ELEVAGE DE LAPIN: Voici les meilleures races à élever au monde Cuniculture

Overview of Rabbit Breeds

Characteristics of the Zibeline Rabbit

• The Zibeline rabbit, created in 1919 by Monsieur Fréné in Cognac, is known for its muscular and compact body with a rounded croup.

• Female Zibelines may have a tolerated fanon; their heads are strong but finer than males, with robust ears measuring 9.5 to 12 cm.

• Their short fur reflects light uniquely, giving them an elegant appearance; colors include white, black, blue, and chinchilla.

Sable des Vosges Rabbit

• Originating in Alsace in the early 20th century through six years of research by Monsieur Fritsch.

• Males have strong heads while females are finer; they possess dense fur similar to bison and distinctive brown coloration.

Grand Russe Rabbit

• Developed in the early 20th century by Jeanne Lemarié using Russian rabbits for better meat yield and size.

• These rabbits weigh between 2 kg to 2.5 kg and were bred for three key qualities: fur quality, meat quality, and rapid growth.

Farmer Rabbit

• Weighing between 3.5 kg to 5 kg, this breed has a powerful cylindrical body with dark nails and large red eyes.

• Its short dense fur is white with darker markings at the extremities.

Run or Canin Oak Rabbit

• A medium to large breed from Germany weighing between 3.5 kg to 4.5 kg; known for its robust build and quick growth rate.

• The Rex Castor variety features soft brownish-red fur resembling that of a beaver; they are popular as pets due to their calm nature.

Hybridization of the Ram Rabbit

• Created through hybridization between a ram rabbit and a dwarf rabbit by Dutch breeder Adrienne de Coq in January 1964.

• This breed weighs between 1.4 kg to 1.7 kg with distinct features like wide heads and small powerful legs.

Butterfly Rabbits

• The butterfly rabbit has yellow-black mottled fur on a white background; it is characterized by unique facial markings including an eye circle.

• Known for their gentle temperament, these rabbits are often kept as pets or shown at exhibitions due to their charming appearance.

English Butterfly Rabbit

Rabbit Breeds Overview

Normand Rabbit

• The Normand rabbit is a popular choice for meat in France, known for its friendly nature and companionship.

• This breed originated from crossbreeding local gray rabbits in Normandy and was developed by monks during the Middle Ages. It was standardized in 1919.

• Currently, there are about 500 breeders of the Normand rabbit, indicating a decline in population.

Rex Rabbit

• The Rex rabbit is a fur breed resulting from crossing dwarf rabbits with Rex breeds from France and Europe, officially recognized since 1924.

• Developed to create a small companion with velvety fur, the first successful breeding occurred in Sarthe through Mr. Caillon's efforts.

• Ideal weight for the Rex rabbit ranges between 1 to 1.5 kg; it has a compact body with prominent features including large eyes and powerful jaws.

Satin Rabbit

• The Satin rabbit is ideal for children due to its soft fur and rarity, created from crosses between dwarf rabbits and European breeds.

• Weighing over 2.5 kg, this breed features fine, silky fur that should be uniform across its body.

• Known for being playful yet independent, the Satin rabbit requires careful handling due to its fragility.

Fox Rabbit

• The Fox rabbit is a rare small animal categorized as a long-haired dwarf breed created by Swiss breeders through crossbreeding dwarf rabbits with long-haired varieties like Angora.

• Officially recognized since 2003 by the French Federation of Cuniculture, it typically weighs between 1.1 to 1.35 kg.

Colorful Dwarf Rabbit

• Originating from Polish rabbits crossed with wild types, colorful dwarf rabbits can come in various shades; they were developed by blacksmith Hoffman in Brienne.

• Recognized officially in the Netherlands since 1940 and later by Alsace-Moselle Federation in 1958; their weight ranges from 0.8 to 1.5 kg.

Holland Lop (Bélier)

• The Holland Lop is derived from crossing lops with colored dwarfs; it’s one of the largest among dwarf breeds.

• Created by Adrian Decock after extensive selection over twelve years; recognized officially in Holland in January 1964 and later acknowledged in France (1984).

Rabbit Breeds Overview

Characteristics of Various Rabbit Breeds

• The Angora rabbit is noted for its large, well-opened eyes and shiny, medium-length fur available in various colors including black, white, blue, and agouti. It has a unique charm due to its soft and silky coat.

• The dwarf Angora rabbit typically weighs around 1.5 kg with a short, robust cylindrical body. Its fine bone structure and developed musculature are complemented by short legs.

• The Lynx rabbit is a rare breed with only about ten breeders in France. Created in 1920 through crossbreeding, it weighs between 2 to 3 kg and features a short, wide head with consistent ears measuring 9 to 10 cm.

• The Belgian hare resembles wild hares and is primarily bred for meat. Established around 1870 from similar-looking rabbits, it has an average lifespan of four years and weighs between 3 to 4.25 kg.

• The Belgian hare's physique includes a long slender body with fine bones and arched lines along the belly and back. It has dark eyes set within an elegant elongated head adorned with fine black ears.

Unique Traits of Specific Rabbit Breeds

• The Goat rabbit is a rare medium-sized breed originating from Aquitaine since 1866. Recognized officially in 2004, it has about 250 breeding farms in France today.

• Weighing between 3.5 to 4.25 kg, the Goat rabbit features an elongated body with developed forequarters and slightly rounded dorsal line; its fur is tricolored resembling local goats.

• The Japanese rabbit possesses a sturdy build characterized by light bone structure and horizontal backline; its bicolor head showcases velvety ears approximately measuring between 11 to 12 cm.

• With medium-length rigid fur displaying tortoiseshell patterns (black base mixed with orange-yellow), the Japanese rabbit also features brown eyes that add to its distinctive appearance.