Rex rabbits contain a specific genetic mutation that affect the texture of their coat. The gene for Rex rabbits is a recessive mutation that affects the length of the guard hair on Rex rabbits. Due to the recessive mutation in their genes, the guard hairs of Rex rabbits even the length of the undercoat of the Rex rabbit.
Due to the even texture of the coat, Rex rabbits feels like velvet to the touch. The coat of a Rex rabbit must be even in length and texture; any coarse texture to the coat will disqualify the Rex rabbit from being showed in coat contests. Several primary gene loci determines the color of Rex rabbits.
Rex Rabbit Coat, Color and Breeding
Each gene locus for Rex rabbits function like a switch for the color traits of the rabbits. Some color trait are dominant so that only one copy of the gene will express the color trait. Other color traits is recessive so that two copies of the recessive gene will express that color trait for the Rex rabbit.
Rex rabbits may appear to be a solid color. However, they may have a recessive gene hide within their genetic make-up. The genetic make-up of a Rex rabbit cannot be determined from the coat color of the Rex rabbit alone.
However, using the pedigree and breeding tests can determine the genetics of a Rex rabbit. If you breed Rex rabbits, the genetics of the offspring will follow certain probabilities based off the genetics of the breeding Rex rabbits. For instance, if you breed a blue Rex rabbit to a lilac Rex rabbit, the offspring will often even be split of both colors if the genetics of the parents is stable.
However, these probabilities cannot be guaranteed due to the genetic makeup of the breeding Rex rabbits. Using breeding outcome charts can help determine the genetics of the breeding pair of Rex rabbits so that the breeder can plan the breeding in advance to achieve specific color in the offspring. The Broken pattern of Rex rabbits has certain care requirement to ensure that the Rex rabbits do not develop health issue due to that genetic defect.
Despite the fact that many peoples attempt to breed two Broken pattern Rex rabbits together in order to produce more Rex rabbits with spotted coats, breeding two Broken pattern Rex rabbits can result in the birth of so-called “charlie” rabbits. Charlie rabbits are a type of Rex rabbit who have a nearly white coat and who often have health problems throughout their lifetime. Because of the issues associated with charlie rabbits, it is better to always pair a Broken pattern Rex rabbit with a solid colored Rex rabbit.
This way, breeders can better maintain the bloodline of Rex rabbits, and the vibrant color patches exhibited by Rex rabbits can be retained. The Ruby Eyed White Rex rabbit, also known as an REW, is a breed of Rex rabbit that carries the albino gene. All other colors is suppressed in the Rex rabbit by the albino gene.
Therefore, a Ruby Eyed White Rex rabbit can contain the hidden genes for either Castor or Chocolate coloration. The coloration of these rabbits will not be visible unless they are breed with another colored Rex rabbit. Additionally, because these rabbits often contain new and different genetics for the Rex breed, breeders often breed them into existing Rex rabbit populations in order to introduce new bloodline.
However, care must be taken when doing so to avoid introducing any unwanted trait to the population of Rex rabbits. In order to show Rex rabbits, there are requirements beyond the color of the rabbits coats. To begin with, the judge must evaluate the commercial body type of the Rex rabbit.
The commercial body type refers to the musculature of the Rex rabbit, as it should have an even and balanced musculature. Additionally, the judge will stroke the Rex rabbits coat to evaluate its spring-back qualities. Finally, the judge will look for minor fault in the Rex rabbits coloration.
Breeding Rex rabbits can be a slow process to obtain the type of rabbit that a breeder desire. Thus, note-taking is a critical component of the breeding process.