Cheat Sheet: Understanding the Vienna Gene in Rabbits (Blue Eyed Whites)

November 28, 2019
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Before we get to the cheat sheets, you need to remember that a Blue Eyed White will “hide” the base color of the rabbit in it’s homozygous form. Thus a “black” rabbit who has two copies of the Vienna gene (V/V) will appear white with blue eyes.

Also, I cannot stress it enough, the Vienna gene in it’s heterozygous form (V/v) might not be visually expressed, so it can pop up many, even dozens of generations later. Because of this, it is recommended that if there is Vienna in a rabbit’s background, it be noted on their pedigree even if the last known Vienna carrier or BEW is many generations back. Full disclosure, transparency, and honesty are appreciated when dealing with this gene locus.

Also it has come to my attention that many people use the lowercase v to signify the Vienna gene, and the capital V to signify non-Vienna rabbits. I am SO sorry for any confusion that this has caused. As such please take this discrepancy into account when discussing genetics!!!!

 

 

 

CLIFF’S NOTES FOR VIENNA/BLUE EYED WHITES:

If you don’t want to worry about Punnett squares or inheritance and just want to know what you will get through breeding, here is a basic rundown:

For these examples, the abbreviation “BEW” signifies a Blue Eyed White; “Vienna Carrier” signifies a rabbit that has one copy of the Vienna gene; “Non-Vienna” signifies a rabbit that has no Vienna genes.
BEW + BEW = 100% BEW. NO EXCEPTIONS.
 
BEW + Vienna Carrier = 50% BEW, 50% Vienna Carrier.
 
BEW + Non-Vienna = 100% Vienna Carrier. NO EXCEPTIONS.
 
Vienna Carrier + Vienna Carrier = 50% Vienna Carrier, 25% Non-Vienna, 25% BEW.
 
Vienna Carrier + Non-Vienna = 50% Vienna Carrier, 50% Non-Vienna.
 

Non-Vienna + Non-Vienna = 100% Non-Vienna. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Remember, a Vienna Carrier or BEW bred to a Non-Vienna will NEVER PRODUCE BEW!!!! 

Also remember that while many Vienna Carriers have white markings and may even have blue eyes, there are far more that do not visually express the gene AT ALL, so you cannot tell just by looking at a rabbit if they are a Vienna Carrier or not. This is why making notation of BEW or Vienna heritage possibilities on pedigrees is so important!

Another thing to consider is that many breeders AVOID breeding Chocolate into BEW programs due to undesirable eye coloration.

Lastly, something to keep in mind is that the percentages listed above are for EACH KIT, not the litter as a whole unless the result is 100% foolproof. This means that each kit in a little of, say, BEW to Vienna Carrier mating, has a 50% chance of being BEW. As such actual litter percentages may vary!

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