A Little on Netherland Dwarfs

A Little on Netherland Dwarfs

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There is much information written on the breed of Netherland Dwarfs I encourage you to dig deeper in to this breed if you are considering owning them. The following is a brief look at the Netherland. Most of this information came from the Netherland Dwarf Official Guide book published but the American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club. I highly recommend this book to any Netherland Dwarf fancier.

Where did Netherlands come from?

The first Netherland dwarfs were born in England around the early 1880's from a litter of Dutch rabbits. These rabbits were white sports ( rabbits with a mutation) with red eyes, there build was similar to a Dutch and they grew to weigh 3 1/2 lbs to 4 1/2 lbs. Through selective line-breeding, several more white rabbits with red eyes were born. These rabbits were first called "Polish" in Hull in 1884 they were shown for the first time. "Polish" were exported from England to the Hanover district of Germany around the same time. In an effort to obtain this new type the rabbits were crossed with a small wild rabbit, this cross led to the agouti, and black colors.

The blue eyed white was first seen in the province of Saxony, now in East Germany. Little is known on how the BEW was first bred. These animals were larger in bone, longer in body and a harsh coat than there red eyed counter parts. Until the 1930 BEW's ( blue eyed white) and REW's (red eyed white) were the only colors. In 1940 the colored Netherland was given its first standard in Holland. During WWII the dwarfs took a hard hit, with the occupation of Holland only 17 Dwarfs had survived. 1949 some dedicated fanciers went to London and collected 9 of theses rabbits. on October 13th 1949 four of these fanciers created the Netherland Dwarf Club. There was much interest in this breed and the membership grew fast waiting for stock to become available. In 1950 the British Rabbit Club gave them official recognition. In 1950 they held there first show with 18 animals entered.

How did Netherland Dwarfs get to the US?

Darrel Bramhall of Iowa met Jack Turnbull at a rabbit show in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1969. Mr. Turnbull was a Netherland Dwarf breeder from England and was working here on a temporary basis. Mr. Bramhall became very interested in the breed and later purchased a pair of Himalayans. Netherland dwarfs had been imported to the United States as early as 1965 but had only been used to improve the polish, or merely for fun. It is the efforts of these to men that are responsible for getting the Netherland Dwarf breed recognized by the ARBA. It was also through there efforts the American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club ( ANDRC) was granted a charted by the ARBA on January 15, 1970.

I Want to Raise Netherland Dwarfs.

Ok, so you think you want to raise Netherland Dwarfs. The Netherland dwarf comes in more colors than any other breed with 24 varieties there is a lot to choose from. First do your research, if you like a color find out what will and what will not cross well with that animal before you decided to breed them also there are some thing you need to know about the breed before you decide they are right for you. There are two books you should buy before you purchase you first Netherland Dwarf rabbit, The Netherland Dwarf Official Guide Book published by the American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club and The Standard of Perfection published by the American Rabbit Breeders Assoc. The first book will help you decided if a Netherland is the right rabbit for you, the second is a guide on how to chose a good Netherland Dwarf. These books are inexpensive and worth their weight in gold.

Now I know you are going to get those books and read them, but here is an other thing you need to consider before buying Netherlands to breed. Because Netherlands are dwarfs they carrie a gene that makes them be dwarfs. When a rabbit gets two of this dwarfs gene it results in a baby called a "peanut". These babies are born a live but will not live, why is not know for sure. These babies will starve to death in the next box. I personally put these animals down humanely when they are born to keep them from suffering, some people just let nature take its course. It is up to you on how you will handle this but you need to be prepared to deal with it because it will happen. There are some photographs of these kits on the Island Gems web site. Island Gems has a very good site with lots of information.

The last gene you need to know about is the Max Factor gene. The name "Max Factor" was given to this gene after finding an imported Dwarf buck named Max appeared to be the original carrier. Max Factor will usually give you ones born with their eye slits open, and some form of deformation of the feet. Many times the front feet will be just "flippers" with no toes and sometimes you will get one with extra toes. The hind feet usually are turned "upside down" or turned inward. The eyes will usually be infected due to exposure in the birth canal. The double Max animals will have a different type fur also, seeming more like hair than fur. For pictures and more information visit the Island Gems web site at this link.

More Questions?

Q: How big will my Netherland Dwarfs get?

A: Bucks and does reach there full weight at 6 months of age and should not be over 2 1/2 lbs.

Q: At what age can I show my Netherland?

A: For the an animal to show in the Junior class it should be under 6 months and not over 2 lbs. but must weigh a minimum of 1 lb. Senior animals are over 6 months old but not over 2 1/2 lbs.

Q: What if my bunny is under 6 months but over 2 lbs?

A: You may show him as a Senior, but no animal may be shown in a lower age classification than its true age. (Ex: A Senior may not be shown in the Junior class just because he weights 2 lbs or less.)

Q: How do I find shows to take my Netherlands to ?

A: The ARBA has a list of shows on there web site.

Q: Does my rabbit have to have a pedigree to show?

A: No, you will not be asked for a pedigree to enter a rabbit show.

Q: Does my rabbit have to have a Tattoo to show?

A: Yes, if you are going to an official ARBA show your rabbit must have a tattoo in its left ear.

Q:What is that roll of skin and fur I see under some rabbits necks?

A: That is called a dewlap. Dewlaps are see on does in many breeds. Dewlaps are not permitted in Netherland Dwarfs. This would be a disqualification from an ARBA rabbit show.

Q: I have a question that you did answer?

A: E-mail me, I will try to answer it or send you to some one who can.

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