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Have you ever looked at a pedigree and wondered what all the colors mean or tried to figure out which colors to breed together?  Well here is a guide for you that will help you with breeding your colors and what you need to breed if you want to get a certain color.  This is a guide for all breeds and since it is a long list it may take me awhile before the entire list is complete.  If you have any questions about color genetics please feel free to ask.
 

There are 2 topics that I will cover on this page.  The first is a list of colors that are breedable together.  Some breeds have a longer list of colors that they can breed together and still get showable offspring where as some other breeds have a very limited color field.  I have taken this into consideration and for the breeds that have those limited lists I have listed them seperately from the main list.  The second topic that I will cover is the actual genetics behind the colors and which will show you why the breed well together.
 
I am going to start with the big list and end with the special lists for those breeds that have limited colors.
 
The colors that are in BOLD will be followed by a list of the suggested colors for breeding to get the best results.  There are certainly an infinate number of breedings that you could do to introduce a particular gene into a line or to change the color that you are working.  But there are some colors that should never be mixed because of the problems it causes with the resulting colors.  For example:  Black and Blue colors should not be mixed with Chocolate and Lilac colors unless absolutely neccesary.  The reason for this is that when mixing the different colors they sometimes mingle and end up a midgrade color.  It is not as obvious with the Black and Chocolate but it is most noticable with the Blue and Lilac.  If Blue and Lilac are bred together for too many generations the resulting color can end with something that is neither Blue nor Lilac but a shade in between the 2.  This makes it very difficult to tell the color and can also cause the rabbit to be DQ'd in it's class if it is a Color Specific breed such as the Rex and Mini Rex.

Pure Whites

REW

REW's must be bred with great caution.  The REW (Red Eyed White) or "Albino" coloration is caused by the "cc" combination which prohibits all color from showing on the coat and in the eyes.  But depsite their lack of showing color REW's DO carry a full set of color genes.  For instance a REW could be hiding the genes to be an Agouti, Self, Shaded, or Steel color but because of the "cc" pairing it will not show them.  REW's can be added to any breeding program but the breeder must take care to find out as much about the REW's background as possible to find all those "hidden" genes that it may carry.  They can be beneficial to the breeding program and in the case of the Shaded colors is often required for proper coloration.

BEW

BEW's (Blue Eyed White) or Vienna White are also a color that results from a recessive gene pairing that prohibits all color from forming except for the bright, ice blue eyes that they are named after.  The cause of the BEW's white coat is the recessive Vienna White gene which occurs in the "vv" combination to create the BEW.  As with the REW's the BEW's can carry a full set of color genes that will be "hidden" under the BEW genes.  However the recessive "v" gene can reak far more havoc than the REW's "c" gene.  When a rabbit receives only one "v" that rabbit can often develope normal coloration which is determined by the other genes present.  But more often than not it causes a mismarked pattern called a BEW Sport, which often resembles a mismarked Dutch.  Even if the offspring is carrying only one "v" and is normal colored they can frequently still receive the bright blue eyes.  When breeding BEW's they really should be kept to themselves without breeding to other colors.

Mostly Whites

Pointed White / Himilayan (Himi) / Californian

The Pointed White coloration is the result of the "c(h)" gene and is best when bred to other Pointed Whites.  They can be bred to other self colors as well and the shaded colors but since the shading gene linked up with the pointed white gene often results in a rabbit that is too dark to show it is not a suggested breeding.  The Himilayan breed recognizes all 4 self colors in the Pointed White variety, these are the Black, Blue, Chocolate, and Lilac.  Most breeds however only recognize the Black and Blue Pointed Whites and some such as the Californian breed only recognize the Black Pointed White.  But for the breeds that do accept all the colors these are the colors that they are breedable with.

