Determining the color of your angora is easy if you follow a few simple guidelines.
All colors are black, blue, chocolate or lilac based. Blue and Lilac are the dilute versions of black and chocolate.
With the exception of sheen in the satin angora making overall color more rich and vibrant, colors across the 4 angora breeds are the same. The same color standard and description is used for all four breeds. The following pictures are a mixed combination of the various breeds.
When attempting to ID color, pay attention to the guard hairs (stiff hairs that poke out of the coat), and the face color between the eyes and on the forehead. Hold a white piece of computer paper or poster board behind your animal. This prevents background color distortion when trying to determine exactly what color you are looking at. Choosing daylight on an overcast day helps as well. Many indoor lamps distort color. Also keep in mind that within each individual color, shading and depth of color can vary from animal to animal.
Please note! This is not an all inclusive list.
The vast majority of these photos are of animals I raised.
Colors I have never had I will add if someone provides a stellar photo of one.
All colors are black, blue, chocolate or lilac based. Blue and Lilac are the dilute versions of black and chocolate.
With the exception of sheen in the satin angora making overall color more rich and vibrant, colors across the 4 angora breeds are the same. The same color standard and description is used for all four breeds. The following pictures are a mixed combination of the various breeds.
When attempting to ID color, pay attention to the guard hairs (stiff hairs that poke out of the coat), and the face color between the eyes and on the forehead. Hold a white piece of computer paper or poster board behind your animal. This prevents background color distortion when trying to determine exactly what color you are looking at. Choosing daylight on an overcast day helps as well. Many indoor lamps distort color. Also keep in mind that within each individual color, shading and depth of color can vary from animal to animal.
Please note! This is not an all inclusive list.
The vast majority of these photos are of animals I raised.
Colors I have never had I will add if someone provides a stellar photo of one.
Self
Selfs can only be one of four colors. Black, blue, chocolate or lilac. A self colored rabbit has the same color everywhere.
The ears are the same color all over, inside and out as the face. The belly is the same color as the top of the back,
although the belly can be a touch lighter in color.
When you blow into the wool, you will see a uniform color to the skin. No rings, no difference in undercolor.
For angora, the body color is faded compared to the face.
Often times in self angora, you will still see what appears to be rings. Its really just a variation in shading.
They will only be the self color and a ring of lighter colored self. Example, a black rabbit might have rings of black and grey only. A blue might have rings of blue and lighter blue only.
**If you see rings of brown or reddish, your rabbit is not a self!**
Breed Selfs to other Selfs, Torts, Agoutis, Whites or Pointed Whites.
Avoid Sable, Smoke Pearls and Chinchillas.
The ears are the same color all over, inside and out as the face. The belly is the same color as the top of the back,
although the belly can be a touch lighter in color.
When you blow into the wool, you will see a uniform color to the skin. No rings, no difference in undercolor.
For angora, the body color is faded compared to the face.
Often times in self angora, you will still see what appears to be rings. Its really just a variation in shading.
They will only be the self color and a ring of lighter colored self. Example, a black rabbit might have rings of black and grey only. A blue might have rings of blue and lighter blue only.
**If you see rings of brown or reddish, your rabbit is not a self!**
Breed Selfs to other Selfs, Torts, Agoutis, Whites or Pointed Whites.
Avoid Sable, Smoke Pearls and Chinchillas.
Black
Babies often have much richer color than adults.
Blacks should have rich black color on all the normal furred areas with the wool
being a lighter shade of black...in some cases even being grey.
Babies often have much richer color than adults.
Blacks should have rich black color on all the normal furred areas with the wool
being a lighter shade of black...in some cases even being grey.
Blue
Normal furred areas and guard hairs should be a solid dark blue color.
Wool can be slightly lighter and may fade a bit towards the skin. Eyes are blue-grey.
Normal furred areas and guard hairs should be a solid dark blue color.
Wool can be slightly lighter and may fade a bit towards the skin. Eyes are blue-grey.
Chocolate
Normal furred areas to be a rich dark chocolate, wool is a lighter shade of chocolate fading to dove grey towards the skin.
Normal furred areas to be a rich dark chocolate, wool is a lighter shade of chocolate fading to dove grey towards the skin.
Lilac
Normal furred areas and guard hairs should be a light pinkish-grey with wooled areas being a touch lighter.
Eyes blue-grey. Keep a sharp eye on toenails!
Normal furred areas and guard hairs should be a light pinkish-grey with wooled areas being a touch lighter.
Eyes blue-grey. Keep a sharp eye on toenails!
