Dutch Rabbit 101: Part 1
Channel: Pets Life
Date: 13/02/2021

The Dutch rabbit is probably one of the easiest breeds to identify because of the distinctive white markings. The white blaze on the nose, and the white-collar and the “saddle” on the back are a dead giveaway. Dutch is a small breed, but not a dwarf. The fur is a normal length, with a soft underlayer covered by longer guard hairs. The fur is flyback, meaning that if brushed opposite to the direction of growth, the fur quickly snaps back to its normal position. Ears are upright.

The breed standard for Dutch rabbit calls for a compact body. It should be rounded and balanced. Ears are upright and the markings must be distinct. A show-worthy Dutch rabbit should have a very rounded body throughout.  They have a small, compact body with a rounded head, short, broad ears, and back legs that are longer than the front legs.

Dutch Rabbit Breed History.

The Dutch rabbit is among the first rabbit breeds recognized by the National Pet Stock Association, the forerunner of the American Rabbit Breeders Association. The NPSA was founded in 19 10 and had several name changes until becoming the ARBA in 19 52. According to Bob D. Whitman’s book “Domestic Rabbits and Their Histories,” the Dutch breed is descended from the Brabancon breed out of Belgium. It got its name by 1835, and the first written account describing the breed appears in “Manuals For The Many,” dated 18 65. Whitman credits the original Dutch breed to England.


General Physical Description.

The Dutch rabbit is a fairly small compact rabbit, with ears that stand erect and powerful back legs that are longer than the front legs. The Dutch rabbit is always white with the addition of another base color.  They are one of the most popular rabbits kept as pets today.  The average adult Dutch Rabbit will weigh between 4 to 5 ½ pounds and on average will live 5 to 8 years  Longer life spans can be expected if the animals are neutered or spayed.  The longest life span that has been reported is 15 years with 10 years not all that uncommon.

Characteristics of the Dutch Rabbit.

Without question, the most dominant characteristic of the Dutch Rabbit has to be the formal attire of its markings. Very striking in appearance, the Dutch Rabbit always stands out from the crowd.  A classy rabbit easily recognized in the best of circles.


Coat.

A Dutch rabbit’s flyback fur is short, glossy, and easy to maintain. Like most rabbit breeds, the Dutch rabbit will also go through a seasonal molt, much like a dog when it sheds in the spring. During that time, you will have to groom them a little more often than usual. When they go through molts, you can expect to have your clothes full of their fur when you pick them up and give them some loving, which is why daily brushing during molts is a must. Otherwise, one brushing a week should be sufficient.

Colors. 

There are several types of Dutch rabbits, all identified by their coats. Despite having so many types, however, their markings are almost all the same. They all have dark-colored ears and rumps, a band of white from the top of their shoulders to their belly, white legs, and a wedge of white fur running up the front of the face which is called the ‘Blaze’.

There is the Black Dutch rabbit, which has pure white and slate black fur with dark brown eyes. The Blue Dutch whose eyes are a blue-grey and fur color is a medium-dark blue and glossy, and the Chinchilla Dutch who has either dark brown or blue-grey and their fur is a speckled grey mixed with white. There are four more Dutch rabbits that are also recognized in shows including the Chocolate Dutch, either dark-brown or ruby eyes, and chocolate brown fur. The Gray Dutch that has mixed-colored fur, slate blue, medium tan, then charcoal brown and chocolate, and dark brown eyes, the Steel Dutch rabbit, dark brown eyes and a mostly black body with off-white or cream coloration on some of the hair tips, and finally, the Tortoise Dutch rabbit, bright orange or cream-colored coat and dark brown eyes. A Dutch rabbit’s flyback fur is short, glossy, and easy to maintain.


Standards of Perfection.

Every 5 years the ARBA standards committee and board of directors publish what is called the Standards Of Perfection for each of the standard breeds recognized in the United States.  This guide provides a standardization that is used by judges and breeders alike for evaluating both Rabbits and Cavies to identify quality show animals.


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