Black and Blue Pointed Whites

Black Pointed White, Blue Pointed White, Black, Blue

Chocolate and Lilac Pointed Whites

Chocolate Pointed White, Lilac Pointed White, Chocolate, Lilac

Hotot

The Hotot coloration is the result of the recessive "du" gene.  When paired with up in the "Dudu" combination and then linked with a broken gene the resulting rabbit has very little color which on the ideally marked Hotot is a narrow black band that encircles the eye on both sides.  Because of the unique coloration and gene combination of the Hotot it is best to keep the color to itself and not mess with it onto any other color.

Self Colors

Black

REW, Black, Blue, Chestnut, Opal, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Black Tortoiseshell, Blue Tortoiseshell, Black Otter, Blue Otter, Steel Black, Steel Blue, Steel Chestnut, Steel Opal,

Blue

REW, Black, Blue, Chestnut, Opal, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Black Tortoiseshell, Blue Tortoiseshell, Black Otter, Blue Otter, Steel Black, Steel Blue, Steel Chestnut, Steel Opal

Chocolate

REW, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Chocolate Tortoiseshell, Lilac Tortoiseshell, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter, Steel Chocolate, Steel Lilac, Steel Chocolate Agouti, Steel Lynx

Lilac

REW, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Chocolate Tortoiseshell, Lilac Tortoiseshell, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter, Steel Chocolate, Steel Lilac, Steel Chocolate Agouti, Steel Lynx

The Agouti Colors

Chestnut

Chestnut, Opal, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Black, Blue, Tortoiseshell, Blue Tortoiseshell, Black Otter, Blue Otter, Steel Black (gold tipped), Steel Blue  (fawn tipped), Steel Chestnut, Steel Opal

Opal

Chestnut, Opal, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Black, Blue, Tortoiseshell, Blue Tortoiseshell, Black Otter, Blue Otter, Steel Black (gold tipped), Steel Blue (fawn tipped), Steel Chestnut, Steel Opal

Chocolate Agouti

Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Tortoiseshell, Lilac Tortoiseshell, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter, Steel Chocolate (gold tipped), Steel Lilac (fawn tipped), Steel Chocolate Agouti, Steel Lynx

Lynx

Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Tortoiseshell, Lilac Tortoiseshell, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter, Steel Chocolate (gold tipped), Steel Lilac (fawn tipped), Steel Chocolate Agouti, Steel Lynx

A Note To Breeders:

Before I get into the Chinchilla colors I want to bring something to the breeder's attentions.  The Chinchilla (Black) and Squirrel (Blue Chinchilla) colors can be mixed with most of the shaded colors because the resulting offspring will generally be a recognized color.  For example to get a Sable Chin you would breed a Siamese Sable to a Chinchilla.  The Shading gene and the Chinchilla gene work well together in most cases.  However, The Chinchilla (Black) and the Squirrel (Blue Chinchilla) are the ONLY 2 Chinchilla colors that should be mixed with the Siamese Sable and Smoke Pearl colors.  Mixing the Chocolate or Lilac Chinchillas with the shaded colors would result in unrecognized colors for any breed.  There are only 4 of the shaded colors that the Chocolate and Lilac Chins should be bred with and those are the Chocolate and Lilac Points, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, and the Cream Self..

Chinchilla (Black)

REW, Chinchilla (black), Squirrel (blue chinchilla), Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Black Silver Marten, Blue Silver Marten, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

Squirrel (Blue Chinchilla)

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Black Silver Marten, Blue Silver Marten, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

Chocolate Chinchilla

REW, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Cream Self, Chocolate Point, Lilac Point, Chocolate Silver Marten, Lilac Silver Marten, Steel Chocolate Chinchilla, Steel Lilac Chinchilla

Lilac Chinchilla

REW, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Cream Self, Chocolate Point, Lilac Point, Chocolate Silver Marten, Lilac Silver Marten, Steel Chocolate Chinchilla, Steel Lilac Chinchilla

Sable Chinchilla

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Black Silver Marten, Blue Silver Marten, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

Smoke Pearl Chinchilla

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Black Silver Marten, Blue Silver Marten, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

Frosted Pearl/Frosty

The Frosted Pearl color actually has 3 different names.. most breeds recognize it as the Frosted Pearl, some recognize it as a Frosty, and there are a couple breeds that recognize it as an Ermine.  Whatever the name it's labeled with they all describe the same color.  Frosted Pearls can have either Brown eyes or Blue/Grey eyes.  This is the only distinguishing trait of them since they are a non-extention color and show little or none of the dark pigments on the fur which leaves them almost completely white or cream in color.  The actual amount of color seen on the coat depends on whether they carry the Chinchilla genes or the Shading genes.  Because of the lack of color it is also hard to tell whether they are a Black/Blue Frosted Pearl or a Chocolate/Lilac Frosted Pearl.  This is another color that the breeder needs to rely on the background of the animal to find out which genes it carries.

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Sable Chiinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Cream Self, Sable Point, Blue Point, Chocolate Point, Lilac Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Black Silver Marten, Blue Silver Marten, Chocolate Silver Marten, Lilac Silver Marten, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Chococlate Chinchilla, Steel Lilac Chinchilla, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

The Wideband Colors

A Note To Breeders

The Wideband group of colors has 2 unique qualities about it.  The first being that not all of the "Wideband" colors are the result of the actual recessive Wideband gene, "w".  The second unique thing about this group is that they are all non-extention colors which means they have no dark pigment showing on the coat.  All that remains is the yellow pigments of the fur.  Because of this it is often hard to tell if the colors are Black/Blue based or Chocolate/Lilac based.  Since all those dark pigments are removed it is hard to tell unless you look through the rabbits pedigree.  There are only 3 "True" Wideband colors, these colors are the Red, Gold, and Tan.  The Red color is seen in many breeds but the Gold is distinct and unique to the English Spot breed and will therefore be listed with the English Spot colors.  The Tan color is also a breed specific color and is only found in the Tan Breed.

There are 2 colors in this group that do need a bit of clarifying before we go on.  The 2 colors are the Cream Agouti and the Cream Self.  The Cream Agouti is genetically a Fawn and therefore the dilute of Orange.  The Cream Agouti can be Black/Blue based or Chocolate/Lilac based.  On the opposite side is the Cream Self.  The Cream Self has 3 unique characteristics, #1 it is the only Self color in the Wideband group, #2 it is strictly a Chocolate/Lilac based color, and #3 it is the only shaded color in the Wideband group.  All other colors in the Wideband group result from the "C" or full color gene.  The Cream Self is the only one that comes from the "c(chl)" or Shading gene.

One more note before we move onto the Wideband colors.  There is often confusion about the Orange, Fawn, and Cream Agouti colors.  The confusion comes from the fact that some breeds call these colors by each other's names.  In some breeds the Orange color is called Fawn, this should not be confused with the genetic Fawn that is actually the dilute of Orange.  I think the most confusing scenario for these 3 colors has got to be in the Lop Color Guide which lists all recognized colors for English, French, and Mini Lops.  In the Lop Color Guide they describe 3 colors called Orange, Fawn, and Cream.  The confusing part comes in when they describe the ideal color for the Fawn is to be a "rich golden fawn color".  The colors the Lop Color Guide describe are the Orange which is to be a "bright orange", the Fawn which is to be a "rich golden fawn", and the Cream which is to be a "rich creamy beige".  The "Fawn" in the Lop Color Guide is not the true Fawn, it is merely a variation of the Orange, which leaves the true genetic Fawn listed as the Cream or Cream Agouti (most breeders will list it as Cream Agouti so it can be easily distinguished from the Cream Self).  Ok.. now on to the Wideband colors.