Color Comparison Blue vs Lilac
Blue on the left, Lilac on the right
Blue on the left, Lilac on the right
Agouti
Agoutis come in many colors, but are always based on the 4 self colors. Agoutis will always have a white or creamy colored belly, nose holes, inside of ears, underside of tail and sometimes between the toes and a triangle behind the ears.
Agouti babies can be identified at birth due to the white or cream colored belly.
The line of color difference from the armpits to the crotch is
distinct and very obvious.
When you blow into the wool, you should see rings of color; slate blue/grey at the skin, an intermediate band of some shade of red/tan/gold and a surface color of brown/grey/rust.
Breed Agoutis to other Agoutis, Red/Fawns, Whites or Selfs.
Avoid pretty much everything else.
Agouti babies can be identified at birth due to the white or cream colored belly.
The line of color difference from the armpits to the crotch is
distinct and very obvious.
When you blow into the wool, you should see rings of color; slate blue/grey at the skin, an intermediate band of some shade of red/tan/gold and a surface color of brown/grey/rust.
Breed Agoutis to other Agoutis, Red/Fawns, Whites or Selfs.
Avoid pretty much everything else.
5 Day old Agouti Babies
Depending on parentage, these could be chestnut, copper or chinchilla.
Black skin, white underneath, white noseholes, white eyecircles,
white inside ears, and a clear split between the color (demarcation line).
The intermediate band of tan or pearl and surface color of brown, red or silver
that solidify color ID will appear within the month.
Depending on parentage, these could be chestnut, copper or chinchilla.
Black skin, white underneath, white noseholes, white eyecircles,
white inside ears, and a clear split between the color (demarcation line).
The intermediate band of tan or pearl and surface color of brown, red or silver
that solidify color ID will appear within the month.
Copper
Rufus red surface color, black tipped guard hairs, bands of bright red-orange alternating with dark slate,
slate undercolor, brown eyes.
All the below coppers are Satin Angora
Rufus red surface color, black tipped guard hairs, bands of bright red-orange alternating with dark slate,
slate undercolor, brown eyes.
All the below coppers are Satin Angora
Chestnut
Rich chestnut surface color, black tipped guard hairs,
bands of tan and slate, blue-grey undercolor. Eyes brown.
Chestnut can come in a variety of depths and shades (as shown in the above photos).
This is ok so long as the basic descriptive requirements are met.
The wild rabbits one sees at times are chestnut in color.
Rich chestnut surface color, black tipped guard hairs,
bands of tan and slate, blue-grey undercolor. Eyes brown.
Chestnut can come in a variety of depths and shades (as shown in the above photos).
This is ok so long as the basic descriptive requirements are met.
The wild rabbits one sees at times are chestnut in color.
COPPER vs CHESTNUT
Copper and chestnut are genetically the same. The difference is the depth of rufus, or rufus factor. Compare pictures.
Copper looks like rust, chestnut looks like wild bunny brown. Sometimes determination is a fine line.
Copper and chestnut are genetically the same. The difference is the depth of rufus, or rufus factor. Compare pictures.
Copper looks like rust, chestnut looks like wild bunny brown. Sometimes determination is a fine line.
Chocolate Agouti
The SOP states the surface color should be a rich chestnut ticked with chocolate tipped guard hairs. The reality of chocolate agouti is that is comes in many shades. The photo in the upper left is the closest I have to SOP correct, but the rufus factor can drastically change things. The lower right picture represents a large sector of the chocolate agouti population in satin angora. Many are commonly referred to as high rufus chocolate agoutis. Two factors are key in identifying this color. First is the chocolate tipped guard hairs. Also pay close attention to the color of the lacing on the ears. The second is the color of the actual wool. Shown are two very different examples of the ring pattern of a chocolate agouti.
All 4 of the photos are Satin Angora
The SOP states the surface color should be a rich chestnut ticked with chocolate tipped guard hairs. The reality of chocolate agouti is that is comes in many shades. The photo in the upper left is the closest I have to SOP correct, but the rufus factor can drastically change things. The lower right picture represents a large sector of the chocolate agouti population in satin angora. Many are commonly referred to as high rufus chocolate agoutis. Two factors are key in identifying this color. First is the chocolate tipped guard hairs. Also pay close attention to the color of the lacing on the ears. The second is the color of the actual wool. Shown are two very different examples of the ring pattern of a chocolate agouti.
All 4 of the photos are Satin Angora
CHOCOLATE AGOUTI vs CHESTNUT
This is a Pair of Rex. Remember, rabbit colors across the breeds are essentially the same although sometimes have different names.
