My Downunder Line of Rats

  The Downunder Dumbos are the second line of rats being bred here at Farmhouse Rattery.  "Dumbo" refers to the ear type of the rats.  Caused by a simple recessive gene, dumbo ears are large and round, pointed back toward the body, and set low on the head.  "Downunder" refers to the pattern of markings on the rat's coat.  Downunder is a marking pattern that mirrors the pattern on the rat's back onto its belly.  Downunder rats come in 5 different recognized types: Downunder Hooded, Downunder Spotted/Hooded, Downunder Spotted, Downunder Berkshire, and Downunder Variegated.  

  Downunder rats originally appeared as a spontaneous mutation in the Australian rat fancy.  They first entered the United States through a shipment to a rat fancier in 2002.  They are still relatively rare in the U.S.  I hope to breed show quality markings into our Downunder rats, but due to the small number of litters bred per year, this goal will likely take years to accomplish.  I plan to eventually breed this line in UK Mink with Rex coats, dumbo ears and Downunder markings.  In order to accomplish this, I hope to eventually cross animals pulled from my Siamese line with the original downunder stock.  I hope that cross will not only introduce the rexing and the color UK Mink, but also larger size, better type, and calmer temperaments.

The First Generation

"PH Wild Rose in NYC of FHR" pictured at 5 months.	"SERR Eddie Dean" pictured at 5 months.

The Second Generation

 "FHR Father Ralph"

"FHR Rider" 

"FHR Scarlet"

"FHR Sugaree"