The Dwarfing Gene

The Jersey Wooly originated from cross breeding wooled rabbits with Netherland Dwarfs. Because of this, Jersey Woolies carry the 'dwarfing gene'.

This gene we call (Dw). The dwarfing gene is dominant over the regular sizing gene we call (dw).

Keeping in mind a rabbit gets one set of genes from each of its parents we can look at it this way:
If the rabbit inherits one dwarfing gene and one regular size gene, it will look like this:
(Dwdw) This would be a dwarf size rabbit.
(dwdw) Two full size genes, this would be a full size rabbit
(DwDw) Double dwarfing genes. This combination is lethal, the baby will be what we call a 'peanut'. Much smaller then its litter mates and will not survive beyond three days.

If you breed two Jersey woolies that carry the dwarfing gene the odds would be: half the litter would be dwarf, 1/4 of the litter would be non-dwarf and 1/4 of the litter would be lethal.

A non-dwarf Jersey Wooly is genetically pure Wooly. But it will be larger then the required show animal size of 3.5 pounds. Its genetics would read (dwdw)

The advantage of using a non-dwarf Jersey Wooly in a breeding program is you would avoid the lethal gene combination. Remember, each parent gives one set of genes to its offspring. The only gene this rabbit would be able to give is the (dw) Match that with a dwarf rabbit (Dwdw) and you could only get:
(Dwdw) dwarf rabbit or (dwdw) full size rabbits. You avoid the lethal combination all together.

It is more desirable to use a doe as the non-dwarf in a breeding program. This is called a 'brood doe'. Because of her large size she will generally produce large litters with the advantage of having better chances of dwarf, show quality offspring.

Remember, if you breed two non-dwarf rabbits, you will get an entire litter of non-dwarf, non-showable rabbits.

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