Blue Eyed White Netherland Dwarf Rabbits
When we started out with Netherland Dwarfs in 2012, it was with the intent of having some cute, cuddly pets. But with more research, we realized that the Vienna Marked Netherlands produced Blue Eyed Whites. We fell in love. And we started doing research, started learning about what the Breed Standards and the Standard of Protection wanted in a Netherland Dwarf, and we started on our search of compatible blood lines and type to achieve or goal of producing show quality, winning Blue Eyed Whites (BEWs).
Netherland Dwarf Rabbits are the smallest of the rabbit breeds registered by the American Rabbit Breeder's Association. This breed of rabbit is typically in the 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pound range, with ears 2 inches or shorter, and with a body described as round and cobby.
The Blue Eyed White (BEW) is showable under the American Rabbit Breeder's Association standards and is classified in the Self Group or category.
Breeding for the Blue Eyed White can be complex, as the gene responsible for the solid white coat with sky blue eyes is a recessive gene and both parents must carry and contribute the gene in order for the offspring to inherit and express it.
The genes responsible for this color are known as the Vienna gene. It is completely unrelated to the gene that produces the Red Eyed White (REW) color. The majority of rabbits carry the dominant version (VV) and they neither carry nor show any signs of the BEW color. Breeding two (VV) rabbits to one another will never result in a BEW or in a carrier for the gene. In other words, VV x VV = 100% VV or normal colored rabbits.
A rabbit that carries the gene, but shows no outward signs is called a Vienna Carrier (VC) and has the genetic version (Vv). While this rabbit may be showable if it has no stray white markings or hairs, and its nails are the correct color for its variety, it is best that it be kept within a BEW breeding program.
The rabbit that carries the gene and shows signs of carrying the gene is called a Vienna Marked (VM) and also has the genetic version (Vv). This rabbit will typically have white markings on its nose, face, neck, shoulders, and paws, similar to those seen in the Dutch breed of rabbit. This rabbit is not a showable variety and should only be used in a BEW breeding program. It is also popular as a pet because of its interesting colors that come "with chrome."
The rabbit that expresses both genes that it inherited from its parents will be solid white with sky blue eyes. Its genetic version is (vv). While this color masks any color in the background pedigree, it should be noted that Red Eyed White (REW) should be avoided since it is dominant to BEW and you could end up with more REW kits than BEW kits if you introduce this color into your program. Also, the shaded rabbits (which have red eyes) can add a purple cast to the blue eye, thus rendering the rabbit unshowable. For the same reason, chocolates and lilacs should also be avoided. And to make sure that you don't confuse the VM coloring with a broken pattern, try to keep the broken gene out of your BEW program.
And, to help put it all into perspective:
VV x VV = 100% normal colored rabbits
VC/VM (or Vv) x VV = 50% VV and 50% VC/VM (Vv). So each kit has a 50/50 shot of carrying one of the recessive Vienna genes. Since the VC does not show any signs of the Vienna gene, you will be unable to tell which carry the gene unless you keep them in your BEW program. If you do sell solid colored offspring from a mating such as this, be sure to inform the new owners in case they are planning on breeding.
VC/VM (or Vv) x VC/VM (or Vv) = 25% VV, 50% VC/VM (or Vv), 25% BEW (vv). Each kit has a 1 in 4 chance of being either normal colored or BEW, and a 2 in 4 chance of being a recessive Vienna gene carrier, whether showing signs or not.
VC/VM (or Vv) x BEW (vv) = 50% VC/VM (or Vv), 50% BEW (vv).
BEW (vv) x BEW (vv) = 100% BEW.
And to add to the complexity, the above predictions are just that, predictions. The Vienna gene is one that doesn't always express itself fully even if both rabbits carry the recessive gene. However, the more closely related the rabbits are that are bred, the better the likelihood that those predictions will be true. But the more closely related the resulting rabbits are, the more set other characteristics can become, such as ears that are too long, or shoulders that are too narrow, for example. So periodically, it is best to bring in a very typey solid colored, unrelated rabbit that has the features that are needed to strengthen the conformation in your BEW program.
