Silver
A Black Silver Buck (male rabbit)
A Black Silver Buck (male rabbit)
Conservation statusCritical
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    4 - 7 lbs
  • Female:
    4 - 7 lbs
Fur typeFlyback
Classification
ARBA recognizedYes
ARBA class4
Show classes
  • Junior buck
  • Junior doe
  • Senior buck
  • Senior doe

The silver rabbit is a rare breed of domestic rabbit believed to be brought to England by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1592. The breed has been bred for meat, show, and its pelt ever since and is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association[1] (ARBA).

History

Although the origins of the breed are unknown, one idea is that the silver was a black mutation of the European wild rabbit.[2] The breed was first discovered and brought to Europe in the early 1500s. The silver rapidly spread across Europe and Asia. Then, Sir Walter Raleigh introduced the rabbits to warrens in England. Later, in the 1900s, the breed was brought to the United States of America.[3] The silver was then one of the first breeds to be accepted by ARBA[1] in 1920. However, over time, more efficient meat rabbits were developed. This development caused the silver to lose popularity, resulting in an extremely rare and critically endangered breed.[2]

Appearance and personality

The silver is a medium-sized breed that is excellent with children and first-time owners.[4] Senior bucks and does should weigh 4-7 pounds.[4] The breed is named for its unique fur whose guard hairs are silver-colored. The fur of the silver rabbit is flyback: when stroked the opposite way of the fur, the fur "flies back" into position. The silver is one of the many breeds accepted by ARBA that has flyback fur.

The silver breed is classified as "compact" by ARBA.[1]

Currently, black, brown, and fawn silvers can be shown to win best of breed in the United States of America, but the breed also comes in a variety of other colors, such as blue and tortoise.[5] The blue color has a "Certificate of Development"[6] in the United States of America, which allows it to be shown with permission from the show organizers and with a working standard. By contrast, in the United Kingdom, gray (black), brown, fawn, and blue can be shown[7] The three recognized colors in the US are the same as they were nearly a century ago.

Silvers are known to be friendly and energetic.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "List of recognized breeds". American Rabbit Breeders Association. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 "American Livestock Breeds Conservancy: Silver Rabbit". albc-usa.org. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  3. ↑ "The Silver Rabbit - Complete Breed Guide". Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  4. 1 2 Faria, Diana (2016-08-12). "Silver Rabbit Breed Information and Pictures". Petguide.com. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  5. ↑ "ABOUT SILVERS". Mysite. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  6. ↑ Randy Hall. "ARBA Standards Committee". ARBA. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  7. ↑ "National Silver Rabbit Club | The site for the Silver Rabbit fancier". www.nationalsilverrabbitclub.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
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