Himalayan
A himalayan mouse results when a baby inherits one gene for Himalayan (two copies of this gene makes a siamese) and one gene for albino (true PEW). The Himalayan gene is essentially a dilution gene, acting first on the main body of the animal and lastly on the 'points'. When the albino gene is added to the Himalayan gene the dilution increases, resulting in a whiter body colour combined with the dark points. The 'white' body of a himalayan is not as white as the white found in other varieties, as by achieving a 'whiter' white on the body, the points also become paler.
Writing in 1984, Roger Hutchings advised that to make a good himalayan the PEWs used must carry black or blue. Chocolate, although perhaps resembling the colour of siamese and himalayan mice, was labelled a 'disasterous ingredient' because it adds to the dilution effect of the gene.
The white of himalayans is not the pure white of other marked varities, and this, along with its genetic make-up, has caused many a debate about whether the himalayan should be considered a marked variety, or instead be moved to the AOV section alongside the siamese.
Some breeders advise not to breed himalayans and siamese together as the standard specifies conflicting goals: the himalayan must be as white as possible whilst the siamese must possess enough pigment on its body to achieve the correct shading.
Outcrossing Himalayans
Since a himalayan is a mouse carrying one dose of the Himalayan gene and one dose of albino, many people assume that is easy to improve the variety by using any good PEW as a cross. This is not the case! The PEW used must be carrying either black or blue if it is to produce good results. Some PEWs currently available are actually extreme dilutes and not albinos at all. Whites can either be test mated to ensure they carry blue and/or black or can be created to ensure this make up.
Himalayan being judged at a show
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