, Lavastream and Firebeam (black tan)
Sneaky's been a great show boar for Josh -- e.g., - 1st in class (Intermediate boar, American tan) MI State 4H Rabbit/Cavy Show (1/28/12)1st in class (Intermediate boar, American tan) MSRBA Youth A (3/3/12), BOV MI State Rabbit/Cavy Show 1/26/13
With a majority of our breeding herd descended from him - including two very promising young show boars (Ornament and Present) - Sneaky moved on to help someone else's breeding program.
Estimated weight 2.5 pounds.
Color genotype...
at-B(B)C(cr)P(P)E(E)
His sire carries white (ch or cr) and red (e) so there is a 50-50 chance (for each gene separately) that he is also carrier.
Sneaky is the father to 4 black tan pups (Merry, Christmas, Santas and Dasher) from a red mother (Speedy). Thus it is unlikely that he is carrying red - even though his father (Chip) is a red carrier.
Dasher gave him 2 black marten grandpups (Domino and Dots). Therefore Dasher is a cr carrier -- which means either Sneaky or Speedy or both are cr carriers.
Merry gave him two black tan grandpups (Angel and Ornament) and Santas gave him another 2 (Present and Gift).
Dots gave him 4 great-grandpups (Cuddles, Hugster, Climber and Jumpy) - all martens.
Domino gave him 4 great-grandpups Cupcake (marten), Brownie, Lavastream and Firebeam (black tan)
Sneaky's been a great show boar for Josh -- e.g., - 1st in class (Intermediate boar, American tan) MI State 4H Rabbit/Cavy Show (1/28/12)1st in class (Intermediate boar, American tan) MSRBA Youth A (3/3/12), BOV MI State Rabbit/Cavy Show 1/26/13
With a majority of our breeding herd descended from him - including two very promising young show boars (Ornament and Present) - Sneaky moved on to help someone else's breeding program.
Estimated weight 2.5 pounds.
Merry (Sneaky x Speedy)
Merry is a black tan sow. Color genotype...at-B-C-P-Ee Estimated weight 2.5 pounds.
May carry self (a) from grandmother Tibbles. May carry silver (cr) from 'double grandfather' Chip.
Merry was bred to Tazzy and had 2 black tan pups (Angel and Ornament). She was a great and very attentive mother. Angel is a satin. Thus Merry must be a satin carrier.
Merry had an excellent start on a show career - BOSV MI State Rabbit/Cavy Show 1/26/13 (at 5 weeks old!) and did consistently well on the show table until she developed pea eye.
Merry developed pea eye (right eye only) which shows only when she is stressed. It was particularly evident throughout her late pregnancy and while nursing. She's moved on to someone else's herd.
May carry self (a) from grandmother Tibbles. May carry silver (cr) from 'double grandfather' Chip.
Merry was bred to Tazzy and had 2 black tan pups (Angel and Ornament). She was a great and very attentive mother. Angel is a satin. Thus Merry must be a satin carrier.
Merry had an excellent start on a show career - BOSV MI State Rabbit/Cavy Show 1/26/13 (at 5 weeks old!) and did consistently well on the show table until she developed pea eye.
Merry developed pea eye (right eye only) which shows only when she is stressed. It was particularly evident throughout her late pregnancy and while nursing. She's moved on to someone else's herd.
Christmas (Sneaky x Speedy)
Christmas is a black tan sow. Color genotype...
at-B-C-P-Ee
May carry self (a) from grandmother Tibbles. May carry silver (cr) from 'double grandfather' Chip.
Her sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 50% chance that Christmas is as well.
Sold -- to a breeder wanting to start black tan skinny pigs.
at-B-C-P-Ee
May carry self (a) from grandmother Tibbles. May carry silver (cr) from 'double grandfather' Chip.
Her sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 50% chance that Christmas is as well.
Sold -- to a breeder wanting to start black tan skinny pigs.
Santas (Sneaky x Speedy)
Santas is a black tan sow. Color genotype...
at-B-C-P-Ee
May carry self (a) from grandmother Tibbles. May carry silver (cr) from 'double grandfather' Chip.
Her sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 50% chance that Santas is as well.
Santas has a slightly longer (still within show limits) and softer coat.
Santas has two babies - Present and Gift (both black tans).
Non-pregnant weight 2.5 pounds.
Sold to a youth breeder.
at-B-C-P-Ee
May carry self (a) from grandmother Tibbles. May carry silver (cr) from 'double grandfather' Chip.
Her sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 50% chance that Santas is as well.
Santas has a slightly longer (still within show limits) and softer coat.
Santas has two babies - Present and Gift (both black tans).
Non-pregnant weight 2.5 pounds.
Sold to a youth breeder.
Dasher (Sneaky x Speedy)
Dasher is a black tan sow. Color genotype...
at-B-CcrP-Ee
May carry self (a) from grandmother Tibbles. Carries silver (cr) from 'double grandfather' Chip.Her sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 50% chance that Dasher is as well.
Dasher has two pups -- Domino and Dots are black martens - so she has to be carrying the cr gene (rather than 'possibly' like her sisters).
She also has 4 grand pups from Dots - Cuddles, Hugster, Climber and Jumpy and another 4 from Domino - Lavastream, Firebeam, Cupcake and Brownie.
Non-pregnant weight 2.5 pounds. Dasher miscarried her second litter (5 premature pups) and died herself a few days later. RIP Dasher.
at-B-CcrP-Ee
May carry self (a) from grandmother Tibbles. Carries silver (cr) from 'double grandfather' Chip.Her sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 50% chance that Dasher is as well.
Dasher has two pups -- Domino and Dots are black martens - so she has to be carrying the cr gene (rather than 'possibly' like her sisters).
She also has 4 grand pups from Dots - Cuddles, Hugster, Climber and Jumpy and another 4 from Domino - Lavastream, Firebeam, Cupcake and Brownie.
Non-pregnant weight 2.5 pounds. Dasher miscarried her second litter (5 premature pups) and died herself a few days later. RIP Dasher.
Dots (Phoenix x Dasher)
Dots is a black marten sow. Color genotype...at-B-crcrP-Ee
She has very good markings, with a nice clear wide belly band, though a bit too much white in the face (edging towards mealy). There appears to be an interaction of modifier genes controlling the phaeomelanin/eumelanin balance making it difficult to get excellent pea spots (requiring more phaeomelanin) and wide belly bands without getting extra white ticking (especially between the eyes and nose).
Her mother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 25% chance that Dots is as well. Dots has 4 pups - Climber, Jumpy, Hugster and Cuddles.
Non-pregnant weight 2.25 pounds. Dots was sold to help another youth tan breeder.
She has very good markings, with a nice clear wide belly band, though a bit too much white in the face (edging towards mealy). There appears to be an interaction of modifier genes controlling the phaeomelanin/eumelanin balance making it difficult to get excellent pea spots (requiring more phaeomelanin) and wide belly bands without getting extra white ticking (especially between the eyes and nose).
Her mother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 25% chance that Dots is as well. Dots has 4 pups - Climber, Jumpy, Hugster and Cuddles.
Non-pregnant weight 2.25 pounds. Dots was sold to help another youth tan breeder.
Domino (Phoenix x Dasher)
Domino is a black marten sow. Color genotype...at-B-crcrP-Ee
Her mother's sister (Merry) Her mother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier, 25% chance that Domino is as well.
She has very good markings, with a nice clear wide belly band, though a bit too much white in the face (edging towards mealy). There appears to be an interaction of modifier genes controlling the phaeomelanin/eumelanin balance making it difficult to get excellent pea spots (requiring more phaeomelanin) and wide belly bands without getting extra white ticking (especially between the eyes and nose).
Domino is a BIG girl (2 pounds 14 ounces of solid muscle) taking after her father, Phoenix.
Domino has 4 pups (from Jingle) - 3 black tan and 1 black marten.
Domino was passed to another breeder wanting to work on martens.
Her mother's sister (Merry) Her mother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier, 25% chance that Domino is as well.
She has very good markings, with a nice clear wide belly band, though a bit too much white in the face (edging towards mealy). There appears to be an interaction of modifier genes controlling the phaeomelanin/eumelanin balance making it difficult to get excellent pea spots (requiring more phaeomelanin) and wide belly bands without getting extra white ticking (especially between the eyes and nose).
Domino is a BIG girl (2 pounds 14 ounces of solid muscle) taking after her father, Phoenix.
Domino has 4 pups (from Jingle) - 3 black tan and 1 black marten.
Domino was passed to another breeder wanting to work on martens.
Squeekers
Squeekers is a black marten boar. He was given to Josh by ML Eisel to match with Dots. He has excellent face markings with no scattered white in his face, but a bit of a 'muddy' belly (scattered black).
Color genotype...
at(at)B(b)crcrP(P)E(E)
He is unpedigreed, but out of all black marten lineage. ML reports that the line sometimes throws the 'occasional chocolate marten' (potential Bb) but not self (likely atat), dilutes (likely PP) or red/white (likely EE).
