Self

Black

Phenotype

"To be a deep solid black, devoid of dinginess and white hairs or patches. Base fur to be black. Foot colour to match top. Eyes black."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

aa

Black

Breeding Info

Satin can improve the depth and longevity of colour. White toes can be selected against; they occur during embryonic development as the pigment cells don't always have time to reach the ends of the toes before the tissues become too dense for them to migrate through. The intensity of their colour is mostly genetic, but some black rats who are becoming quite brown in colour may require more protein and/or iron. The intensity of black in the hair is known to be influenced by the dietary intake of certain amino acids such as phenylalanine and tyrosine. Rusting (typically around the rump) can be due to a copper deficiency, though this can also be genetic.

There is no statistically significant research that self-based rats are more sociable than agouti-based rats (Cottle, 1987 is sometimes referenced).

Reference Photos:

British Blue

Phenotype

"To be a deep steel blue without any brown colouration. Colour to be even with the belly colour matching the top. The colour of the fur when parted to be blue grey down to the skin. Foot colour to match top, eye colour black."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

aa dd
Black + British blue

Breeding Info

Can be prone to eclampsia and mite flare-ups.

Reference Photos:

Buff

Phenotype

"To be an even, warm magnolia with no sign of dullness or greyness. Belly colour to match top. Eyes to be dark ruby to black."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

aa rr or aa bb rr

black + RED or black + chocolate + RED

Breeding Info

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.

Reference Photos:

Champagne

Phenotype

"To resemble champagne silk, with no suggestion of dullness or greyness. Eyes red."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

aa pp or aa bb pp

Black + pink eye dilute or black + chocolate + pink eye dilute

Breeding Info

Chocolate makes the colour darker and warmer. Champagnes without chocolate can appear sooty in colour.

Reference Photos:

Chocolate

Phenotype

"To be a deep, rich chocolate, as even as possible, devoid of any dinginess and white hairs or patches. Foot colour to match top. Eyes black."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

aa bb, aa BB Rr or aa bb Rr

Black + chocolate, black + carrying RED, or black + chocolate + carrying RED

Breeding Info:

Can often look like a "bad black" when first bred for. Prone to patchiness and silvering.

Reference Photos:

Ivory

Phenotype

"Body colour to be very pale creamy white all over with no odd coloured hairs or patches. The exception is the skin on the underside of the scrotum which is normally greyish-black, rarely flesh coloured. Tail pink. Ears usually covered with pale grey fur, rarely flesh covered. Eyes black."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

cc Be-

Albino + black-eye

Breeding Info

Reference Photos:

Lilac

Phenotype

"A pinky dove grey throughout, from tips of fur to skin, bluish tinge a fault. Foot and belly colour to match top. Ears and tail to be covered with grey hairs. Eyes very dark ruby or black. Genetics: a/a b/b d/d R/r m/m."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

aa bb dd mm Rr

Black + chocolate + British blue + mink + carrying RED

Breeding Info

Can be prone to eclampsia and mite flare-ups.

Reference Photos:

Mink

Phenotype

"To be an even mid-grey brown, devoid of dinginess, silvering or patches and having a distinct bluish sheen. Foot colour to match top. Eyes black."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

aa mm
Black + mink

Breeding Info

Mink is very unstable, and is often patchy with wacky moults. Prone to rusting and heavier silvering. The best-coloured minks are often bred out of pearls, however these tend to have the most patchy moults. Avoid introducing chocolate as this produces the wrong colour.

Reference Photos:

Pink-Eyed Whites

Phenotype

"To be as white as possible, devoid of creamy tinge or staining. Eyes pink."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

cc

Albino

Breeding Info

PEW Ivory (cc pp Be-) is a different colour to PEW and Ivory and is not correct.

Reference Photos:

Platinum

Phenotype

"To be an even and bright shade of pale grey with a distinct ice-blue hue, with no suggestion of creamy, brownish or strong blue tones. Belly colour to match top. Feet pale grey. Eye colour red to ruby."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

aa amam dd + dominant PE modifier

Black + American mink + British blue + unrecognised PE gene

Breeding Info

As they are British blue-based, they can be more prone to mite flare-ups and eclampsia. To avoid keeping the line fully British blue-based, mate an american mink carrying blue with a quicksilver each generation. Avoid chocolate or RED, as a quicksilver expressing chocolate or carrying RED can look like a platinum, but won't have the right eye colour as an adult, and the coat won't be as clean, crisp or icy.

Reference Photos:

Quicksilver

Phenotype

"To be an even and bright shade of blue grey with no suggestion of icy, creamy or brownish tones. Should be distinctly different to the icy blue tone of the platinum rat and the pale dove of the powder blue. Undercolour light blue to the skin. Belly colour to match top. Feet grey, eye colour mid to dark ruby."
- NFRS Variety Standard

Genotype

aa amam dd

Black + American mink + British blue

Breeding Info

As they are British blue-based, they can be more prone to mite flare-ups and eclampsia. To avoid keeping the line fully British blue-based, mate an american mink carrying blue with a quicksilver each generation. Avoid chocolate or RED, as a quicksilver expressing chocolate or carrying RED can look like a platinum, but won't have the right eye colour as an adult, and the coat won't be as clean, crisp or icy.

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