Swiss Fox
A grey haired Swiss Fox rabbit with upright ears lying on grass in front of a flower pot
A grey Swiss Fox rabbit
Country of originSwitzerland Switzerland
DistributionEurope
UsePet
Traits
Weight
  • 2.5–4 kg (5 lb 8 oz – 8 lb 13 oz)[1]
CoatLong, fine
ColorGrey, White, Black, Havana or Chinchilla
Lifespan5-8 years

The Swiss Fox is a domesticated breed of rabbit originally bred for commercial use of their fur, but now kept mainly as pets. It is a recognised breed in the UK by the British Rabbit Council as a "Normal Fur" breed,[2] however unrecognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association making it a rare breed in the US.[3]

Origin

The Swiss Fox rabbit was initially bred by Hermann Leifer and Müller in Switzerland in the 1920s by crossbreeding Angora and Havana rabbits in an attempt to find a cheaper alternative to Arctic fox fur. The resulting breed was not satisfactory.[4][3] Despite initial low population counts due to its commercial potential failure, the breed is well known throughout Europe and is regularly shown.[4]

Appearance

The breed has a medium-sized compact body, with short necks and a partial upright posture. It has strong, upright and long (10.5–11 cm (4.1–4.3 in)[1]) ears. Their coat is soft, long and dense and appears in mostly pastel colouring of grey, white, black, Havana and Chinchilla.[4][3]

Diet

Like most other rabbits, this breed should be fed a mainly fibre-rich diet, consisting mainly of vegetables and alfalfa hay.[4]

Health

The Swiss Fox does not suffer from many major health issues, however being a long-haired breed it can be susceptible to digestive issues such as GI statis as they may consume their own fur as part of their grooming habits, which may cause intestinal blockage, or in severe cases, death. This issue can be avoided by feeding the rabbit roughage and brushing their fur regularly.[4]

Behaviour

The Swiss Fox is a calm and affectionate breed, suitable for families with older children. The breed can be litter trained.[4][3]

References

  1. 1 2 "The BRC Breed Standards - Swiss Fox" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  2. ↑ "The BRC Breed Standards". 2013-03-29. Archived from the original on 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Mortensen, Chelsea (2021-03-08). "Swiss Fox Rabbit: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures)". Pet Keen. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Swiss Fox Rabbit Information and Pictures - PetGuide". Petguide.com. 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
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