Squeekers is the father to 4 black marten pups (Climber, Jumpy, Hugster and Cuddles) and to 2 black tan pups (Present and Gift). Gift developed a coat fault. That, coinciding with us branching into blue tans (not compatible with chocolate) and the high possibility of carrying satin caused us to pass Squeekers and all his descendants to other homes.
Weight 2.25 pounds.
Color genotype...
at(at)B(b)crcrP(P)E(E)
He is unpedigreed, but out of all black marten lineage. ML reports that the line sometimes throws the 'occasional chocolate marten' (potential Bb) but not self (likely atat), dilutes (likely PP) or red/white (likely EE).
Squeekers is the father to 4 black marten pups (Climber, Jumpy, Hugster and Cuddles) and to 2 black tan pups (Present and Gift). Gift developed a coat fault. That, coinciding with us branching into blue tans (not compatible with chocolate) and the high possibility of carrying satin caused us to pass Squeekers and all his descendants to other homes.
Weight 2.25 pounds.
Cuddles (Squeekers x Dots)
Hugster (Squeekers x Dots)
A touch darker than her sister, Hugster's belly band is just as wide with only a hint of muddiness. She has a lot less stray white in her face, but her pea spots aren't as distinct.Color genotype...
at(a)B(b)crcrP(P)E(e)
May carry b (from Squeekers line), a (going back to GGmother Theodore), e (from grandfather Phoenix OR GGmother Speedy). Likely PP.
Her grandmother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 12% chance she is as well.
Sold to a breeder.
at(a)B(b)crcrP(P)E(e)
May carry b (from Squeekers line), a (going back to GGmother Theodore), e (from grandfather Phoenix OR GGmother Speedy). Likely PP.
Her grandmother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 12% chance she is as well.
Sold to a breeder.
Climber (Squeekers x Dots)
Black marten boar. Significantly darker than his sisters, I suspect Climber is going to look very similar to his father as he grows up.
Color genotype...
at(a)B(b)crcrP(P)E(e)
May carry b (from Squeekers line), a (going back to GGmother Theodore), e (from grandfather Phoenix OR GGmother Speedy). Likely PP.
His grandmother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 12% chance he is as well.
Sold to a breeder.
Color genotype...
at(a)B(b)crcrP(P)E(e)
May carry b (from Squeekers line), a (going back to GGmother Theodore), e (from grandfather Phoenix OR GGmother Speedy). Likely PP.
His grandmother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 12% chance he is as well.
Sold to a breeder.
Jumpy
Black marten boar. The darkest of the litter, Jumpy's pea spots are barely visible (just a couple hairs in each cluster) and his belly is quite dark grey. I don't see any DQ's, but definitely not the best combination of modifiers.
Color genotype...at(a)B(b)crcrP(P)E(e)
May carry b (from Squeekers line), a (going back to GGmother Theodore), e (from grandfather Phoenix OR GGmother Speedy). Likely PP.
His grandmother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 12% chance he is as well.
Sold as a 4H show pet.
Color genotype...at(a)B(b)crcrP(P)E(e)
May carry b (from Squeekers line), a (going back to GGmother Theodore), e (from grandfather Phoenix OR GGmother Speedy). Likely PP.
His grandmother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. 12% chance he is as well.
Sold as a 4H show pet.
Jingle and Bells were brought to Michigan from the east coast as an unrelated breeding pair. The breeder who brought them in decided to stop breeding small animals - we consider ourselves VERY lucky to have them. Blue (slate) tans became the focus of Josh's breeding program.
Jingle
Jingle is a blue tan boar. Please note that the color called slate everywhere else in the world is called blue here in the US -- he is not the true blue (dd genotype) recently discovered in Sweden. (NOTE as of 2020, the US has change the color name to slate, in conformation with the rest of the world!)
Color genotype...
at-B-CcrpgpE-
Although not pedigreed, we were told he might carry self (a) but not any other colors. So we were quite surprised to get Lila (below) from the pairing - Lila is definitely a marten ... we still aren't sure whether she is lilac (which seems more likely) or beige (which she really looks). If Lila is beige, he carries chocolate (b).
Jingle appears to throw large litters -- bred to Dasher and she miscarried 5 premature pups, Bred to Bells, she also had a litter of 5 - a blue tan (Chilli), a pink-eyed marten (Lila), and 3 stillborns (2 blue tan and a blue marten). Bred to Domino, she had a litter of 4 pups -- 3 black tan and a black marten.
Took a while to get to full weight, at 1 year old he weighed 3 pounds!
Jingle was eventually passed to another breeder.
Color genotype...
at-B-CcrpgpE-
Although not pedigreed, we were told he might carry self (a) but not any other colors. So we were quite surprised to get Lila (below) from the pairing - Lila is definitely a marten ... we still aren't sure whether she is lilac (which seems more likely) or beige (which she really looks). If Lila is beige, he carries chocolate (b).
