Himalayan Smut
That awful little four letter word that we all dread...
SMUT--(1) A dark, sooty appearing surface color, usually formed by a large number of dark guard hairs. Found in many rabbits that carry the genetic factor of red.
(2) Pelt stain found in Himalayans, Californians, and Pointed Whites.
(3) The nose marking found on Himalayans.
Disqualification from competition-- Smut on any usable portion of the pelt. (Frosting or smut on the head is allowed, but faulted.)
From my experience, it is not only temperature that plays a role in smut. Often, my Blacks coming from Chocolate lines will have much darker color but also get darker eye stain and generally, smut easier. Smut can also be caused from injury, such as a bruise. This is why it is very important that animals are always handled gently.
All photos by Sarah or Susan Rascon. Please do not use in any way without permission. If there is anything else you would like to see here, please e-mail me.
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Eye Stain | Baby Frosting | General
Remember: smut on the head, i.e. "eye stain", is not a disqualification from competition, only a minor fault as it is not a usable portion of the pelt. Some judges may see it as more of a fault than others.
Very light and only on top half of eye.
Very dark, almost surrounding eye. Detracts from the clean appearance but is still only a minor fault.
Baby Himalayans often end up with frosting. This is often caused by being the slightest bit chilled before they begin growing their coat. Some will be very dark, almost chinchilla in color. Others will only have slight discoloration. This will molt out, do not worry; there is nothing wrong with your litter!
Young baby, frosting mostly on lower end of body.
Two juniors, close in age. The one on the left does not have any frosting, the one on the right has quite a bit on the lower hindquarters.
Light smut located on the knee. Many times unnoticed.
Two large spots of smut on the shoulders.
Smut on side. Hard to see in the photo.
Large, very dark smut on belly. What a surprise when I flipped over my 6 year old buck!
Smut on pin bone. Probably the most common place you'll find it. Comes out of no where!