Castor = Chestnut Amber = Chocolate Agouti You can clearly see here the guard hairs (although super short) are black and chocolate signifying chestnut and chocolate agouti. The intermediate band is a rich shade of orange/tan and the undercolor is slate blue, same as angora. Remember also that in angora, as the wool grows the color stretches, causing fading towards the skin. |
Opal
Opal is essentially blue agouti. Surface color is blue with blue tipped guard hairs. Rings should be those of tan and shades of blue with a light blue undercolor. All photos are French Angora |
Opal and Lynx are dilute colors. Due to the diluting nature of the color gene, the ring definition often appears weak or faded. This is not ideal but common.
Color breeding goals would be for stronger intermediate band and sharper defining edges where the two colors meet. |
Lynx
Lynx is the lilac version of agouti. Same rules, but lilac instead.
Lynx is the lilac version of agouti. Same rules, but lilac instead.
wideband GRoup
Cream, red, fawns are what are called wide band.
They are neither self nor agouti. The red gene makes crazy things happen. Rabbits in this category should have agouti markings, but the body color is cream, red or fawn.
They may or may not appear to have rings.
Note: Creams have blue-grey eyes. Reds and fawns call for brown eyes. Ideally these should have no ear lacing color, but some do anyway. That's called smut.
To avoid smut, stick to breeding to chocolate-based reds.
Breed reds to other reds for the most intense red color.
Reds, Creams and Fawns can be bred to other Red/Cream/Fawns,
Agouti, White and Torts
Do not breed these colors to Chinchilla, Sable, Smoke Pearl, Pearl or Pointed White.
They are neither self nor agouti. The red gene makes crazy things happen. Rabbits in this category should have agouti markings, but the body color is cream, red or fawn.
They may or may not appear to have rings.
Note: Creams have blue-grey eyes. Reds and fawns call for brown eyes. Ideally these should have no ear lacing color, but some do anyway. That's called smut.
To avoid smut, stick to breeding to chocolate-based reds.
Breed reds to other reds for the most intense red color.
Reds, Creams and Fawns can be bred to other Red/Cream/Fawns,
Agouti, White and Torts
Do not breed these colors to Chinchilla, Sable, Smoke Pearl, Pearl or Pointed White.
Above are comparative examples showing how difficult it can be
to properly identify color.
Left to right, clockwise...a lightly marked chocolate tort, a fawn, and a red.
Both photos are Satin Angora
to properly identify color.
Left to right, clockwise...a lightly marked chocolate tort, a fawn, and a red.
Both photos are Satin Angora
Cream
Cream is the dilute version of the wide bands. Very light creamy tan body color.
Creams often have lilac smut.
Eyes must be grey-blue! All pictures are French Angora
Cream is the dilute version of the wide bands. Very light creamy tan body color.
Creams often have lilac smut.
Eyes must be grey-blue! All pictures are French Angora
Fawn
Dorsal wool to be a clear golden color, white eyes circles, inside of ears,
nostrils, belly, and underside of jowls and tail.
White undercolor ok! Eyes brown.
Although the standard does not specify, the wool may exhibit rings of pearl or cream and fawn. This is indication of a new coat intermixed within the old, which is ok.
Dorsal wool to be a clear golden color, white eyes circles, inside of ears,
nostrils, belly, and underside of jowls and tail.
White undercolor ok! Eyes brown.
Although the standard does not specify, the wool may exhibit rings of pearl or cream and fawn. This is indication of a new coat intermixed within the old, which is ok.
Fawn can present in a wide variety of shades all the way from super light cream to a rich orange.
Often there is a fine line between determining if you have a red or a fawn. Never judge based on baby coat as shading can change when the first junior molt happens. If you arent sure and in doubt about what you have, its probably a fawn. |
Red
Dorsal color to be a deep reddish sorrel. Reds may have white, cream OR pale red eyes circles, inside of ears, nostrils, belly and underside of jowls and tail.
Brown eyes.
The Rex people say the more red the better. They prefer that the whole animal be some shade of red, rather than have white eye circles and other such areas. I believe this standard reflects that same belief/desire, although in no case is the animal faulted for white nostrils, belly, eye circles, etc.. instead of red.
All below photos are Satin Angora
Dorsal color to be a deep reddish sorrel. Reds may have white, cream OR pale red eyes circles, inside of ears, nostrils, belly and underside of jowls and tail.
Brown eyes.