Jingle appears to throw large litters -- bred to Dasher and she miscarried 5 premature pups, Bred to Bells, she also had a litter of 5 - a blue tan (Chilli), a pink-eyed marten (Lila), and 3 stillborns (2 blue tan and a blue marten). Bred to Domino, she had a litter of 4 pups -- 3 black tan and a black marten.
Took a while to get to full weight, at 1 year old he weighed 3 pounds!
Jingle was eventually passed to another breeder.
Bells
Bells is a blue (slate) tan sow.
Color genotype...
at-B-CcrpgpE-
Jingle and Bells were brought to Michigan from the east coast as an unrelated breeding pair. The breeder who brought them in decided to stop breeding small animals - we consider ourselves VERY lucky to have them. Although they are not pedigreed, we were told they might carry self (a) but not any other colors (likely BB pgpg EE CC). So we were quite surprised when her litter included a pink-eyed marten! She had 2 live pups - blue tan and 'beige' marten (see Lila below), as well as 3 stillborns (2 blue tan and a blue marten). If Lila is beige, she carries chocolate (b).
Took a while to get to full weight at 1 year old she weighs 3.25 pounds!
Bells was sold to a 4H youth breeder interested in starting blue (slate) tans.
Color genotype...
at-B-CcrpgpE-
Jingle and Bells were brought to Michigan from the east coast as an unrelated breeding pair. The breeder who brought them in decided to stop breeding small animals - we consider ourselves VERY lucky to have them. Although they are not pedigreed, we were told they might carry self (a) but not any other colors (likely BB pgpg EE CC). So we were quite surprised when her litter included a pink-eyed marten! She had 2 live pups - blue tan and 'beige' marten (see Lila below), as well as 3 stillborns (2 blue tan and a blue marten). If Lila is beige, she carries chocolate (b).
Took a while to get to full weight at 1 year old she weighs 3.25 pounds!
Bells was sold to a 4H youth breeder interested in starting blue (slate) tans.
Chilli (Jingle x Bells)
Chilli is a blue (slate) tan sow - our first homebred blue and the first to earn a show leg (2 legs).
Chilli was bred to half-brother Cupcake (black marten) and has 4 pups - 2 black tan and 2 blue tan. Her daughter (Princess Sparklebell) is currently beating her on the showtable Color genotype at-B-C(C)pg-E- Both parents carry p, so a 66% chance she does as well. Both parents carry cr, which would make a 66% chance she does as well - but breeding to a marten gave 7 pups all of which were tan (no marten) putting her at a 99.2% chance she was CC. IF Lila (sister) is a beige marten, then their parents carry chocolate (b) and 66% chance she does as well. We were told Jingle 'might' carry self (a) and her sister is proven to carry self, so there is a chance she does as well, even though in half-sibling crosses she never had any self pups. Chilli was sold to another breeder working on blue tans. |
Lila (Jingle x Bells)
We believe Lila is a lilac marten sow. She was extremely pale color when born - much lighter than her sister (immediately below left) and significantly lighter than any of our other later slate martens (see Alpine, Glacie and Frazzle below), including those believed to be pgp. While she darkened somewhat as she aged (see left), she never got as dark as any of the others in the line, and her eyes were more bright pink than merely ruby-cast.
Consulting other breeders, a few suggested she was beige, but we never got anything chocolate/beige/caramel-based down the line. If she is beige, that means both her parents are chocolate carriers as well as both being marten carriers and both carrying the pink-eyed gene. Odds for that alignment of genes from carriers of 3 recessive genes is only 1 in 64 (even lilac marten was only 1 in 16 odds). Lila was bred to her half-brother, Brownie (black tan). They surprised us with 3 self pups - red, black and lilac. The lilac pup started darker in color than Lila was as a pup (close to her adult color) and wound up significantly darker (though not as dark as blue tan cousins) color genotype lilac marten ataB-crcrppEe or beige marten atabbcrcrppEe Lila was sold to help another youth breeder. |
Angel (Tazzy x Merry)
Angel is a black tan SATIN American sow.
Color genotype...
at-B-C-P-E-
Likely BB. No other eye colors in her line, so likely PP. Her mother is a red carrier, so 50% chance she is too. Her great-grandmother (Tibbles) was likely carrying self -- 12% chance she is too. A 66% chance that her mother is carrying cr and a 50% chance that her father is carrying cr -- so >50% chance she is too.
