SIAMESE SATINS
By Joe and Daisy Corgan, Las Cruces, NM
The Siamese color combined with Satin sheen resultsin one of
the most attractive and admired of all rabbit varieties. The
Siamese Satin is a major asset to the Satin breed.
Variety is defined by color and markings, and our comments will
concentrate on variety rather than overall breed characteristics.
The ARBA standard specifies that the Siamese color be dark
sepia brown on the head, ears, feet and tail (points), shading to
medium brown body color. This defines the color within rather
broad limits, and leads to some variability in the shades of color that different breeders and judges prefer. Our
experience has been that most judges accept some range without faulting for color. This allows breeders options,
within limits, to develop their own unique lines. Our personal preference has been for a slightly lighter than average
body color shading to relatively dark points for maximum contrast. Within limits the contrast between body and point
color may be more important than the shade of body color. Body color should also shade to a darker sepia brown
along the lower sides and rump, and on the belly. Eyes must be brown. Toenail color may be dark or light, but must
be the same for all front toenails and for all reartoenails. The front and rear toenail color may differ.
Siamese color intensity is responsive to temperature. Animals born in the early spring can be relatively light in color
at first prime (about five months age), and then change to a considerably darker color in winter. Although the
Siamese is a shaded variety, uniform body coloring is one of the most important factors in that body color should be
evenly shaded, rather than mottled, streaked or splotched. Mottling is common during molt, but a primecoat should
not appear mottled.
Selection for color in Siamese is impractical untilabout four to five months of age. We select for type and other
characteristics and for disqualifications at about 10 weeks, and again three to six weeks later, but selection for color
is delayed until about five months (at first prime). Our selection criteria include shade and uniformity of body color
and contrast between body and point color. Further selection at seven to eight months is sometimes done to cull
animals that fail to retain desired color characteristics. Some animals that have uniform light color in summer change
to a body color that is too dark or uneven in winter.
For the beginning breeder we recommend that, in addition to studying the standard, you visit at lengthwith
established Siamese breeders about standards for color and markings and all characteristics of a good show
animals. Purchase the best stock available!For those wishing to raise a few animals to show, we suggest a buck
and two or three does from each of two sources thatare not closely related. This provides the option to cross
between unrelated lines for maximum vigor and condition. You can select your show stock from hybrids between the
two lines, avoiding many of the problems that accompany inbreeding. For a long term program you can maintain and
improve your stock by inbreeding and selection within lines.
For the breeder who wishes to make major contributions to breed and variety improvement, we suggest the following
challenges:
Presently, Siamese color and markings are highly variable, not only between different breeders' lines, but often
within lines. 'Siamese' is controlled by a single gene that is recessive to genes for other colors in the same multiple
allelic series. However, the quality of Siamese color and markings is affected by an unknown number ofgene
interactions. Development of lines that breed true for all characteristics of color and markings will greatly improve the
variety. Different approaches to accomplish this may be effective, but most likely it will require inbreeding and
rigorous selection among relatively large numbers of animals over several generations. Consultation with a trained
animal geneticist would be helpful for this kind ofprogram, but it could be carried out by anyone with a commitment to
do so. This can be a long term and relatively expensive program, but very rewarding.
Because Siamese breeders must select so rigorously for color and markings, other breed characteristicsare
sometimes neglected. As a group the Siamese varietyat present would benefit from breeding work to improve fur
quality. Programs to combine the best Satin fur qualities with acceptable Siamese color and markings are needed.
Current breeders have made significant progress in doing this already, and we expect that Siamese fur quality on the
whole will improve considerably over the next several years.
In our Siamese breeding program, the first criterion for selection has been body type. In a long term program we
have outcrossed to other breeds in order to improvethe Siamese for type, with major emphasis on depthand fullness
of loin. We also have made considerable progress inimprovement for genetics of color and markings, but much more
is needed to combine all of the attributes of outstanding Siamese Satin into a line that breeds true for all of these
attributes.
Other challenges for future Siamese Satin breeders can be identified. There is no shortage of things left to do. This
very exciting Satin variety is a challenge and a joy for the serious rabbit breeder and for those who just want to raise
a few rabbits to show. Also we should not forget that the Satin, including Siamese, is an excellent quality meat and
fur animal.