Silver Fox rabbit facts for kids
A Silver Fox doe (female rabbit)
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| Other names |
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|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
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| Fur type | Standing |
| Classification | |
| ARBA recognized | Yes |
| ARBA type | Commercial |
| ARBA class | 6 |
| Show classes |
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The Silver Fox rabbit is a special and rare breed of domestic rabbit. It was first created by Walter B. Garland in North Canton, Ohio, in the United States. These rabbits are raised for their meat, for shows, and for their very unique fur. The American Rabbit Breeders Association officially recognizes this breed.
History of the Silver Fox Rabbit
The Silver Fox rabbit was developed by Walter B. Garland. It was the third rabbit breed to be created in the United States. Experts are not completely sure which rabbit breeds were used to create the Silver Fox. However, many believe that Checkered Giants and Champagne d'Argent rabbits played a part.
In 1925, the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) officially accepted the breed. This happened at a meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At first, the breed came in both blue and black colors. The Silver Fox was originally called the "American Heavyweight Silver." But in 1929, its name was changed to Silver Fox.
For a while, fewer blue Silver Fox rabbits were shown at national events. Because of this, the blue color was removed from the official standards in the 1990s. This meant only black Silver Fox rabbits could be shown in competitions.
Today, the Silver Fox rabbit is becoming popular again. More people are interested in its fur and for producing meat. However, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy still considers the Silver Fox to be a threatened breed. This means their numbers are still low. The Silver Fox is also listed in Slow Food USA's Ark of Taste. This is a list of U.S. foods that are in danger of disappearing.
Appearance and Personality
The Silver Fox is a large and gentle rabbit breed. They are known to be very good with children. Adult male rabbits, called bucks, usually weigh between 9 and 11 pounds. Adult female rabbits, called does, are a bit heavier, weighing 10 to 12 pounds.
The breed gets its name from its thick, special fur. This fur looks a lot like the coat of a silver fox. The fur of the Silver Fox rabbit is unique because it is called "stand up" fur. This means it stands straight up until you smooth it back down. The Silver Fox is the only rabbit breed recognized by ARBA that has this type of fur. The ideal length for their fur is about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
ARBA classifies the Silver Fox breed as "Commercial." This means their body shape is ideal for providing a lot of meat from the best parts of the rabbit. They have wide, strong hindquarters and a deep body. This shape allows for plenty of meat in the loin area. Their body width should be similar to the depth of their hindquarters, and they have a short shoulder. These features are important for any commercial rabbit breed.
Currently, only black Silver Fox rabbits can be shown in official competitions. However, the breed can come in other colors too. These include blue, chocolate, lilac, and white. The blue color was once part of the official breed standard. But it was removed in the 1970s because fewer blue rabbits were being shown. Now, there are special programs called "Certificates of Development" for chocolate and blue Silver Foxes. These colors can be shown in ARBA-recognized shows for exhibition, even if they are not yet fully accepted into the main standard.
Silver Foxes are known for being friendly rabbits. They enjoy getting attention and being handled by people.
