"The ARBA is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy." -The ARBA, est. 1910
We are no longer members of the ARBA, but we sure are proud of the accomplishments made by others in the world of the domesticated rabbit. Perhaps one of the children will enjoy being so involved in the rabbit concentration that we will seek membership again in the future.
We are no longer members of the ARBA, but we sure are proud of the accomplishments made by others in the world of the domesticated rabbit. Perhaps one of the children will enjoy being so involved in the rabbit concentration that we will seek membership again in the future.
This is the edition we use for our rabbitry! Get your copy from the ARBA online store without even being a member!
EVIL BUNNY RABBITRY:
BLANC DE HOTOT (HT) - "RABBIT FOR INTERNATIONAL UNITY"
- Origin: Madame E. Bernhardt, of Hotot-en-Auge (in the northern region of France), became the 2nd woman to be noted for the development of a new rabbit breed. After over 500 crosses using a White Vienna, a White Flemish Giant, and [predominantly] the Checkered Giant, she successfully achieved her desired standard (solid white with black eyes for meat and fur production - no eyebands!) for the breed. After WWII, the breed had become very popular in Switzerland. Swiss breeders focused on making the eye bands more profound and the new standard was accepted. After importing several Blanc de Hotots to the States in 1978 (to Bob Whitman), breeders began crossing to BEW Beverens, New Zealand Whites, and White Satins in order to increase the gene pool and improve on overall type. The ARBA recognized the breed in 1979 as a commercial breed. In 2004, Blanc de Hotot were imported from Germany, Holland and England. The breed is currently listed as endangered with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
- Color: White coat and dark brown eyes with black eyebands. The eyebands must be rich and deep in color, and not *too* thick.
- Size: Sr bucks should weight 9 lbs while Sr does should ideally weigh 10 lbs.
- Temperament: Playful, energetic, good but sometimes finicky mothers.
- Fur Type: Dense fur of medium length with a rollback quality. Visible guard hairs give a "frosty" appearance, which is a unique quality of this breed.
- Body Type: Commercial. Full, firm, well rounded and of medium length.
DUTCH (DT) - "YOU CAN'T BEAT THE DUTCH":
- Origin: This breed's name is true to its origin and was originated in Holland sometime around 1850 where it was known as the "Hollander."
- Color: Sleek lines of Black, Blue, Chocolate, Tortoise, Steel, Gray, or Chinchilla, contrasting with White. There are many detailed specifications made for the Dutch markings in the Standard of Perfection.
- Size: Sr bucks and does both ideally weigh 4 1/2 lbs (3 1/2 - 5 1/2 lbs).
- Temperament: Intelligent, easily trained, sociable, excellent mothers and very energetic. One of the most popular pet breeds of all rabbits.
- Fur Type: Short, dense fur with flyback quality and a dense undercoat.
- Body Type: *Compact. The body is short and close coupled with a well rounded appearance.*
DWARF HOTOT (DH) - "EYE OF THE FANCY"
- Origin: Not recognized by the ARBA until 1984, this breed was founded by 2 German breeders (independently of each other, one in E. Germany, the other in W. Germany), with their work beginning in the 1970s. One breeder used a (REW) Netherland Dwarf (ND) x Blanc de Hotot (BDH) whilst the other breeder used a Black ND x Dutch, both aiming to achieve small, white rabbits with black eye bands. Their two strains were eventually united to make the Dwarf Hotot as it is today.
- Color: Pure white body with BLACK or CHOCOLATE (brown) eyebands, black eyelashes, and white toenails. Eyebands must be as rich as possible and must form a complete outline of the eye.
- Size: Sr bucks and does should not exceed 3 lbs (ideal being 2 1/2 lbs).
- Temperament: Some are quite timid, but mostly they are found to be calm, playful, curious, social, and make great mothers.
- Fur Type: Soft, lustrous, dense, and fine coat with rollback quality.
- Body Type: Compact. Short and stout body; should seem as though they have no neck.
FRENCH LOP (FL) - "KING OF THE FANCY"
- Origin: Developed around 1850 in France, the French Lop was derived from crossing the Butterfly Rabbit of France and the English Lop. The French Lop was first imported to the US in the 70's from Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and Germany alongside the English Lop.
- Color: ***Many colors (broken and solid patterns) are recognized by the ARBA for this breed: Black, White, Brown, Blue, Agouti, Chinchilla, Opal. Sooty Fawn, Siamese Sable, Orange, Fawn, Steel and Butterfly.***
- Size: Sr bucks weigh 11+ lbs and sr does weigh 11 1/2+ lbs.
- Temperament: Social, friendly, playful, make excellent mothers.
- Fur Type: Rollback. Glossy, lustrous, uniform, thick, and dense.
- Body Type: Commercial: Large and thick body with broad shoulders that carry through to a heavy, deep hindquarter. The bone is heavy throughout the body, and the crown of the head is curved. The ears are based from the curve on the crown of the head and they extend below the jaw line.
NEW ZEALAND (NZ) - "THE BREED IN THE LEAD"
- Origin: This breed was created as a RED rabbit in 1916 by Don Johnson for the purpose of meat and fur. The initial breeds that were used to create the New Zealand Red are unknown.
- Color: The ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) recognizes the colors White, Red, Black, and Broken. Whites are the most popular in the fur industry, while Reds are currently the most rare of the varieties.
- Size: Sr bucks ideally weigh in at 10 lbs, Sr does at 11 lbs. Reds are generally the smallest of all the varieties; whites are the largest.
- Temperament: Laid back, docile, intelligent, and make great mothers.
- Fur Type: Commercial: Dense, coarse, glossy fur of medium length with a flyback quality.
- Body Type: **Commercial. Full, firm, well rounded and of medium length.**
*Highest dress out rate.
**NZ Whites display the fastest grow rate
***See the Lop Color Guide (on the Helpful Links page) for more details
**NZ Whites display the fastest grow rate
***See the Lop Color Guide (on the Helpful Links page) for more details