by Angie Pollock

Created on: August 26, 2009

Originally known as the Cochinelles, the Californian rabbit breed was developed by George West. Renamed for its place of origin (California), West began his breeding program during the early 1920s to produce a larger commercial rabbit purposely for the production of meat and fur. Along with two fellow California breeders, the Californian was perfected and received its first working standard in 1939 by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). Later a new working standard was prepared and accepted by ARBA in 1949. Since the original working standard, updates have been made, some fairly recently.

The breeding program began with crossing Himalayan rabbits and the Standard Chinchilla breed. This led to a half-bred buck with Chinchilla coloring. This buck was later bred to New Zealand White does which eventually started forming West's desired traits of size and fur with the popular Himalayan coat coloring. Today, the standard Californian rabbit breed is white with black points and one of the most popular commercial breeds in the world, second to the New Zealand rabbit breed.

The Californian is large-sized rabbit averaging 9 pounds when mature. The standard is 8 to 10 pounds for bucks and 8 1/2 to 10 1/2 pounds for does. The ideal weight for bucks is 9 pounds and 9 1/2 for does. This only coat color listed in the standards is white with black points on the ears, nose, feet, and tail and the eyes are pink. The white portion of the coat should be extremely white while very dark points are preferred. Black or gray coloring that appears within the white is known as "smut" and will automatically disqualify a show rabbit (excluding the dewlap, eyebrows, and vent). The body should be solidly built, medium length, and rounded or what is referred to as "meaty" . Due to the superior fur, the Californian can be classified as a fancy breed. In the UK, new varieties have been developed and are accepted by the British Rabbit Council which includes chocolate, lilac, and blue.

The Californian is also known as "From East Coast to West" and "Californians are the Best". As well as being preferred for commercial reasons, the Californian also makes a desirable pet due to their docile nature but may not be suitable for young children because of their size. Californian rabbits generally will cost in the $50 range and up, depending upon their lineage and show qualities. Californians require typical rabbit care with a quality diet and extra attention with grooming. This breed is simply exquisite especially the superb coat which attributes as to why this breed is one of the most popular across the globe.

References:

THE FIELD GUIDE TO RABBITS, by Samantha Johnson, copyright 2008.

THE RABBIT HANDBOOK, by Karen Gendron, copyright 2000.

http://nationalcalclub.com/

http://www.5nrabbitry.bravehost.com/

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