Dove
Dove bred by Sarah Yeomans
Genetically speaking, a dove is a pink eyed black. In certain US clubs this is known as lilac (which in the UK is a black eyed mouse with both chocolate and blue dilution). The NMC standardised the variety in 1933.
Some people get confused between dove and silver mice, which is completely understandable. A dove is darker than a silver and although the standard states ‘eye pink’, a ruby eye can be said to be allied to the correct shade of dove. The standard previously required ruby eyes, which was later changed to encompass all shades of pink. Tinges of any other colour such as rust or brown should be avoided on a dove.
Faults include light tail roots and noses, which must be guarded against by conscientious breeding. Tan vents can also be a problem for doves, and again the only solutions are outcrossing and selection. To my knowledge there are few if any breeders currently working on doves in the UK. Darker mice from silver litters are sometimes shown as doves, and some pop up in marked varieties such as Dutch from time to time. A line of doves would not be too hard to establish though as I believe many silvers shown in the UK are genetically doves, selected for paleness.
Some people get confused between dove and silver mice, which is completely understandable. A dove is darker than a silver and although the standard states ‘eye pink’, a ruby eye can be said to be allied to the correct shade of dove. The standard previously required ruby eyes, which was later changed to encompass all shades of pink. Tinges of any other colour such as rust or brown should be avoided on a dove.
Faults include light tail roots and noses, which must be guarded against by conscientious breeding. Tan vents can also be a problem for doves, and again the only solutions are outcrossing and selection. To my knowledge there are few if any breeders currently working on doves in the UK. Darker mice from silver litters are sometimes shown as doves, and some pop up in marked varieties such as Dutch from time to time. A line of doves would not be too hard to establish though as I believe many silvers shown in the UK are genetically doves, selected for paleness.
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Doves bred by Michelle Parish