Tweed Cavy Genetics
The gene arrived with my first import of satin cavies in 1985, though hidden as these were solid gold in colour. After mating with other colours, the gene appeared in chocolate-gold-white tricolours, but only affected the chocolate colour, not the gold or white.
It seemed to be a sub-gene of chocolate (NOT a lethal gene like Roan and Dalmatian), expressing itself as an even mixture of chocolate and white hair. Not like the grizzling in some chocolate cavies, which usually disappears when the cavy grows. However, this gene did actually express itself better as the cavy grew and did not disappear over time. It looked rather attractive, and I decided to try a cavy in this, in an overall uniform version.
After many years breeding the gene through all available colours we now know the only outcross is a Self-Chocolate.
The Tweed gene is recessive. Breeding Tweed to Tweed produces 100% Tweeds.
When breeding Tweed to Tweed carrier this usually give 50% Tweed and 50% Tweed carriers. Lastly, carrier to carrier gives 50% carriers, 25% Chocolate and 25% Tweed.
A Tweed carrier is a poor show quality Tweed with faults, like gold or white patches.
