Mutation Monday
Ebony variations
For this week we are going to discuss ‘Ebony’. Ebony is a general term in the USA to describe a gray/black animal that is the same color all the way around (no white belly). This can range from a very light almost standard appearance all the way to pitch black. The term ebony actually covers a wide range of genetics that looked similar and were bred together many years ago. Due to the many different genetics that were mixed, this makes it difficult to breed for consistency in the phase (light, dark, ext). Each type of ‘ebony’ breeds and expresses in its own way. Unfortunately there is no way to know what form of ebony that a breeder is working with so we pair based on phenotype (the way the chin looks) rather than by genotype (the genetic type of ebony that is there). Listed below are a few mutations that may be mixed into the current ebony’s of today.
*Tasco Black- First seen in Texas on the Otto Munn in 1964 is believed to be a weakly dominant ebony. It is said to have a brownish/gray belly which was not ideal for the fur market at the time. By line breeding the animals became darker, pure black showing a form of cumulative factor.
*Busse-Seen on the Angel Ranch in 1962. This coloring is noted for a blue/black across the back with a blue/brown to the belly. This form of ebony was more widely accepted for pelting due to the bluer hue which was desired. It is also considered a weak dominant/cumulative gene.
*Charcoal-This color was discovered about 1956. Charcoal is a recessive genetic which means that it can be carried for quite a few generations. This is part of why ebony carrier is notated on any chin out of an ebony parent even if the belly appears white. Charcoals are said to be blueish/gray or brown/gray in color (not usually darker than a medium ebony). There is only 1 breeder over seas that still has pure lines of charcoal that I am aware of.
*French Blue-Developed by Jack French in Kansas this form of ebony has a very blue hue to it. Unfortunately, it is also known to be small and may have a kink to the hair shaft which made it undesirable for pelting.
*Lester Black-First seen in 1970 by M.W. Lester of Oklahoma, it is a recessive gene. It is said to have no brown hue to it but has a lavender like underfur.
*Sakrison-Sakrison is a curly charcoal brown coloring found my Lloyd Sakrison in 1963. The animals were noted to be poor breeders and the genetic likely lost.
*Treadwell Black-Found in Texas in 1962, notes about this ebony have been lost
*Mahogany- This mute is believed to be a matte brown/black. I was not able to find hardly any information on this mutation, but maybe another breeder can chime in.
Due to the mix of genes that may be in our present-day ebony chins, breeders have to work hard to produce quality animals. Ebony is known to be slightly slower growers. They can take up to 2 years to reach full size. We aim to produce a nice blue/black coloring. A red hue is a common reason for them to be offered to a pet home.
When ebony is shown, it is divided into light/medium/dark/extra dark. Some breeders may use the term homo ebony to refer to extra dark ebony, but due to the complex genes, this is not a completely correct term to use. Pictures below are of the different phases of ebony and my personal description. Interpretations of phase will vary from breeder to breeder and even show to show. There is no official guide/definition of each phase (light/medium/dark)
Ebony variations
For this week we are going to discuss ‘Ebony’. Ebony is a general term in the USA to describe a gray/black animal that is the same color all the way around (no white belly). This can range from a very light almost standard appearance all the way to pitch black. The term ebony actually covers a wide range of genetics that looked similar and were bred together many years ago. Due to the many different genetics that were mixed, this makes it difficult to breed for consistency in the phase (light, dark, ext). Each type of ‘ebony’ breeds and expresses in its own way. Unfortunately there is no way to know what form of ebony that a breeder is working with so we pair based on phenotype (the way the chin looks) rather than by genotype (the genetic type of ebony that is there). Listed below are a few mutations that may be mixed into the current ebony’s of today.
*Tasco Black- First seen in Texas on the Otto Munn in 1964 is believed to be a weakly dominant ebony. It is said to have a brownish/gray belly which was not ideal for the fur market at the time. By line breeding the animals became darker, pure black showing a form of cumulative factor.
*Busse-Seen on the Angel Ranch in 1962. This coloring is noted for a blue/black across the back with a blue/brown to the belly. This form of ebony was more widely accepted for pelting due to the bluer hue which was desired. It is also considered a weak dominant/cumulative gene.
*Charcoal-This color was discovered about 1956. Charcoal is a recessive genetic which means that it can be carried for quite a few generations. This is part of why ebony carrier is notated on any chin out of an ebony parent even if the belly appears white. Charcoals are said to be blueish/gray or brown/gray in color (not usually darker than a medium ebony). There is only 1 breeder over seas that still has pure lines of charcoal that I am aware of.
*French Blue-Developed by Jack French in Kansas this form of ebony has a very blue hue to it. Unfortunately, it is also known to be small and may have a kink to the hair shaft which made it undesirable for pelting.
*Lester Black-First seen in 1970 by M.W. Lester of Oklahoma, it is a recessive gene. It is said to have no brown hue to it but has a lavender like underfur.
*Sakrison-Sakrison is a curly charcoal brown coloring found my Lloyd Sakrison in 1963. The animals were noted to be poor breeders and the genetic likely lost.
*Treadwell Black-Found in Texas in 1962, notes about this ebony have been lost
*Mahogany- This mute is believed to be a matte brown/black. I was not able to find hardly any information on this mutation, but maybe another breeder can chime in.
Due to the mix of genes that may be in our present-day ebony chins, breeders have to work hard to produce quality animals. Ebony is known to be slightly slower growers. They can take up to 2 years to reach full size. We aim to produce a nice blue/black coloring. A red hue is a common reason for them to be offered to a pet home.
When ebony is shown, it is divided into light/medium/dark/extra dark. Some breeders may use the term homo ebony to refer to extra dark ebony, but due to the complex genes, this is not a completely correct term to use. Pictures below are of the different phases of ebony and my personal description. Interpretations of phase will vary from breeder to breeder and even show to show. There is no official guide/definition of each phase (light/medium/dark)