Longhair
Longhairs are now a rare variety on the show bench in the UK, although in the past they have won some top awards. Most often seen in lighter colours such as PEW, which make the hair seem longer still, the longhair has a somewhat cutesy image with non-breeders. Although difficult enough to breed, the longhair has the added pain of having to be cared for a little differently to other mice. Being a PEW or light mouse, it must be kept clean anyway, but the long coat may require extra attention or precaution to prevent it becoming soiled or otherwise unsuitable for show. Extra care must be taken over the wet food provided in the Maxey.
Like the astrex, a longhair’s coat looks best on a young baby. Unfortunately it can then ‘grow into’ the coat, making it appear shorter than desired. The only advice with this recessive gene is to breed mice with the longest coats together in the hope of perpetuating this characteristic in the offspring. Outcrossing is a more long-winded process with longhairs since the gene is recessive, however since most longhairs tend to be the lighter selfs they do have the advantage of having the potential to remain larger and more typy.
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