[Cait]

I had said I wanted to breed himalayans to show standard. However, I currently have 2 female PEWS, pet store bought but they are healthy, large ears good coat etc can I breed them up to standard if I get a show type buck?

No.

That is a sure fire way to make certain you won't win anything with a variety that is already difficult enough. One year is not a long time to perfect your own line of mice even when you start with good stock. If you mix pet stock in you're asking for disaster.

 

[Cait]

It is usual ro start with at least a trio but preferably two trios of any variety. You would need to keep fewer mice if you chose PEW over himalayan. A small stud of selfs would be about 40 mice, but to compete regularly you'd probably need more.

 

[Cait]

Selfs aren't easier! I think marked are easier

... says the self breeder! All varieties have their difficulties. You could argue that selfs are easier since you get more showable mice per litter and once you have got your selfs to a certain standard they will keep producing more decent selfs, whereas marked can be back to square one every time. It all depends on how you look at these things. Also, how many marked win BIS compared to selfs??? :shock: