So you want to start breeding BEW Mini Lops...

Breeding BEW Mini Lops is not a task without it's difficulties.  The BEW gene is about the only recognised Mini Lop color that cannot be randomly bred into any other color without consequence.  I am the last person to discourage getting into BEWs but it is important to know what you are getting into.  The following sections will explain some of the challenges that a breeder needs to be aware of before starting to breed BEWs.

Click on the following links to jump to a section: Section 1 - Genetics Section 2 - Starting Stock Section 3 - Color Incompatibility for Outcrossing Section 4 - BEW breeding ethics Conclusion

Section 1 Genetics: The first thing to be aware of when breeding BEWs is the basic genetics involved.  I won't get into all color genetics, but specifically the vienna gene which causes a rabbit to be BEW.  The vienna gene is represented by a V for not present or a v for present.  Therefore a BEW is vv and a rabbit that is not and does not carry the gene is VV.  A rabbit that has one of each (Vv) is known as a vienna carrier (which will be further refered to as a VC) or vienna mark (which will be further refered to as a VM) respectively.  The difference between a VC and a VM is simple, A VC looks like any solid or broken colored rabbit and as solid shows no white markings or as broken shows no unusual white markings.  A VM however is distinguished by white spots, toenails, and/or markings and often has some resemblance in pattern to a Dutch. That said, the vienna gene can hide for many generations since a VC does not show markings.  It is said it can hide for possibly more than a hundred generations.  This is part of why the vienna gene is problematic and should not be bred into other colored show lines without great care because this gene may cause white spots and/or toenails generations after the vienna ancestor has passed off the pedigree.  This will be discussed further in other sections. back to top

Section 2 Starting Stock: The first step to breeding BEWs is obvious, you must find a BEW or a VC to introduce the gene to your herd.  There are several ways to get started. The first method is to purchase a trio of vienna rabbits, whether it be three BEWs or a mix of BEWs and VCs/VMs. The second method is to purchase one BEW and breed it to a solid rabbit, then breed offspring back to the BEW parent.  This is best done with a buck since he can breed to several solid does for a little more genetic diversity in a shorter period of time. Many people when looking to purchase a trio want only BEWs and shy away from VC or VM stock.  While this is a matter of personal preference it is not always the most practical.  The BEW Mini Lop does not always have the strongest type and often Mini Lops that have better conformation but do not carry the vienna gene are bred into a line to produce better future generations of BEWs.  In my experience it is often the VMs that have the best type even though they themselves cannot be put on the show table (oh the irony!).  So, do not discount the importance of the VCs/VMs. back to top

Section 3 Color Incompatibility for Outcrossing: Often times, as mentioned in the previous section, it is important to cross solid colored Mini Lops into your BEW line for genetic diversity and type improvement.  There are a few colors (genes) that you should try to avoid putting into your line because they can cause problems with your BEWs eye color. The first color to avoid in your BEW outcrossing is REW or rabbits carrying REW.  REW is the only color that is completely dominant over BEW.  Therefore if you breed two BEWs together and both carry one REW gene you could get a number of REWs in your litters.  Also those REWs that have the double vienna gene (vv) often have a blue cast to their ruby eyes. The second color to avoid is any kind of chocolate coat color.  This can, though it doesn't always, cause a violet coloring to the eyes of your future BEWs. All of the sable colors are the third color gene to avoid.  Sable colors include all containing the word sable, as well as all smoke pearl colors.  These colors can cause a noticable ruby cast to your future BEWs eyes There may be others but I haven't learned of any more.  If I do I will add them as I find them.  All of what is listed in this section was unknown to me when I started breeding BEWs and if I had known I could have avoided some of the issues I have had to overcome in my breeding program. back to top

Section 4 BEW breeding ethics: Admittedly this section is my opinion but it is also my recommendation. I believe it is important to thoroughly inform all buyers of BEWs, VMs, and VCs of the unique challenge of the vienna gene.  An unaware buyer may breed vienna into their line and face later heart ache when their best solid colored Mini Lops are disqualified for white toenails and/or white spots. The policy I adhere to is to inform all buyers. If you breed two VCs/VMs and you get an unmarked kit it should be assumed that it may carry the gene and should be sold as a possible vienna carrier.  It can be determined through test breeding a possible VC to a BEW whether or not the lop carries the vienna gene.  If it does not you will never get BEWs from that paring.  I find it is far more ethical to sell possible VCs only to people intending to test breed them or to pet or non breeding situations. back to top

Conclusion: BEW is a lovely color, but one should consider the challenges carefully before deciding to embark upon breeding them.  If one has a large rabbitry it is possible to breed both a BEW line and a seperate colored line.  If cage space is at a premium however, many breeders must choose between breeding BEWs or breeding a colored line since the two cannot be mixed indescriminantly.  Also the BEW in many cases is not yet a very competitive show rabbit as their type is still being developed so anyone planning to breed them should be ready to breed for better type.  BEWs are improving with each generation and the day is coming where they will kick hindquarter on the show table :) Now as an informed breeder, I hope you are still interested in breeding the beautiful BEW Mini Lop! back to top

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