AFRMA FANCY RATS
Varieties

The following is a brief description of the rat Varieties as recognized by the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association. For complete details of these Standards including points, faults, and disqualifications, please refer to the AFRMA Show Regulations & Standards book.

Note: The pictures on this page are not meant to be true representatives of the animal’s color. Because of differences in monitors (CRT/LCD) and how the monitor is adjusted, the colors may be different. Seeing in person is always best.

Varieties

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  Standard Rats STANDARD - The coat to be short, smooth, and glossy with the males having somewhat longer and coarser hair. It should show a natural high shine and densely cover the body. Color to conform to a recognized color or pattern.

Pink-Eyed White rats owned by Nancy Ferris. Photo ©1997 Craig Robbins.


    Rex Rat REX - The coat to be evenly dense and not excessively harsh, with as few guard hairs as possible. Coat to be evenly curled and also to a lesser extent on the belly. Curly vibrissae (whiskers) are normal for Rex. Color to conform to a recognized color or pattern. (English, N.F.R.S.)

Agouti AOC Rex rat owned and bred by Geri Hauser. Photo ©1992 Larry Ferris.

Read the articles on Rex, Rex Breeding, and “double” Rex.

Research articles:


    Tailless Rat TAILLESS - Tailless rats may be shown in any recognized color, marking, or Variety. The distinct feature is the complete absence of a tail. Tailless rats may have a cobbier body and will have a rounded rump.

Black Self Tailless rat owned and bred by Jazmyn Concolor. Photo ©1996 Craig Robbins.

Read the articles on Tailless, Breeding Tailless, Troubles with Tailless, and Taillessness in the Rat.

Research articles:


    Hairless rat HAIRLESS - Hairless rats should have a thin, bright, rather translucent skin, free of scars or pimples, and be as hairless as possible. The skin may be of any color or recognized marking, and wrinkling should not be penalized. The eyes may be of any color, but should be bright and free from any problems. The ears should be very large and wrinkle free. The whiskers may be very short or missing; they are usually curly.

Hairless rat owned by Lorryta Bowker. Photo ©1996 Craig Robbins.

Research articles:


    Satin rat SATIN - Satin rats may be shown in any recognized color or markings. The ideal coat has a unique and distinct appearance with its lustrous sheen. The coat is thinner and longer looking. The hair should be fine to the touch. The coat has a sparkling look on some colors; white on the animals will have a yellow cast. Whiskers on Satin rats are normally kinky/wavy/curled. (Karen Robbins - Karen’s Kritters)

Blue Self Satin rat owned by Nancy Ferris, bred by Nichole Royer. Photo ©2001 Karen Robbins.

Read the article on Satin.


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  Dumbo rats DUMBO - Dumbo rats to be shown in any recognized color, marking, or variety. The distinguishing feature being their low ear set. The ears are large and round, set low on the sides of the head. Head to form an equilateral triangle when viewed from above.

Sable Burmese Dumbo owned and bred by Connie & Ken Van Doren. Photo ©2009 Karen Robbins.

Read the information on Dumbo and Dumbo Ears.

Research articles:


For complete details of the Standards including points, faults, eliminations, and disqualifications, please refer to the AFRMA Show Regulations & Standards book.
Purchase the AFRMA Official Color Standards Rat book.

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Updated May 24, 2013

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