A_ - C_ - ee Colours

Hello Everybunny.

This time I am writing about something that I did (and am still doing) quite an intensive research on. It may require you to have some knowledge on basic rabbit genetics, but even if you don't, it's fairly easy to understand. Here we go:

A_ B_ C_ D_ ee → Black-based Non-extension Agouti rabbit (Non-extension Chestnut)

Before you stands the rabbit genotype from wich you can tell that the rabbit we are talking about is:

-Agouti rabbit (A_); otherwise it would be a Tort (aa), Torted Otter (ata) or Tan (ata)

-Black-based in this particular case (B_); but could be any other main colour based

-showing full colour (C_); aka presence of full colour development

-the colour is dense (D_); it's not diluted (Blue in this case) (B_ dd)

-Non-extension (ee)

It doesn't matter which genes get's into blank places (_) as all the present genes are dominant. 

As I mentioned before, our example rabbit is Black-based, but it could really be any colour based, as long as it's Agouti and the colour is fully developed.

A_ B_ C_ dd ee → Blue-based Non-extension Agouti rabbit (Non-extension Opal)

A_ bb C_ D_ ee → Chocolate-based Non-extension Agouti rabbit (Non-extension Choc Chesnut)

A_ bb C_ dd ee → Lilac-based Non-extension Agouti rabbit (Non-extension Lynx)

You see, by the explanation so far, a common sense would tell you your rabbit is one particular colour. Well, here it gets complicated. To be direct, there are at least five colour that come with this particular genotype, depending on breed of rabbit, presence of other genes or modifiers (mods) and owner's/breeder's personal preference of naming a specific colour. With all that said, here are some popular names of different variations of Agouti Non-extension rabbit colour:

1. Red
2. Orange
3. Fawn
1. Orange Fawn 
2. Cream Fawn
4. Beige
5. Cream
1. Creme d'Argente
6. Yellow and Gold

So, let's go deal with each of them, one by one. YAY!

1. Red ( A_ B_/bb C_ D_/dd ee + ww + Rufus)

Red is a colour that is most likely present in specific breed; New Zealand Reds (they are known to be a breed on their own rather then a Red coloured New Zealands at some places), Thriantas and Czechs Reds for example. It may vary from carrot orange colour to a dark mahogany.
The reason for that are the Wideband gene (W/w) and specific Rufus modifiers that show more or less red pigmentation.
It is believed that Wideband gene came from Beligan Hare breed of rabbits and is responsible for doubling the width of red pigment in hairshaft of Agouti rabbits. It is recessive gene which means the combination of either two W alleles or one W allele and one w allele result in non-Wideband coloured rabbit. However, ww combination does the job and creates a Wideband rabbit.
On the other hand, Rufus is not a specific gene, but rather a combination of more genes that do not have specific loci. They are usually simblosed using +/- system, using 6,8 or 10 places to put either a + or - to. More + give rabbit a deep, dense, vibrtant red colour, while more - make rabbit looks paler, sort of washed out red.
A true Red rabbits usually have Red colour from their back and sides continuing to their bellies, making it only a shade lighter then the rest of the body. However, in some cases rabbits will have lighter bellies (possible lack of a Wideband gene). Lighter (Agouti) markings around the nose, eyes, back of the neck (behinfd ears), white feet and tail are usually present in both varieties.

Rubin, my New Zealand Red rabbit is Red in colour.

2. Orange (A_ B_/bb C_ D_ ee + Rufus)

Orange is a colour that you will most likely come across if you deal with dwarfs. Holland Lops, to be more precise. The widely accepted practice is to considere Black- and Chocolate-based Non-extension Agouties that lack Wideband gene as Orange. So, the dilute colour(Blue or Lilac)-based rabbits are mostly not categorised under Oranges. The lack of Wideband makes the rabbit look Agouti (lighter belly, nose, circles around the eyes, ears, back of the neck, feet and tail). Prominent markings on the sides may be noticed instead of "soft" fading from Orange back to light belly colour (especially in Rex breeds).

3. Fawn (A_ B_/bb C_ D_/dd ee + Rufus)

The story of Fawns is pretty straight forward, yet it can really complicate your life. Fawns are usually categorized into two different groups: Orange Fawns and Cream Fawns.  People who use this system usually list Black- and Chocolate-based rabbits as Orange Fawns. The same way Blue- and Lilac-based rabbits are listed as Creme Fawns. The way to tell them apart are obviously denseness of colouration, where Orange Fawns are more vibrant in colour and Creme Fawns are lighter, paler. Other methot people use to tell them apart is eye colour; OFs are to have darker brown eyes, as opposed to CFs whose eyes should be lighter (some say blueish or greyish brown). This is considered the easiest method of colour record-keeping because it brings it down to three colours total: Reds, OFs and CFs.

Fawn, my doe that is genetical Orange Fawn.

4. Beige (A_ B_/bb C_ D_/dd ee)

As you see, Beige is a colour that doen't have Rufus in it's genotype, simply because the lack of red pigmentation in phenotype (the look). Beige is present in Beige rabbits and most of fancy dwarfs as well as dwarf mixes and crosses. The colour (at least to me) looks a lot like warmer tone of Lilac, and I would list genetical Non-extension Lynx as Beige. It may not be the happiest solution however. 

5. Cream (A_ B_/bb C_ D_/dd ee + sisi)

Creams are what the name says; creamish. Most breeders appear to name lighter rabbits of the genotype Creams. The most obvious example of Cream rabbit is the Creme d'Argente breed (France), which, among the base genotype of Non-extension Agouti rabbit, have the Silvering genes (sisi). A Creme d'Argente rabbit has orange undercoat and creamy white body fur.



6. Yellow and Gold (A_ B_/bb C_ D_/dd ee)

Yellow and gold are two more colours that breeders and keeper use to describe rabbits of the genotype. These two, however, are mostly used by non-professional keepers (pet owners and such) to describe rabbit's appearance rather then genotype.



Note that this article is prone to changes and all the informations in it are my point of view. Also, any photo donation of a colour listed is welcome. Age or breed doesn't matter.

I hoped this article is helpful and doesn't create even more chaos inside your head. Thank you for reading.