Brindle
Fawn satin brindle
Brindles are relatively new to the UK mouse fancy, only becoming standardised in 1992. They are sex-linked, known genetically as Mo^br, and should not be confused with the A^vy brindle found in the US, Australia and elsewhere. Male Mo^br brindles suffer from a defect in copper transport and absorption as well as anaemia, and should be culled as early as possible to prevent suffering. Females are healthy and do not have any associated health problems. Therefore, all brindle mice shown in the UK at present are does.
The brindle coat markings are more effective on light and yellow-based colours. Black brindles especially will change as they age to the point where it is impossible to tell that the mouse is a brindle.
The brindle coat markings are more effective on light and yellow-based colours. Black brindles especially will change as they age to the point where it is impossible to tell that the mouse is a brindle.
Young brindle buck - note the wavy fur and whiskers
Brindle bucks are born white (in paler colours) or with dark points and a paler body (in darker varieties like agouti), sometimes with wavy astrex-like fur and whiskers (see photo, left), and if not culled usually live until around the age of two weeks. It is advisable that these be identified in the nest and culled early on to prevent any suffering. There have been reports of a few males that have survived into adulthood, though these bucks are generally infertile. Brindle litters also produce normal healthy bucks who do not have the brindle gene. These are of no real use, since a breeder can use a good self buck to a brindle doe when he needs to breed from her, so they do not need to be kept.
Fawn satin brindle
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Champagne (left) and fawn (right) brindles
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Silver brindle
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