I discovered a book 'Exhibition & Pet Mice' by Tony Cooke L.R.I.C and was fascinated by the concept of using genetics to produce colour. A Frankenstein urge to tamper with genes and create truly living colours.
The first step was to purchase the best raw material for my palette. A gentleman in Brighouse, Yorkshire had a mousery full of excellent breeding stock. I purchased the finest trio he had available. (These were Chocolate and Tans. C/T's contain genes, which allow you to create different varieties, however I had to search high and low for the specific gene I required to create a specimen that would become a 'Breed Champion'.)
Within a few months I had produced a good strain of mice which were healthy and of a good size. I then began taking them to shows were they were judged, 'under the strictest rules laid down by the National Mouse Club'. I was slowly accepted into this community.
THE AIMS
1/ To reach a high status within this group of people.
2/ To question and explore their motivation.
3/ To study their class structure.
4/ To win a breed cup.
I won the Sable Cup!
Fancy mice—domesticated descendants of the house mouse—are miniature marvels of charm and variety. With coats ranging from satin-smooth to curly, and colours spanning dove grey to golden agouti, these pint-sized pets are bred not just for companionship but for showmanship.
Despite their small size (just 2.5 to 4 inches long), fancy mice are bursting with curiosity and social energy. They thrive in enriched environments with toys, tunnels, and climbing spaces, and they often form strong bonds with their human caretakers. Their lifespan may be short—typically 1.5 to 3 years—but their impact is anything but fleeting.
Whether you're drawn to their expressive eyes, their playful antics, or the sheer diversity of their markings (Hereford, Dutch, banded—you name it), fancy mice offer a delightful glimpse into the art of selective breeding and the joy of small-scale companionship.
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