Different breeds of rabbit at an exhibition in the Netherlands, 1952
As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world.[1] A rabbit breed is a distinct variety created through selective breeding (or occasionally natural selection) for specific characteristics, including size, fur (length, quality, or color), feed conversion ratio, climate adaptability, or temperament. Groups such as the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and the British Rabbit Council (BRC) coordinate and standardize the desired qualities of their recognized breeds, through promotion and exhibition. Each rabbit breed is considered to benefit when a reputable breeder strives to emulate the purpose for the breed, often defined by the individual breed standard by which it may be judged.[2] The global diversity of breeds reflects the breadth of the rabbit's unique qualities. Listed below are 191 of the world's modern-day rabbit breeds.
"Chestnut brown uniform color with a well-defined orange-brown outer-color. Under-color bluish including the belly. Ears bluish on their inner side and edged with a black border."
Four varieties, all being white (with red eyes) with dark points: Normal ("dark sepia" points), Chocolate ("milk chocolate" points), Blue ("slate blue" points), or Lilac ("pink shade of dove" points)
[Colored butterfly, eye circles, cheek spots, ear base, saddle, and rump spots; all on a base of white.] "All [BRC] recognised colours are admissible."
"The yellowish brown color is 'coated' with a blue veil, caused by blue hair tips. In front of the head there is the 'mask', which when seen from the front, is oval."
"Lux has a wild factor and the outermost part of the hair is light grey. Under this color, the middle color is reddish-brown. The middle color is so high that it shines through the entire color. The entire color therefore appears as a reddish-brown tone 'coated' with a light grey-blue cut."
Black, Blue, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Himalayan, Lilac, Lynx, Marten, Opal, Otter, Red, Sable, Sable Point, Seal, Tortoise, Red-Eyed White, Blue-Eyed White, Broken (white with any accepted color), Tri-Color (white with one of the following four pairs: Black & Orange, Lilac & Fawn, Chocolate & Orange, Blue & Fawn), Pattern
Black/White, Blue/White, Tri-colour (Black & Gold) [Colored butterfly, eye circles, cheek spots, ear base, saddle, side-body patches, and top of tail; all on a base of white]
"Blue velvet" with "yellowish-brown" substrate and flecking. [Similar to the "St Hubert" hairshaft?] "The tail and belly are white, and the eyes are brown."
Marten type ["smoke in colour, shading to pearl grey beige" with certain white touches, including eye circles] or Siamese type [same but with no white touches]
The table of modern-day rabbit breeds includes those that are:
recognized as a distinct breed by ARBA, the BRC, or another country's established organization for the national promotion of rabbit breeds,
recognized as "in development" for potential formal recognition (as judged by multiple authoritative sources), or
recognized as a distinct breed that resulted from natural selection (as judged by pertinent authoritative sources).
Rare breeds[i] are denoted with pink highlighting.
Terminology
Confusion sometimes arises regarding the name of a rabbit breed versus the name of a rabbit's color/pattern (or fur type). For example, Harlequin is the name of a breed whose color/pattern is known as harlequin. (This usage may have arisen from the Harlequin character, who, like this rabbit, always wears a motley-colored check-patterned coat—and suggests that the rabbit may be equally impish.) The harlequin color/pattern is found now in a different breed of rabbit: the Tri-Colour Dutch, also known as the Harlequin Dutch. Such evolutions in terminology pertain also to some fur types, where (for example) the Rex breed has rex fur. There are now other rabbit breeds that also have rex fur. For example, the unusually "rexed"Astrex rabbit breed.
It is sometimes difficult to ascertain which came first, the breed name or the color/pattern name (or fur-type name). What is certain is that, in such situations, the two at some point were synonymous but subsequent developments in other breeds (likely hinging on similar genetic changes) have caused the terms to diverge.
The definition of a distinct breed relies on clusters of complex individual gene-sets—clusters that may include the gene-set for a body type, the gene-set for an ear type, the gene-set for a color/pattern, and/or the gene-set for a fur type. The determination of when a group of rabbits is considered to have become a new breed (as a result of overarching genetic distinction) is left, in the following table, to the authority of ARBA, the BRC, or other reputable source.
^ abRare here denotes a breed currently included in the BRC's "Rare Varieties Club"[6] or (because ARBA does not designate rarity) The Livestock Conservancy's "Conservation Priority List".[33] For breeds not recognized by either ARBA or the BRC, the designation of rarity is left to the conclusion of the cited authority.
^ abBreed name here is the name—and in the form of the name—that is recognized by the authority of record. Other well-known forms of the breed name may be secondarily included. When different countries use a different name for the same breed of rabbit, that is noted.
^ abImage strives to display a specimen of the breed that depicts its distinguishing attributes.
^ abSize listed here is the range of allowed weights or is a single measurement representing either the ideal weight or the average weight. Sizes refer to that of adult animals. All measurements listed come from the breed standard or other authoritative source.
^ abFur type is here categorized as Short, Medium, Long, Rex–Straight–Short, Rex–Curly–Short, Rex–Curly–Medium or Rex–Curly–Long.
