Dutch rabbit
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The Dutch rabbit, easily identifiable by its characteristic colour pattern, was once the most popular of all rabbit breeds. However, after dwarf rabbits were developed, the popularity of the Dutch rabbit dwindled. Nevertheless, the Dutch rabbit remains one of the top ten most popular breeds worldwide.
"Although the name suggests that the Dutch rabbit is from the Netherlands, it was actually developed in England. During the 1830s rabbits were imported to England from Ostend in the Netherlands every week for the meat market. Amongst these rabbits was a breed known as the Petite Brabancon, as it originated from Brabant in Flanders. The Petite Brabancon may still be found in paintings from the fifteenth century. The Dutch rabbit has its genetic roots in this old breed. The Petite Brabancon would often display Dutch markings, and breeders in England selected those with even markings, fixing those markings into the breed we know today."[1]
Dutch are popular both as pets and among show breeders. Most Dutch are friendly and enjoy human attention.
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[edit] Appearance
The American Rabbit Breeders Association standard calls for a small to medium rabbit weighing between 3.5 and 5.5 lbs, with 4.5 being the ideal weight for rabbits over 6 months of age. Dutch are to have a compact, well-rounded body; rounded head; short, stocky, well-furred ears; and short, glossy "flyback" fur. Six colors (in conjunction with white) are recognized for show:
Black, a dense, glossy black
Blue, a medium blue-gray
Chocolate, a rich chocolate brown
Gray, (UK: Brown Gray) an Agouti color similar to that of the American cottontail, with bands of color on the hairshaft which produce a ring effect when blown into
Steel, (UK: Steel Gray) a black color with off-white tips to the hairshaft
Tortoise, (UK: Tortoiseshell) a bright, clean orange with slate blue shadings along the ears, whisker beds and hindquarters.
In the UK, Yellow (US: Gold) and Pale Grey (US: Opal) Dutch are also recognized for show. New varieties under development in the United States include Harlequin (a pattern of black and orange patches) and Chinchilla.
Despite its popularity, the Dutch rabbit has not changed much over the years. The most striking aspect of the breed is the marking pattern:
The blaze is an even wedge of white running up the rabbit's face. It is shaped by the cheeks which are the rounded circles of color on either side of the face. The neck marking is a white wedge on the back of the head. The saddle is to be a straight line running behind the shoulders and continuing underneath the rabbit to the undercut across the belly. The stops are located on the rear feet, which should be white from the toes to a point one third the length of the foot.
The American standard allots 50 of the 100 total points to markings, 25 points to general type, 10 points to color, 10 points to fur and 5 to condition.[2]
[edit] Housing and Care
Due to the relatively small size of the Dutch, it requires less space than most rabbits and is a favourite among rabbit owners.
[edit] Feeding
As with any rabbit, commercially available rabbit pellets are the safest food for the Dutch. Rabbit pellets have been scientifically designed to meet all of the rabbit's nutritional needs. Their diet needs to be supplemented with hay, alfalfa for babies and a grass hay such as Timothy for adults. Some breeders add oats, wheat, or black oil sunflower seeds to the feed to produce a "better-conditioned" rabbit.
Rabbits are crepuscular and take most of their food at dawn and dusk. It is best to give a Dutch rabbit around four ounces of rabbit feed a day, although some do well on "free feed" programs that allow them as much food as they can eat.
[edit] Housing
Many rabbits do very well in the home. They can be litter-box trained and are quite fastidious groomers. Rabbits love to gnaw, so all wires must be safely hidden or in protective plastic covers. Furniture may be nibbled. A rabbit normally nips or bites a person only out of curiosity. If the rabbit is to be caged, the cage should be at least 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet (61 by 61 by 122 cm). If the cage has a wire bottom, the rabbit must be provided with a plank or sea grass mats to stand on to prevent damage to its feet. The cage must also have a hide box or other shelter and plenty of straw for bedding.
[edit] Common diseases and disorders
Dutch are a very hardy breed and can be kept outdoors in a variety of climates. They require minimal grooming and need no shots or preventive veterinary care. Most Dutch can be kept quite healthy simply by being housed in a clean and sheltered environment and being given a balanced diet. Regular attention will alert the owner to any potential problems requiring the services of a veterinarian. Rabbits are considered "exotics" in the U.S., so it is suggested that rabbit owners contact a veterinarian who has training in exotic species.
The average life span of a breeding Dutch doe is 4 to 5 years. Bucks have been known to produce at up to 11 years of age, but an age beyond 6 or 7 years is unusual.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Benbrook J, "GreenPatch - Dutch Rabbits", 2007 <http://www.greenpatchrabbits.com>
- ^ American Rabbit Breeders Association, Standard of Perfection 2006-2010
