Variety Names

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Genetics

## Name Types

Mice do not have breeds like dogs or cats, but they do have variety names depending on their color.

The name of a variety for a mouse can be divided into 4 different categories:

1. Scientific name for the allele (mutation)
2. Name standardized by club(s)
3. Unstandardized or nonrecognized names coined by fanciers in the community
4. Simple names based on the observable color.

### Scientific Names

These names are what the color was first called when it was observed and recorded by scientists. They are often not used in the fancy as standardized names from clubs are preferred; though if the color has not been standardized, the scientific name may be used. Scientific names are sometimes used when talking about genetics as variety names can refer to phenotype (appearance) as opposed to genotype (genetics).

Scientific names may also be used in the form of allele symbols. This can quickly condense information while maintaining the integrity. This is how genotypes are primarily written.

### Standardized Varieties

In a few countries there are clubs like the National Mouse Club (NMC) in the UK. For the most part, the names listed for varieties in these clubs tend to overlap. Clubs will usually have many or all of their standardized varieties listed on their websites, or available small booklets with the full written standard.

### Community Names

The mouse fancy is full of breeders with their own individual preferences for varieties. It is not uncommon to find breeders working with unstandardized/ unrecognized varieties. Usually these names for varieties are given to aid in efficient communication with others.

### Simple Names

These names are often used by new breeders or pet owners who are not yet aware of the other types of names. They are usually based on appearance alone and likely will not give a lot of information about their genetics or exact color. There is nothing wrong with using these types of names, but they are not the most helpful when you need to be specific about the variety.

## Color ID - What do I call it?

Most breeders use club names and then community names. Some clubs do not have the same name standardized for some varieties, so it's important to keep in mind what club others primarily use when conversing. Usually extra clarification is used when two members know each other uses differing standards like Dove and Lilac, instead saying PED Black or Blue Chocolate.

-insert chart with varieties that differ per club

### Standardized Groups

These are descriptions for certain types of colors grouped by visual similarities. Some colors may be difficult to tell apart visually. These groups can help you narrow down which color your mouse may be if you do not know immediately.

* **Self** - A solid coat color over the entire mouse, including the root to tip of the hair shaft.
	+ Ex: Black, chocolate, blue, lilac, red
* **Ticked** - A mouse with bands of color on each hair.
	+ Ex: Agouti, silvered
* **Marked** - A mouse that has patches of white markings.
	+ Ex: Pied, tricolor, hereford, dutch, broken/even marked, variegated, banded, belted
* **Patterned** - A mouse that has has a pattern, not including white markings.
	+ Ex: Brindle, splashed, roan, merle
* **Pointed** - A mouse with different coloration on the points (nose, ears, feet, and tail)
	+ Ex: Siamese, himalayan, burmese, color point beige, reverse siamese
* **Shaded** - A mouse that has shading on the along the top that fades to a different color under.
	+ Ex: Sable, martin sable
* **Tan / Fox** - A mouse with a clearly divided tan or fox (cream to white, a diluted tan) color underneath. It has a clear demarcation line along the lower sides. Not to be confused with marked.
	+ Ex: Black tan, chocolate tan, blue fox, beige fox
* **Coated** - A mouse that does not have a standard coat.
	+ Ex: Rex, texel, angora, hairless, satin, fuzzy
* **Unmarked** - A Mouse that does not have any white markings. An unmarked mouse is not automatically self, as it can still be ticked, tan/fox, patterned, pointed, or shaded.

-insert chart of emojis listed by group-

### Identifying Color

Identifying the color of a mouse can be easy or difficult depending on the information you have. If you know the genetics, it's as simple as finding a chart that lists the genotype and what it's called. You can also combine colors into a single name if the combination is not standardized. For example, mice that have both the mutation for blue and the mutation for yellow, are often called blue yellow.

If you do not know the genotype, then you will most likely need to figure that out first. This can be simple depending on the color. Black mice are always called black or black self. A brown mouse may be an agouti, chocolate, cinnamon, lilac, mock chocolate, beige, or burmese.