Conservation status Threatened Fur type Standing Scientific name Oryctolagus cuniculus Rank Breed | Country of origin United States ARBA recognized Higher classification European rabbit | |
Other names American Heavyweight Silver
American Silver Fox Weight Male: 9-11 lbs
Female: 10-12 lbs Similar Mini Lop, Dwarf Hotot, Angora rabbit, Argente rabbit, Russian Domesticated Red Fox | ||
Silver fox rabbits
The Silver Fox rabbit is a rare breed of domestic rabbit developed by Walter B. Garland of North Canton, Ohio, and is bred for meat, show, and fur. The breed is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
Contents
History
The Silver Fox breed was developed after 14 years of selective breeding by Walter B. Garland of North Canton, Ohio and was the third breed to be developed in the United States. It started when a black Checkered Giant doe was bred to English Silvers, a rabbit of unknown heritage. In 1925 the breed was accepted by the ARBA at the Colorado Springs convention. The Silver Fox was originally the American Heavyweight Silver but the name was changed to Silver Fox in 1929. In 1971 the National Silver Fox Rabbit Club was founded with 18 Silver Fox breeders as members. Today the Silver Fox is said to be one of the rarest rabbit breeds in America, and is considered threatened by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. The Silver Fox is also recognized by the Slow Food USA's Ark of Taste, a catalog of U.S. foods in danger of extinction.
Appearance and Personality
It is a large, docile breed. Senior bucks should weigh 9-11 pounds and senior does 10-12 pounds. It is named for its dense fur which has white ticking and closely resembles the pelt of the Silver Fox. The fur of the Silver Fox rabbit is unique in that it is longer than what is commonly seen in domestic rabbit breeds, and does not flyback when stroked back from tail to head, it stands on end until stroked back into place. By ARBA standard the fur is not to be less than 1 1/2 inches in length. Currently only black Silver Foxes can be shown, but they come in a variety of colors, such as blue, chocolate, lilac, and more uncommon variety of white. Blue was in the breed standard but was removed in the 1970s due to a decrease in the number of blue Silver Fox rabbits being shown. Currently there are two Certificates of Development out for chocolate and blue Silver Foxes, held by Meara Collins of Princeton, Minnesota.
Silver Foxes are known to be friendly, enjoy attention, handling, and are easy to pose.