In our area, the typest non-BEW Netherlands are those in the Tan Group, so we have added several Black Otter and Black Silver Martens to the herd to try and infuse good type and show quality into our BEW lines.
Netherland Dwarf Rabbits are the smallest of the rabbit breeds registered by the American Rabbit Breeder's Association. This breed of rabbit is typically in the 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pound range, with ears 2 inches or shorter, and with a body described as round and cobby.
The Blue Eyed White (BEW) is showable under the American Rabbit Breeder's Association standards and is classified in the Self Group or category.
Breeding for the Blue Eyed White can be complex, as the gene responsible for the solid white coat with sky blue eyes is a recessive gene and both parents must carry and contribute the gene in order for the offspring to inherit and express it.
The genes responsible for this color are known as the Vienna gene. It is completely unrelated to the gene that produces the Red Eyed White (REW) color. The majority of rabbits carry the dominant version (VV) and they neither carry nor show any signs of the BEW color. Breeding two (VV) rabbits to one another will never result in a BEW or in a carrier for the gene. In other words, VV x VV = 100% VV or normal colored rabbits.
A rabbit that carries the gene, but shows no outward signs is called a Vienna Carrier (VC) and has the genetic version (Vv). While this rabbit may be showable if it has no stray white markings or hairs, and its nails are the correct color for its variety, it is best that it be kept within a BEW breeding program.
The rabbit that carries the gene and shows signs of carrying the gene is called a Vienna Marked (VM) and also has the genetic version (Vv). This rabbit will typically have white markings on its nose, face, neck, shoulders, and paws, similar to those seen in the Dutch breed of rabbit. This rabbit is not a showable variety and should only be used in a BEW breeding program. It is also popular as a pet because of its interesting colors that come "with chrome."
The rabbit that expresses both genes that it inherited from its parents will be solid white with sky blue eyes. Its genetic version is (vv). While this color masks any color in the background pedigree, it should be noted that Red Eyed White (REW) should be avoided since it is dominant to BEW and you could end up with more REW kits than BEW kits if you introduce this color into your program. Also, the shaded rabbits (which have red eyes) can add a purple cast to the blue eye, thus rendering the rabbit unshowable. For the same reason, chocolates and lilacs should also be avoided. And to make sure that you don't confuse the VM coloring with a broken pattern, try to keep the broken gene out of your BEW program.
And, to help put it all into perspective:
VV x VV = 100% normal colored rabbits
VC/VM (or Vv) x VV = 50% VV and 50% VC/VM (Vv). So each kit has a 50/50 shot of carrying one of the recessive Vienna genes. Since the VC does not show any signs of the Vienna gene, you will be unable to tell which carry the gene unless you keep them in your BEW program. If you do sell solid colored offspring from a mating such as this, be sure to inform the new owners in case they are planning on breeding.
VC/VM (or Vv) x VC/VM (or Vv) = 25% VV, 50% VC/VM (or Vv), 25% BEW (vv). Each kit has a 1 in 4 chance of being either normal colored or BEW, and a 2 in 4 chance of being a recessive Vienna gene carrier, whether showing signs or not.
VC/VM (or Vv) x BEW (vv) = 50% VC/VM (or Vv), 50% BEW (vv).
BEW (vv) x BEW (vv) = 100% BEW.
And to add to the complexity, the above predictions are just that, predictions. The Vienna gene is one that doesn't always express itself fully even if both rabbits carry the recessive gene. However, the more closely related the rabbits are that are bred, the better the likelihood that those predictions will be true. But the more closely related the resulting rabbits are, the more set other characteristics can become, such as ears that are too long, or shoulders that are too narrow, for example. So periodically, it is best to bring in a very typey solid colored, unrelated rabbit that has the features that are needed to strengthen the conformation in your BEW program.
In our area, the typest non-BEW Netherlands are those in the Tan Group, so we have added several Black Otter and Black Silver Martens to the herd to try and infuse good type and show quality into our BEW lines.
American Rabbit Breeder's Association....
ARBA Registered Rabbitry: D2112