Background:
In 1923 George West, the creator of the Californian rabbit, began some
experiments in cross breeding in order to produce a better all-around Commercial
rabbit, with one thing in mind, a rabbit with broad shoulders, meaty back and
hips and a good dress out. The Himalayan, the Standard Chinchilla with its
excellent meat type and density of fur, crossed, produced a Chin colored half
breed buck weighing 6 lbs. which had excellent meat type and fur qualities. This
buck was then used on several White New Zealand does and by 1928 there had been
produced what is now known as the Californian rabbit. This rabbit was first
shown at South Gate, CA., in 1928. In 1939 it was given a working standard and
is now recognized as one of our most popular breeds.
General Description:
This is a white rabbit with colored nose, ears, feet and tail. Color as dark as
possible. The description of the body, to be of medium length, with depth equal
to width and full over and around the hips, with firm, meaty saddle carried as
full and meaty as possible to nape of neck and down sides over ribs and
shoulders, with as little offal as possible.
Senior Weights:
Ideal:
Bucks 9 lbs.
Does 9-1/2 lbs.
Registration:
Bucks 8 to 10 lbs.
Does 8-1/2 to 10-1/2 lbs.
This page was last updated on 08/26/05.