Hairless

There are several scientifically described genes giving a hairless rat, most with associated health or immune system problems. The genes in the fancy for hairlessness are not the scientifically described genes and so they are not necessarily prone to these problems. One hairless gene in the fancy does seem to produce does who cannot lactate, and so does not seem a viable variety. The other gene in the fancy does not cause any lactation problems.

All hairless varieties are produced by simple recessives. There are many genes that can produce hairless rats, but for simplicity the symbol "hr" is generally used, though the gene in the fancy is not the scientifically described "hr" gene.

 

Hr/-	Standard coat
hr/hr	Hairless