Rabbit coat genetics

Related FAQ: Breeds FAQ

Prior to domestication, rabbits were all of the agouti or wild-type color pattern, characterized by alternating bands of black and red color on the hair shaft.

Major coat color genes

Most of the genes that affect coat colors on rabbits are located on four pairs of chromosomes. These genes have been categorized into a system referred to as the coat color series and are labeled A to E (agouti, brown, color, dilution, and extension).^[1]

A series: Agouti

Genes	Colors
A	Agouti
a^t	Tan
a	Non-agouti

Wintertime Rabbitry. (2016). Cheat Sheet: Understanding the A Locus (Agouti, Tan/Otter, Self) in Rabbits

B series: Brown

Genes	Colors
B	Agouti
b	Brown or chocolate

Wintertime Rabbitry. (2016). Cheat Sheet: Understanding Recessive Chocolate Inheritance in Rabbits

C series: Color

Genes	Colors
C	Agouti
c^chd	Dark chinchilla
c^chm	Medium chinchilla
c^chl	Light chinchilla
c^h	Himalayan
c	Albino

D series: Dilution

Genes	Colors
D	Agouti
d	Blue dilution

Wintertime Rabbitry. (2016). Cheat Sheet: Understanding the D Locus (Dilution) in Self Rabbits

E series: Extension

Genes	Colors
E^d	Black agouti
E^s	Steel agouti
E	Agouti
e^j	Japanese brindling
e	Red or yellow

Coat pattern genes

Other genes other than the major A to E coat color series exist that also exert pronounced effects on the coat color pattern.

Du series: Dutch

A steel Dutch rabbit.

Genes	Colors
Du	Normal
Du^d	Dark Dutch, minimal spotting
du^w	White Dutch, excessive spotting

The Hotot pattern is made from a mix of En and Du genes. Source: Amy Hinkle, M.S. [PDF]

Wintertime Rabbitry. (2016). Cheat Sheet: Understanding the Dutch Pattern in Rabbits

En series: Broken

A diagram of the En gene phenotypes in the Checkered Giant breed.

Genes	Colors
En	English spotting
en	Normal

Charlies have two En/En genes, normal broken rabbits have En/en genes, while normal solid colored rabbits have en/en genes.

Wintertime Rabbitry. (2016). Cheat Sheets: Understanding the Broken Pattern Gene in Rabbits
Wintertime Rabbitry. (2016). Cheat Sheet: Understanding the English Spot Pattern in Rabbits

si series: Silver

Genes	Colors
Si	Normal
si	Silver coat surface

v series: Vienna

A litter of rabbits with the Vienna gene mixed in.

Genes	Colors
V	Normal
v	White coat, blue eyes

Vienna-marked rabbits
Wintertime Rabbitry. (2016). Cheat Sheet: Understanding the Vienna Gene in Rabbits (Blue Eyed Whites)

w series: Wide band

Genes	Colors
W	Normal agouti band
w	Wide agouti band

Coat structural genes

f series: Furless locus

Genes	Colors
F	Normal
f	Furless

l series: Angora locus

A chocolate English Angora.

Genes	Colors
L	Normal
l	Hair long, wool

Laurie Stroupe. (2011). Fuzzy Holland Lop Genetics – The Wool or Length Gene L

m series: Mane locus

6-week-old lionhead rabbits. Source: u/Alternative-Earth-16

Genes	Colors
M	Hair long around the head, ears, chest, and flank
m	Normal

Wintertime Rabbitry. (2016). Cheat Sheet: Understanding Mane Genetics in Lionhead Rabbits
Grande Rabbitry. About Lionheads

r series: Rex locus

A blue tort plush lop with Rex fur.

Genes	Colors
R	Normal
r	Hair short, rex

sa series: Satin locus

Genes	Colors
Sa	Normal
sa	Hair thin, satin

wa series: Waved locus

Genes	Colors
Wa	Normal
wa	Hair waved, astrex

References

↑ Lukefahr, Rabbit Production, 9th ed, 2013.

[1] Lukefahr, Rabbit Production, 9th ed, 2013.

[1]