Updated: Dec. 30 (2023)
Agouti / Black
Note: Agouti and non-agouti are not true "Single Dilute" varieties because they are the foundation of all other colors, but it has been added to this category to make navigation easier for the user.
Agouti, A/a or A/A
At least one copy of Agouti
Chromosome: 3
RVG description:
Body color to be a warm chestnut brown, rich in color and evenly ticked with black tipped guard hairs. The base of the fur is to be a dark grey, preferably as dark as possible. The belly color is to be grey, not too light. Eyes black.
RVG extra info:
Agouti is known as the wildtype and is identical to the color of wild rat in which an individual hair has black pigment (eumelanin) at the tip and the base, and a band of yellow pigment (pheomelanin) in the middle. In the fancy breeders have selected for a redder, more orange toned middle band which overall make the Agouti appear less yellow and less like the wild rat.
Source:
At least one copy of Agouti
Chromosome: 3
RVG description:
Body color to be a warm chestnut brown, rich in color and evenly ticked with black tipped guard hairs. The base of the fur is to be a dark grey, preferably as dark as possible. The belly color is to be grey, not too light. Eyes black.
RVG extra info:
Agouti is known as the wildtype and is identical to the color of wild rat in which an individual hair has black pigment (eumelanin) at the tip and the base, and a band of yellow pigment (pheomelanin) in the middle. In the fancy breeders have selected for a redder, more orange toned middle band which overall make the Agouti appear less yellow and less like the wild rat.
Source:
- Genetics of the Norway Rat (page 11)
Black, a/a
Two copies of non-agouti
Chromosome: 3
RVG description:
Body color to be as dark and deep black as possible. The color should be even and solid from root to tip of the hair. No rusting or white/silver hairs is ideal. Eyes black.
Source:
Two copies of non-agouti
Chromosome: 3
RVG description:
Body color to be as dark and deep black as possible. The color should be even and solid from root to tip of the hair. No rusting or white/silver hairs is ideal. Eyes black.
Source: