Veterinar, Vol. 64 No. 1, 2026.
Professional paper
https://doi.org/ISSN 0303-5409
Colour inheritance in rabbits
Vivien Virag
; Zoocity-Unconditional d.o.o.
*
Anamaria Ekert Kabalin
; Department of Animal Husbandry and Livestock Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Sven Menčik
; Department of Animal Husbandry and Livestock Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Over the centuries of rabbit domestication, many breeds have been developed that are distinguished by
different characteristics, with coat colour being one of the most important and obvious ones. In creating
colour, melanocytes synthesize eumelanin (dark pigments), and pheomelanin (yellow-reddish pigments).
Five main genes situated on four chromosomes are responsible for the distribution of pigments along the
length of the hair fibre; in other words, they are responsible for the expression of the phenotype of the
individual. The locus A represents the wild type and is responsible for the development of colour, while
the locus B affects the intensity of the black colour. The locus C determines the distribution and the intensity
of hair colour, as well as the colour of the skin and the iris. The locus D affects the dilution of the
colour and the locus E is responsible for the extension of the black pigment in the coat. There are also
genes specific to certain breeds, such as the appearance of specific colours and markings in the Vienna
White rabbit, the English Spotted rabbit, the Dutch rabbit, and various silver breeds. In breeding, it is also
important to know the genes that affect coat length, as they are responsible for the mutations in Angora,
Rex and Satin rabbits, as well as for wavy and furless rabbits. Since each gene has dominant and recessive
versions, depending on their combination and mutual relationship, plus the breed-specific and modifying
genes, the resulting rabbits are of a certain genotype and, consequently, a phenotype. For this reason, it is
important to understand the complexities of rabbit coat colour inheritance before starting to breed them.
Keywords
rabbit; colour; coat; inheritance; genetics
Hrčak ID:
348977
URI
Publication date:
8.7.2026.
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