AFRMA Fancy Mice - Unstandardized

AFRMA Fancy Mice - Non-Recognized Colors, Markings, & Coats

Some miscellaneous colors, markings, etc., of mice that have been produced by AFRMA breeders/seen at AFRMA shows but never standardized. There are many more out there.

See the AFRMA Official Color Standards Mouse book for more.

Note: The pictures on this page are not meant to be true representatives of the animal’s color. Because of differences in monitors (CRT/LCD) and how the monitor is adjusted, the colors may be different. Seeing in person is always best.

COLORS
SILVER AGOUTI - Color 35, evenness of ticking 15 Color is similar to the agouti except with a silvery-gray background and dark slate at the base of the hair. There will be black ticking distributed evenly throughout the coat, including the underparts and the feet, and be as even as possible. Belly color to be silvery-gray, as close as possible to top color. Eye color is black. Faults - Faded, yellowish, or rusty tinge to color; faded top color; faded undercolor; ticking too heavy; mottled appearance to the coat; white on feet. Disqualifications - White body spot; white on the tail. Genetics - A– c^chc^ch (Agouti plus Chinchilla) [Accepted into Unstandardized April 28, 2012; added belly color June 30, 2012; removed from Accepted Proposed Unstd. December 14, 2013, and moved to Non-Recognized due to lack of entries.] Silver Agouti Standard mouse owned and bred by Carol Lawton. Photo ©2012 Karen Robbins.
DOVE AGOUTI - Color 35, evenness of ticking 15 Color is slate at the base of the hair with a dusty fawn band on top. Coat is evenly ticked with dove guard hairs extending over the entire body, including the underparts and the feet, and be as even as possible. Eye color is black. Faults – Faded top color; faded undercolor; ticking too heavy; mottled appearance to the coat; white on feet. Disqualifications – White body spot; white on the tail. Genetics: A– bb dd (Agouti plus Chocolate plus Blue; a.k.a. Blue Cinnamon) Dove Agouti Standard owned and bred by Carol Lawton. Photo ©2011 Karen Robbins.
WHITE-BELLIED AGOUTI - Color is Agouti but with a light white or tan belly color not from the chinchilla or tan gene. Eye color is black. Genetics: A^w (dominant over Agouti) Note: Useful to make Chinchilla without using the Tan gene to make the white belly color. Not a color to be standardized. White-bellied Agouti Standard kitten owned and bred by Jeannot T. Maha’a. Photo ©2018 Jeannot T. Maha’a. Research article: A Probable New Mutation to White-belly in the House Mouse, Mus musculus Clyde E. Keeler, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 17, No. 12 (Dec. 15, 1931), pp. 700–703
LEMON CHINCHILLA - Color is similar to Chinchilla but the color is a yellowish-tan with black ticking and white belly. Eye color is black. Genetics: cⁱ gene Note: Similar to Lemon Chinchilla cavies. Lemon Chinchilla Standard owned and bred by Linda von Hanneken. Photo ©2018 Karen Robbins.
P.E. DOVE/LAVENDER - Color is similar to the Champagne but lighter and cooler in color with a blue tinge. Eye color is red. Genetics: bb dd pp (pink-eyed Dove; a.k.a. P.E. Chocolate Blue or P.E. Dilute Chocolate). Note: They have darker eyes and dark eyelids like a P.E. Blue.	5-week-old Champagne, P.E. Dove, and P.E. Blue Standards owned and bred by Karen Robbins. Photo ©2012 Karen Robbins. A 3-month-old P.E. Dove/Lavender Satin mouse owned and bred by Becky Watt. Photo ©2020 Karen Robbins. A 4-month-old P.E. Dove/Lavender Standard female owned and bred by Linda von Hanneken. Photo taken without flash. Photo ©2022 Karen Robbins. And the 4-month-old P.E. Dove/Lavender Standard female owned and bred by Linda von Hanneken, photo taken with flash. Photo ©2022 Karen Robbins.
SABLE - Color 35, level shading 15 The top color shall be a rich dark brown, as dark as possible, from nose to tail root; the belly color to be as rich a golden tan as possible and the shading from top to belly to be gradual, even and pleasing, with no line of demarcation nor any blotch, patch, ticking, or streakiness. There should be no white hairs whatsoever. Eyes black. (N.M.C.) Genetics: A^yA U– or A^ya or A^ya^t (dominant) Sable Standard owned and bred by Nichole Royer. Photo ©1997 Craig Robbins. Research articles: “Sable and umbrous mice.” Roy Robinson. Genetica, December 1959, Volume 29, Issue 1, pp 319–326. “Genetic determinants of sable and umbrous coat color phenotypes in mice.” Suto J, Sekikawa K. Pigment Cell Res. 2003 Aug;16(4):388–96.
