By New Zealand Tweed Creator Christa Krey

Tweed: Genetics & History in New Zealand

Discover the fascinating Tweed cavy genetics and history in New Zealand.  The Tweed genetics arrived with my first import of satin cavies to New Zealand around 1985, though hidden as these were solid gold in colour.  After mating with other colours, the gene appeared in chocolate-gold-white tricolours, at this time it seemed to only affect 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.  

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-quality Tweed with faults, like gold or white patches.

Note: Gold coloured Tweeds have recently been created overseas.  Maybe one day, in NZ.

back to Tweed.