Summary
Despite its name, the Alaska Rabbit originates in Germany, rather than Alaska.[1] It is a medium-sized rabbit breed, weighing around 7-9 lbs (3–4 kg) with glossy jet-black fur. Any color other than black is a fault for this breed.[2]
It is recognised by the British Rabbit Council; however it is not recognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
The Alaska rabbit was created in 1900 by Max Fischer of Gotha, a rabbit judge, as well as a man named Schmidt of Langensalza. They crossed Havanas, Dutch, Himalayans and Champagne d'Argents with the goal of obtaining a rabbit that looks like the Alaskan Fox, which were profitable in the fur trade of that time. They did not achieve this goal, and instead ended up with the jet-black Alaska. These black Alaskans were first shown in 1907, and imported to North America in the 1970s by Bert Reurs of Canada.[3] They were added into the American Rabbit Breeders Standard, but after Black Havanas were created in the mid-1970s, interest waned and they were dropped from Standards in 1981. [4]
The Alaska rabbit weighs 7-9 lbs. It is considered a Normal Fur breed by British Rabbit Council standards, and only comes in its standard, pitch black color. The Alaska Rabbit Club is the BRC's national specialty club for this breed.[5]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Raising-Rabbits.com Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ British Rabbit Council Archived April 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine breed standards
- ^ Canadian Statesman Newspaper, Oct 29, 1969, references Bert Reurs as a rabbit breeder.
- ^ Bob D. Whitman, Domestic Rabbits & Their Histories Breeds of the World, 2004, pg 43.
- ^ "BRC National Specialist Club list". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.