1. Rabbit Genetics

2. Coloration of Netherland Dwarfs
5 Genes provide the total coloration
A – Agouti
B – Black-Chocolate
C – Color
D – Dilute/Dense
E - Extension

3. Agouti
Agouti gene is responsible for determining whether a mammal’s coat is banded (agouti) or solid color (non-agouti)
“A” gene is in 3 forms:
A = agouti
at = tan
a = self

4. Black-Brown
This gene controls if the fur will be in the black family of brown family
Black fur is Dominant BB Bb
Brown fur is Recessive bb

5. Color Gene
There are 5 main color genes that determine the color of a rabbit’s fur. (Our dwarfs only exhibit 2 types)
Full Color – Dominant
C - C
C – ch
C – cchd
C - c
Himalayan – color only in muzzle, ears, and feet; rest is pure white
Ch – Ch
Ch - c

6. Dilute/Dense Controls the pigment in the fur
Dense = strong color and is dominant DD Dd
Dilute = lighter color and is recessive dd

7. Extension Extended Non-extended
Controls if the main fur color goes from the tip of the hair to the base
Dominant EE Ee
Non-extended
The Main fur color only goes part way down the hair and a second color starts
Recessive ee