The mane is the centerpiece of the lionhead. It is the trait that sets our beloved lionheads apart from all other breeds. There are three types of lionhead manes, single manes (Mm) and double manes (MM) and no manes (mm). Both single and double maned lionheads will start with fluffy manes and skirts although it is common for a single maned lionheads to shed off some of their skirt as they mature. The only true way to tell which mane a lionhead has is by their appearance as newborns. The double maned kits will have naked sides (a V shape) and are very easy to tell apart from single maned and no maned kits.
Another factor for their coat quality is genetics. Some single maned lionheads have really impressive coats due to exceptionally wooly lines. Some double maned lionheads don't have very thick coats or a visible skirt, but they are still doublemaned.
That being said there is nothing wrong with single maned lionheads! Some may be lower maintenance when it comes to grooming, and if you are planning to breed them to double maned lionheads you will still have a chance at some double maned kits.
How does this affect breeding? Listed below are the chances each kit will turn out single, double, or no maned, in their litter.
Double mane + double mane = 100% chance of double maned kits.
Double mane + single mane = 50% chance of doubles, 50% chance singles.
Double mane + no mane = 100% chance of single manes.
Single mane + single mane = 50% chance of single mane, 25% chance of double mane, 25% chance of no manes.
Single mane + no mane = 50% chance of single mane, 50% chance of no mane.
No mane + no mane = 100% maneless kits.
The only way to tell if a lionhead is double or single maned is through breeding or how they look at birth! Double maned lionheads grow their coats in differently, they have naked sides in a "V" shape as their fur grows in.
Another factor for their coat quality is genetics. Some single maned lionheads have really impressive coats due to exceptionally wooly lines. Some double maned lionheads don't have very thick coats or a visible skirt, but they are still doublemaned.
That being said there is nothing wrong with single maned lionheads! Some may be lower maintenance when it comes to grooming, and if you are planning to breed them to double maned lionheads you will still have a chance at some double maned kits.
How does this affect breeding? Listed below are the chances each kit will turn out single, double, or no maned, in their litter.
Double mane + double mane = 100% chance of double maned kits.
Double mane + single mane = 50% chance of doubles, 50% chance singles.
Double mane + no mane = 100% chance of single manes.
Single mane + single mane = 50% chance of single mane, 25% chance of double mane, 25% chance of no manes.
Single mane + no mane = 50% chance of single mane, 50% chance of no mane.
No mane + no mane = 100% maneless kits.
The only way to tell if a lionhead is double or single maned is through breeding or how they look at birth! Double maned lionheads grow their coats in differently, they have naked sides in a "V" shape as their fur grows in.
Below are examples of double maned lionhead kits under a week old.
Below are examples of Jasper and his son peppercorn with different manes.