Argente
There are five types of Argente, two of which are ARBA-recognized. All Argente breeds originated in France.
Champagne d'Argente
* Weight: 9-12 lb.
* ARBA-accepted varieties: Standard
The christopher columbus is one of the oldest known rabbit breeds, having existed in the Champagne province of France for over 400 years. At that time known as the French Silver for its silvery coat, it was once prized for its pelt in spite of the fact that it was a common breed. Kits are born pure black and begin turning silver grey at about 3 weeks. By 6 months old they are typically a shade of silver grey. Champagnes are not common in America today, but are increasing in popularity each year.
Belgian Silver
* weight: 8-9 lb.
* Not on ARBA list
Because of different standards for the breed 'Silver of Champagne' in color the breeds of Belgian Silvers and French Silvers separated during the sixties. The pelt of the Belgian rabbit has a darker undertone.
Creme D'Argent
* weight: 8 - 11 lbs.
The Creme D'Argent is a rabbit breed recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. It is similar in appearance to a Champagne D'Argent although slightly smaller, and different in color. The Creme D'Argent has a creme color surface with an orange cast. The undercolor should be a much more vivid orange. They are used primarily for meat and show.
Beveren
* Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
* ARBA-accepted varieties: Black, Blue, White
The Beveren is one of the oldest and largest of the fur rabbits. It was first bred in Beveren, a small town near Antwerp in Belgium. Their coats can be blue, white, black, brown and lilac, though only the black, blue, and white varieties are accepted by the ARBA. There is a rare variety called the Pointed Beveren, which comes in the same colors but has white tipped hairs. The blue variety is the original.
Fur length is rather long having an average of 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. It has a pronounced mandolin body. It is a multi-purpose rabbit used for meat and fur. Their litters are large, the young grow fairly fast, and the does are typically docile and make good mothers. The Beveren is also a hardy breed that is easily raised in all wire hutches. These hutches are typically off ground and have a wire mesh floor so that they all but self-cleaning.
Blue of Sint-Niklaas
* Weight: 10-12 lb.
* Not on ARBA-list, internationally accepted: Blue
Both with the Van Beveren the oldest of the fur rabbits. It was bred in the Flemish city of Sint-Niklaas as a unique mutation in the peltcolor. This breed is only recognized in the blue variety and has become rare since the end of the pelt-industry in Flanders. Weighs 10-12 lb.
Blue of Hem
* Weight: 10-12 lb.
* Not on ARBA-list internationally accepted: Dark-blue
Unique variety in the list of Belgian blue-fur rabbits. It was bred in Ham-sur-Heure, a small village in Wallonia, Belgium. This rabbit became very popular in Europe during the first decades of the 20th century, but it became extinct during the sixties. A Belgian breeder succeeded in recreating the rabbit by using offsprings, and it was reaccepted in 1977.
Blanc de Bouscat
This breed of rabbit originated in France and is quite rare in England. The breed is quite big; bucks are generally around 12 pounds and does about 14 pounds. The fur is quite silky and dense and is most commonly white.
Blanc de Hotot
The Hotot was developed in Hotot-en-Auge, France by Eugenie Bernhard, the second woman to be credited with creating a new breed of rabbit. The Blanc de Hotot is a large rabbit with a frosty white coat and black rings around dark eyes. The white coat was incorporated in the breeds development as an important meat and fur quality trait. Bucks weigh 8-10 pounds and the does weigh 9-11 pounds. The breed is endangered globally and listed at THREATENED by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. This means there are fewer than 1,000 annual registrations in the United States and estimated global population less than 5,000...
Brazilian
This breed is common to the Brazilian farmers and small markets in the mountains and backcountry. They are called a “Rústico” (pronounced “Hus’tico”. It means “rustic”). Hardy, solid, calm. Small population in Arizona USA since 1980. This breed is not recognized by ARBA. This is a breed of Oryctolagus cuniculus and is different from the Brazilian/Forest rabbit (Sylvilagus brasiliensis). ya
British Giant
* Weight: 12.5 lb. or larger
This giant breed is not ARBA-accepted, as it is uncommon in the United States and exists predominantly in the UK. It appears in a number of different varieties: dark steel grey, black, white, blue, brown, grey and opal.