^ abEar type is here categorized as either Erect or Lop.
^ abColors & markings listed here include (verbatim) those currently recognized by ARBA or the BRC, or as described by the cited authority (in which case they are surrounded by quotation marks). Information in [square brackets] is a summary of the source material. Unless otherwise indicated, the color is a "self" color.
^ARBA recognized? is listed as Yes or No indicating whether the breed is currently recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, according to the ARBA website[3] or their Standard of Perfection 2016-2020.[4]
^BRC recognized? is listed as Yes or No indicating whether the breed is currently recognized by the British Rabbit Council, according to the BRC website[5] or their Breed Standards 2016-2020.[6]
^ abOrigin listed here is the country or geographic area in which the breed was first considered to have become distinct. The information in this column comes almost exclusively from the work of rabbit-breed historian Bob D. Whitman[7]
^Ancestor of the modern includes notable modern-day breeds that were developed, in part, from the extinct breed.
Citation footnotes
^For the Argente Bleu, the BRC states: "Undercolour lavender blue, body colour bluish white, [...] interspersed with longer dark blue hairs to give a distinct bluish effect."
^For the Argente Brun [UK], the BRC states: "Undercolour as deep brown as possible, body colour brownish-white, the whole evenly and moderately interspersed with longer dark brown hairs to give a distinct brownish effect when viewed from a distance."
^For the Argente Brun [US], ARBA states: "Surface color is to be an even silvered or frosted chocolate brown throughout. While evenness is stressed, slightly darker muzzle butterfly, ears and feet are desirable. Longer, dark brown guard hairs are to be evenly interspersed over the entire pelt. The under color is to be a rich chocolate ideally carried right to the skin."
^For the Argente Crème, the BRC states: "Undercolour orange [...] body colour creamy white [...] interspersed with longer orange hairs to give a distinctly creamy effect."
^For the Argente de Champagne, the BRC states: "The main body to be bluish white in the adult, interspersed with longer jet black guard hairs to bring out the shade termed Old Silver [italics added] when viewed from a distance. The ears, nose and muzzle may be a slightly darker shade. The belly and underside of the tail more matt[e]. Undercolour to be dark slate blue extended down to the base of the hair shaft. A blackish delimitation band immediately under the top colour is permissible."
^For the Argente Noir, the BRC states: "Undercolour deep slate blue, body colour greyish white,[...] interspersed with longer black hairs to give a distinct 'old silver' effect."
^For the Argente St Hubert, the BRC states: "Under colour to be dark blue at the base with rich orange intermediate band together with a very narrow chestnut top band. [...] Body colour to be a creamy white [...] interspersed with jet black guard hairs to give a creamy chestnut shade."
^For the Cashmere Lop, the BRC recognizes five groups of colors/patterns: Self Colours (includes Black, Blue, Blue-Eyed White, Chocolate, Lilac, Red-Eyed White), Agouti Patterns (includes Agouti, Chinchilla, Cinnamon, Lynx, Opal, Squirrel), Shaded Colours (includes Beige, Bluepoint, Chocolate Torte, Iron Grey, Sable, Sealpoint, Siamese, Siamese Smoke, Sooty Fawn), Tan Patterns (includes Fox-Black, Fox-Blue, Fox-Chocolate, Fox-Lilac, Otter-Black, Otter-Blue, Otter-Chocolate, Otter-Lilac, Marten Sable, Marten Smoke), Other Colours (includes Butterfly, Fawn, Orange, Steel), and "Any other [BRC] colour [...] excluding Broken Pattern."
^For the Champagne d'Argent, ARBA states: "[...] the surface color should be as near the color of skimmed milk, old silver, or light ultramarine (meaning washed out blue) as is possible. Fur over entire body should carry a liberal sprinkling of longer black guard hairs."
^For the Polish [UK], the BRC recognizes seven groups of colors/patterns: Self Colours (includes Black, Blue, Brown, Lilac, White), Shaded Self Colours (includes Sable Siamese, Smoke Pearl Siamese), Agouti Patterns (includes Agouti, Chinchilla, Cinnamon, Lynx, Opal, Red Agouti, Squirrel), Tan Patterns (includes Tans, Foxes, Otter, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten), Marked (includes Himalayan), Other Colours (includes Fawn, Orange, Steel, Tortoiseshell [or Sooty Fawn]), and Any Other Variety ("To follow normal pattern.").
^For the Rex [US], ARBA recognizes the following colors: Amber, Black, Blue, Broken (includes all dual colors [any plus white], plus four tri-colors the following pair plus white]: Black & Golden Orange, Lavender Blue & Golden Fawn, dark Chocolate Brown & Golden Orange, Dove Gray & Golden Fawn), Californian, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Otter (includes Black Otter, Blue Otter, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter), Red, Sable, Seal, White.
^For the Satin [UK], the BRC recognizes: Argente d'Champagne, Argente Bleu, Argente Brun, Argente Crème, Beige, Black, Blue, Bronze, Brown, Castor, Chinchilla, Cinnamon, Fawn, Fox–Black, Fox–Blue, Fox–Chocolate, Fox–Lilac, Havana, Himalayan, Himalayan–Blue, Himalayan–Rex, Ivory, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Orange, Sable (Marten), Sable (Siamese), Seal Pointed, Smoke Pearl (Marten), Smoke Pearl (Siamese), Sooty Fawn, Squirrel, [and any other BRC colour or pattern].
^For the Tri-Colour Dutch, the BRC states: "Ideally one cheek to be orange -the other cheek black with ears black on orange side and orange on black cheek side. Blaze is white. It commences as a point starting from near the ear roots and gradually widens evenly passing between the eyes on to the neck and nape. This white must be as wide as possible. Must not pass between the ears. The saddle must make a true ring around the body and be placed 2-3 cm (3⁄4-11⁄4in) behind the front feet. The coloured half must be 2-3 cm (3⁄4-11⁄4in) banded as regularly as possible with alternating bands of black and orange. Stops an evenly cut pair, clearing the toes, and finishing no more than halfway along the foot."
^For the Tri-Colour English, the BRC states (in part): "Marking/Pattern to be a mixture of Black and Orange or Blue and Yellow [either combination: with White]. Each part of the marking/pattern to be bi-coloured, with the exception of the cheek spots which may be single coloured. Perfect Butterfly Smut. Circle around eyes. Cheek spots to be clear from eye circles. Unbroken Saddle, to be herring-boned and clear in any distinct colour, from base of ears to tip of tail. Body or loin markings to be broken up and not to catch the saddle. Chain markings, to be as even as possible on each side. Leg markings, one distinct spot on each leg. Ideal - The markings on both sides of the rabbit to be equally balanced. Chain markings, to commence at the base of the ears in small spots, increasing in size towards the loins."
^ abcdefg"Data export: Global Rabbit Breeds by Country". DAD-IS (Domestic Animal Diversity Information System). FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 21 November 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
^Szychulda, Cathy; ARBA Standards Chair. "ARBA Standards Committee". American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
^ abcdefghWhitman, Bob D. (October 2004). Domestic Rabbits & Their Histories: Breeds of the World. Leawood KS: Leathers Publishing. ISBN978-1585972753.
^ abcGalal, E.S.E.; Khalil, M.H. (1994). Written at First International Conference on Rabbit Production in Hot Climates (6-8 September 1994). Baselga, M.; Marai, I.F.M. (eds.). "Development of Rabbit Industry in Egypt". Rabbit Production in Hot Climates. Cahiers Options Méditerranéennes [Mediterranean Options Papers]. 8. Cairo (Egypt): CIHEAM – Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes [International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies]: 43–55. Retrieved 30 March 2018.((cite journal)): CS1 maint: location (link)
^Gómez, E.A.; Rafael, O.; Ramón, J. (2002). Khalil, M.H.; Baselga, M. (eds.). "The Caldes Strain (Spain)"(PDF). Rabbit Genetic Resources in Mediterranean Countries. Options Méditerranéennes : Série B. Etudes et Recherches [Mediterranean Options: Series B. Studies and Research]. 38. Zaragoza (Spain): CIHEAM – Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes [International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies]: 193–198. Archived from the original(PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
^Khalil, M.H. (2002). Khalil, M.H.; Baselga, M. (eds.). "The Giza White Rabbits (Egypt)"(PDF). Rabbit Genetic Resources in Mediterranean Countries. Options Méditerranéennes : Série B. Etudes et Recherches [Mediterranean Options: Series B. Studies and Research]. 38. Zaragoza (Spain): CIHEAM – Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes [International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies]: 27–36. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
^"Hungarian Giant Rabbit". Research Centre for Farm Animal Gene Conservation. Hungarian Government - Ministry of Agriculture. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
^"Encyclopedia of Furs: Orylag". eFurMedia. 2010. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2018. Orylag, developed in France by the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA), is the product of 15 years of scientific research. It is the trade name for a fantastic new breed of rabbit, created by natural genetic mutation.
^"Rhinsk Schecke". Danmarks kaninavlerforening ("Denmark's Rabbit Association") (in Danish). 23 May 2016. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
^Whitman, Bob. "History of the Thrianta". American Thrianta Breeders Association. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
^"Zobel blå". Kaninfarg ("Rabbit color") (in Swedish). 1 March 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
^"Steenkonijn ("Stone rabbit")". Steunpunt Levend Erfgoed ("Support Center for Living Heritage") (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
^Barkok, A.; Jaouzi, T. (2002). Khalil, M.H.; Baselga, M. (eds.). "The Zemmouri Rabbits (Morocco)"(PDF). Rabbit Genetic Resources in Mediterranean Countries. Options Méditerranéennes : Série B. Etudes et Recherches [Mediterranean Options: Series B. Studies and Research]. 38. Zaragoza (Spain): CIHEAM – Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes [International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies]: 179–185. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
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