Angel lived out her life at our house as a beloved pet. She stayed relatively small (under 2 pounds senior weight) and showed signs of osteodystrophy (arthritis) in her last year. She was a great 'auntie' to Chilli's litters, absolutely loving watching over the babies (which Chilli frequently left in her charge).
Angel (right) side-by-side with Santas (left, non-satin). The satin sheen is most obvious in the belly!
Color genotype...
at-B-C-P-E-
Likely BB. No other eye colors in her line, so likely PP. Her mother is a red carrier, so 50% chance she is too. Her great-grandmother (Tibbles) was likely carrying self -- 12% chance she is too. A 66% chance that her mother is carrying cr and a 50% chance that her father is carrying cr -- so >50% chance she is too.
Angel lived out her life at our house as a beloved pet. She stayed relatively small (under 2 pounds senior weight) and showed signs of osteodystrophy (arthritis) in her last year. She was a great 'auntie' to Chilli's litters, absolutely loving watching over the babies (which Chilli frequently left in her charge).
Angel (right) side-by-side with Santas (left, non-satin). The satin sheen is most obvious in the belly!
Ornament (Tazzy x Merry)
Ornament was a black tan boar. He was extremely quiet and shy.
Color genotype...
at(at)B(B)C(C)P-E(E)
Likely BB. No other eye colors in his line, so likely PP. His mother is a red carrier, so 50% chance he is too. His great-grandmother (Tibbles) was likely carrying self -- 12% chance he is too. A 66% chance that his mother is carrying cr and a 50% chance that his father is carrying cr -- so >50% chance she is too.
His sister is a satin American. Which means BOTH his parents are satin carriers. So a 66% chance he is a satin carrier.
Near perfect in type/markings and our first cavy to bring home a show leg.
Ornament was bred to Rosie (red) and to Princess Sparklebell (blue tan), producing all black tan pups with rich red markings.
He has 7 grandpups, including 2 blue tans (Twilight and Starshine) and 5 black tans (Passion, Nightingale, New Moon, Luminous and Nightfall).
Lack of any selfs, martens or reds among his descendants (4 generations) lead me to believe he was not carrying self (a), marten (cr) or red (e). [Note - red did pop out again at generation 6, but this is also a line-breeding from Rosie (known red)].
Ornament developed pea eye while in breeding. Unfortunately, Ornament died shortly after he was separated from the sows - before their litters were born.
Color genotype...
at(at)B(B)C(C)P-E(E)
Likely BB. No other eye colors in his line, so likely PP. His mother is a red carrier, so 50% chance he is too. His great-grandmother (Tibbles) was likely carrying self -- 12% chance he is too. A 66% chance that his mother is carrying cr and a 50% chance that his father is carrying cr -- so >50% chance she is too.
His sister is a satin American. Which means BOTH his parents are satin carriers. So a 66% chance he is a satin carrier.
Near perfect in type/markings and our first cavy to bring home a show leg.
Ornament was bred to Rosie (red) and to Princess Sparklebell (blue tan), producing all black tan pups with rich red markings.
He has 7 grandpups, including 2 blue tans (Twilight and Starshine) and 5 black tans (Passion, Nightingale, New Moon, Luminous and Nightfall).
Lack of any selfs, martens or reds among his descendants (4 generations) lead me to believe he was not carrying self (a), marten (cr) or red (e). [Note - red did pop out again at generation 6, but this is also a line-breeding from Rosie (known red)].
Ornament developed pea eye while in breeding. Unfortunately, Ornament died shortly after he was separated from the sows - before their litters were born.
Surprise! Angel is a Satin American. This means BOTH Merry and Tazzy are satin carriers. Most likely source for the satin gene is Tibbles (on discussion with the breeder we got Tibbles from, her sire was a red - who may have come from a red-satin), which would mean that Speedy is also a satin carrier. This means EVERYONE descended from Tibbles (most of the tree) is potentially a satin carrier. At the time Angel was born, tan pattern was not showable in satins, so we attempted to eliminated it from the line, though we did breed Angel's brother, Ornament due to his spectacular color and markings.
... Update: Just when we thought this had cleared (no satins for 5 generations, despite tight linebreeding), the breeder who purchased Noel (below) reported to us that he produced a satin pup. This means Noel is a proven satin carrier. Most likely either Ninja OR Ember had to be a carrier; Starshine, Passion OR Nightfall had to be a carrier; Lavastone or Jewel had to be a carrier; and Ornament was a carrier. On a linebreeding to improve rufus in the belly color (Lea x Charm) we produced our own satins (Aurora and Rocket) which means both Lea and Charm are carriers. Probably Maximus is as well with the gene coming through him from Noel, but possible yet that Maximus isn't a carrier and instead Passion, Niagara, and Tinsel were carriers in the opposite line to Charm. Pascal has a 66% chance of being a carrier, Spirit has a 25% chance of being a carrier, and Astro and Spyro (from the linebreeding Lea to Charm) have a ~66% chance of being carriers. Fortunately, the change to the standard in 2020 made tan pattern showable in American Satins, so we are no longer going to try to breed it out.
