The Rainbow Is Coming: Learning Color Genetics Together

Exciting things are happening in the world of Colored Giant Angoras.

For many years, Giant Angoras were mostly known for white. Beautiful white wool. Reliable white breeding. REW to REW, and surprise, you got more REW. LOL.

But those days are changing.

As more color comes into our Giant Angora breeding programs, we are seeing more possibilities, more questions, more surprises, and more opportunities to learn. The rainbow is coming, and I truly believe this is one of the most exciting times to be involved with Giant Angoras.

The First Step: Understanding Non-Extension Agouti

I recently put together a simple learning handout called:

What Is a Non-Extension Agouti?

This is the first in what I hope will become many small learning pieces as we continue moving forward with colored Giant Angoras, future COD projects, and a deeper understanding of how color genetics work in our breed.

👉 You can read the PDF here: What Is a Non-Extension Agouti?

This first handout looks at the difference between a regular agouti pattern and a non-extension agouti, using Chocolate Agouti and Fawn as examples.

The short version is this:

A Chocolate Agouti is an agouti with normal extension.

A Fawn is also agouti genetically, but it has non-extension, which changes how the color is expressed. That little difference matters.

And as we start talking about Creams, Fawns, Reds, Chocolate Agoutis, Lynx, Opals, and other future possibilities, these details will matter even more.

Next Up: Wideband

This is coming up soon.... I will be sharing more about wideband.

Wideband is one of those terms that can make your brain do a little bunny hop sideways, but it is very important when we start talking about the difference between colors like Fawn and Red.

Fawn and Red can look closely related, but they are not exactly the same genetically. Red adds another layer with wideband, and that affects how color spreads across the rabbit, especially around the belly and underside.

So, this is not just about “light orange, darker orange, prettiest orange.” LOL.

It is about understanding what we are actually seeing, what we are breeding for, and why some colors may need their own COD path.

Many New CODs Are in the Making

We are entering a season where several new color possibilities are being discussed, studied, and worked on in Giant Angoras.

That means we need to do more than just say, “Oh, that rabbit is pretty.” We need to learn what we are looking at.

• What can be shown now?

• What cannot be shown yet?

• What might be a future COD?

• What colors are genetically different enough that they may need their own COD path?

• How do we describe these colors clearly and correctly for the Giant Angora coat?

These are big questions, but they are also exciting questions. This is how a breed grows.

My Very Humbling Chestnut Lesson

I have to laugh at myself a little. When I first started dabbling with Chestnuts and thinking about the COD process, I remember thinking: How hard can this be?

In my mind, white was the most recessive thing. So going from REW to Chestnut, with all those dominant genes, sounded like it should be simple. Oh my. How silly was I? LOL.

I quickly learned that dominant does not mean easy. Color genetics are not just a straight line from recessive to dominant. There are layers. There are modifiers. There are hidden genes. There are surprises.

And with Giant Angoras, we also have that big, beautiful wool coat, which can soften, dilute, hide, or change how color appears to the eye.

So yes, I learned a lot. And I am still learning.

Learning Together

That is the heart behind this new learning series.

I am not presenting myself as the final expert. I am learning too.

But I do believe we can learn together.

As we move forward with the Colored Giant Angora Village and our Village Elders working group, I want us to build knowledge in a way that feels approachable, friendly, and useful.

• Grab a cup of tea.

• Bring your notebook.

• Bring your spinning wheel if you want.

• Let’s sit together and talk color, genetics, Giant Angoras, and the future of our breed.

• Some of us have more experience. Some of us are brand new.

• Many of us are somewhere in the middle.

• But all of us can keep learning.

👉 We'll be scheduling a monthly gathering, zoom meeting. I'll be announcing more in the Angora Newsflash newsletter.

The Rainbow Is Coming

Colored Giant Angoras are no longer just a dream tucked away in a few breeding barns. They are here. They are growing. And if we want to move forward responsibly, we need to understand what we are seeing, how these colors work, and how to make thoughtful breeding decisions for future CODs.

This is only the beginning.

For the love of Giants, the rainbow is coming. ❤️

Go Team Giants!

BTW, if you want to join our Colored Giant Village on Discord, Here's more information;

Colored Giant Angora Village

We’re creating more reasons for people to stay engaged, to show up at shows, and to fall in love with Angoras all over again. And that right there… is what this is all about.

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Stay Fluffy My Friends,

Tammy,

Life’s just better with a Giant Angora hug!

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