Rabbit Breeding

English Spot Rabbits – Professional Show Offs

The English Rabbit, also known as the English Spot Rabbit is one of the oldest breeds of show rabbit in the world. The original English rabbit was traditionally white and black, or white and blue, but since the 1920s show associations have accepted many other colors including chocolate, lilac and tortoiseshell.

A Long and Storied History

The English rabbit first appeared around 1848, in England of course. After an initial burst of popularity on the show circuit the breed the English Spot died out somewhat. However it burst back onto the scene in the late 1880’s in new colors and varieties and has remained a rabbit fancy favorite ever since.

A Distinctive Gentleman from Head to Toe

The common factor for the English rabbit, whatever its color, is the “herringbone” line pattern that runs down its spine from ears to tail. They also have solid colored nose markings and rings around both eyes. For an English to be show worthy the spots and markings on its hind quarters must be clearly defined. A rabbit whose spots run into one another will be disqualified.

As it is such a popular show breed owners have been disqualified from competitions for trying to get away with such cheats as spot dyeing the rabbits coat or puttying their noses to make them appear more prominent!

Lively, Lovable Clowns

The English is a lively rabbit, loving to cavort about, seeming to be great show offs. Does usually make excellent mothers, and will raise kits other than their own to maturity. They do require careful and regular grooming to keep their dense coats shiny and healthy.

In the average litter of newborn English kits, only half will usually be “correctly” marked. There is often one kit that is known as a Charlie, as it has only half the usual amount of markings and a “Charlie Chaplin” mustache. Other kits can be born with a solid color coat, with no extra markings at all.