Head
Should be evenly proportioned, with clean lines and a well-defined stop at the brow.
The muzzle should be of good breadth, rounded and blunt, not narrow or pointed.
The male head should project broadness and strength, while a female's projects
strength and definition that is clearly feminine. Faults: Long face with pointed
muzzle, head too narrow or too wide, no clear brow stop, male head appearing too
feminine, female head having a masculine appearance.
Ears
Standard
Well-formed oval shape of medium size, they should be upright and spaced
well apart. Faults: Creases or folds, ears set too low or too far apart.
Dumbo
Ears to be large, round, and semicircular, set low on the sides of the head,
and pointing back toward the body, maintaining a picture of balance, while
ideally being placed as low as possible on the head. Faults: Creases or folds;
pointing down, so as to give an oblong or tubular shape, pointed edges, set
too high or too low.
Tail
Standard
Long and cylindrical, thick at the base and tapering to a fine point. Should be
at least the length of the body ( nose to base of tail ) and be firm, and of
size/thickness appropriate to the size of the rat, so as to give a balance
appearance.
Faults: Not cylindrical, short, thin.
Disqualification: Kinked or docked.
Tailless
There should be complete absence of a tail, giving the appearance of a
cobbier body and a rounded rump. Disqualification: Any evidence of a tail.
Docked tail. Any evidence of physical abnormalities in walking, climbing, or
skeletal problems.
Eyes
Large, round, and bold; set wide apart so as to give the appearance of width to the
head. Placement is ideally half way between the tip of the nose and the back of the
ears. Faults: Eyes too small.
Odd-Eye
Rat is to have one dark ruby or black eye, and one pink eye, with a clear and obvious
difference between the two. Color and markings to be judged according to their own
standards
Teeth
Two upper and two lower incisors, none misshapen or missing. Mouth should be
able to close normally, with top incisors in front of the lower.
Coat
Standard
Fur to be dense, even, and lustrous – should lay flat and smooth. Long guard
hairs or slightly coarser fur are permissible in Males. Whiskers are long and
straight. Color and markings should conform to recognized standard.
Rex
Fur to be thick and densely curled. Guard hairs should be coarse and easily
felt. Whiskers to be curled.
Faults: Frizzed, loose coat, bald patches.
Satin
Fine to the touch, with longer and softer guard hairs that give an overall
glossy look or sheen. Satin lends some colors a sparkling appearance, and a
yellowish cast on white and Siamese. Whiskers to be wavy and point in
varying directions.
Hairless
To be as hairless as possible. Any recognized color and markings allowed.
Eye color to match the appropriate color. Skin should be clean, healthy, and
free of any imperfections. Whiskers to be curly or absent. Preference given to
the least amount of hair. Ears in either variety should appear larger.
Double Rex
Several variations may appear on the table. Bald patches among short, wiry
coat that resembles that of a poodle or partially sheared lamb. A rat nearly
bald with small areas of 'peach fuzz' on the muzzle, legs, and base of tail. A
very short, wiry coat that looks similar to a 'buzz cut'. Whiskers and
eyelashes should be curled.
Faults: Fully furred with hair that is too long or soft and resembling a
standard coat, or one that is fully furred with medium-length, wiry coat
resembling a regular rex.
Faults and Disqualifications
General Faults
- Stained, unkempt coats
- Noticeably overweight or underweight
- overgrown nails or teeth
- kinked tail
- tattered ears
- injured toes
- Other healed injuries that detract from the overall appearance
Disqualifications
- Severe scabs and/or parasites
- fleas, lice and mites
- pregnant or nursing does
- Difficult to handle or aggression
- Missing body parts including males with one or both testicles missing
- Recent injuries that have not yet healed
Standardized Colors
Non-Agouti Colors
Black
A deep, dark lustrous black down to the skin.
Eye Color: Black
Faults: Silvering (white hairs), rusting, dullness.
Beige
A warm, medium tan, not too dark.
Eye color: dark Ruby.
Fault- Color too light or too dark, uneven color.
American Blue
A deep, slate blue with a pale undercoat.
Faults: Light in color, rusting or dullness.
Eye Color: Black
Pink-Eyed White (PEW)
Pure snow white, clean with bright red eyes.
Faults: yellowing, staining, hint of color
Black-Eyed White (BEW)
To be a clean snow-white rat.
Eye color: Black
Faults: any color on the body, yellow cast, odd-eyes.
Russian Blue
A dark gray-blue color commonly seen in Russian Blue cats. This color has a subtle
ticked effect, also referred to as heathering. Color to be even throughout and dark
down to the skin.
Eye color: Black
Faults: Large amounts of white hairs (silvering), rusting.
Russian Dove
Color is to be a warm-toned dusty gray, with a subtle ticking or heathering effect on
each hair and slightly darker guard hairs. Color should be even throughout, and
consistent down to the skin. Belly color to match top color, feet to be light.
Eye color: dark Ruby to Black.
Russian Silver
To be a pale, ice-like blue-gray with very apparent faint speckling or heathering.
Eye Color: Black
Faults: Dullness, Ruby eyes, Yellow cast.
Mink
To be an even mid gray-brown, devoid of silvering, rusting or patches, and having a
distinct blue sheen. Foot color to match top.
Eye color: Black.
Silver
To be a very pale blue, with a cool and sparkling appearance, distinct from white
upon close examination. Feet and ears to be very light.
Eye color: Pink.
Champagne
To be a very light, evenly-warm sand. Belly color to match top.
Eye Color: Pink.
Faults: gray cast to coat.
Pearl
To be the palest silver cream with each hair tipped with gray evenly over the whole
animal. Belly fur to be a pale silver gray and foot color to match top.
Eye color: Black.
Platinum
To be an even shade of pale blue gray. Foot color to match top.
Eye color: Ruby.
Havana
color is a rich, warm, light brown, near the color of milk chocolate. Eye color is mid
ruby. Belly and foot color to match top.
Faults: Color too dark, or uneven color.
**********
Merle
Merle rats may be shown in any recognized mink-based color. The unique feature is
a pattern of dark spots distributed evenly over the entire lighter background color.
The spots should be numerous and distinct and will be less prominent on a nonsilvered
background.
Silvered
Any recognized color may be silvered, with the coat containing an equal number of
silvered and non-silvered hairs, where as much length possible on each silvered hair
should be white, giving the coat a characteristic sparkling appearance. Colored tips
to be allowed. Foot color to match top. On agouti or cinnamon rats, belly color to be
coordinated per those standards. For all other silvered rats, belly color to match top.
Not to be confused with pearl or self rats.
Faults: Not enough silvering.
Agouti Colors
Agouti
Color is to be a rich chestnut brown with a dark gray undercoat and black guard
hairs. Hairs to be evenly ticked with bands of similar colors. Belly and foot color will
be silver gray.
Eye color: black.
American Blue Agouti
Color is to be a medium slate overall with a pale gray undercoat and dark blue guard
hairs. Hairs to be evenly ticked with bands of mid-blue and yellow-tan. Belly and
feet to be silver gray.
Eye color: Black
Cinnamon
Color is to be a warm, russet brown, evenly ticked along the length of the hair with
darker banding. Undercoat to be a medium gray. Belly and foot color to be a lighter
gray version of top color.
Eye color: Black or Ruby
Cinnamon Pearl
Coat to consist of multiple bands of color: cream, blue and orange with silver guard
hairs. The combination gives an overall golden appearance with a silver sheen. Belly
color to be pale silver gray.
Eye color: Black
Fawn
Color to be a bright orange interspersed with silver guard hairs. Undercolor to be
pale gray down to the skin. Belly fur to be a silver-cream color. Top color to be even
throughout with a clear demarcation between belly and top color.
Eye Color: Ruby
Russian Blue Agouti
An even mixture of Russian Blue and Agouti with ticking (heathering) being normal
for this variety. Undercolor to be dark Russian Blue. Belly fur to be silver gray,
consistent with Agouti.
Eye Color: Black
Faults: Uneven blending, too dark or light
Standardized Markings
Self
Rat shall be all one color displaying no markings.
Faults: White fur on body, white toes/feet
Berkshire
Symmetrically marked with full white underside. To have a clear cut demarcation
line void of brindling or spotting between top and bottom. Feet and up to half of the
end of tail to be white. Small headspot or wedge blaze acceptable for this variety.
Faults: White coming up the sides, color dipping into the underside. Incomplete
marking.
English Irish
Clean, white equilateral triangle on the chest between the two front feet. White
paws and tail tip acceptable. Clean, white equilateral triangle on the chest between
the two front feet. All four feet and tail tip to be white
Faults: Uneven triangle, other white markings.
American Irish
The body of the rat shall be of any standardized color. The feet, tail-tip and lower
belly marking are to be white; white should not extend upward to half the length of
the tail, nor up the legs. The abdominal marking to be as round as possible, of even
shape and moderate size, not extending to the chest or legs.
Variegated
Head and shoulders to be of a recognized color variety complete with a headspot or
blaze. Back of the animal to be covered in clear, distinct patches and spots of the
same recognized color. Tail to have spotting. Underside to be a clean white without
color.
Faults: Hooded marking in addition to patches and spots, Spots on the underside of
the animal, Clumping of patches and spots, Unbroken stripe down spine
Dalmatian
A clean white background splashed with spots of any recognized color variety. Spots
should be numerous, similar in size and evenly distributed throughout.
Faults: Any other marking in addition to spots. Clumped spotting. Sparsely spotted.
Hooded
Rat should have a white body, with a hood of any recognized color, that COVERS the
head, neck, throat, chest and shoulders, with no breaks or white spots in the color.
Color continues in an unbroken line or stripe from the hood's center between the
rat's shoulders, down the rat's spine to the base of the tail, with as much of the tail
as possible being colored. Spine stripe should be of moderate width ( 1/4" to 1" )
and as straight and even as possible, without ragged edges or brindling. In light
colored rats, a pale colored throat and chest is to be allowed.
Faults: Ragged edges on hood or spine stripe, spots of color or brindling in the white
areas, breaks in color of hood or spine stripe; spine stripe not extending to the base
of tail.
Bareback
The head, shoulders, neck and throat of the rat to be of any standardized color,
while the feet, sides, back, belly and tail should be completely white with no spots or
colored hairs. The line of demarcation between color and white should be as even
and sharp as possible.
Capped
The head and ears of the rat to be of any standardized color, including the underside
of the jaw and chin, while the shoulders, body, feet, belly and tail should be
completely white with no spots or colored hairs. The line of demarcation between
color and white should be as even and sharp as possible.
Masked
A colored mask of any standardized color is to cover the face of the rat across both
eyes; the chin, throat, ears, muzzle, jowls and body and tail of the rat are to be
completely white without spotting or colored hairs.
Banded
Jaw line, neck, legs, feet, sides and underside of rat to be completely white leaving a
very wide band of color across the back. There should be a clear demarcation line
between top color and white around the entire rat. Wedge-blazes acceptable.
Faults: Over-marked (seeming Berkshire), under-marked (seeming hooded).
Blazed
Blazed rats to be shown with Berkshire or Variegated varieties. To be a symmetrical
wedge-shaped white marking starting as a fine point located midway between the
eyes and the ears. White to encompass bridge of the nose, enveloping the nose,
whisker-bed and mouth of the rat in a thin triangle.
Faults: Thin blazes
Roan
To be of any recognized color variety. Distinct white hairs to be blended with the
solid color to give an intensely faded black/gray/white (salt-and-pepper)
appearance. Roan to have Striped or Berkshire markings.
Faults: A completely faded (white) rat.
Striped
Symmetrical marking in which the legs, underside and sides of the rat to be
completely white creating a thick stripe of color across the back. To have a
prominent inverted V-shaped blaze encompassing much of the nose, coming
close to but not touching the eyes. Jaw line and underside of the head to be
white.
Faults: Stripe too thin, non-wedge blaze.
Berkshire
Marking to be same as regular Berkshire. To have a prominent inverted Vshaped
blaze encompassing much of the nose, coming close to but not
touching the eyes. Jaw line and underside of the head to be white.
Faults: Messy Berkshire marking, non-wedge blaze.
Headspot
White marking to be small but clear and distinct placed as centrally as possible
between the rat’s ears and eyes on the top of the face. To be allowable in
combination with the following standard markings: Berkshire and Varigated.
Downunder Berkshire
Solid body color, in any recognized color, on top with a matching colored stripe
running the length of the white Berkshire belly. Belly stripe to be of good width (1"
or more), and as clean and symmetrical as possible, extending in a thick, unbroken
line from the base of the throat down to, and filling in, the area between the back
legs. To have a clear cut demarcation line devoid of brindling or spotting between
top and bottom. Feet and up to half of the end of tail to be white. Small headspot
acceptable. Agouti-based rats will have a paler belly stripe.
Faults: broken or overly jagged belly stripe, white spots on belly.
Downunder Hooded
Rat should have a white body, with a hood of any recognized color, covering the
head, neck, throat, chest and shoulders and continuing in an unbroken line or stripe
from the hood's center between the rat's shoulders, down the rat's spine to the base
of the tail, with as much of the tail as possible being colored. Spine stripe should be
of moderate width ( 1/2" to 1" ) and as straight and even as possible, without ragged
edges or brindling. Belly stripe to match top, being as clean and symmetrical as
possible and extending in a thick, unbroken line from the colored chest down to, and
filling in, the area between the back legs. Agouti-based rats will have a paler belly
stripe.
Faults: Broken or overly jagged hood or belly stripe, color or brindling in any of the
white areas including the belly.
Downunder Hooded/Spotted
Similar to the Downunder Hooded but with as many side spots as possible allowing
for brindling or jagged edges where the spine stripe meets spots. Belly stripe to
match top, being as clean and symmetrical as possible and extending in a thick,
unbroken line from the colored chest down to, and filling in, the area between the
back legs. Agouti-based rats will have a paler belly stripe.
Faults: Broken hood or belly stripe, lack of spots.
Downunder Spotted
Back and belly stripes, in any recognized color, to be as broken and spotted as
possible giving the appearance of spotting all over the back and the underside of rat.
Belly stripe to extend in a broken and brindled line from the base of the throat down
to, and filling in, the area between the back legs. Agouti-based rats will have paler
belly markings.
Faults: Distinct and unbroken spine or belly stripes, lack of spotting.
Downunder Variegated
Head and shoulders to be of a recognized color variety complete with a headspot or
blaze. Back of the animal to be covered in clear, distinct patches and spots of the
same recognized color. Tail to have spotting. Belly stripe to be of good width (1" or
more), and as clean and symmetrical as possible, extending in a thick, unbroken line
from the base of the throat down to, and filling in, the area between the back legs.
Agouti-based rats will have a paler belly stripe.
Faults: Broken belly stripe or spotting on the underside, distinct hooded marking
along spine, clumping of spots and patches or lack of spots and patches.
Standardized Color Patterns
Siamese
Body color to be ivory to medium beige depending on the colorpoint variety. Color
to be gradually and evenly shaded over the head, shoulders, back and belly of the
rat. Points to be dark as possible - shaded evenly into the body color and located on
the nose but should not extend past the eyes, on the ears but not extending past the
ears, on all four feet but not extending past the legs, and the base of the tail shading
up over the hindquarters.
Faults: Patchy or uneven coloration, pale or light areas
Eyes: Red to Ruby
Seal Point
Points to be a rich dark seal color shading into a medium beige color over the
rest of the rat.
Russian Blue Point
Points to be a distinct smoky blue-gray shaded into a bright ivory color over
the rat. Light heathering is normal for this Russian Blue-based colorpoint
variety. Contrast between the shaded points and the ivory color of the body
to be very distinct.
American Blue Point
Points to be subdued cool yellow-brown shaded into a bright ivory color over
the rest of the rat. Contrast between the shaded points and the ivory color of
the body to be very distinct.
Himalayan
Body to be an even clean white base with points to be dark as possible - shaded
evenly into the body color and located on the nose but should not extend past the
eyes, on the ears but not extending past the ears, on all four feet but not extending
past the legs, and the color on the tail is not to extend beyond halfway up the rump.
Eyes red.
Faults: stains, yellowing, or white on the feet/toes
Seal Point
Points to be a rich dark seal/sepia color shade. Contrast between
the shaded points and the white color of the body to be very distinct.
Russian Blue Point - Points to be a distinct smoky blue-gray shade. Light
heathering is normal for this Russian Blue-based colorpoint variety. Contrast
between the shaded points and the white color of the body to be very
distinct.