Present (Squeekers x Santas)
Present is a black tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-CcrP-E-
Likely BB. No other eye colors in his line, so likely PP. His mother is a red carrier, so 50% chance he is too. His great-grandmother (Tibbles) was likely carrying self -- 12% chance he is too.
His mother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. So a 25% chance that he also carries satin.
Sold to a breeder starting in tans.
Color genotype at-B-CcrP-E-
Likely BB. No other eye colors in his line, so likely PP. His mother is a red carrier, so 50% chance he is too. His great-grandmother (Tibbles) was likely carrying self -- 12% chance he is too.
His mother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. So a 25% chance that he also carries satin.
Sold to a breeder starting in tans.
Gift (Squeekers x Santas)
Gift is a black tan sow.
Color genotype at-B-CcrP-E-
Gift has a coat fault - a partial rosette in the middle of her back.
Likely BB. No other eye colors in her line, so likely PP. Her mother is a red carrier, so 50% chance she is too. Her great-grandmother (Tibbles) was likely carrying self -- 12% chance she is too.
Her mother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. So a 25% chance that she also carriers satin.
Sold to a pet breeder who was excited to get the relatively rare color and who raved over her short round face.
Color genotype at-B-CcrP-E-
Gift has a coat fault - a partial rosette in the middle of her back.
Likely BB. No other eye colors in her line, so likely PP. Her mother is a red carrier, so 50% chance she is too. Her great-grandmother (Tibbles) was likely carrying self -- 12% chance she is too.
Her mother's sister (Merry) proved to be a satin carrier. So a 25% chance that she also carriers satin.
Sold to a pet breeder who was excited to get the relatively rare color and who raved over her short round face.
Lavastream (Jingle x Domino)
Lavastream is a black tan sow.
Color genotype at-B-CcrP-E- Carries either pg or p from her sire. IF Lila (half sister) is a beige marten, then her sire carries chocolate (b) and 50% chance she does as well. We were told Jingle 'might' carry self (a), so there is a chance she does as well. Her great-grandmother is red, so a 25% chance she carries red (e). Her great-grandmother was also a satin carrier, so a 12.5% chance she carries satin. Sold along with Present to a breeder starting in tans. |
Firebeam (Jingle x Domino)
Firebeam is a black tan sow. (despite the name, every bit as lazy as the photo suggests!)
Color genotype at(a)B(b)CcrP(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p from her sire. IF Lila (half sister) is a beige marten, then her sire carries chocolate (b) and 50% chance she does as well. We were told Jingle 'might' carry self (a), so there is a chance she does as well. Her great-grandmother is red, so a 25% chance she carries red (e). Her great-grandmother was also a satin carrier, so a 12.5% chance she carries satin.
Sold to a youth breeder.
Color genotype at(a)B(b)CcrP(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p from her sire. IF Lila (half sister) is a beige marten, then her sire carries chocolate (b) and 50% chance she does as well. We were told Jingle 'might' carry self (a), so there is a chance she does as well. Her great-grandmother is red, so a 25% chance she carries red (e). Her great-grandmother was also a satin carrier, so a 12.5% chance she carries satin.
Sold to a youth breeder.
Brownie (Jingle x Domino)
Brownie is a black tan boar. Excellent type, slightly 'overmarked' with a little mealiness in the face but really intense red markings.
Brownie was bred to Lila. They surprised us with an all self litter. Black, lilac and red!
Color genotype ataB-CcrPpEe
Carries self - as proven by black and lilac self pups. Carries p from his sire - proven by a lilac pup. IF Lila (half sister) is a beige marten, then their sire carries chocolate (b) and 50% chance he does as well. Carries red - proven by a red pup. His great-grandmother was also a satin carrier, so a 12.5% chance he carries satin.
Brownie was bred to Lila. They surprised us with an all self litter. Black, lilac and red!
Color genotype ataB-CcrPpEe
Carries self - as proven by black and lilac self pups. Carries p from his sire - proven by a lilac pup. IF Lila (half sister) is a beige marten, then their sire carries chocolate (b) and 50% chance he does as well. Carries red - proven by a red pup. His great-grandmother was also a satin carrier, so a 12.5% chance he carries satin.
Cupcake (Jingle x Domino)
Cupcake is a black marten boar.
