Color and Fur type

[scottdigital]

I am new to breeding rabbits and wanted to know if It is possible to cross a Rhinlander (for color) and a Rex (for fur type) and get a Rex fur type and Rhinlander color in my babies? Would I get normal bunnies and then breed them to get the right result? So say second generation or would it work in one generation of breeding? And what color Rex would be best to get the white babies with brown and black spots?
Thanks

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Would I get normal bunnies and then breed them to get the right result?

Yes. Rex fur is recessive, so both parents must carry it. If you breed back to a Rex, you will get Rex fur. If you breed the crosses to each other you will get some Rex and some normal fur.

what color Rex would be best to get the white babies with brown and black spots?

Those are called "broken" and come in every color. So a Broken Black has black fur broken (up) by white. Start with a broken rabbit in your color choice, and breed to a solid in the same color group.

 

[Disney]

A Rhinelander is basically a broken harlequin (tricolor)
The harlequin gene is recessive against the full-extension gene (chestnut, black, blue)
So Harlequin is not going to show up if you use a full colored Rex, unless it carries a recessive gene (harlequin/tort) the kits would come out as a fullcolor hiding/carrying Harlequin.
You can bring it back out in the second generation if you breed them with a rabbit who also carries Harlequin or tort.

If you want Harlequin to show up in the first breeding, then you'll need to counter it with a more recessive gene, the non-extension (tort, orange)
Harlequin is dominant against non-extension, so then you get Harlequin kits carrying tort.

A solid (or broken) tort Rex would be the quickest way to get them.

 

[skysthelimit]

Are you dealing with standard rex or mini rex? It would be easier to find a tri color standard rex/mini rex, then you would have that color with rex fur. Tort minis are easier to find, but tort standard rexes are pretty hard to find.

 

[scottdigital]

So let me see if I have this straight now??? If I cross my Rhinlander to a Rex then hold back some babies and breed them back to the Rex, I could just get what I am looking for? What would be the best color Rex buck to start with in this case?

I have Rhinlanders and find that it is hard to find Mini Rex around here and Standard Rex are non existant as far as I know in the UP of Michigan. So I may have a hard time finding a Tort Rex here. There are some downsides to living off the beaten path. I am going to a swap this weekend and hope to find something there. I am getting some more Rhinlanders (unrelated to mine) on August 11th.

Genetics has never been my strong suit. I have a color predictor program for horses. Wish it would work with bunnies. lol

 

[skysthelimit]

What would be the best color Rex buck to start with in this case?

I have Rhinlanders and find that it is hard to find Mini Rex around here and Standard Rex are non existant as far as I know in the UP of Michigan. So I may have a hard time finding a Tort Rex here. There are some downsides to living off the beaten path. I am going to a swap this weekend and hope to find something there. I am getting some more Rhinlanders (unrelated to mine) on August 11th.

Genetics has never been my strong suit. I have a color predictor program for horses. Wish it would work with bunnies. lol

If you are having a hard time getting a hold of Rexes, then any self color will do, if you are going to cross them back. The problem is you have to find a rex that is a tort, or carries the non extension gene. That's going to be just as hard as finding a rex that is a tricolor itself. If you can't get a tort then it's not about the best color as much is it is with finding the one with the right set of genes. The breeder would have to know that there rabbit has the non extension gene. I've breeding my rex for a while, even close inbred pairs, and although I know the doe has produced a non extension kit with another breeder, she has not done so with me in four litters, even with a repeat of that litter, so I cannot even say who carries it here. You have to find someone who breeds for it and knows it's there, or it's a shot in the dark that way.

There are several online color predictors-- my favorite.
http://www.ephiny.net/tim/pedigrees/color_calc.php

 

[scottdigital]

Thank you so much for your help and the link. I will have to venture out to some shows in Wisconsin and try my luck there.

 

[skysthelimit]

Thank you so much for your help and the link. I will have to venture out to some shows in Wisconsin and try my luck there.

If you are going to Wisc, then I know who to ask. There are some interesting colored torts there, and Marty Adams actually raises tri color Rex.

 

[scottdigital]

Awesome. Depending on what part of Wisconsin, I can do that fairly easily. Especially Green Bay area.

 

[Sundew Rabbitry]

Actually, if you absolutey CANNOT find a Tort or Tricolor Rex, the quickest way to get what you are looking for is to breed the Rex to the Rhinelander. Then do a brother/sister breeding. You'll get approx. 25% normal fur that do not carry rex, 50% normal fur that carry rex, and 25% rex fur. Depending on what color Rex you used, the Tricolor gene should come out in this cross as well. Then just cull all the normal furred ones and breed the rex together or to other rex.