The Max Factor allele is incompletely recessive. Rabbits that carry the allele often have better and thicker fur, which also makes the head look rounder and fuller. For this reason, many people purposely or accidentally breed Max Factor carriers. Max Factor carriers also usually have a tuft of longer fur between the ears.

Max Factor kits are born with one or more of the following deformities: eyes fully or partially open at birth (resulting in blindness), twisted limbs (often look like flippers), extra toes, webbed feet, dewclaw on hind legs. The fur is usually longer and softer due to lack of guard hairs, and it may appear spikey. 

In order to produce a Max Factor kit, both parents have to carry the allele. If you mate Max Factor carriers, you will likely get better show rabbits, but be aware that you will lose more kits due to them being Max Factor kits.

The gene is so named because an imported Netherland Dwarf buck, named Max, was the first known carrier of the allele. The allele is most common in Netherland Dwarfs, but it does sometimes appear in Dwarf Hotots and other breeds that have Netherland Dwarf ancestry.