Bred to Chilli - produced 4 pups - 2 black tan and 2 blue tan. All pups beat their parents on the showtable for both type and markings ... so we repeated the breeding for 3 more pups - 1 black tan and 2 blue tan. Buttercup & Braveheart are black tan sows, Scout a black tan boar, Cadet, Sapphire and Sparky blue tan boars and Caringheart a blue tan sow.
Color genotype at-B-crcrP(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p from his sire. IF Lila (half sister) is a beige marten, then their sire carries chocolate (b) and 50% chance he does as well. We were told Jingle 'might' carry self (a) and his brother was proven to carry self, so there is a chance he does as well. His great-grandmother is red, so a 25% chance he carries red (e). His great-grandmother was also a satin carrier, so a 12.5% chance he carries satin.
Bred to Chilli - produced 4 pups - 2 black tan and 2 blue tan. All pups beat their parents on the showtable for both type and markings ... so we repeated the breeding for 3 more pups - 1 black tan and 2 blue tan. Buttercup & Braveheart are black tan sows, Scout a black tan boar, Cadet, Sapphire and Sparky blue tan boars and Caringheart a blue tan sow.
Color genotype at-B-crcrP(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p from his sire. IF Lila (half sister) is a beige marten, then their sire carries chocolate (b) and 50% chance he does as well. We were told Jingle 'might' carry self (a) and his brother was proven to carry self, so there is a chance he does as well. His great-grandmother is red, so a 25% chance he carries red (e). His great-grandmother was also a satin carrier, so a 12.5% chance he carries satin.
Cadet (Cupcake x Chilli)
Slate tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-Ccrpg-E- 12% chance he carries a (uncle proved to carry), 16% chance he carries p (aunt was pp), 25% chance he carries e (grandmother was a carrier), 6% chance he carries satin (great-great grandmother was a carrier). Cadet was chosen as the foundation slate tan boar for our next phase of breeding - focused on improving the markings of the slate-tan line (and simultaneously hoping to produce slate marten). Cadet is also a big boy, weighing in at 3 pounds. Cadet was bred to Jewel and had 4 black tan pups (all carrying pg or p). |
Scout (Cupcake x Chilli)
Black tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-CcrP-E- carries either pg or p from dam 12% chance he carries a (uncle proved to carry), 25% chance he carries e (grandmother was a carrier), 6% chance he carries satin (great-great grandmother was a carrier). Another big boy, scout was sold to a breeder looking to improve size in their lines. |
Princess Sparklebell (Cupcake x Chilli)
Slate tan sow
Color genotype at-B-Ccrpg-E- 12% chance she carries a (uncle proved to carry), 16% chance she carries p (aunt was pp), 25% chance she carries e (grandmother was a carrier), 6% chance she carries satin (great-great grandmother was a carrier). Princess Sparklebell was the best of the Chilli-Cupcake babies. Beautiful markings - she was bred to Ornament and had 4 black tan pups. Unfortunately most were 'overmarked'. The best (Lavastone) was chosen as our black tan herdsire (slate carrier) for phase two. Princess Sparklebell was passed to one of our close friends to help her slate tan project after her grandaughter (Starshine) was born. |
Buttercup (Cupcake x Chilli)
Rosie (Brownie x Lila)
Red sow
Color genotype --B(B)CcrPpee Rosie could be atat, ata or aa - she has self siblings. She carries p from her mother. 6% chance she carries satin (great-great grandmother was a carrier). Rosie was bred to Ornament and had 1 pup - Jewel. Jewel was chosen as the best black tan sow for our phase 2. Jewel presented her with 4 grandpups. She now has at least (within our line) 8 grandpups and 9 great-grandpups. So far, the self (aa) has not reappeared, but neither has the red (ee)! I suspect our pattern of matching overmarked (the most likely Ee) with undermarked (likely EE) is preventing the red from expressing. Update -- the red did re-appear at generation 6 (see Rocket below) ... that was a breeding intentionally trying to improve the red tone of the markings. |
Emerald (Brownie x Lila)
Lilandria (Brownie x Lila)
Sapphire (Cupcake x Chilli)
Slate tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-Ccrpg-E- Estimated 42% chance she carries self (both parents had siblings who proved to be self carriers), ~33% chance of carrying 'e' (3 of 4 grandparents proven to carry e), 16% chance he carries p (aunt was pp), 6% chance he carries satin (great-great grandmother was a carrier). Sold to a breeder working on slate tan |
Sparky (Cupcake x Chilli)
