THE NATIONAL MOUSE CLUB RULES

– Revised 2023 –

  1. TITLE
    1. The Club shall be called "The National Mouse Club".
  2. OBJECTS
    1. To promote the breeding and exhibiting of Fancy Mice.
    2. To publish the definition of the true type as the only recognised and unvarying standard by which Fancy Mice shall be judged and to adopt standards relating to the several varieties.
    3. To urge the adoption of the Standards of Excellence upon breeders, judges and show committees as the only criterion of merit in breeding and awarding prizes.
    4. To support shows and take all necessary steps to advance and protect the interests of Fancy Mice and their exhibition.
    5. To foster and maintain a high standard of excellence in judging and show management.
  3. MEMBERSHIP
    1. There shall be seven grades of membership, namely: Life (see Rule 10), Adult, Senior, Junior, Adult Partnership, Senior Partnership, Junior Partnership.
    2. Membership shall be open to all persons in sympathy with the objects of the Club. NMC membership shall not be used for advertising purposes pertaining to the sale of mice as pets.
    3. Junior members shall be at least six years and not more than fifteen years of age. They may enjoy all the privileges of ordinary membership, except the right to vote at the Annual Election and at meetings or to hold any official position.
    4. Junior members shall be at least six years and not more than fifteen years of age. They may enjoy all the privileges of ordinary membership, except the right to vote at the Annual Election and at meetings or to hold any official position.
    5. Application for membership accompanied by a full year’s subscription shall be submitted to the Secretary or online via the NMC website. The Secretary shall publish the name of the new member in the official organ, who shall be accepted as a full member provided no objection is received within 28 days of publication. Any member being refused admission can apply to the Executive for consideration of the application.
    6. Payment of the first subscription shall be deemed to mean that the member agrees to and consents to be bound by these Rules. The Hon. Secretary shall keep a register of the names and addresses of all members.
  4. SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
    1. In any case in which the conduct of a member shall, in the opinion of the Executive, be deemed to be injurious to the interests and objects of the Club, or where a breach of rules has occurred, the Executive may suspend the member concerned or may call on him or her to resign within 14 days, and in default, erase his or her name from the register of members. At the hearing of a complaint, the member concerned shall have an opportunity of answering as to his or her conduct either personally or by a representative. The Hon. Secretary shall give him or her 7 days’ notice of the date and place of the hearing and shall specify the grounds of complaint.
    2. A member shall have the right to appeal against suspension or expulsion to the Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final. Notice of appeal shall be given to the Hon. Secretary within 14 days of the service of the decision of the Executive. If appeal is made, membership shall be deemed to be suspended pending the determination of the Executive Committee.
    3. A suspended member shall be excluded from participating in any of the rights, privileges and benefits of membership. If any member shall, at the time of expulsion, hold or have in his possession any of the Club's Trophies or effects, he shall forthwith deliver them to the Hon. Secretary and shall forfeit any right or benefit connected therewith.
    4. If the membership of any person ceases for any reason whatsoever and subsequently he or she shall be re-accepted as a member, the period of membership shall count as from the date of re-acceptance only.
  5. OFFICIALS
    1. The Officers of the Club shall comprise: a President; Chairman; two Vice-Presidents; eight Committee Members; thirty Judges, all Life Members, a Scrutineer, a Cup Secretary, an Hon. Treasurer and an Hon. Secretary. The Offices of President and Chairman may be combined. The Offices of Hon Treasurer and Hon Secretary may be combined. All Officers, except Life Members, shall be elected annually. The Scrutineer shall not hold any other official position.
  6. THE EXECUTIVE
    1. The affairs of the Club shall be conducted by an Executive, which shall comprise the President, Chairman, Cup Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Hon Secretary and ten annually elected Committee Members from whom the two highest voted shall be declared Vice- Presidents.
    2. Arising out of Club affairs, the Executive shall have the power to deal with or decide any matter or arbitrate in any dispute, or decide any matter not otherwise provided for in these Rules.
    3. Should any vacancy occur on the Executive, the Executive may fill the vacancy until the next election if deemed necessary. In the case of the President/Chairman, the Vice-President with the highest number of votes shall be considered next in line.
  7. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE
    1. Live meetings of the Executive shall be convened by the Hon. Secretary when necessary, with at least seven days’ notice. Online meetings may also take place. Meetings may also be called by six members of the club who submit an online petition stating the object of the meeting to the Hon. Secretary not less than 14 days before the date of the proposed meeting.
    2. Five members shall form a quorum at live Executive Meetings.
    3. The Executive Committee shall meet as and when necessary. The location of an Executive Committee Meeting shall be decided jointly by the Chairman and Hon. Secretary.
    4. The business of the Executive may be conducted electronically or by circulars. The Hon. Secretary shall record the voting and this mode of procedure shall be as conclusive and binding as if a meeting had been held.
    5. At any meeting where the Chairman is not present, the members shall elect another member according to seniority. The Hon. Secretary shall not be Chairman. Where a vote at a meeting, either Executive or General, ends in a tie, the Chairman has the casting vote.
    6. The Executive Committee will only discuss items detailed in an agenda previously circulated at least seven days before the meeting by the Hon. Secretary, therefore no AOB required unless raised by the Chairman. An acting Chairman shall, however, have the power to accept items under Any Other Business.
  8. GENERAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
    1. An Annual General Meeting of members of the Club shall, whenever possible, be held in conjunction with, and at the same place, as the Annual Show.
    2. Fifteen members present shall form a quorum at General Meetings.
    3. A copy of any motion to be submitted shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting. The Chairman shall, however, have discretion to accept a motion, notice of which has not been given, only if he considers the matter requires the Club's immediate attention and there has been good reason for it not having been notified to the Hon. Secretary and published in the normal way
    4. A member who is unable to attend may have his or her views read out by the Chairman. A member may vote for the proposals by post or electronically, BUT only if the votes are in the Hon. Secretary's possession at least three days prior to the Annual General Meeting. The communications must indicate a definite YES or NO for the motion.
    5. A report of the proceedings of all General Meetings and Executive Committee Meetings, including a summary of the main discussion and points for and against shall be published in the Officia
    6. Special meetings may also be called by twenty members of the Club who shall write, or communicate electronically, stating the object of such a meeting. The date and place of such a meeting shall be decided by the Executive Committee and fifteen members shall form a quorum.
    7. The Treasurer, Secretary, Cup Secretary and NMC News Editor should submit written reports to the AGM, these reports to be made available to each member attending the AGM and published in the next edition of the "N.M.C. News".
  9. ELECTIONS
    1. The annual election of the Officials and Annual Show venue shall be held as soon as possible after the AGM at the Hon. Secretary's discretion and opportunity.
    2. The Officials, excluding previously elected Life Members, shall be elected by means of numbered ballot papers issued to all fully paid-up members, excluding Junior members. Partnerships allowed one vote only. The ballot papers shall contain the names of those persons nominated by the Executive or by members. It shall also contain the names of Societies or Clubs which are prepared to entertain, on approved terms, the next Annual Show.
    3. Persons nominated shall themselves give their written/electronic consent, as any person not replying to the Hon. Secretary's call to give their consent to be included in the ballot shall automatically be deemed not to be candidates.
    4. Members may vote for any number of Judges and Committee Members not exceeding thirty and ten respectively. The two Committee Members who receive the most votes shall be declared Vice-Presidents for the following twelve months. A vote is always required regardless of the number of persons standing for Executive Membership.
    5. After completion, the ballot papers shall be sent to the Scrutineer and the result of the poll with the number of votes cast for each candidate, shall be published in the Official Organ.
    6. Members must have at the time of the Annual Election, not less than three years’ full membership before they may be nominated for election as judges, providing the last full year of membership is not more than five years before the date of nomination, and three years full membership before they may be nominated to serve on the Executive.
  10. LIFE MEMBERSHIP
    1. One Life Member of the Club may be elected annually, to a maximum of eight Life Members. The names of the candidates for this honour shall be selected at the Annual General Meeting. If more than three persons are nominated, the Executive shall select three to be voted upon at the following Annual Election. A member shall not be eligible for election to Life Membership unless he or she has at least ten years continuous membership immediately prior to nomination.
  11. SUBSCRIPTIONS
    1. The annual subscription shall be payable one full year after joining.
    2. A new member shall pay a full year's subscription at the time of joining
    3. Members whose subscriptions are not paid by the due renewal date shall automatically forfeit or be deemed to have resigned membership and their names shall be removed from the Register unless a satisfactory explanation is forthcoming.
  12. ACCOUNTS
    1. The Hon. Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds of the Club and shall keep a bank account of all money received and paid on behalf of the Club and shall present a statement, to be audited, of income and expenditure to the Annual General Meeting.
  13. INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS
    1. The Minutes, Register of Members, Accounts and all documents relevant thereto shall be open to inspection by members at all reasonable times.
  14. ALTERATIONS OF RULES AND STANDARDS
    1. Subject to the provisions of the next succeeding paragraphs, the Executive shall have the power to make new Rules or Standards, or alter, rescind, add to, or vary any existing Rule or Standard at any time if they deem it expedient in the interests of the Club so to do. All such Rules or Standards shall be submitted to the members at the next Annual General Meeting for confirmation.
  15. TROPHIES
    1. Members who desire to have a Cup or Cups in their possession shall sign for them in a book provided by the Cup Secretary.
      All Trophies shall be returned to the Cup Secretary upon written request and in any case not later than 14 days before they are offered for competition. Any member failing to observe this Rule shall be suspended until such time as the Trophy or Trophies are returned.
  16. PREFIXES AND AFFIXES
    1. For the purpose of naming Studs, provided the required exhibiting criteria are met, any full member may for a fee of £10 register a prefix or affix upon application being made to the Hon. Secretary.
  17. NEW VARIETY CERTIFICATES
    1. A Standard shall be considered by the Executive Committee for final approval. Before making an award, the member must have exhibited a team of at least three mice of the proposed new variety at a show under Club patronage. Before a new variety is granted a full standard, there shall be a provisional period of two years during which time the Executive shall endeavour to ensure that the standard and points allocation are correct for the variety.
  18. SHOW REGULATIONS
    1. All Maxey show cages should have sufficient food and moisture for the mouse during the show day.
    2. The Cup Secretary shall have the power to accord Club patronage or support to any show, provided that:
      1. A suitable classification is provided in which the Section order is: Self’s, Tans, Marked, Satins, AOV's. Clubs seeking NMC support must submit a copy of the proposed schedule to the Secretary for approval.
      2. Proper Rules are laid down for the protection of exhibitors and welfare of exhibits.
      3. All Prize Money must be guaranteed.
      4. Except in special circumstances, left to the discretion of the Chairman and Hon. Secretary an NMC Judge shall officiate.
      5. Show Secretaries of Cup Shows and all Shows applying for NMC support, shall submit a full report of all prize winners and Cup winners to the Cup Secretary.
      6. Any Show (Club, Town or Agricultural) seeking NMC support must advertise in the Official Organ of the Club. Such advertisements must give the full name of the Judges and the section(s) that they have undertaken to judge.
    3. All scheduled prize money must be guaranteed. The NMC will not support any schedule which allows amalgamation.
    4. A Judge appointed for any show shall not exhibit in the mouse section of that particular show.
    5. The eligibility of a mouse for an Under 8 weeks class shall be left solely in the hands of the officiating Judge.
    6. A mouse which has not won its breed class shall not be nominated for Best in Show.
    7. No Under 8 weeks mouse shall be eligible for competition unless of sufficient age to warrant travelling alone unaccompanied by its mother.
    8. Pair and Trio classes must be of one variety only and of the same colour whatever the variety may be. They should be as much alike as possible, either sex and either Adults or 8 weeks, not mixed ages.
    9. In order to determine BIS, each Judge shall bring out the best mouse from each section he or she has judged. From these five mice, namely: Self, Tan, Marked, Satin and AOV, the BIS shall be chosen. This judging to take place BEFORE any duplicate classes are judged, excepting pair, trios, junior and stud buck classes.
    10. No exhibitor shall express any views on any exhibit within earshot of the judge unless specifically invited to do so by that judge.
    11. The preparation of mice for showing shall be limited to washing. No artificial aids or colouring agents shall be used.
    12. No mouse shall be packed away before the conclusion of judging without the prior permission of the Show Secretary.
    13. No one should remove a mouse from a show cage, either before, during or after judging without the owner's consent.
    14. The term 'Novice Exhibitor' shall be applied to any exhibitor who has not won a Best of Section at any NMC Open Show.
    15. A person residing in the same household as an NMC Judge may not exhibit mice at a show at which that Judge is officiating.
  19. CUP SHOWS
    1. All NMC Cup Shows are open to NMC members only
    2. Five Cup Shows shall be held in each year as follows: The Bradford Championship Show;
    3. The Spring Cup Show; the Summer Cup Show; the Annual Cup Show and the London Championship Show.
    4. The Spring Cup Show should be held in March, April or May and the Summer Cup Show in June, July or August but preferably at least two months apart. The venue of these shows shall be selected by the Chairman and Cup Secretary.
    5. The Annual Show should take place in September and shall be a one day event; the venue should be of easy access. The Secretary of the Club hosting the Annual Show shall undertake responsibility for engaging judges for this event. The Executive Committee can agree to finance the Annual Show provided the promoters request this beforehand. Should such an arrangement be made, the NMC will bear any loss or receive any profit arising. At each Annual Show a special auction class will be held whereby members give mice (preferably trios but not essentially) to be sold at auction. Proceeds to be split 50%/50% between NMC funds and exhibitor. The auction class will be vetted by an NMC Judge to ensure only good mice are sold.
    6. Clubs promoting the five Cup Shows shall be required to issue three cards per class. Prize cards awarded at the Annual Cup Show will carry a positive reference to this event.
  20. OBJECTIONS
    1. An investigation committee consisting of members of the Executive and appointed by that body, shall hear and determine all objections. The member against whose exhibit or exhibits the objection is made shall pay the cost of all carriage etc. incurred in the investigation if the objection is upheld by the investigation committee. If, however, the objection fails, the member lodging the objection shall pay all costs connected therewith. No objection covering the eligibility of a mouse in under 8 week classes may be considered.
  21. SHOW CAGES
    1. At Shows held under NMC patronage, mice must be exhibited in Maxey pattern cages, coloured outside green and inside red.
    2. The standard colours are the shades usually known as Middle Brunswick Green (BS226) and Royal or Signal Red (BS537). These colours were established by the founder of the mouse fancy, Walter Maxey, as his occupation as a railway man allowed him to procure surplus paint cheaply. They are part of the National Mouse Club’s heritage.
    3. Any Maxey that doesn’t match the standard defined here is liable to be sent off the table with the mouse it exhibits disqualified. Using properly painted and functioning Maxeys is important to make showing anonymous and not give judges any points of identifications as to the exhibitor. Faults include:
      1. Wrong colours inside or out
      2. States of disrepair, making it easy to spot the same Maxey again at a later show.
      3. Entirely unpainted sides
    4. As a courtesy to judges and stewards, Maxeys should also be kept clean and operational with turn knobs intact and all fronts and lids functional and easy to use.
    5. Only one mouse shall be allowed to be exhibited in a Maxey cage, except for pair, team or auction classes.
    6. As a guard against loss or misdirection, also to facilitate packing, the name and address of the owner SHOULD be marked on the underside of the Maxey cage.
    7. On page 12 of the printed rule book are drawings and the measurements of the Maxey cage, both lidded and lidless designs.

    Maxey Show Case

STANDARDS FOR FANCY MICE

Adopted by the National Mouse Club

THE GENERAL STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

The mouse must be long in body with long clean head, not too fine or pointed at the nose, the eyes should be large, bold and prominent. The ears large and tulip shaped, free from creases, carried erect with plenty of width between them.

The body should be long and slim, a trifle arched over the loin and racy in appearance; the tail, which must be free from kinks, should come well out of the back and be thick at the root or set-on, gradually tapering like a whip lash to a fine end, the length being about equal to that of the mouse's body. Unless the variety standard states otherwise, the coat should be short, perfectly smooth, glossy and sleek to the hand. The mouse should be perfectly tractable and free from any vice and not subject to fits or other similar ailments.

A mouse with absence of whiskers, blind in one or both eyes, carrying external parasites, having a tumour, sore or patches or fur missing, suffering from any obvious disease or deformity or kinked tail shall be disqualified.

GENERAL REMARKS

Written standards are necessarily under some limitation. Words cannot convey an exact idea of what any mouse should look like. This applies with special force to the definition of colour. Attendance at shows is urged upon all who wish to form a precise picture of any variety and it cannot be too strongly stated that nothing can adequately take the place of inspection of specimen mice.

THE SELF VARIETIES

Selfs are recognised in the following colours: Black; Blue; Champagne; Chocolate; Cream; Dove; Fawn; Lilac; Red; Silver and White. The colour should be carried evenly throughout the whole body and should extend to the skin. Ears, nails, tail and belly should all be the same colour and the colour should be solid from tip of nose to set-on of tail. The term "pink eye" is understood to cover all shades of pink or red.


Black: Eye Black. The colour should be a dense, lustrous black.
Blue: Eye Black. The colour should be a medium slate blue.
Originator: W E Mitchell 1898
Champagne: Eye Pink. The colour should be that of champagne silk with a pinkish tinge, free from mealiness and well carried out under.
Originally identified by Miss M Douglass 1911
Chocolate: Eye Black. The colour should be that of plain (not milk) chocolate and should be rich, deep and full of life.
Originator W Maxey
Cream: Eye Pink or Black. The colour should be a very pale cream, not to be confused with ivory, stone or very dilute champagne.
Dove: Eye Pink. The colour should be a soft dove grey.
Certificate: Dr W M Kerr 1933
Fawn: Eye Pink. The colour can best be described as the deepest tan as on a Black/Tan.
Red: Eye Black. The colour should be rich, deep and sparkling with no sootiness.
Silver: Eye Pink or Black. This is a delicate shade, as near as possible to an old silver coin (not the present Cupro Nickel). It should be sufficiently solid to leave no doubt of it being a Self.
BE Silver originator: W Maxey 1899.
PE Silver originator: J Wilton-Steer 1905.
White: Eye Pink or Black. The white shall be pure in colour.
BE White originator: Mrs G Atlee 1897
Lilac: Eye Black. An even pinky shade of Lilac.
Fully accepted 1995

POINTS FOR THE SELF VARIETIES

  • Colour50
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

THE TAN VARIETIES

Tans are recognised in any standard colour and the top colour shall be as laid down for these varieties. The Tan belly shall be a rich golden hue, as rich as possible and there should be a clear line of demarcation between top colour and tan, running in a straight line along the flanks, chest and jaws. There should be no brindling or guard hairs. Eye colour shall be as in the non-tan varieties. Colour of feet should be inside tan and remainder of foot same as top colour. Wholly tan feet considered a greater fault than feet all same colour as top. Black/Tan originator: J W Briggs 1896
Silver Grey/Tan certificate: J W Briggs 1918


POINTS FOR THE TAN VARIETIES

  • Top Colour20
  • Tan20
  • Feet10
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

THE MARKED VARIETIES

DUTCH

Eye colour to be as in standardised variety. In Dutch Marked the face or cheek markings should be evenly balanced, a patch covering each side of the face, extending below the eye but not including the whiskers, and not joining between the ears at the narrowest part of the blaze. The cheek markings should not run underneath the jaw. The saddle should come well up from the tail to the middle of the body and be clean cut, top and under. Tail stop to be approximately halfway along the tail. The stops on the hind feet should come halfway between the tips of the toes and the hock. Colour of markings should be carried out in the ears. The coloured markings may be any standard colour.


POINTS FOR DUTCH MARKED

  • Cheek markings, blaze and colour20
  • Saddle - well up to middle of body15
  • Undercut 15
  • Stops5
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

EVEN MARKED

Eye colour to be as in standardised variety. A mouse shall be considered even marked that is of any standard colour and equally balanced in markings and free from runs. The more spots or patches, the better, combined with pleasing effect.


POINTS FOR EVEN MARKED

  • Clearness of markings, their position & colour50
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

BROKEN MARKED

Eye colour to be as in standardised variety. A broken marked should be as far removed from the Even or Dutch marked mouse as possible; that is to say, it should not have either Dutch cheeks, saddle or any markings which may be considered evenly placed. The spots or patches should be well distributed all over the body and head, the more uniform in size, the better, also the greater in number and they should be free from brindling. There must be a spot or patch on one side of the nose. A Broken marked mouse without a nose spot must be disqualified. The nose spot being defined as a spot on one side only of the nose, including the whisker bed.


POINTS FOR BROKEN MARKED

  • Clearness, number, position & colour of patches40
  • Nose spot or patch (on one side)10
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

VARIEGATED

Eye colour to be as in standardised variety. A Variegated mouse shall be of any standard colour, evenly splashed over and under body and must be free from any spots or solid patches such as those found in Evens and Brokens.
Originator: Mrs G Atlee 1897


POINTS FOR VARIEGATED

  • Uniformity of variegation and colour 50
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

RUMP WHITE

Rump White is any standard colour having a white rump. The line of demarcation should be straight and encircle the body so that the lower third of the mouse, including the hind feet and tail is completely white. The remaining colour must be without any white markings at all and should conform with the standard laid down for that variety. Rump White Tan to be shown in rump white class.
Originator: R Meredith 1969. Fully accepted 1972


POINTS FOR THE RUMP WHITE

  • Colour10
  • Rump10
  • Demarcation Line20
  • Feet10
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

TRICOLOUR

A Tricolour mouse is to have patches of three colours, one of which is white, of equal amounts, top and sides. Patching under to be considered an added beauty. Each patch should consist of a solid colour, clearly defined from surrounding patches. Brindling of the patches, clear domination of any one colour, a solid coloured head, and resemblance to any other standardised marked variety to be adjudged faults.
Originator: Mrs G Atlee 1897
Upgraded Standard 2018: S Cudbill


POINTS FOR THE TRICOLOUR

  • Colour of patches25
  • Size and shape of patches25
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

BANDED

Eye as in other standardised colours. A mouse of any recognised standard colour, with a white zone encircling the body and to occupy one quarter of the length of the body, positioned at the third quarter of the body lengthfrom the head, excluding the tail; sharpness of demarcation to be of prime importance. Feet white. Certificate 1992: W F H Ansell


POINTS FOR THE BANDED

  • Band35
  • Colour15
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

HEREFORD

Eye colour to be as in Standard Variety. The body colour shall be that of any standardised colour. The face shall be white, extending to a V shape which terminates just beyond the line of the ears, the white going under the chin and be clean cut, but not extending down the throat. The ears and tail shall be of the standardised colour with the latter half of the tail being white. The belly shall have a uniform white marking, starting between the front legs and ending at the vent with the white not to extend up the sides of the body or down the legs. The feet shall be white. Any other markings on the top shall be considered a fault. The white areas shall be pure and devoid of any colour or staining. This is more inline with the breed of cattle and less like the self coloured mouse with a white face and feet. The belly mark is generally thought to be best as a rectangle shaped bar or line starting between the front legs and ending at the vent. Certificate 2007 E. Jukes


POINTS FOR THE HEREFORD

  • Uniformity of face markings15
  • Under15
  • Colour15
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

THE SATIN SECTION

SATIN STANDARD

The Satin mouse shall have a high sheen coat resulting in an exquisite satin-like or metallic gloss. The colour may be that of any standardised variety and should be as close as is possible to that variety, having due regard to the effect of satinisation. White to be known as Ivory Satin and should be as white as possible.
Certificate 1975: T & G Cooke


POINTS FOR THE SATIN

  • Satin Coat25
  • Colour25
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

THE ANY OTHER VARIETIES (AOV)

GOLDEN AGOUTI

Eye Black. The Golden Agouti shall be a rich brown or golden hue with even dark or black ticking all through. Undercolour black. The belly shall be a golden brown ticked as on top and the feet shall match the body in colour and ticking.


CINNAMON

Eye black. The Cinnamon shall be a rich golden tan, lustrous in colour and level throughout top and belly, with rich brown ticking clearly defined. Undercolour, slate grey. No black ticking.


SILVER AGOUTI

Eye Black. This variety is like the normal or Golden Agouti except the golden brown pigment is replaced by silvery grey. Colour to be bright silvery grey evenly ticked with black. Undercolour, deep slate. Belly to be silvery grey, as close as possible to the top. Feet to match top.
Certificate 1969: B Makin


POINTS FOR THE AGOUTIS AND CINNAMON

  • Colour35
  • Evenness of ticking15
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

SABLE

Eye Black. The top colour shall be a rich dark brown, as dark as possible, from nose to tail root; the belly colour to be as rich a golden tan as possible and the shading from top to belly to be gradual, even and pleasing, with no line of demarcation nor any blotch, patch, ticking or streakiness. There should be no white hairs whatsoever.
Originator: W Maxey


POINTS FOR THE SABLE

  • Colour35
  • Level Shading15
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

MARTEN SABLE

Eye Black. Top colour shall be a rich dark sepia from nose to tail, shading off to a paler colour on lower jaws, sides and flanks, blending to be gradual; belly white, white ticking on flanks and rump to be considered an added beauty.
Faults: Light noses, blotches or streaks.
Certificate: 1958 V Stephens


POINTS FOR THE MARTEN SABLE

  • Colour30
  • Level Shading10
  • Belly10
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

PEARL

Eye Black. A Pearl mouse shall be of the palest silver, shading to a whitish undercolour. Each hair shall be delicately tipped with grey or black and carried out top and belly.
Certificate 1935: Mrs E D Blowers


POINTS FOR THE PEARL

  • Colour30
  • Evenness of tipping20
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

ARGENTE

Eye Pink. An Argente mouse shall be of a delicately blended shade of light fawn and silver, as the Self silver, level throughout and the two colours so evenly intermingled as to give the appearance of shot silk. The undercolour to be blue, as dark as possible in shade. The belly to be a golden fawn and as similar to the top as possible. Feet to match top.
Certificate 1935: L Madeley


POINTS FOR THE ARGENTE

  • Colour30
  • Evenness of blending10
  • Undercolour10
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

SILVER GREY, BROWN OR FAWN

GREYS

Colour: The ground colour should be as black as possible.
Eye black.

BROWNS

Colour: To be a rich golden brown as in the Agouti.
Eye black.

FAWNS

Colour: To be a deep bright orange
Eye pink or black.

The silvering should be even throughout, carried well onto the feet. Silver Grey mice are recognised in three shades, namely, Dark, Medium and Light. First Silver Grey Originator: Mr Pollock, about 1900 Probable proper Silver Grey Originator: Mr Russell, 1912 Silver Brown Originator: Miss E Rhodes, 1901


POINTS FOR THE SILVER GREY, BROWN OR FAWN

  • Colour30
  • Silvering - sharp, bright & even throughout 20
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

CHINCHILLA

Eye Black. The mouse shall be as near as possible to the colour of a Chinchilla with slate-blue undercolour and intermediate shade of pearl grey. Hairs to be evenly tipped with black. Colour of feet on inside white, with remainder of foot the same colour as body - as in the standard for Tans. Belly white.
Certificate 1933: Dr J N Pickard


POINTS FOR THE CHINCHILLA

  • Colour20
  • Ticking15
  • Belly10
  • Feet5
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

ARGENTE CREME

Eye Pink. An Argente Creme mouse shall be a delicate blend of deep cream and silver. The undercolour to be an extremely pale blue. Feet the same colour as body. Belly white.
Certificate 1967: B J Cooke


POINTS FOR THE ARGENTE CREME

  • Colour30
  • Undercolour10
  • Belly10
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

