American rabbit
Encyclopedia
The American rabbit is a variety of rabbit
, recognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) as the German Blue Vienna in 1918. It was renamed to American Blue Rabbit shortly after because of World War I
. American rabbits have an ideal mandolin body and a deep blue colour.
The American rabbit was introduced by Lewis H. Salisbury, who did not disclose what breeds were used to come to this variety. The body shape suggests that it may well have been bred from blue Vienna, Beveren
, Imperial and Flemish Giant
s.
A white variety named American white rabbit was recognised in 1925. It was developed by selecting rabbits with white spots, and adding in white flemish giants in the bloodline.
American rabbits were popular animals up until the 1950s, kept for their fur
and meat
. They are now the rarest variety of rabbit in America. American rabbits weigh between 4 and 5½ kilograms (9–12 lb).
Arba approved
The blue American rabbit was developed in Pasadena, California by Lewis Salisbury in 1917. The white variety was introduced in 1925. At least three different breeds were used in the development. The breed was originally known as the German Blue, but was renamed after World War I. The Blue American is the deepest, darkest colored of all the blue rabbits. The American has a mandolin or semi-arch body type. The American rabbit was developed for its meat and fur. Since the development of the commercial rabbit breed, such as the Californian and New Zealand, the Americans are pretty much ignored by the commercial market. Americans are listed as critical by the American Livestock Breed Conservancy. They are included in the Slow Food USA project under Ark of Taste, Meat and Poultry.
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
, recognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) as the German Blue Vienna in 1918. It was renamed to American Blue Rabbit shortly after because of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. American rabbits have an ideal mandolin body and a deep blue colour.
The American rabbit was introduced by Lewis H. Salisbury, who did not disclose what breeds were used to come to this variety. The body shape suggests that it may well have been bred from blue Vienna, Beveren
Beveren (rabbit)
The Beveren is one of the oldest and largest breeds of fur rabbits. It was first bred in Beveren, a small town near Antwerp in Belgium. Their coats can be blue, white, black, brown and lilac, though not all of these varieties are ARBA-recognized. There is a rare variety called the Pointed Beveren,...
, Imperial and Flemish Giant
Flemish Giant
The Flemish Giant is a very old and popular breed of domestic rabbit, most famous for its large size compared to other rabbits.-History:The Flemish Giant is an old breed of domesticated rabbits, originating from the Flemish region. They have been bred as early as the 16th century around the city of...
s.
A white variety named American white rabbit was recognised in 1925. It was developed by selecting rabbits with white spots, and adding in white flemish giants in the bloodline.
American rabbits were popular animals up until the 1950s, kept for their fur
Fur
Fur is a synonym for hair, used more in reference to non-human animals, usually mammals; particularly those with extensives body hair coverage. The term is sometimes used to refer to the body hair of an animal as a complete coat, also known as the "pelage". Fur is also used to refer to animal...
and meat
Meat
Meat is animal flesh that is used as food. Most often, this means the skeletal muscle and associated fat and other tissues, but it may also describe other edible tissues such as organs and offal...
. They are now the rarest variety of rabbit in America. American rabbits weigh between 4 and 5½ kilograms (9–12 lb).
- ARBA-accepted varieties: Blue, White
Arba approved
The blue American rabbit was developed in Pasadena, California by Lewis Salisbury in 1917. The white variety was introduced in 1925. At least three different breeds were used in the development. The breed was originally known as the German Blue, but was renamed after World War I. The Blue American is the deepest, darkest colored of all the blue rabbits. The American has a mandolin or semi-arch body type. The American rabbit was developed for its meat and fur. Since the development of the commercial rabbit breed, such as the Californian and New Zealand, the Americans are pretty much ignored by the commercial market. Americans are listed as critical by the American Livestock Breed Conservancy. They are included in the Slow Food USA project under Ark of Taste, Meat and Poultry.