Life is not boring if it's beige!
In 2007 Nicky set out to further the appearance and breeding numbers of the beige tan – a rather unusual and seldom seen variety that can have high visual impact largely on account of the good sound size that can be obtained, although it is generally rather ‘left wanting’ in the looks department.
Tartuffe Beige Tans and Foxes hold the NFTCC members points trophies for both Beige Tan and Beige Fox in 2009 and 2010.
The foundation of the line came from a boar and two sows from Scotland and a sow from Ireland - the boar whose virility was to be undeniable was quickly called Douglas (a good scottish name following in the Tartuffe Celtic tradition) and earned the nickname 'Dougie Button' (as he was rather 'on the button' all the time......) The first three litters revealed the fox heritage also and alongside a few half decent beige tans out popped 3 'magnolia foxes' in the form of two boars and a sow. The sow and one boar stayed and although never bred from, continue to be shown at NFTCC stock shows as an example of the breed (not as a good example of the colour unfortunately, however the very pale self cream colour on the top does still allow for the beautiful fox markings to show through!)
The overall plan for the beige tan stud is to first increase the numbers so that a decent base is available to 'play' with - the markings will have to be forsaken for a few years in the attempt to gain numbers and with the use of self beige sows the top colour is highly likely to deepen and become established....well, that's the theory anyway.
And so as time marches on..................................
The first litters of beige tans this way were highly sucessful in the early part of 2010, and surprisingly there were no 'dilutes' to be had, even though there was only one parent with the tan gene in each pairing. This has led me to question further the action of the tan gene in beiges as in 17 babies that were the result of the pairings each and every one had a good tan belly and chest markings but fine or non exsistant head markings. I've not heard of the same happening with lilac tans, but then I dont suppose anyone has perhaps reached producing these AOC colours in any such number as a comparison. The plan for the new crop will be to breed them back to a boar with the double gene in order to increase the chances of getting some half decent head markings out!
Tartuffe Beige Tans and Foxes hold the NFTCC members points trophies for both Beige Tan and Beige Fox in 2009 and 2010.
The foundation of the line came from a boar and two sows from Scotland and a sow from Ireland - the boar whose virility was to be undeniable was quickly called Douglas (a good scottish name following in the Tartuffe Celtic tradition) and earned the nickname 'Dougie Button' (as he was rather 'on the button' all the time......) The first three litters revealed the fox heritage also and alongside a few half decent beige tans out popped 3 'magnolia foxes' in the form of two boars and a sow. The sow and one boar stayed and although never bred from, continue to be shown at NFTCC stock shows as an example of the breed (not as a good example of the colour unfortunately, however the very pale self cream colour on the top does still allow for the beautiful fox markings to show through!)
The overall plan for the beige tan stud is to first increase the numbers so that a decent base is available to 'play' with - the markings will have to be forsaken for a few years in the attempt to gain numbers and with the use of self beige sows the top colour is highly likely to deepen and become established....well, that's the theory anyway.
And so as time marches on..................................
The first litters of beige tans this way were highly sucessful in the early part of 2010, and surprisingly there were no 'dilutes' to be had, even though there was only one parent with the tan gene in each pairing. This has led me to question further the action of the tan gene in beiges as in 17 babies that were the result of the pairings each and every one had a good tan belly and chest markings but fine or non exsistant head markings. I've not heard of the same happening with lilac tans, but then I dont suppose anyone has perhaps reached producing these AOC colours in any such number as a comparison. The plan for the new crop will be to breed them back to a boar with the double gene in order to increase the chances of getting some half decent head markings out!
Beige Tan sows from the breeding pen
Two of the 2010 beige tan lassie's that have had litters and are likely to be heading out to other studs to carry on the good work These both have a parent that is self beige - evident by their good size and even top colour.
Denton - son of Duncan
Denton has a self beige mother also - he has produced two litters of beige tans wih two sows that also have a self beige mother - which even furthers my theories about how the tan gene acts in beiges.
Denton and his brother Dexter are likely to also head off away from Tartuffe when other interested hands occur.
Denton and his brother Dexter are likely to also head off away from Tartuffe when other interested hands occur.
Duncan 'DD' (Double Duncan) - son of Douglas (AKA Dougie Button)
Rather light in beige colour, but well marked in terms of p spots (which are proving very elusive with the beiges!) Duncan is the only boar that definately carries the double tan gene in the stud now that Dougie Button (top left in the first line up) is no longer with us.
Duncan used to make pretty regular appearences on the show bench, with his best score being 3rd tan AA AC in a NFTCC stock show......no mean feat for a pink eyed beige boy, unfortunately he has a dark mole in his centre back that continually gets mistaken for a scab and he gets returned to the pen without closer examination, so his efforts are best placed at home keeping the ladies happy. As a character he is very much like his father and doesnt mess about on the job.
Duncan used to make pretty regular appearences on the show bench, with his best score being 3rd tan AA AC in a NFTCC stock show......no mean feat for a pink eyed beige boy, unfortunately he has a dark mole in his centre back that continually gets mistaken for a scab and he gets returned to the pen without closer examination, so his efforts are best placed at home keeping the ladies happy. As a character he is very much like his father and doesnt mess about on the job.
Beige Beauty!
One of the four sows from a litter that were the first cross back to Duncan (or DD as he is known "Double Duncan") this is Doonlah - who currently has all the right markings in all the right places, which makes me a very happy person............likely to be shown along with her sisters at Harrogate in 2012 with everything crossed!