American Marten Stock Information

My first Silver Martens came out of my Black Tan breeding program that started with two Tan boars purchased from Tracy Iverson in 2001.

Juliet Barrara of Northern California was in England in 2000 when she saw her first Tans that a Cavy breeder and Cavy Judge Tony Cook had. She made arrangements to import 4 boars to Tracy Iverson of Oregon.  One of the Tan Boars Juliet named America came from a Marten ( FOX in England) and a Black Sow.  This boar carried the cr gene that turns red to white.

 Juliet was the first person to attempt to get the Marten recognizes.  It did not work out.  Then Travis Finkle attempted it but had to drop out of the project due to him entering graduate school in 2007.  With no one coming forth at the time, I decided to try and received my Certificate of Development for the Marten Cavy in July 8, 2007.  My first presentation to the ARBA Standards Committee will be in 2009.  Second 2010, third 2011.  If all goes well with all the ARBA Convention presentations, the Marten will be recognized February 1, 2012.

Since I already had a few Black, Chocolate and Lilac Martens in preparation for Travis Finkle to succeed, I had a good start for my Marten project.  To build up my herd, I received 2 nice Black Marten sows from Jo Ann Richardson, Mary Lou Eisel and Jim Touchette, received Dark Black Marten boar and 3 Dark Marten sows with no mealines of the faces.  I also received Black Martens From Travis Finkle at the 2007 ARBA Convention in Michigan. 

The aim is to present the Marten to the ARBA Standards Committee in the following colors; Beige, Black, Blue, Chocolate and Lilac. 

Problems with the Martens at present time are light colored front footpads and extra toes on the rear feet.  The extra toes reminded me of my Aby breeding days, in the early 70’s when the English Aby imports also had them.  The extra toe problem can be bred out, by not using them in the breeding program.  The light colored front feet are another story and can be present in all 5 colors.

Since my Martens came from my Tans bred to my Reds and Golden Agouties, other surprises have shown up.  The Satin gene, Dark/Red Eyed whites and Red Eyed Oranges.

Markings to look for are: 

●  White or silver belly color.
●  Ticking of white hairs on the flanks.
●  White eye circles, pea spots at the base of the ears.
●  White around the nostrils and white chest.
●  Feet/Legs on the inside of each to be white.
●  Top color to be the color of the 5 self-varieties, strong to the base.
●  Face and muzzle free of mealines.

Marten stock information

Changes in judging Martins