Orange (Called Fawn In Some Breeds)

REW, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Chestnut, Opal, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Black Tortoiseshell, Blue Tortoiseshell, Chocolate Tortoiseshell, Lilac Tortoiseshell, Black Otter, Blue Otter, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter

Fawn (Called Cream In Some Breeds)

REW, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Chestnut, Opal, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Black Tortoiseshell, Blue Tortoiseshell, Chocolate Tortoiseshell, Lilac Tortoiseshell, Black Otter, Blue Otter, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter

Cream Agouti (Genetically Fawn)

REW, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Chestnut, Opal, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Black Totoiseshell, Blue Tortoiseshell, Chocolate Tortoiseshell, Lilac Tortoiseshell, Black Otter, Blue Otter, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter

Red

A Note To Breeders

To acheive the best Red color possible it is best that Reds be bred to other Reds.  However they do mix nicely with some other colors.  A word of advice though is to keep them away from Chinchillas as the rufus modifiers that create the firery Red color would bleed out the Chin's pearl white intermediate band to a brownish tan or creamy color.  Because of the rufus modifiers the Reds can actually ruin some colors.  Anyone who breeds Castor and Red Mini Rex know this difference.. Castors that are out of Reds will have a richer and much brighter intermediate band of color than Castors that are out of Castors.  One thing that should NEVER be done with a Red is breed them to ANY Dilute color!  This will spoil the Red line because sooner or later you will end up with Dilute Reds.  They are unshowable in ALL breeds!  Some breeders have tried to pass them off as Lynx but it is wrong to do so.  Dilute Reds sometimes will show some of the Lilac ticking depending if they are a "sooty" Dilute Red or a "clean" Dilute Red.  But they will lack the ring pattern that a True Lynx would show. So for the most part Reds really should be kept to themselves but these are some other colors that they can be crossed with.

REW, Chestnut, Orange, Red, Black Tortoiseshell (caution should be taken with breeding them to the Torts though, too much Red will darken it too much and it will change the orange saddle color to a darker brown color)

Cream Self

REW, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Cream Self, Chocolate Point, Lilac Point

The Shaded Colors

Sable Point

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl

Blue Point

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl

Chocolate Point

REW, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Cream Self, Chocolate Point, Lilac Point

Lilac Point

REW, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Cream Self, Chocolate Point, Lilac Point

Seal Sable

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

Blue Seal

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

Siamese Sable

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

Siamese Smoke Pearl

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Frosted Pearl/Frosty, Sable Point, Blue Point, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

A Note To Breeders

While Many Breeds list the Tortoiseshell colors with the Shaded colors because they "look" shaded they are not.  The Tort is a result of the "C" full color gene and not the "c(chl)" shading gene.

Black Tortoiseshell

REW, Black, Blue, Chestnut, Opal, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Black Tortoiseshell, Blue Tortoiseshell

Blue Tortoiseshell

(previously known as Blue Cream or Isabella Cream in some breeds)

REW, Black, Blue, Chestnut, Opal, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Black Tortoiseshell, Blue Tortoiseshell

Chocolate Tortoiseshell

REW, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Chocolate Tortoiseshell, Lilac Tortoiseshell

Lilac Tortoiseshell

REW, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Orange, Fawn, Cream Agouti, Chocolate Tortoiseshell, Lilac Tortoiseshell

Cinnamon

The Cinnamon color is found only in the Cinnamon breed.  It is gentically a Black Tortoiseshell with the same rufus modifiers that make the Red such a firery color.  This color was also called a Madagascar Tort in some breeds in the past but this color is no longer accepted in any breed.  The Madagascar Tort resulted from breeding Reds into the Black Tortoiseshell color too often which resulted in the darkening of the color.  For this reason the Cinnamons should be kept to their own breed.  Any breeder that breeds Torts and Reds in a breed  that accepts the Black Tortoiseshell be careful not to mix in too much of the Reds.

Pearls (Angoras)

The Pearl colors are actually the same as the Sable Point colors listed above.  They are called Pearls only in the Angora breeds because of the length of the wool that appears to pale out the color.

The Tan Pattern Colors

Black Silver Marten

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Black Silver Marten, Blue Silver Marten, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten

Blue Silver Marten

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Black Silver Marten, Blue Silver Marten, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten

Chocolate Silver Marten

REW, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Chocolate Silver Marten, Lilac Silver Marten

Lilac Silver Marten

REW, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Chocolate Silver Marten, Lilac Silver Marten

Seal Marten

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten

Blue Seal Marten

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten

Sable Marten

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten

Smoke Pearl Marten

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Seal Sable, Blue Seal, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Seal Marten, Blue Seal Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten

Black Otter

REW, Black, Blue, Chestnut, Opal, Black Otter, Blue Otter

Blue Otter

REW, Black, Blue, Chestnut, Opal, Black Otter, Blue Otter

Chocolate Otter

REW, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter

Lilac Otter

REW, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter

The Steeled Colors

A Note To Breeders

The Steel colors result from the "Es" Steel gene.  For the Steel gene to work properly on the coat color it needs to occur in the "EsE" combination.  Only one Steel gene is required.  When the "EsEs" combination occurs it produces too much dark pigment on the coat and leaves very little of the ticking.  The result is a color often called Agouti Black, the same holds true for Blue Chocolate, and Lilac.  The color would appear as a normal self color with very little ticking.  The Steel gene can also play games with breeders and can actually hide itself even though it is a dominant gene.  When the Steel gene is combined with the "e" non-extention gene the results can be frustrating.  On the Agouti coated rabbit the "Ese" combination reults in the Agouti Black (Blue, Chocolate, Lilac)  color which will show very little ticking.  On the self coated rabbit the "Ese" combination results in an almost normal self colored rabbit.  For this reason the Steel colors should never be mixed with any Non-extention color as it would result in poorly colored Steels that would have very faint or very little ticking that could ruin the rabbit.  They would end up with too much ticking to be considered a self but not enough to be considered a steel.  The Steel gene should also never be introduced to any Tan Pattern color as this would mess up the color all together.

Steel Black, Steel Chestnut (gold ticking)

REW, Black, Blue, Chestnut, Opal, Steel Black, Steel Blue, Steel Chestnut, Steel Opal

Steel Blue. Steel Opal (fawn ticking)

REW, Black, Blue, Chestnut, Opal, Steel Black, Steel Blue, Steel Chestnut, Steel Opal

Steel Chocolate, Steel Chocolate Agouti (gold ticking)

REW, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Steel Chocolate, Steel Lilac, Steel Chocolate Agouti, Steel Lynx

Steel Lilac, Steel Lynx (fawn ticking)

REW, Chocolate, Lilac, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Steel Chocolate, Steel Lilac, Steel Chocolate Agouti, Steel Lynx

Steel Chinchilla, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable (silver ticking)

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

Steel Squirrel, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl (silver ticking)

REW, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Sable Chinchilla, Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Steel Chinchilla, Steel Squirrel, Steel Sable Chinchilla, Steel Smoke Pearl Chinchilla, Steel Siamese Sable, Steel Smoke Pearl

Steel Chocolate Chinchilla (silver ticking)

REW, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Steel Chocolate Chinchilla, Steel Lilac Chinchilla

Steel Lilac Chinchilla (silver ticking)

REW, Chocolate Chinchilla, Lilac Chinchilla, Steel Chocolate Chinchilla, Steel Lilac Chinchilla

 

 
 
Breeds With Only One Variety
 
American Sable
Belgian Hare
Californian
Champagne D' Argent
American Chinchilla
Giant Chinchilla
Standard Chinchilla
Cinnamon
Creme D' Argent
Dwarf Hotot
Hotot
Florida White
Lilac
Rhinelander
Silver Fox
 
 
Breeds With Limited Colors
 
American
 
Varieties:  Blue, White
The 2 colors can be mixed without problems.
 
 
Beveran
Varieties:  Black, Blue, White
The Black, Blue, and White varieties can be mixed together with no color problems.
 
 
Britannia Petite
Varieties:  Black, Black Otter, Chestnut Agouti, REW, Sable Marten
 
The Black, Black Otter, and Chestnut Agouti varieties are breedable together.  The Sable Martens should be kept to themselves since they are the only shaded color.  REW's can be bred to all varieties just becareful to watch the background of the REW to make sure it won't throw any unwanted genes into the variety.
 
