Silver Foxes

[WildWolf]

Is there such thing as a "blue" silver fox? Is it showable?

Do little markings get passed down? I know of a silver fox with a white spot on his forehead... is it possible for his offspring to have markings? Do judges count off for that?

I don't want to show, but I would like to be able to sell to people who show.
Thanks in advance!

 

[skysthelimit]

Yes there is a blue and chocolate, and neither is showable yet. Someone is working on that, because I believe they used to be an accepted variety.
Yes markings are hereditary, that is not a good thing, but don't throw the baby out with the bath water, it's not a thing that you cull a rabbit for, mismarked kits happen all the time.

 

[Secuono]

I had a buck with a white spot, doe w/o any miss-marks. Most kits were correct, I think only 2 ended up with a spot, but just a few hairs. So I'd say they are breed-able, but only keep clear kits.

 

[WildWolf]

Thanks! That confirms what I thought. I went ahead and bought her (earlier i said buck, sorry, it's actually a doe). Its a very small mark, it actually might grow out.she was the only one of her litter to have a mark and her 2 brothers were blue, so that means she might have some babies with marks or some that are blue, right? But not all will have the marks and not all will be blue, right? Could any of her offspring be blue?

 

[skysthelimit]

Thanks! That confirms what I thought. I went ahead and bought her (earlier i said buck, sorry, it's actually a doe). Its a very small mark, it actually might grow out.she was the only one of her litter to have a mark and her 2 brothers were blue, so that means she might have some babies with marks or some that are blue, right? But not all will have the marks and not all will be blue, right? Could any of her offspring be blue?

If whoever sires the litter carries blue, then there is a chance for blue. The mark could grow out, some babies could have it, or you may never see a baby with a mark. She may have gotten scratched at birth, and it grew in white.

 

[DevonW]

Animals with the silvering gene occasionally produce kits with white spots on their foreheads, I get them a lot with my Champagnes. They're the ones that silver the best and the white spot is gone by the time they're 10 weeks.

Wild rabbits are also born with white spots that disappear by maturity. So unless the white spot is on toes, or noses etc. I wouldn't be too worried about it.

 

[skysthelimit]

Animals with the silvering gene occasionally produce kits with white spots on their foreheads, I get them a lot with my Champagnes. They're the ones that silver the best and the white spot is gone by the time they're 10 weeks.

Wild rabbits are also born with white spots that disappear by maturity. So unless the white spot is on toes, or noses etc. I wouldn't be too worried about it.

I will keep this in mind whenever I see one

 

[WildWolf]

Thanks, that helps a lot. I'm glad I picked that particular doe (there was another doe who wasn't as calm, didn't have as good of a body, and had no white spots)!

 

[AnnClaire]

WildWolf, then it sounds to me like you chose the best one. Part of the original breed standard for SF is a laid back personality, so the other doe might not have been a good choice for breeding. Although, IMHO, a lot of personality issues in breeds such as this are the result of how they were raised/handled as kits rather than genetic predisposition to meanness.

 

[WildWolf]

Well, I love the rabbit I chose. Her spot has grown out, and her face (except her nose), ears, and body is all covered with silver. She's sweet, too. Now I just have to wait for the breeder to raise the litter of her new (and better) rabbits so I can buy 1 or 2 or 3...

 

[skysthelimit]

Good to here

 

[SelfFueled]

Interesting read about white spots.
I will also keep that in mind.


And with the laid back personality of SF..
bingo!
I am so glad I thought about it after the NZW being jumpy and grumpy.
I can only pet a few, and that is when giving food.

Since getting the SF...I would even trust putting my hand in blindfolded and handcuffed to the cage.
My buck AND 3 sisters are so loving and adorable.
My buck loves to get pet and rubbed, and the sisters are all still a bit shy, but will take a good petting without complaining.
Even when I am out there at night and I just watch all the buns, they sit and watch me

Also wanted to add..they are like puppy;s
They lay down and just flop on their sides.

 

[ollitos]

I have a kit right now with a white spot on his head. I'm hoping it will grow out. Three of the four kits had blazes at birth, now only one still has it.

 

[phillinley]

I have a kit right now with a white spot on his head. I'm hoping it will grow out. Three of the four kits had blazes at birth, now only one still has it.

forehead blazes usually go away on the adult coat. When showing them as juniors they weren't penalized for it.