This kit is a sport. See the spots on the flank? They are a genetic throwback to one of the breeds used in the development of the HT. Most probably the Checkered Giant in the case of the Blanc de Hotot. The Checkered Giant or "Geant Papillion Francais" has flank spots, a spine stripe, black ears and head cap, and of course (very wide) eye bands. So it's easy to see why these markings pop up.The flank spots are common, as are back and rump markings along the spine, as well as on the back or base of the ear. These can hide at the base of the ear or tail, and then you see them all of the sudden on a rabbit at 6 months! A random spot on the rump, ear or flank is a heart breaker on an otherwise perfect rabbit. I like to go over the rabbits on a very bright sunny day or under strong, white light inside, preferably halogen lighting if you have to do it inside. Pulling a rabbit out of a carrier at a show and having the judge DQ you, or even worse when you are selling someone a rabbit is terrible. Nobody will believe that you didn't see those black hairs before.
Want the scientific definition of a genetic sport? Here ya go!
Mutation
1. a nucleotide change, including base substitutions, insertions or deletions in DNA, or RNA in the case of some viruses, that gives rise to the mutant phenotype.
2. an animal exhibiting such change. Called also a sport.
I would use a rabbit like this in my breeding program. It would fare best if bred to a standard marked Blanc de Hotot. I would not breed two sports, the resulting litter usually has too many badly marked rabbits.