SILVER FOX

Eye Black. A Silver Fox shall be recognised in Black, Blue, Chocolate or Lilac top colour. Feet, sides and rump only to be ticked evenly with white hairs. Belly white.
Certificate 1936: Dr J N Pickard
Lilac fully accepted 1996


POINTS FOR THE SILVER FOX

  • Top Colour20
  • Belly15
  • Ticking and feet15
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

SEAL POINT SIAMESE

Eye any colour. Body colour medium beige.
SHADINGS: Gradually shaded over saddle and hind quarters, merging gradually with body colour and being darkest at tail root as seen in the Siamese cat. The belly should be as near as possible in colour and shadings.
POINTS: Seal coloured points shall be present in muzzle, ears, feet, tail and tail root. There should not be a definite or distinct line of demarcation but rather a harmonious balance between body colour, shadings and points. There should not be any blotches, streaks, or white hairs.
Certificate 1969: Mrs D Cooper


POINTS FOR THE SEAL POINT SIAMESE

  • Colour15
  • Points15
  • Shadings10
  • Belly10
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

BLUE POINT SIAMESE

Eye any colour. Body colour silvery blue (bluer the better).
SHADINGS: Gradually shaded over saddle and hind quarters merging gradually with body colour and being darkest at tail root. The belly should be as near as possible in colour and shadings. White belly to be penalised.
POINTS: Medium slate blue (as in the normal blue standard) coloured points shall be present in muzzle, ears, feet, tail and tail root. There should not be a definite or distinct line of demarcation but rather a toning in or merging with the remainder of the coat. At all times there should be a harmonious balance between body colour, shadings and points. There should not be any blotches, streaks or white hairs.


POINTS FOR THE BLUE POINT SIAMESE

  • Colour15
  • Points15
  • Shadings10
  • Belly10
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

LONGHAIRED

The Longhaired mouse shall have a coat as long as possible combined with density and to be silky in texture. The colour may be that of any standard variety.
Certificate 1969: A D Jones


POINTS FOR THE LONGHAIRED

  • Coat - length, density and texture 30
  • Colour20
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

BRINDLE

The Brindle mouse shall have streaks, bars and numerous little areas of any colour over a diluted background. These markings shall be evenly distributed over the mouse including the face and belly. Large blotches of solid colour or white background to be considered a fault. Central demarcation lines along spine, face and belly permissible. Eye any colour.
Certificate 1992: S Haswell


POINTS FOR THE BRINDLE

  • Evenness of brindling30
  • Colour20
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

HIMALAYAN

Eye Black or Red. All markings to be as Himalayan rabbit. Colour of markings recognised in any standard colour. Body colour as white as possible.
Certificate 1970: E Kitchen


POINTS FOR THE HIMALAYAN

  • Nose markings - well carried up to the eyes10
  • Feet markings - well carried up to hocks10
  • Ear markings - to include the whole ear10
  • Tail markings - to include tail root10
  • Purity of body colour10
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

SPLASHED

Eye Pink or Black. Splashed mice are to exhibit shades of any one colour, splashed heavily and evenly over the top of the mouse, with as much as possible under, on a lighter background colour. Heavy splashing on head an added beauty. Dorsal, facial and ventral lines are permissible but not preferred over those without. Points and patches of solid colour to be considered a fault.


POINTS FOR THE SPLASHED

  • Splashing strength and evenness35
  • Colour15
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

ROAN

Recognised in any standard colour. White hairs (not to be confused with ticking) to be evenly intermingled with base colour. Belly to be as similar as possible. Feet to match top.
Faults: solid patches of colour, white markings.


POINTS FOR THE ROAN

  • Add description here35
  • Colour15
  • Condition - not fat, short & glossy coat 15
  • Shape and Carriage10
  • Size5
  • Ears - shape, size and position5
  • Eyes - large, bold and prominent5
  • Muzzle - long, strength carried out to end 5
  • Tail - long and uniform, no kinks5
  • Total100

Stephan Mönninghoff, NMC Secretary, May 2023