 
Checkered Giant
Varieties:  Black, Blue
Both colors can be bred together without problems.
 
Dutch
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Chocolate, Gray, Steel, Tortoise
 
Black
Black, Blue, Gray, Steel, Tortoise
Blue
Black, Blue
Chocolate
Chocolate
Gray
Black, Gray, Tortoise
Steel
Black, Steel
Tortoise
Black, Gray, Tortoise
 
 
English Spot
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Gold, Gray, Tortoise
 
Black
Black, Blue, Gray, Tortoise
Blue
Black, Blue
Chocolate
Chocolate, Lilac,
Lilac
Chocolate, Lilac
Gold
Gold, Tortoise
Gray
Black, Gray, Tortoise
Tortoise
Black, Gold, Gray, Tortoise
 
 
Flemish Giant
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Fawn, Light Gray, Sandy, Steel Gray, White (REW)
Note To Breeders:
The Steel Gray color in the Flemish is NOT the result of the "Es" Steel gene.  It is a color that results from certain modifiers that only exist in the Flemish Breed.
Additionally:  The Light Gray and Sandy colors both should be kept to themselves when breeding.  They are both the result of the "ww" wideband genes.  The Light Gray is a wideband Chinchilla and the Sandy is a wideband Chestnut.  The 2 colors can not be mixed because the Sandy carries a small amount of rufus modifiers that will eventually distort the pearl white intermediate band of the Light Gray.
 
Black
REW, Black, Blue, Fawn,
Blue
REW, Black, Blue
Fawn
REW, Black, Fawn
Light Gray
REW, Light Gray
Sandy
REW, Sandy
Steel Gray
REW, Steel Gray
White/REW
REW, Black, Blue, Fawn, Light Gray, Sandy, Steel Gray
 
 
Harlequin
Varieties:  Japenese, Magpie
The Japenese and Magpie varieties should always be kept seperate NEVER mix the 2 varieties.  Each variety is accepted in 4 colors.
 
Black and Blue
Black, Blue
Chocolate and Lilac
Chocolate, Lilac
 
 
Havana
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Chocolate
The Black and Blue varieties can be crossed without problems but the Chocolate variety should remain seperate.
 
 
Himalayan
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac
The Black and Blue varieties can be bred together and the Chocolate and Lilac varieties can be bred together.
 
 
Mini Rex
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Broken Group, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Himilayan (Pointed White), Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Red, Seal, Tortoise, White (REW)
The Castor color is genetically a Chestnut but it appears more intense in color due to the short plush coat of the Mini Rex.  The color is also inhanced because most Castors carry the rufus modifiers of the Red which turns the orange intermediate band almost red.
 
