Australian National Rodent Association

*OFFICIAL STANDARD: THE FANCY RAT*


GENERAL CONFORMATION = TYPE, TEMPERAMENT AND CONDITION

1. Size

All rats should be of good size, no rats should be too fat or skinny. Females should be smaller than males and weigh more than 250 g as adults, preferably more than 300 g. The female should preferably be more than 20 cm long from nose to the tip of the tail. Males should weigh more than 400 g, and preferably be more than 30 cm long from nose to the tip of the tail. The tail shall reach all the way to a place between the ears if it is laid out on the back of the rat.

2. Condition

All rats should be clean and free of alopecia, wounds and parasites. The rat has to breathe normally and be curious and alert.

3. Eyes

Should be prominent, round and clear. The eyes shall not be protruding. The eyes shall be situated enough apart to give the rat an intelligent and alert appearance.

4. Ears

Shall be large, well formed and widely spaced.

5. Head

The head of the male rat shall be powerful, masculine and well defined e.g. males shall have a larger head than females. The head of the female rat shall be feminine, but not too long, peaked or have a pointed nose. The size of the head shall be well fitting with the form and size of the body.

6. Whiskers

All whiskers shall be intact and not cut. With the rex varieties they shall be as curly as possible.

7. Teeth

The rat shall have two upper and two lower incisors that shall have normal length and the rat shall be able to close its mouth without hinderance. The rat shall have a normal set of teeth. No teeth shall be missing. The upper incisors shall have a yellowish tinge.

8. Coat

The coat shall be clean, soft and shining. The coat shall be smooth and short on the standard shortcoated varieties & close, very soft to the touch & with an almost greasy appearance, on the Silk varieties. The coat shall not be matted or have bald spots. A rex rat shall have as curly coat as possible, but the coat shall not be too long. (Rex varieties are not in the Australian Rat Fancy at present).

9. Tail

The tail shall reach all the way to a place between the ears if it is laid out over the back of the rat. Too short a tail can be a fault. The tail shall be straight and smooth and have a cylindrical form. It shall be thick at the base and gradually taper to a much finer point at the tip. The tail shall not be bony or thin. It shall also be firm enough so that the rat can use it for climbing &/or balance.

10. Feet

All toes shall be intact and no extra toes are allowed. The claws shall be clipped short, but not all the way into the part containing blood vessels. Self varieties shall have their colour all the way out onto the claws.

11. Body shape

The rat shall be streamlined with typical short legs, being somewhat rounded over the back half. All furred varieties will have 'furnishings' - fine hair that will be present on their ears, feet(except the underside) & tail.

12. Temperament

The rat has to be tame and easy to handle. It shall be very much used to human hands.

13. Difference of the sexes

Females shall be more graceful than males and males shall be more sturdy. The gender differencies shall be explicit. Males often have a coarser heavier coat than females, usually due to coarser and/or longer guard hairs, or simply more of them.
Disqualifying faults;
Missing body parts, large wounds, large bald spots in the coat, parasites, apathic behaviour, aggressivity and pregnancy.
************************************************************
COAT VARIETIES

1. Normal coat

Overall impression: To be short, straight, smooth and dense. Faults: Too long coat, too long guard hairs, no gloss/dull coat.

2. Rex coat

Overall impression: Shall be dense, soft and as curly as possible. The coat shall be curly all over the animal. Guard hairs shall be few or missing altogether. Whiskers shall be as curly as possible. Rexes shall be recognised in all colours and markings in standards. Faults: Too long coat, bald spots, coat more wavy than curly. Spots of straight hair. Genetics: (Rere). Known since: 1976, in standards 1976.

3. Silk coat

Overall impression: A Unique coat type, almost half as fine as regular fur. Coat looks thinner, almost as if the rat is greasy. It has a wispy longer look & gleams when the light catches it. Literally feels like the material silk-satin, to the touch. The rat will often feel a lot warmer to the touch than a regular furred rat. White takes on the appearance of being ivory, in a similar way that it does on a satin coated rat, having a creamish yellow cast. The hue of some colours can be a little different on a silk furred rat, due to the reflective qualities of the coat. In males of this type, as they mature (6months +) their coat can take on a ruffled appearance & look almost waves in places. Faults: Fur too thin, so that skin is too readily visible. Lacking sheen. Coat feels like regular fur. Genetics: (unknown at this point, but the gene is either dominant or semi-dominant)

4. Satin coat

Overall impression: This distinct coat type has a lusturous sheen & almost metallic look about it, in that it can appear to be sparkly. To the touch it is very soft & should feel like satin. Coat looks thinner & longer than regular fur. A White coloured Satin rat, has a yellowish cast to the coat. Faults: Fur too thin, Lacking sheen. Coat feels like regular fur. Genetics: (unknown at this point, often said to be a recessive gene, sometimes written as sa)

5. Sphynx (Hairless)

Overall Impression: is of a totally naked animal. The skin is warm to the touch & to be free of injuries or any skin conditions. Folds around joints are accepted. The ears & eyes will be more pronounced due to the lack of fur. Skin pigmentation is an added attraction. Faults: Fur, excessive skin folding & injuries. Genetics: (hrhr)
FULL INDIVIDUAL TYPE STANDARDS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO LINK TO VERY SOON.


Back to main Standards Page

HOME