How many generations would it take?

[squidpop]

Someone told me that in New Zealand blue eyed white Netherland Dwarfs where bred down from blue eyed Mini Lops- Now I'm wondering... most of the min lops in New Zealand that I've seen are around 6 lbs- how many generations would it have taken to breed a 6 lb rabbit down to 2 lbs?

 

[Peach]

hmmm I'm not 100% positive about that. Doesn't sound likely, but I can't say it's impossible

 

[skysthelimit]

Well mini rexes are 2-4lbs, and they are bred down from standard Rexes that are 8-10lbs. It depends, because the Rex story is that the original Rexes used were small for the breed, around 6-7lbs, so in some breeds it's possible to use an unusually small animal for that breed standard.

 

[Honorine]

Less than you think, you use the the absolute best ND's you can find that have the dwarf gene, first gen you lose the lop ears, add the vienna gene. Bred back to an ND 2nd gen you keep the obvious true dwarf vienna carriers, either breed out to an ND again or breed to each other, see where you are and begin to refine them. By 3rd gen ears are up, smaller, heads might not be bad, and you may have BEW's.

 

[squidpop]

Thanks Honorine, three generations makes it sound possible. I can't find anyone in New Zealand who is selling a Blue Eyed White Nethie, not even a Nethie cross.