Peanut out of MR that should not be...

[Prisma]

So I have a doe that is 4lbs 12oz, maybe slightly over as my scales generally read under compared to judges, but I really don't think she's a true dwarf as far as that goes considering her size. The buck I bred her to is a definite false dwarf Mini Rex (6lbs on the dot). She had a litter of 5, 3 doas that were large and apparently hard to pass, 1 normal I fostered out and then a peanut. Yes, a peanut, how is that possible when both parents are not really dwarfs? Typical dome head, pinched hq, odd ears, and front limbs. I was under the impression only 2 true dwarfs could throw peanuts. There is no way that another baby was dropped into or the doe was bred by another buck. She was hand bred by the buck and the only other litter has a dwindling peanut BUT it is a solid white (the one in question was a solid otter most likely as it was black with lighter belly and ears and the parents are both otter/bkn otter) that was born several days before. No other does are bred and she is in a top cage.

 

[akane]

Dwarf genes are not so simply as tiny rabbit throws peanuts and relatively large rabbit doesn't. I inbred for generations to a 1lb ND buck and never saw a peanut. I bred 2 does from another line that were at the max weight and got peanuts. It's not at all as predictable as dwarf breeders try to claim it is. There are many genes involved in making a small rabbit.

 

[Dood]

:yeahthat:
Happens all the time especially in the less "cobby" dwarf breeds like lionheads, Mini Rex and Mini Satins

The dwarf gene is not always so noticeable and its effects can be hidden by other modifier genes that alter head, ear and body size/type. The dwarf gene isn't really necessary - just look at Brittania Petits and Polish or European ND and Hollands - selective breeding can get a similar size and look, just not as extreme.

I had a few dwarf carrying NZ mutts x ND when one of my Netherland show bucks got in with the mutt colony and they looked totally like my big buns but were smaller and maxed out at 8 pounds instead of 10 to 12 which was typical of my buns.

 

[skysthelimit]

My JW are tiny, some just around 2lbs. I eliminated anything over 3.5lbs to get smaller ears, I get smaller buns, but I have yet to have a peanut. I would say that these small, show table buns, cannot really be true dwarfs, because after two years, I think I'd get at least one peanut. I also get litters of 5-7 regularly. I know people who get litters of 4 and two are peanuts

I was getting 6lb Rex too for a while, no dwarf gene involved, just stunted growth in the line.

 

[Prisma]

Hmm interesting. Definitely new to me, I knew there could be size issues with over-sized but never figured and was always told only way to get peanuts was with 2 true dwarfs on the show circuit, lol guess the only way to know what you are really going to get is breed closely and watch what happens. I knew that there was never any mention of peanuts in BPs and rarely in Polish, have had a few mention getting a litter of peanuts in Polish while at shows, but nothing else. Would it be correct to assume then, that if selectively bred for less/0 peanuts just as any other issue, it would be possible to eliminate like it seems you have with your JW sky? I'd prefer not to have them myself, but I want that size smaller and keep the solid body my bigger ones often have at this point.

 

[akane]

I think you can eliminate a lot of the mini and dwarf problems with some careful breeding. It's annoying that some actually want lethal genes in their rabbits. Max factor tends to lead to smaller size, better head, and smaller ears but you can accomplish that through good breeding without taking the shortcut and creating tons of max factor. Peanuts are a little more complicated but I think you could eliminate them or reduce them to nearly 0 and still maintain the size if you work at it.