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How to tell a Chinchilla from an Sable Chichilla

Gail Gibbons of Cimmaron Rabbitry answered the question this way:

The easiest and BEST way to tell is at birth. A true genetic Chinchilla is always born BLACK on top with the silver agouti belly, ear, jowl, eye, ear markings.

A Sable Agouti or Sable Chin (same thing just two different names) is born a silver/gray color on top with silver agouti markings. Some Sable Agouti develop very good Chin color but most have a brown tinge in the ring and under color. Many Many are show at ARBA shows in many different breeds and most are not disqualified and many are grand champions.

Even a good true chin can carry a brown cast to the coat depending on where they are in the molt schedule. The older the coat the more likely it is to show some brown just due to bleaching by natural sunlight or even Florissant lighting.