Black
Black, Blue, Castor, Himilayan, Opal, Red, Tortoise (black only), White
Blue
Black, Blue, Castor, Himilayan, Opal, White
Castor
Black, Blue, Castor, Opal, Red, Tortoise, White
Chinchilla
Chinchilla, White
Chocolate
Chocolate, Lilac, White
Himalayan
Black, Blue, Black Himi, Blue Himi
(The Himi should not be bred to Whites because the "c(h)c" combination causes the points to shrink.
Lilac
Chocolate, Lilac, Lynx, White
Lynx
Lilac, Lynx, White
Opal
Black, Blue, Castor, Opal, White
Red
Black, Castor, Red, Tortoise, White
Seal
Seal
(Seals should be kept to themselves.  They require the "c(chl)c(chl)" double shading gene combination for proper coloration.  The shading gene would mess up any of the other colors and they can not be bred to the Whites as this would result in a Siamese Sable which is an unshowable color in the Mini Rex.)
Tortoise
Black, Castor, Red, White
White
Whites can be bred to any variety as long as you watch what is in the background.  The only variety they can not be bred to is the Seal.
Broken Group
The Broken Group is made up of the Broken versions of any of the accepted colors.  There is one unique addition to this variety though and that is the Tri Colors.
Tri-Color Broken
Tris come in 4 combinations.
Black/Orange/White
Blue/Fawn/White
Chocolate/Orange/White
Lilac/Fawn/White
The general rules of color breeding should be followed with the Tris.  Black/Orange and Blue/Fawn Tris are breedable together and Chocolate/Orange and Lilac/Fawn are breedable together.
When breeding Tris occasionally you will a Harlequin marked rabbit.  This is the solid version of the Tri.  The Harequins will always be the Japenese variety.  Harlequins are not showable but very useful for the Tri breeding program.  You can use any of the self colors to breed for Tri brood stock to better the quality.  One of the more useful colors are the Reds.  The Reds are an "ee" non-extention color and therefore are reccessive to the "ej" gene of the Tri.  The Reds can be helpful when starting a Tri line but should not be mixed in continuously because this would make all of your Tris "eje" which is ok but the "ejej" combination results in better definition of color and markings.  Another thing to watch for with the Tris are the "Torted" Tris.  What happens is instead of having the Agouti Gene to create the proper markings the rabbit has the Self Genes instead and the result is a Tri or Harlequin marked Tort.
 
 
New Zealand
Varieties:  Black, Red, White
 
Black
Black, White
Red
Red, White
White
Black, Red, White
 
 
Palomino
Varieties:  Golden, Lynx
The 2 varieties can be mixed together with no problems.
 
 
Polish
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Broken, Chocolate, Blue Eyed White (BEW), Ruby Eyed White (REW)
 
Black
Black, Blue, BEW, REW
Blue
Black, Blue, BEW, REW
Chocolate
Chocolate, BEW, REW
BEW,
Black, Blue, Chocolate, BEW, REW
REW
Black, Blue, Chocolate, BEW, REW
Broken Group
The Broken Group contains the Broken variety of any of the accepted colors.
 
 
Rex
Varieties:  Black, Black Otter, Blue, Broken Group, Californian, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Red, Sable, Seal, White (REW)
 
Black
Black, Black Otter, Blue, Californian, Castor, Opal, Red, White
Black Otter
Black, Black Otter, Castor, White
Blue
Black, Blue, Castor, Opal, White
Broken Group
The Broken Group contains the Broken variety of any of the accepted colors.
Californian
Black, Californian
Castor
Black, Black Otter, Blue, Castor, Opal, Red, White
Chinchilla
Chinchilla, White
Chocolate
Chocolate, Lilac, White
Lilac
Chocolate, Lilac, Lynx, White
Lynx
Lynx, White
Opal
Black, Blue, Castor, Opal, White
Red
Black, Castor, Red, White
Sable
Sable, Seal, White
Seal
Sable, Seal, White
White
Black, Black Otter, Blue, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Red, Sable, Seal, White
 
 
Satin
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Broken Group, Californian, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Copper, Red, Siamese, White
 
Black
Black, Blue, Red, White
Blue
Black, Blue White
Broken Group
The Broken Group contains the Broken variety of any of the accpeted colors.
Californian
Black, Californian
Chinchilla
Chinchilla, White
Chocolate
Chocolate, White
Copper
Black, Copper, Red, White
Red
Black, Copper, Red, White
Siamese
Siamese, White
White
Black, Blue, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Copper, Red, Siamese, White
 
 
 
Silver
Varieties:  Black, Brown, Fawn
The 3 varieties can be mixed together without too many problems but the best results of color come from keeping the colors to themselves.
 
 
Silver Marten
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Chocolate, Sable
The Black and Blue varieties can be bred together but the Chocolate and Sable varieties should be kept to themselves.
 
 
Tan
Varieties:  Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac
The Blacks and Blues can be bred together and the Chocolate and Lilac can be bred together.
The Tan truely has a unique coloration.  Genetically they are a wideband Otter.  The wideband gene fills in all the white that would normally be on an Otter and leaves just the rich red or fawn belly color.

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