The Rex people say the more red the better. They prefer that the whole animal be some shade of red, rather than have white eye circles and other such areas. I believe this standard reflects that same belief/desire, although in no case is the animal faulted for white nostrils, belly, eye circles, etc.. instead of red.
All below photos are Satin Angora
tort group (shaded)
Shadeds have what appears to be a self-colored face and ears,
but a body color that does not match.
The body color can be white, cream, fawn, tan, orange or red
or any variations of these colors.
Breed Torts to other Torts, Selfs, Whites, Agouti and Red/Cream/Fawn
NEVER breed to Pointed Whites.
but a body color that does not match.
The body color can be white, cream, fawn, tan, orange or red
or any variations of these colors.
Breed Torts to other Torts, Selfs, Whites, Agouti and Red/Cream/Fawn
NEVER breed to Pointed Whites.
Tortoiseshell (Black Tort)
Both are Satin Angora
Both are Satin Angora
Blue Tort
Two very different examples
Two very different examples
Chocolate Tort
Two very different examples
All torts have body color some shade of red, fawn or cream. White body wool is not allowed. The markings should be black, blue, chocolate or lilac and cover some or all of the face starting at the nose, plus the ears, feet and tail. There should also be shading on the hips although in many examples that shading disappears as the wool grows. A white belly or tail is not allowed.
Watch for white toenails on dilutes! Not allowed!
Two very different examples
All torts have body color some shade of red, fawn or cream. White body wool is not allowed. The markings should be black, blue, chocolate or lilac and cover some or all of the face starting at the nose, plus the ears, feet and tail. There should also be shading on the hips although in many examples that shading disappears as the wool grows. A white belly or tail is not allowed.
Watch for white toenails on dilutes! Not allowed!
Lilac Tort
Not my photos. I forget who gave them to me I am sorry!!
Not my photos. I forget who gave them to me I am sorry!!
Other shaded colors
Black Pearl
Chocolate Pearl
Pearls may have masks of Sable, black, blue, chocolate or lilac. The color should cover the face, ears, feet and tail. Body wool must be some shade of creamy pearl with a white undercolor as seen in the photo to the right. The wool should never be pure white. See the Non-Showable section at the bottom of the page for more info on this. Toenails must be colored and eyes should match the rules for the respective self colors. |
Blue Pearl
|
Chinchilla group (agouti)
Breed Chinchillas to other Chinchillas or Whites.
NEVER breed a chin to anything with red in the color anywhere.
Never breed to Pointed white.
NEVER breed a chin to anything with red in the color anywhere.
Never breed to Pointed white.
Chinchilla (black chin)
Surface color is a blend of slate and pearl, black tipped guard hairs, with rings of pearl and blue-gray. Blue grey undercolor,
eyes any shade of blue-grey, brown or marbled.
Surface color is a blend of slate and pearl, black tipped guard hairs, with rings of pearl and blue-gray. Blue grey undercolor,
eyes any shade of blue-grey, brown or marbled.
Chocolate Chinchilla
Surface color is a blend of chocolate and pearl, chocolate tipped guard hairs, with rings of pearl and light chocolate. Dove-gray undercolor,
eyes any shade of blue-grey, brown or marbled.
Both photos are Satin Angora
Surface color is a blend of chocolate and pearl, chocolate tipped guard hairs, with rings of pearl and light chocolate. Dove-gray undercolor,
eyes any shade of blue-grey, brown or marbled.
Both photos are Satin Angora
Example of a marbled eye
This is allowed in black and chocolate chin only!
This is allowed in black and chocolate chin only!
Squirrel (Blue chin)
Squirrels have a surface color of blue and pearl with blue tipped guard hairs.
Rings should be pearl and light blue with a light blue undercolor.
Both photos are satin angora.
This is the same animal as a baby and as an adult.
Squirrels have a surface color of blue and pearl with blue tipped guard hairs.
Rings should be pearl and light blue with a light blue undercolor.
Both photos are satin angora.
This is the same animal as a baby and as an adult.
Ticked group
The below color is called Gold Tipped Steel.
There are also Silver Tipped Steels but I have never seen one.
There are also Silver Tipped Steels but I have never seen one.
For an angora with the ticked coloration, the overall body color should resemble self...black, blue, chocolate or lilac and the eye color should match in accordance with the self standard. The ticking should lightly cover the entire body in an even overall pattern. The ticking can be either gold or silver in color. The belly and underside of tail doesn't have to exhibit ticking.
Above photos all Giant Angora Circular photo is a French Angora |
This is a comparison photo of French Angora colored coats.