Slate tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-Ccrpg-E- Estimated 42% chance she carries self (both parents had siblings who proved to be self carriers), ~33% chance of carrying 'e' (3 of 4 grandparents proven to carry e), 16% chance he carries p (aunt was pp), 6% chance he carries satin (great-great grandmother was a carrier). Sold to a breeder working on slate tan. |
Braveheart (Cupcake x Chilli)
Black tan sow
Color genotype at-B-Ccr-P(pg/p)E- carries either pg or p from dam. Estimated 42% chance she carries self (both parents had siblings who proved to be self carriers), ~33% chance of carrying 'e' (3 of 4 grandparents proven to carry e), 6% chance she carries satin (great-great grandmother was a carrier). Tried breeding her twice and she didn't take. Passed to another breeder to see if she liked their boars better. |
Caringheart (Cupcake x Chilli)
Slate tan sow
Color genotype at(a?)B(B)Ccrpg-E(e?) Carries either pg or p. Estimated 42% chance she carries self (both parents had siblings who proved to be self carriers), ~33% chance of carrying 'e' (3 of 4 grandparents proven to carry e), 6% chance she carries satin (great-great grandmother was a carrier). Chosen as the best slate tan sow for phase 2. Quickly surpassed by her daughter in color and markings, though Starshine was a smaller sow. Caringheart was sold to another breeder working on slate tans. |
Ruby (Ornament x Princess Sparklebell)
Black tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-C-P(pg/p)E- Carries pg or p from dam. Each parent has a 12% chance of carrying a, so 10% chance he does as well. 16% chance of carrying cr, 25% chance of carrying e. 30% chance of carrying satin. Princess Sparklebell and Rosie mixed there litters, so may be Rosie's baby … determination based on my quick look on day one thinking that all Sparklebell's were boars. Jewel (the one sow in the group - which I decided was Rosie's) also has more red and a wider nose. sold, records lost |
Garnet (Ornament x Princess Sparklebell)
Black tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-C-P(pg/p)E- Carries pg or p from dam. Each parent has a 12% chance of carrying a, so 10% chance he does as well. 16% chance of carrying cr, 25% chance of carrying e. 30% chance of carrying satin. Princess Sparklebell and Rosie mixed there litters, so may be Rosie's baby … determination based on my quick look on day one thinking that all Sparklebell's were boars. Jewel (the one sow in the group - which I decided was Rosie's) also has more red and a wider nose. sold, records lost |
Firestone (Ornament x Princess Sparklebell)
Black tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-C-P(pg/p)E- Carries pg or p from dam. Each parent has a 12% chance of carrying a, so 10% chance he does as well. 16% chance of carrying cr, 25% chance of carrying e. 30% chance of carrying satin. Princess Sparklebell and Rosie mixed their litters, so may be Rosie's baby … determination based on my quick look on day one thinking that all Sparklebell's were boars. Jewel (the one sow in the group - which I decided was Rosie's) also has more red and a wider nose. Sold, records lost |
Lavastone (Ornament x Princess Sparklebell)
Black tan boar. Selected as our best black tan boar (slate carrier) for phase 2 (based on markings - and 2 show legs)
Color genotype at(at)B(B)C(cr)P(pg/p)E- Carries pg or p from dam. Each parent has a 12% chance of carrying a, so 10% chance he does as well. 16% chance of carrying cr, 25% chance of carrying e. 30% chance of carrying satin. Princess Sparklebell and Rosie mixed their litters, so may be Rosie's baby … determination based on my quick look on day one thinking that all Sparklebell's were boars. Jewel (the one sow in the group - which I decided was Rosie's) also has more red and a wider nose. Lavastone was bred to Caringheart and sired 3 pups - Twilight (slate tan), New Moon (black tan) and Starshine (slate tan). Starshine is by far the best colored slate tan we had produced at the time -- she got her father's markings and a much richer slate color than her mother plus awesome type. |
Jewel (Ornament x Rosie)
Black tan sow. Chosen as the best black tan sow for phase two (even though she likely doesn't carry slate).
Color genotype at(a)B(B)C(cr?)P-Ee Princess Sparklebell and Rosie mixed their litters, so may be Princess Sparklebell's baby … determination based on my quick look on day one thinking that all Sparklebell's were boars. Jewel (the one sow in the group - which I decided was Rosie's) also has more red and a wider nose. May carry self (mom has a 66% chance, dad has a 12% chance for being carriers, putting her at 70% chance of being a carrier as well). May carry p (mom is Pp = 50% chance), however we bred her to a slate tan and got all 4 black tan babies, so odds are that she is PP. >50% chance of carrying cr (mom is a carrier, high odds dad is as well). 33% chance of carrying satin. Jewel was sold to another breeder in favor of keeping a daughter (Nightfall - who is a slate-carrier thanks to the boar). |