Russian Blue
Phenotype
"Colour to be similar to blue cats and dogs. A soft medium grey-blue with a metallic sheen. Faint, light speckling or a subtle ticked effect (heathering) is usual for this variety and is not a fault. Colour to be even, belly colour to match top. Undercolour dark blue down to skin. Coat to be short and thick- a long coat or a coat similar to that on other varieties (excluding rex) to be a serious fault. Eyes black."
- NFRS Variety Standard
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Genotype
aa rbrb
Black + Russian blue
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Breeding Info:
Satin (a recessive coat gene) may provide the metallic sheen described in the standard. They tend to become darker with each generation when bred RB x RB. Prone to having a 'Russian' head - no brow arch, and look like a V-shaped spade from above.
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Reference Photos:
Russian Blue Agouti
Phenotype
"A blend of dark blue ticking over a fawn ground. Heathering of the blue ticking is normal for this variety and is not a fault. Undercolour to be dark blue down to the skin. Foot colour to be silvery grey. Belly colour silver. A brown tinge to the ticking to be considered a fault. Coat to be short and thick - a long coat or a coat similar to that on other varieties (excluding rex) to be a serious fault. Eyes black."
- NFRS Variety Standard
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Genotype
A- rbrb
Agouti + Russian blue
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Breeding Info
Prone to having a 'Russian' head - no brow arch, and look like a V-shaped spade from above.
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Reference Photos:
Russian Dove
Phenotype
"To be a warm creamy grey. Faint light speckling or a subtle ticked effect (heathering) is usual for this variety and is not a fault. Colour to be level throughout. Not to be confused with platinum or lilac. Belly colour to match top, undercolour pale grey to the skin. Coat to be short and thick - a long coat or a coat similar to that on other varieties (excluding rex) to be a serious fault. Eyes dark ruby to black"
- NFRS Variety Standard
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Genotype
aa rbrb mm OR aa bb mm OR aa rbrb amam
Black + Russian blue + mink OR black + chocolate + mink OR black + Russian blue + American mink
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Breeding Info
Prone to having a 'Russian' head - no brow arch, and look like a V-shaped spade from above. Some of the best American mink-based doves start out more silver in colour and then go more grey. Can have very funky moults as kittens.
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Reference Photos:
Russian Dove Agouti
Phenotype
"A blend of warm pinky grey ticking over a light fawn ground. Heathering of the ticking is normal for this variety and not a fault. Undercolour grey to the skin, foot colour to be grey, belly colour light silver. Coat to be short and thick - a long coat or a coat similar to that on other varieties (excluding rex) to be a serious fault. Eyes dark ruby to black."
- NFRS Variety Standard
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Genotype
A- rbrb mm OR A- bb mm OR A- rbrb amam
Agouti + Russian blue + mink OR agouti + chocolate + mink OR agouti + Russian blue + American mink
Breeding Info
Prone to having a 'Russian' head - no brow arch, and look like a V-shaped spade from above. Can have very funky moults as kittens.
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Reference Photos:
Russian Topaz
Phenotype
"Top colour a pleasing warm shade of orange-cream evenly ticked with silver to silver-blue guard hairs. Undercolour must exhibit a distinctive blue cast close to the skin. Belly and throat to be cream. Feet to match top colour as close as possible, but a lighter shade acceptable. Eyes may be any shade of red to dark ruby. Slight heathering not to be faulted. Coat to be short and thick- a long coat or a coat similar to that on other varieties (excluding rex) to be a serious fault. Faults: Dark, dull or too pale top colour. Uneven or lack of ticking. Severe Faults: Lack of blue undercolour. Very pale patches or prominent white eye circles."
- NFRS Variety Standard
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Genotype
A- rbrb rr
Agouti + Russian blue + RED
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Breeding Info
Prone to having a 'Russian' head - no brow arch, and look like a V-shaped spade from above. Possible that mink can help to lighten RTs that are too dark. Carrying self has no impact on colour quality. Rats carrying RED can be prone to kidney disease and clotting issues (platelet storage problem) - this can be selected away from. If the latter is a concern, avoid using RED does. Minimal anecdotal evidence that they don't respond well to prolonged inbreeding.
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Reference Photos:
Russian Silver
Phenotype
"To be a pale blue-grey. Faint light speckling or a subtle ticked effect (heathering) is usual for this variety and is not a fault. Colour to be level throughout. Belly colour to match top. Undercolour to be as pale as possible. Foot colour to match top. Coat to be short and thick - a long coat or a coat similar to that on other varieties (excluding rex) to be a serious fault. Brown, yellow or pinky tinges to be faulted. Eyes Black."
- NFRS Variety Standard
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Genotype
aa dd rbrb OR aa bb dd rbrb OR aa bb dd mm rbrb. Other combinations possible
black + British blue + Russian blue OR black + chocolate + British blue + Russian blue OR black + chocolate + British blue + mink + Russian blue
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Breeding Info:
Used to have a reputation for being fragile. Mink helps to lighten the colour to the correct shade.
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Reference Photos: