Rabbit Breeding

Dutch Rabbits – One of the Rabbit Fancier’s Greatest Challenges

One of the most popular shows breeds in the world these days is the Dutch rabbit.

They are characterized by their very distinctive markings. This makes them extremely challenging to breed for show purposes, as for Dutch rabbits to show successfully their markings must be in a very specific pattern.

The Dutch rabbit is most popularly said to have originated, as its name suggests, in Holland. They first appeared in England in 1864 and had become very popular by the turn of the century.

Coloring and Those All Important Markings

A Dutch rabbit usually has a short, rounded appearance, and a rounded head. The average Dutch rabbit weighs in somewhere around three to five pounds, making them one of the smaller rabbit breeds.

Their fur is usually “flyback” meaning that when they are stroked the wrong way the fur quickly returns to a flat state without matting or tangling.

Dutch rabbits come in a number of base colors, including blue, black, yellow and gray. Whatever the color however, the markings for the show Dutch however are uniform, and basically form bands of white around the blaze (nose) saddle (mid body) and stops (feet.)

Keeping your Dutch Rabbit Happy and Healthy

Dutch rabbits have good temperaments and can also make great pets. They can be housed in a medium sized enclosure, but they do love to run and play so a run or pen should be available to them to ensure they stay happy and healthy.

The Dutch rabbit requires very little grooming, they basically take care of themselves. An occasional going over with a soft brush should keep the Dutch’s coat in great shape.

If the Dutch white markings get stained by food or excrement, they can usually be cleaned up with a baby wipe or wet cloth. Some breeders use hydrogen peroxide to bleach out tougher stains on the coat, but do not recommend new owners to do, and consult a professional pet groomer instead.