Mom's Cavies (Swiss)
With the closure of the rabbitry and dispersal of the French angora herd, I was feeling a bit at a loss and in late 2018 looking for a new animal project that was within my reduced capacity (no more outdoor animals as without the kids to help, winter management was more than I could manage alone) when I stumbled across a group working on the development of Swiss cavy in the US with an active COD working toward acceptance of this unique breed for show under ARBA/ACBA. I pretty quickly begged my first boar from one of the breeders, and after a few months with him (confirming I could handle the grooming needs and had learned all I could about the breed), a secured a small harem of sows for him.
The Swiss COD closely mirrors the BCC Swiss Standard at http://www.britishcavycouncil.org.uk/Breeds/RVCC/Swiss-Guide-Std.shtml
The Swiss COD closely mirrors the BCC Swiss Standard at http://www.britishcavycouncil.org.uk/Breeds/RVCC/Swiss-Guide-Std.shtml
Tribble
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Black Swiss boar.
Black should be aaB-CcrPpEep SS ... first litter born 2/28/20 (from Titania) - black/white, TW and lilac/cream |
Uhura
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Sable Swiss sow
(possibly very dark chocolate) Sable isn't a showable color, but Swiss aren't yet showable either. Surprisingly (because I don't like the way sable looks on Americans), I find it absolutely stunning on the Swiss -- body wool enhances the shaded effect. Sable should be aaB-crchP-E- SS She has a shorter coat than ideal for Swiss, but the breeder said babies from her first litter all had great wool. Purchased as proven, ~1 year old in May 2019. Bred to Tribble for babies due January 2020 - missed |
Peaseblossom
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Lilac/cream Swiss sow
Should be aaB-C-ppep- SS She's got the wool break (long back half, short front half) which is common, but not ideal in Swiss. Purchased as a proven, possibly bred 1 year old sow in May 2019. Litter born 6/27/19 (unknown sire). 3 boars, 1 sow, all lilac/cream/white. Sugarplum, Thistledown, Foxglove, and Hawthorne (extra toes). |
Titania
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Titania
Red eyed orange (possibly pink-eyed gold) Swiss sow Orange is tricky, but my best guess is aab-C(cr)ppee SS Purchased in May 2019 as a 1 year old, proven, possibly bred sow. Her coat was in bad shape (very short - looked more teddy!) when purchased, but has filled out. Came bred, litter born 7/7/19. Babies are tortoiseshell (Oberon), Chocolate/gold (Mustardseed) and chocolate/white (Marshmallow). Tribble litter born 2/28/20 - black/white (magpie?) boar (Orion), tortoiseshell (brindle?) sow (Cassiopeia), lilac/cream sow (Lyra) |
Creampuff
Lilac/cream/white Swiss sow
aaB-C-ppep- Ss
Creampuff was born April 2019 - bred to Tribble for babies in June 2020.
aaB-C-ppep- Ss
Creampuff was born April 2019 - bred to Tribble for babies in June 2020.
Sugarplum
Lilac/cream/white sow
Born 6/27/19
from the first litter born here. Dam Peaseblossom, sire unknown.
Likely aaB-cdcrppep- Ss
Nicer coat, markings and ears than mom (except the white snip on her nose), still really lacks length.
Born 6/27/19
from the first litter born here. Dam Peaseblossom, sire unknown.
Likely aaB-cdcrppep- Ss
Nicer coat, markings and ears than mom (except the white snip on her nose), still really lacks length.
Thistledown
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Lilac/cream boar
Born 6/27/19 from the first litter born here. Dam Peaseblossom, sire unknown. Likely aaB-cdcrppep- ss Nicer ears than mom. Coat lacks her length but is even, color brindled. ... at 4 months FINALLY getting some length (but doubt he will hit past 2 inches). Bred to Mustardseed for babies May 2020. |
Oberon
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Tortoiseshell boar
Born 7/7/19 - from the 2nd Swiss litter born here - Dam Titania, sire unknown Likely aaBbC-Ppepe ss I suspect the black head/gold body would be stunning if he got the longer body hair a Swiss is supposed to have, unfortunately he takes after mom in having a short coat (short with a longer, wispy 'tail' but also lacks density overall) Active little guy - can easily jump out of a carrier in seconds flat. |
Mustardseed
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Chocolate/gold sow
Born 7/7/19 - from the 2nd Swiss litter born here - Dam Titania, sire unknown Likely aabbC-Ppepe ss Better coat than her brother, but still short compared to her sister. Gorgeous markings and color. Bred to Thistledown for babies June 2020. |
Marshmallow
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Chocolate/white sow (chocolate-sable magpie?)
Born 7/7/19 - from the 2nd Swiss litter born here - Dam Titania, sire unknown
Likely aabb--Ppepe ss ... I suspect crch (eyes not pink, but oddly pale tan with a ruby cast, coat fades in the undercolor similar to sables)
Started as best coat of the first 2 litters, though a bit soft in texture - unfortunately really went flat by senior. Gorgeous markings and color.
Diva attitude!
Bred to Tribble for babies June 2020.
Born 7/7/19 - from the 2nd Swiss litter born here - Dam Titania, sire unknown
Likely aabb--Ppepe ss ... I suspect crch (eyes not pink, but oddly pale tan with a ruby cast, coat fades in the undercolor similar to sables)
Started as best coat of the first 2 litters, though a bit soft in texture - unfortunately really went flat by senior. Gorgeous markings and color.
Diva attitude!
Bred to Tribble for babies June 2020.
Cassiopeia
Lyra
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Brindle sow - Born 2/28/20
Sire: Tribble Dam: Titania From the first litter of my own breeding (of Swiss)! Likely aaBbC-Ppepe So far looking like a great coat and I love the color, even though it was a surprise. Lilac/cream sow - Born 2/28/20 Sire: Tribble Dam: Titania From the first litter of my own breeding (of Swiss)! Likely aaBbC-ppepe So far looking like a great coat. |
Orion
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Black/white (magpie?) boar - Born 2/28/20
Sire: Tribble Dam: Titania From the first litter of my own breeding (of Swiss)! total surprise given no white on either parent ... thinking it has to be magpie So best guess is aaBbcrcrPpepe Coat really lacks length and density so far. |
