Fancy Rat Varieties

Although they are generally thought of pests, rats have become a very popular pet in American culture since the end of the 20th century. In fact, they have become so popular that some rat fanciers have even created their own organization, the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association, which sets the standards for showing fancy rats in competitions. At present, there are six varieties of fancy rat, each with its own qualities. These are then grouped into six sections (such as self, silvered, and marked) in which there are 33 recognized colors.

  1. Standard

    • The standard variety of fancy rat is characterized by a short, smooth coat, although males may have longer and coarser coats. The coat should also be dense and exhibit natural shine. The color has to conform to a recognized pattern or color. Patterns include English Irish (with a triangle on the chest) and Capped (a white body with a colored area on the head) and colors include beige, black, and lilac.

    Rex

    • If you want a very curly-haired rat, then the rex variety is certainly the one for you. The coat of this variety should have an even density throughout with even curling (including, to a lesser extent, on the stomach). The whiskers can also be curly. Like the standard, the rex must adhere to recognized patterns or colors.

    Hairless

    • The hairless variety of fancy rat is certainly one of the most distinctive that you are likely to see. The standards recommend that this variety be as hairless as possible, with thin, almost translucent skin that should be free of pimples or other blemishes. The skin can be wrinkled and follow any of the recognized colors or patterns, while the ears should be free of wrinkles. Although the whiskers are often curly, they can also be very short or missing altogether.

    Satin

    • In contrast to the hairless, the satin variety of fancy rat has a coat that is longer than the other varieties, with a noticeable sheen, a fine texture and a thin consistency. Both sparkling and yellow casts may appear in this variety of fancy rat. The whiskers are typically curled, wavy, or kinky.

    Dumbo

    • This fancy rat variety can be shown in any pattern, color, or variety. What sets the dumbo variety rats apart are their ears, which are large, round, and set low on the head. If you look at a specimen from above, you will notice that the head forms the shape of an equilateral triangle.

    Tailless

    • This fancy rat variety is unique in that it is completely without a tail. It can come in any of the recognized varieties or colors, and the body may be cobbier with a rounded rump.