BALB/cJ is a commonly used inbred sub strain.

BALB/c mice are well known for the production of plasmacytomas following injection with mineral oil forming the basis for the production of monoclonal antibodies.

Key traits include susceptibility to developing the demyelinating disease upon infection with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus.

Rare spontaneous myoepitheliomas arising from myoepithelial cells of various exocrine glands have been observed in this sub strain.

BALB/c mice develop other cancers later in life including reticular neoplasms, primary lung tumors, and renal tumors.

The BALB/cJ sub strain is susceptible to Listeria, all species of Leishmania, and several species of Trypanosoma, but is resistant to experimental allergic orchitis (EAO).