Lilac
Lilac bred by Sarah Cudbill
What is lilac?
This is a problem that has confused many people over the years. The UK standard for lilac is not overly descriptive and this often means that breeders and judges alike are unaware of the correct colour and shade. The lilac rex rabbit has been mentioned as a comparative colour - 'a silverfish colour with a pink tinge'. Lilac has also been described as 'rusty or bluish brown' but some argue that this is an unselected lilac. This may be why the lilac is unpopular - because the colour that some people think is lilac is not very attractive!
Breeding lilacs for exhibition
Lilac is a combination of chocolate and blue, which may be part of the explanation. The chocolate of the mouse fancy is very dark and this will produce lilacs that are browny, when in fact a lighter shade may be more attractive to the breeder and judge. Both chocolates and blues that are lighter than the usual exhibition colour may be the best mice from which to breed lilacs.
Lilacs will also change colour as they get older, when they will seem to become more brown than they were as a youngster (see photos below). For this reason they may be best shown in the under eight weeks class until such time as a fancier takes them on for long-term improvement. Lilacs have rarely been shown at NMC shows since I joined the fancy in 2002, though a couple of people are now working towards exhibition lilacs.
This is a problem that has confused many people over the years. The UK standard for lilac is not overly descriptive and this often means that breeders and judges alike are unaware of the correct colour and shade. The lilac rex rabbit has been mentioned as a comparative colour - 'a silverfish colour with a pink tinge'. Lilac has also been described as 'rusty or bluish brown' but some argue that this is an unselected lilac. This may be why the lilac is unpopular - because the colour that some people think is lilac is not very attractive!
Breeding lilacs for exhibition
Lilac is a combination of chocolate and blue, which may be part of the explanation. The chocolate of the mouse fancy is very dark and this will produce lilacs that are browny, when in fact a lighter shade may be more attractive to the breeder and judge. Both chocolates and blues that are lighter than the usual exhibition colour may be the best mice from which to breed lilacs.
Lilacs will also change colour as they get older, when they will seem to become more brown than they were as a youngster (see photos below). For this reason they may be best shown in the under eight weeks class until such time as a fancier takes them on for long-term improvement. Lilacs have rarely been shown at NMC shows since I joined the fancy in 2002, though a couple of people are now working towards exhibition lilacs.
Lilac at five weeks old bred by Katie McCrystal
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The same mouse at twelve weeks old; note the change from blueish to brownish hue
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