American Blue Point
Points to be subdued, cool yellow-brown shade.
Contrast between the shaded points and the white color of the body to be
very distinct.
Provisional Colors
The following colors will not be standardized until 10 individuals have been shown in any URSA sanctioned show.
Platinum Agouti
A mix of soft gray ticking over a rich warm cream color with a distinctive bluish cast.
Pastel blue undercolor down to the skin with belly color a light silver with pale gray feet
Eye color: Ruby or Red.
Faults: shades or tints of brown, Blue to dark.
Russian Fawn
Top color a warm golden orange, ticked evenly with silver to silver-blue
guard hairs. Parting the coat should reveal a distinctive blue cast close
to the skin. Belly and throat to be cream. Feet matching or slightly
lighter than top color. Some heathering is acceptable.
Eyes color: any shade of red to ruby.
Faults: Pink eyes, patchy color, color too pale, lack of ticking, lack of
blue undercolor.
Russian Beige
Color to be an even, pale wheat, with subtle heathering of gray-blue, which lends the
coat a shimmering cast throughout.
Eye color: dark ruby
Fault: White hair
Platinum Pearl
To be an even blue cream undercoat with each hair tipped with blue gray evenly
over the whole animal. Belly fur to be a pale blue cream and foot color to match top.
Eye color: ruby.
Russian Cinnamon
Color to consist of a mixture of light gold, cream and brown hairs giving an overall
golden and sparkling appearance on a pale silver-blue base. Undercoat to be pale
down to the skin. Belly and foot should be a lighter, gray version of top color.
Eye color: Black
Faults: Overly dark or diluted color, patchy or uneven ticking.
Provisional Color Patterns
The following color patterns will not be standardized until 10 individuals have been shown in any URSA sanctioned show.
Black Eyed Siamese
Body color to be ivory to medium beige depending on the colorpoint variety. Color
to be gradually and evenly shaded over the head, shoulders, back and belly of the
rat. Points to be dark as possible - shaded evenly into the body color and located on
the nose but should not extend past the eyes, on the ears but not extending past the
ears, on all four feet but not extending past the legs, and the base of the tail shading
up over the hindquarters.
Eyes: Black
Faults: Patchy or uneven coloration, pale or light areas
Seal Point
Points to be a rich dark seal color shading into a medium beige color over the
rest of the rat.
Russian Blue Point
Points to be a distinct smoky blue-gray shaded into a bright ivory color over
the rat. Light heathering is normal for this Russian Blue-based colorpoint
variety. Contrast between the shaded points and the ivory color of the body
to be very distinct.
American Blue Point
Points to be a subdued cool yellow-brown shaded into a bright ivory color
over the rest of the rat. Contrast between the shaded points and the ivory
color of the body to be very distinct.
Black Eyed Himalayan
Body to be an even clean white base with points to be dark as possible - shaded
evenly into the body color and located on the nose but should not extend past the
eyes, on the ears but not extending past the ears, on all four feet but not extending
past the legs, and the color on the tail is not to extend beyond halfway up the rump.
Eyes Black
Faults: stains, yellowing, or white on the feet/toes
Seal Point
Points to be a rich dark seal/sepia color shade. Contrast between
the shaded points and the white color of the body to be very distinct.
Russian Blue Point
Points to be a distinct smoky blue-gray shade. Light
heathering is normal for this Russian Blue-based colorpoint variety. Contrast
between the shaded points and the white color of the body to be very
distinct.
American Blue Point
Points to be a subdued, cool yellow-brown shade.
Contrast between the shaded points and the white color of the body to be
very distinct.
Burmese
Color to be medium sepia, absent of any dinginess, silvering, or patches. Points of
dark sepia to be located on the feet, tail, nose and ears. Strong contrast between
point color and body color is very apparent.
Eye Color: Black
Faults: white markings, no points
Sable Burmese
Color to be a rich, dark brown with points in a darker shade of the same color on the
feet, tail, nose and ears. Absent of any dinginess, silvering or patches. Contrast
between points and body color is to be definite but not exaggerated
Eye Color: Black
Faults: white markings, no points, black points |