Left to Right: Self Chocolate, Chocolate Silver Tipped Steel,
Chocolate Gold Tipped Steel
Left to Right: Self Chocolate, Chocolate Silver Tipped Steel,
Chocolate Gold Tipped Steel
white group
White is not actually a color. White is a mask. White can be bred to any color but it is important to know what color your white hides. GENETICALLY, whites can be anything EXCEPT chinchilla, sable, pearl, pointed white or seal. The actual color of your white under the mask can be determined by examining the color of the parents, grandparents, etc.. or by test breeding.
Angoras also recognize BLUE-eyed whites. These are solid white rabbits with bright blue eyes instead of red. Blue-eyed white is a different genetic designation known as VIENNA. This is not a color group breeders regularly work with. The Blue-eyed white gene causes color abnormalities in future offspring. A breeder either works with BEW or they dont. If you choose to breed BEW, it is important to find a mentor and make sure it is clear on your pedigrees that there is BEW in the family tree. The BEW gene hides forever.
Angoras also recognize BLUE-eyed whites. These are solid white rabbits with bright blue eyes instead of red. Blue-eyed white is a different genetic designation known as VIENNA. This is not a color group breeders regularly work with. The Blue-eyed white gene causes color abnormalities in future offspring. A breeder either works with BEW or they dont. If you choose to breed BEW, it is important to find a mentor and make sure it is clear on your pedigrees that there is BEW in the family tree. The BEW gene hides forever.
Ruby - eyed White
Pointed White
The body color must be pure white. The marking colors may be black, blue, chocolate or lilac. There must be evident color on the nose, ears, feet and tail.
Toenails must be colored! Eyes red.
Both photos French Angora
Baby line, Satin Angora
Breed Pointed Whites to other Pointed Whites, Sables or Selfs only!
The body color must be pure white. The marking colors may be black, blue, chocolate or lilac. There must be evident color on the nose, ears, feet and tail.
Toenails must be colored! Eyes red.
Both photos French Angora
Baby line, Satin Angora
Breed Pointed Whites to other Pointed Whites, Sables or Selfs only!
The two above photos are the same animal, baby and adult.
non-showable colors
Silver Martin
Examples are shown in black and blue. This is a tan pattern. The body exhibits one of the self colors, yet has what are considered agouti markings...meaning white eye circles, nostrils, inside of ears, underside of jowls and tail and a snow white belly. As seen on the black, there should be white ticking up the rump and sides. As the wool grows, it becomes very difficult to identify this ticking in many representatives of this color pattern.
Both photos Giant Angora
Examples are shown in black and blue. This is a tan pattern. The body exhibits one of the self colors, yet has what are considered agouti markings...meaning white eye circles, nostrils, inside of ears, underside of jowls and tail and a snow white belly. As seen on the black, there should be white ticking up the rump and sides. As the wool grows, it becomes very difficult to identify this ticking in many representatives of this color pattern.
Both photos Giant Angora
Harlequin
These examples show the Japanese variety, ie: orange and black in a striped or checker board pattern. Harli also comes in Magpie which is black and white. Harlequin colored rabbits may have any one of the four self colors paired with orange in the Jap variety or with white in the magpie variety.
These examples show the Japanese variety, ie: orange and black in a striped or checker board pattern. Harli also comes in Magpie which is black and white. Harlequin colored rabbits may have any one of the four self colors paired with orange in the Jap variety or with white in the magpie variety.
Ermine
Ermine is a non-showable color that pops out of both chinchilla and sable genetics.
Ermines are commonly mistaken for pearls.
Ermines often have incomplete shading on their face and ears; sometimes none. Usually they have no shading on the feet or tail either. Eyes are always colored. One sure sign of an ermine is the insides of the ears are distinctly white although I have seen ermines with colored ear insides. Pearls have colored ear insides. Ermines also have snow white body and belly color. Pearls have creamy body color. On a pearl, white body color is a disqualification.
Observe the picture below and you can clearly see some differences.
Pearl on the left, ermine on the right.
All 3 animals are French Angora
Ermine is a non-showable color that pops out of both chinchilla and sable genetics.
Ermines are commonly mistaken for pearls.
Ermines often have incomplete shading on their face and ears; sometimes none. Usually they have no shading on the feet or tail either. Eyes are always colored. One sure sign of an ermine is the insides of the ears are distinctly white although I have seen ermines with colored ear insides. Pearls have colored ear insides. Ermines also have snow white body and belly color. Pearls have creamy body color. On a pearl, white body color is a disqualification.
Observe the picture below and you can clearly see some differences.
Pearl on the left, ermine on the right.
All 3 animals are French Angora