Feature

The DUTCH is a Self or Agouti coloured and White Cavy in which the areas of colour occur in a defined pattern on the cheeks and ears of the cavy and its entire rear half below a centre line across the back, with the exception of an area of white between the toe ends and the hocks (the foot stop).

The white colour defines a blaze on the head as well as a ‘clean neck’ & the ‘stops’ mentioned above.  The blaze should an inverted 'V', separating the cheeks, meeting at a point or narrow thin line mid-way between the ears.


THE QUALITY OF THESE MARKINGS IS BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE DUTCH

Dutch cavies are only recognised in the following standardised colours:

Red, Black, Chocolate, Cream, Lilac, Golden Agouti, Silver Agouti, Cinnamon Agouti, Cream Agouti and Chocolate Agouti. These colours should conform as near as possible to English Self Cavy Club (ESCC) and National Agouti Cavy Club (NACC) requirements although Red Dutch can be lighter and Cream Dutch can be darker than ideal (Buff). With the exception of Creams and Cream Agoutis, colour should be as dark and as rich a shade as possible.

It is required that the Dutch cavy conforms to English Self coat requirements. Flesh marks on the ears, hocks or body are particularly undesirable and are to be penalised accordingly. Eye colour should be dark in all varieties except Lilac Dutch where it should be pink

In Agouti Dutch, eye circles are to be penalised, however it should be noted a small degree of eye circle should not be unduly penalised in a u/5’s exhibit as these faults may clear as the cavy matures The belly colour to be as narrow as possible and dark enough to ensure that the demarcation line on the undercut can be clearly seen. 

BREED SPECIFIC DISQUALIFICATIONS

Only one stop, no stops or stop(s) above the hock.

Coloured toenails.

N.B. A long stop that runs to the hock but not over should be penalised as a serious failing but this is not a disqualification only those that run over the hock are disqualified. Also stops that have a few hairs that cover the nails are to be penalised (very short toe stops) and not disqualified.

BREED SPECIFIC FAULTS

Flesh Marks	Flesh marks on the ear, hocks or body are particularly undesirable and are to be penalised accordingly
Long stops	A long stop that runs to but not over the hock should be penalised as a serious failing but not a disqualification
Very Short stops	Stops consisting only of a few hairs above the nails are to be penalised
Eye Circles	Eye circles in Agouti Dutch should be penalised. Slight evidence of eye circles should not be unduly penalised in an under 5 month exhibit as this fault may clear as the cavy matures
Brindling	Intermixing of a particular colour in areas of another colour e.g. red hairs in black
Roaning	Intermixing of white in areas of another colour

DISQUALIFICATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL BREEDS

Sows obviously in pig	Pregnant
Running Lice	Live lice normally light orange in colour
Broken skin	Wounds
Fatty eye	Fault to be visible without disturbance of the eye lid
Side Whisker	Tuft of hairs standing out from behind the ear
Rosettes in coat	Usually rounded in shape with hair radiating from a centre fault
Physical Abnormalities	Missing or badly damaged eyes, cataracts, bent leg, wry neck, missing toenails, extra toes of any kind, or any other gross physical deviations from the norm. N.B. neutered boars may be shown.

FAULTS APPLICABLE TO ALL BREEDS

Cysts	To be penalised according to the size
Hem in ears	To be penalised in accordance with the importance of the ears in this standard
Damaged ears	To be penalised in accordance with the importance of the ears in this standard and the extent of the damage
Static mite	Penalise according to the amount
Red flesh around eyes	In accordance with the importance of the eyes in the standard
Coat faults	Pronounced quiffs or swirls in the coat, including around eyes, on sides, on flanks and on belly. To be penalised according to extent
Breaks in coat	Loss of coat with out the skin being broken

CLARIFICATION OF WORDING

Muzzle	Projecting part of head including nose and mouth
Head Type	Broad nose with good muzzle rounded at the nostril
Cobby	Short compact body with deep shoulder
Smellers	Nostrils and whisker bed
Clean Neck	Cheek colour not to go beyond the neck going over the shoulder
Higher Cut	Saddle and undercut line is nearer to the head
Slipped Saddle	The saddle and undercut are near to the hips
Balanced Foot stops	White stops are of the same length on each foot
Hock	Joint in hind leg (ankle area)