STEEL NETHERLAND DWARFS

As you can see in these pictures, there are many variations in the steel variety.  Some are silver tipped ("chinchilla" or "Silver" steel), some are gold tipped (preferred by current ARBA Standard) also known as "chestnut"  steel.  The very black background steels are often referred to as "black steels" but all are supposed to be black with either silver or gold ticking. The orginal standard called for silver ticking but it was mysteriously changed a few years ago. Now a new Certificate of Development is required to once again show the silver steels.

Frequently confused with the Chestnut Agouti variety, they are actually quite different.  Chestnut Agoutis have 3 bands of color on each hair shaft, starting with slate blue at the base of the hair shaft, then an orange band with black surface ticking.  The Steel has a dark base with silver or gold ticking on the surface or end of the hair shaft. 

Pardon the poses but without help they don't show off very well.

Click on any image for a larger view.