When we started out in 2002 there were numerous varieties to begin working with. As with most new breeders at that time, I really wanted to work with American Blue. It wasn't long before I found myself with a variety of rats from all different backgrounds. American Blue was still my first love, but I began to like others such as Siamese and marked rats. My first litter was Russian Blue & Russian Blue Siamese. Subsequent litters focused on American Blue & marked rats. They were great rats, but already I was able to pick apart what I didn't like and vowed to improve them.

 Temperament, health and longevity -- I absolutely wanted that in my programs. Early on you do not realize how long it takes to completely understand what that all means and how they can affect your program (and rats) for years to come.
 
 I still love American Blue and intend to bring the variety back with healthier lines. I definitely love Siamese, and markings. After many bumps in the road, ending some lines and starting over, I began to open my eyes and stopped focusing so much on variety and more on temperament and long term health. In that time I have also tweaked my affinity for certain varieties as everyone does throughout the years.



  Our goals at this point in time focus on improving health and longevity. We believe it should not be a feat to have rats that live to be 2 years old without health issues. It should be normal. They should be able to live 2.5 and even 3 years old. To truly live -- not struggle to reach that age. Coupled with that is temperament and we pride ourselves on the playful, cuddly and personable rats that we have today. Selection is the key.

 What varieties do we breed? That is a good question and not one that can be answered point-blank. Our current rats come from very particular lines that tend to throw a lot of recessive colors. Most of our rats are descended from our favorite rat - TEK Matthias, from an outcross done with our original line of American Blues. I have found these rats to be pretty healthy and they maintain the best temperaments I have come across. It is only natural for me to want to preserve that as-is. Linebreeding these rats have revealed many recessives and the litters are a rainbow of color as a result.

Russian Cinnamon
 Our favorite variety to pop through from this line has been Russian Cinnamon (also referred to as Dove Agouti). This color is very beautiful and pleasing to the eye. We have had a few of varying shades and have decided to work with them to produce a line that is consistent.

DAZL Hope Has a Place Russian Cinnamon Self Dumbo

DAZL Shammus Russian Cinnamon Self Dumbo

DAZL Carry On Amadeus Russian Cinnamon Berkshire Dumbo

Fawn
 We have recently outcross the TEK Matthias offspring to one with strong ties in the midwest. We have been able to extract bright, rich orange Fawns from the combination of these lines and would like to continue working with Fawns to keep it at its best. We are loving these "redheads"!

DAZL Holiday Flare Fawn Self Dumbo

DAZL Step Into the Light Fawn Berkshire Rex Dumbo

DAZL Setting Sun Fawn Self Dumbo

Russian Blue Siamese
 This is a 'definite' variety we have always loved and wanted to work with. Currently our group contains Black, Seal & Russian Blue Siamese Satins. We have nothing against Seal Points but it is our desire to specialize in nice, dark and smooth Russian Blue points. We will continue to have Seal Points for variety.

DAZL Moost Tracks Russian Blue Siamese Rex

BVR Moo Goo Gai Pain Seal Point Siamese Satin

Roans
 We have had these particular roans in our rattery for nearly four years now and will soon have our first litter. The rats in this line are relatively long lived, have strong immune systems, display great type and are quite personable. We would like to work Black in the Roans in hopes of the color displaying much better as it fades. We hope to slow down the fading process by selecting individuals that hold their color better throughout their lives.

TEK Ariel Luna Mink Striped Roan

TEK Martian Mirage Agouti Berkshire DownUnder (Roan Carrier)