Coat/Body Types
Standard Coat
RSA"Should be smooth, dense and glossy. The ears, feet and tail should be covered with fine hair. Bucks have longer guard hairs and a harsher coat. Faults: wavy coat, thin coat, bald spots."
AFRMA"The coat to be short, smooth, and glossy with the males having somewhat longer and coarser hair. It should show a natural high shine and densely cover the body. Color to conform to a recognized color or pattern."
AFRMA"The coat to be short, smooth, and glossy with the males having somewhat longer and coarser hair. It should show a natural high shine and densely cover the body. Color to conform to a recognized color or pattern."
Dumbo
RSA"Large, round, set low on the sides of the head. When viewed from the side ideal placement should be below the midline of the eye. Faults: ears pointed at the edges, creases or folds, too small, set too high, oblong/tubular shaped."
AFRMA"Dumbo rats to be shown in any recognized color, marking, or variety. The distinguishing feature being their low ear set. The ears are large and round, set low on the sides of the head. Head to form an equilateral triangle when viewed from above."
NFRS"To be judged as standard rats with the following differences: The ears to be set low on the sides of the head, their base at the back of the cheeks wider and more open than a standard rat. The ear is slightly furled at the top and will appear to be rose petal shaped, but gently pressing a finger to the back of the ear will show the ear as being perfectly rounded. Head shape to follow the standard for normal eared rats, though may appear to differ due to the ear position. A prominent occiput (back of skull) is normal but should not present a 'hunchback' appearance. Faults: creased, bent and wrinkled ears to be considered a serious fault. Also ears being too narrow and pointed and tubular rather than rounded to be considered a serious fault. Colour to conform to a recognised colour or pattern variety."
AFRMA"Dumbo rats to be shown in any recognized color, marking, or variety. The distinguishing feature being their low ear set. The ears are large and round, set low on the sides of the head. Head to form an equilateral triangle when viewed from above."
NFRS"To be judged as standard rats with the following differences: The ears to be set low on the sides of the head, their base at the back of the cheeks wider and more open than a standard rat. The ear is slightly furled at the top and will appear to be rose petal shaped, but gently pressing a finger to the back of the ear will show the ear as being perfectly rounded. Head shape to follow the standard for normal eared rats, though may appear to differ due to the ear position. A prominent occiput (back of skull) is normal but should not present a 'hunchback' appearance. Faults: creased, bent and wrinkled ears to be considered a serious fault. Also ears being too narrow and pointed and tubular rather than rounded to be considered a serious fault. Colour to conform to a recognised colour or pattern variety."
Dwarf
Pic Provided By Camarattery
Dwarf rats are approximately half to a third of the size of a Standard rat and carry many of the same physical attributes except for size, though some dwarf rats will have bigger ears and eyes and generally look out of proportion. They are often describes as being Mouse sized. Dwarf rats are generally known for having good health and studies show they are less likely to suffer from a variety of cancers, and are less susceptible to kidney diseases. However, they are more like to suffer from impaired memory and learning difficulties. Dwarf rats can still suffer from a variety of diseases, most commonly involving the respiratory system.
The dwarf gene is a simple recessive, just like dumbo ears or the blue coat color.
dwarf x dwarf = 100% dwarf babies
dwarf x standard = 100% standard babies carrying dwarf
dwarf x standard carrying dwarf = 50% dwarf/50% standard carrying dwarf
standard carrying dwarf x standard carrying dwarf = 25% dwarf/75% standard may or may not be carrying dwarf
A standard rat with at least one dwarf parent is carrying dwarf. A rat in which neither parent was dwarf but that has dwarf in the background cannot be classified as carrying dwarf unless they are proven(produce dwarf offspring) to be.
The dwarf gene is a simple recessive, just like dumbo ears or the blue coat color.
dwarf x dwarf = 100% dwarf babies
dwarf x standard = 100% standard babies carrying dwarf
dwarf x standard carrying dwarf = 50% dwarf/50% standard carrying dwarf
standard carrying dwarf x standard carrying dwarf = 25% dwarf/75% standard may or may not be carrying dwarf
A standard rat with at least one dwarf parent is carrying dwarf. A rat in which neither parent was dwarf but that has dwarf in the background cannot be classified as carrying dwarf unless they are proven(produce dwarf offspring) to be.
Double Rex
Two doses of the dominant rexing gene (Re/Re).
Hawthorn- These rats have patches of furred areas and bald areas. The patches may also 'wander' over the rat's life- hair growing in where there previously as none, and areas of fur going bald. Coat is short with a coarse texture. Short, tightly curled whiskers.
Hawthorn- These rats have patches of furred areas and bald areas. The patches may also 'wander' over the rat's life- hair growing in where there previously as none, and areas of fur going bald. Coat is short with a coarse texture. Short, tightly curled whiskers.
Rex
One copy of the rexing gene and one copy of the standard fur gene (Re/re). Since the rexing gene is semi-dominant, two copies would make the rat a "double rex", with very short brittle fur and One copy of the rexing gene and one copy of the standard fur gene (Re/re). Since the rexing gene is semi-dominant, two copies would make the rat a "double rex", with very short brittle fur.
RSA"Coat to be tight even waves or curls. Eyebrows and whiskers to show definite curl. Faults: frizziness, lack of wave/curl, straight whiskers, bald spots."
AFRMA"The coat to be evenly dense and not excessively harsh, with as few guard hairs as possible. Coat to be evenly curled and also to a lesser extent on the belly. Curly vibrissae (whiskers) are normal for Rex. Color to conform to a recognized color or pattern."
NFRS"The coat to be evenly dense and not excessively harsh, with as few guard hairs as possible. Coat to be evenly curled and also to a lesser extent on the belly. Curly vibrissae (whiskers) are normal for Rex. Colour to conform to a recognised colour or pattern variety. Where Silver or ticked rats are rexed, allowances should be made for the lower number of guard hairs present than in normal varieties. "
RSA"Coat to be tight even waves or curls. Eyebrows and whiskers to show definite curl. Faults: frizziness, lack of wave/curl, straight whiskers, bald spots."
AFRMA"The coat to be evenly dense and not excessively harsh, with as few guard hairs as possible. Coat to be evenly curled and also to a lesser extent on the belly. Curly vibrissae (whiskers) are normal for Rex. Color to conform to a recognized color or pattern."
NFRS"The coat to be evenly dense and not excessively harsh, with as few guard hairs as possible. Coat to be evenly curled and also to a lesser extent on the belly. Curly vibrissae (whiskers) are normal for Rex. Colour to conform to a recognised colour or pattern variety. Where Silver or ticked rats are rexed, allowances should be made for the lower number of guard hairs present than in normal varieties. "
Hairless
LORR Spynx
RSA"To be as hairless as possible, with allowances for some facial hair. Preference shall be given to the rat with the least amount of hair. Disqualification: patches of hair on body."
AFRMA"Hairless rats should have a thin, bright, rather translucent skin, free of scars or pimples, and be as hairless as possible. The skin may be of any color or recognized marking, and wrinkling should not be penalized. The eyes may be of any color, but should be bright and free from any problems. The ears should be very large and wrinkle free. The whiskers may be very short or missing."
AFRMA"Hairless rats should have a thin, bright, rather translucent skin, free of scars or pimples, and be as hairless as possible. The skin may be of any color or recognized marking, and wrinkling should not be penalized. The eyes may be of any color, but should be bright and free from any problems. The ears should be very large and wrinkle free. The whiskers may be very short or missing."
Harley
Recessive Long Whispey Soft Fur with no undercoat. Can Come in Straight and Curly. Harley whiskers have a little bit of a wave to them, Curly-coated (or harley + rex rats) have very short, thin, and curly whiskers. Their pigment is very slow to come in. As a harley's coat comes in, it looks "greasy," shiny, and longer than its standard-coated siblings and their skin "peels" at about a week old. There is some question as to whether or not the harley coat is caused by the same gene as "satin" which is a fairly similar coat type. Ive read that some of the temperaments of Harleys can be iffy and some males have hormonal aggression. Health wise it seems as if some are sensitive to protein allergies and minor skin problems and some tend to have the long slender bodies and faces like a ferrets and small body size.
Satin
Appears to be two satin genes currently in the fancy, neither one of which has a symbol assigned. One is a recessive gene, the other is dominant.
Hair is longer and has a silkier, shinier look. Color is slightly yellowed especially where the rat is white or light-colored
RSA-provisional "Satin rats may be shown in any recognized color or marking. The ideal coat has a unique and distinct appearance with its lustrous sheen. The coat is thinner and longer looking. The hair should be fine to the touch. The coat has a sparkling look on some colors; white will have a yellow cast. Fault: lacking the proper sheen."
AFRMA"Satin rats may be shown in any recognized color or markings. The ideal coat has a unique and distinct appearance with its lustrous sheen. The coat is thinner and longer looking. The hair should be fine to the touch. The coat has a sparkling look on some colors; white on the animals will have a yellow cast."
NFRS"The satin shall have a high sheen coat resulting in a satin like or metallic gloss. The colour may be that of any recognised variety. Satinization will appear to increase the intensity of any colour and this should be taken into account. White satins to be known as ivory due to this effect."
Hair is longer and has a silkier, shinier look. Color is slightly yellowed especially where the rat is white or light-colored
RSA-provisional "Satin rats may be shown in any recognized color or marking. The ideal coat has a unique and distinct appearance with its lustrous sheen. The coat is thinner and longer looking. The hair should be fine to the touch. The coat has a sparkling look on some colors; white will have a yellow cast. Fault: lacking the proper sheen."
AFRMA"Satin rats may be shown in any recognized color or markings. The ideal coat has a unique and distinct appearance with its lustrous sheen. The coat is thinner and longer looking. The hair should be fine to the touch. The coat has a sparkling look on some colors; white on the animals will have a yellow cast."
NFRS"The satin shall have a high sheen coat resulting in a satin like or metallic gloss. The colour may be that of any recognised variety. Satinization will appear to increase the intensity of any colour and this should be taken into account. White satins to be known as ivory due to this effect."
Standard Ear
RSA"Medium sized, oval shaped, and upright. They should be spaced well apart. Faults: creases or folds, set too low."
Tailless/Manx
RSA"Tailless to be shown in any color or markings. To have complete absence of a tail, may have a cobbier body and a rounded rump. Disqualification: any evidence of physical abnormalities due to being tailless including walking, climbing and skeletal problems. Any evidence of a tail. Docked tail."
AFRMA"Tailless rats may be shown in any recognized color, marking, or variety. The distinct feature is the complete absence of a tail. Tailless rats may have a cobbier body and will have a rounded rump."
Hawthorn Tailless rats have a shortened body length which is overall more "rounded" similar to that of a rabbit. Their hind legs should be slightly longer then their front legs, so that when in a resting position the back appears slightly sloped to the front. In totally tailless or "rumpy" manx rats, the judge should feel for where the spine ends. The spine should end just short of where the tail would have begun if it existed. The further up the spine ends- the less desirable. Spines that end just where the hips begin should be faulted. The Manx rat may be smaller then the average rat- this shall not be faulted, but in a close match, larger shall be preferred.
AFRMA"Tailless rats may be shown in any recognized color, marking, or variety. The distinct feature is the complete absence of a tail. Tailless rats may have a cobbier body and will have a rounded rump."
Hawthorn Tailless rats have a shortened body length which is overall more "rounded" similar to that of a rabbit. Their hind legs should be slightly longer then their front legs, so that when in a resting position the back appears slightly sloped to the front. In totally tailless or "rumpy" manx rats, the judge should feel for where the spine ends. The spine should end just short of where the tail would have begun if it existed. The further up the spine ends- the less desirable. Spines that end just where the hips begin should be faulted. The Manx rat may be smaller then the average rat- this shall not be faulted, but in a close match, larger shall be preferred.
Velvet
AFRMA The Coat to be Soft, Plush, and Short much like Rex Rabbits. Russian Blue came from these rats; Blue Beige, Silver Blue, Russian Fawn, Russian Silver, and Russian Platinum came from Russian Blue; these colors have ticking/heathering and a different feel to their coats. Eye color to match base color.
Hawthorn:
Hawthorn:
Velveteen
Pic Provided By Ratz Realm
Wavy coat & softly curled/wavy whiskers. Coat should be even and preferably dense. Older rats coats may thin with age and this is a fault for show. Texture to be soft.