X-BRINDLE - Pattern can range from patches to stripes. Genetics: Mo^br (semidominant; X chromosome sex-linked mottled gene; lethal in males; known as Brindle in the N.M.C.; pattern only seen in females; males almost white with sooty tips, almost Siamese in looks, and curly coat, males and some females have neurological conditions) 9-week-old Fawn x-Brindle female owned by Rebecca Walters, bred by Brittney Gobble. Photo ©2018 Karen Robbins. Research articles: “X-Linked Determinants: The Mottled Locua” Willys K. Silvers, The Coat Colors of Mice: A Model for Mammalian Gene Action and Interaction, Springer Verlag, 1979 “The mottled mouse as a model for human Menkes disease: identification of mutations in the Atp7a gene.” Cecchi C, Biasotto M, Tosi M, Avner P. Hum Mol Genet. 1997 Mar;6(3):425-–33.
AGOUTI POINT HIMI/SIAMESE - An agouti version of Seal Point Himi/Siamese but with agouti points rather than sepia points. Genetics: A– c^hc^h or A– c^hc Note: At quick glance Agouti Himis look like a Seal Point but on close inspection they lack the foot color due to the agouti color. Agouti Siamese are mealy looking. This color will not be standardized. A 4-month-old Agouti Point Himi mouse owned and bred by Jack Garcia. Photo ©2010 Jack Garcia.
CHOCOLATE POINT HIMI/SIAMESE A chocolate version of Seal Point Himi or Siamese but with pale brown points rather than rich dark sepia points. Eye color is red. Genetics: aa bb c^hc (Himi=Siamese plus Chocolate plus albino); aa bb c^hc^h (Siamese=Siamese plus Chocolate) Note: At quick glance they look like a Seal Point Siamese but the points are not dark enough. They also have more of a warm (reddish) tone compared to Seal Point Siamese and have red eyes. This is a color that will not be standardized. See more photos: Chocolate Point Siamese vs. Seal Point Siamese Mice Research article: “Himalayan, A New Allele Of Albino In The Mouse” Margaret C. Green. Journal of Heredity, Volume 52, Issue 2 Pp. 73–75, 1961.	Chocolate Point Himi Satin one-year-old male owned and bred by Karen Robbins. Photo ©2002 Craig Robbins. A 5.5-month-old Chocolate Point Siamese Standard female vs. 14-month-old Seal Point Siamese Standard female. Mice owned and bred by Karen Robbins. Photo ©2018 Karen Robbins.
DOVE POINT SIAMESE - Color 20, points 20, shading 10 The Dove Point Siamese mouse is to be a warm grey-beige, as even as possible over the entire body, shading to a deeper color on the hindquarters. The colors should blend gradually and there should be no white hairs or mealiness to the color. The points should be a rich grey-chocolate color and should be well defined on the muzzle, being confined to the whisker area only. The ears, feet, tail and tail-root are dark also, but are of a slightly lighter shade. Eye color may be ruby or black. Dove Point Siamese to be shown only in AOCP class. Faults – Mottled color on the body; body color too light so as to resemble the Himalayan; body color too dark so as to lose the contrast with the points; points too light; nose marking extending above the eyes. Disqualifications – White spot on the body; white on the tail; white on the feet. Genetics: aa bb c^hc^h dd (Siamese plus Dove) Dove Point Siamese Standard owned and bred by Karen Robbins. Photo ©1997 Craig Robbins. Research article: “Himalayan, A New Allele Of Albino In The Mouse” Margaret C. Green. Journal of Heredity, Volume 52, Issue 2 Pp. 73–75, 1961.
COLOR-POINT BEIGE (CPB)/B.E. SIAMESE (BES) - Color 25, points 25 The Color Point Beige mouse is to be a warm beige, as even as possible over the entire body, similar to a light Coffee. The points should be a rich grey-chocolate color and should be well defined on the muzzle, being confined to the whisker area only. The ears, feet, tail and tail-root are dark also, but are of a slightly lighter shade. Eye color is black. Color Point Beige to be shown only in AOCP. Faults – Mottled color on the body; body color too light so as to resemble the Beige; body color too dark so as to lose the contrast with the points; points too light; nose marking extending above the eyes. Disqualifications – White spot on the body; white on the tail; white on the feet. Genetics: aa c^ec^h (Siamese plus Beige) Note: CPB/BES mice don’t have shading like normal Siamese	Color Point Beige Satin owned and bred by Karen Robbins. Photo ©2002 Karen Robbins. A dark Color Point Beige Fox Standard owned and bred by Karen Robbins. Photo ©1997 Craig Robbins. A light B.E. Siamese Long Hair owned by Debbie Stice. Photo ©1992 Craig Robbins.
MARKINGS
BELTED - To be similar to Banded but genetically is recessive; the belt is narrower than the band on a Banded. The distinctive feature is the white belt circling the body placed on the lower part of the body as if the mouse was wearing a belt. Sharpness of demarcation prime importance. Genetics - btbt (recessive) Black Tan Belted Standard owned by Nichole Royer. Photo ©1996 Craig Robbins.
BROKEN MULTI - Clearness of patches or spots 20, definition of multi colors 20, number and position of patches or spots 10 Broken Multis may be shown in any recognized color, and may include Broken Splashed, Variegated Splashed, Broken Sable, Broken Brindle, Variegated Brindle, etc. To have two or more colors plus white in patches or spots to resemble a “Calico.” Color patches/spots should be clear-cut, showing no brindling or intermingling of white hairs. There should be equal numbers of the different colored patches/spots. Faults - Patches not sharply defined; brindling or intermingling of white hairs in spots or patches. Genetics - (genetics of base colors; most are Splashed plus other colors) [Accepted into Unstandardized February 9, 2008; removed from Accepted Proposed Unstd. December 1, 2012, and moved to Non-Recognized due to lack of entries.] AFRMA article: Transgenic Mice & Tricolors Broken Multi Long Hair mouse owned and bred by Kelli Boka. This is a Siamese Broken Splashed which give 4 colors: black, white, light brown, and dark brown. The brown part of a Broken Multi can come from either the Beige or Siamese gene. Photo ©2008 Karen Robbins.
HEAD SPOT - To have a white spot on the head between the ears Genetics - hshs (recessive) Black Satin Head Spot owned by Meg Hurley. Photo ©2005 Craig Robbins.
COATS
CRESTED/TUFTED This was a one-time anomaly that appeared in Helen Pembrook’s mousery in 2000. He had a tan-colored tuft of longer hair on his forehead. She was not able to get it to reproduce. Genetics - unknown Chocolate Tan Long Hair Satin mouse owned and bred by Helen Pembrook. Photo ©2000 Larry Ferris. Research article: TUFTED–A NON-GENETIC MORPHOLOGICAL VARIANT IN MICE, Leonell C. Strong, Leonard Roman. Journal of Heredity, Volume 50, Issue 5, 1 September 1959, Pages 227–229
EARS
AMERICAN FOLD - Color and Marking 25, ear size and set 25 American Fold mice have a smaller ear and ear-set. All other attributes regarding color and markings must conform to regular standard. The ear shall be small but correctly formed and laying flat against the side of the head. The judge shall note that it is usual for the American Fold to have a smaller blunter head and nose. Faults - Ear too large or sticking out from head, straight ears with no folds, ears too close to top of head. Genetics - (recessive; brought in to California in 1994 from St. Louis, MO - article in ARMHS Spring 2000 newsletter) Note: NOT to be standardized due to skeletal deformities. Were called Cobbie by San Diego, CA, breeders; a.k.a. Short Ear. 1935 Article: Short Eared Mice by by S. P. Holman, All-Pets Magazine, Oct. 1935, p. 47. Research articles: “Short Ears an Autosomal Mutation in the House Mouse” Clara J. Lynch. The American Naturalist, Vol. 55, No. 640 (Sep. - Oct., 1921), pp. 421–426 (1921) Inheritance in the House Mouse, the Linkage Relations of Short-Ear, Hairless, and Naked George D. Snell. Genetics, 16: 42 Ja 1931, p. 52 (1931) “A search for some effects of the “short-ear” gene on behavior in mice” Roy Elton Bundy. The American Naturalist, vol. 84, no. 818 (Sep. - Oct., 1950): 393–399. (1950) “Mechanism of the pleiotropic effects of the short-ear mutant gene in the mouse” Margaret C. Green. Journal of Experimental Zoology, Volume167, Issue2, February 1968, Pages 129–150 (1968) “MOLECULAR GENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE DILUTE-SHORT EAR (D-SE) REGION OF THE MOUSE” Eugene M. Rinchik, et al. Genetics, 112: 321–942 February 1986. (1986) “The mouse short ear skeletal morphogenesis locus is associated with defects in a bone morphogenetic member of the TGF beta superfamily” Kingsley DM, et al. Cell, 1992 Oct 30;71(3):399–410.(1992)	Seal Point Siamese Standard American Fold owned by Gina Hendricks. Photo ©2003 Karen Robbins. P.E. White Satin American Fold owned by Christian Diaz. Photo ©2001 Karen Robbins.
BODY
TAILLESS Tailless gene mice have anywhere from a partial tweaked tail to no tail. Genetics - unknown; there are many tweaked tail genes in mice, see the Mouse Genetics book for more Note: These will NOT be standardized.	A Tailless with no tail owned and bred by Tina Shahroody. Photo ©1996 Nichole Royer. A Black Tailless male with a nubbin of a tail, owned and bred by Linda Sinclair. Photo ©1998 Craig Robbins. A Siamese Splashed half-tail with knot on end female mouse with high tail set owned by Kelli Boka, bred by Jennifer Hipsley. Photo ©2008 Karen Robbins.

Go to the AFRMA Mouse Unstandardized page.
Go to the AFRMA New Standards/Unstandardized page.
Purchase the AFRMA Official Color Standards Mouse book.

Updated December 15, 2024