Extinct breeds

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Alaska Red Fox Rabbit

The Alaska Red Fox Rabbit Breed is a breed developed in North Canton, Ohio by Walter B. Garland in the 1920s. It came after he developed the Silver Fox breed, which was accepted by the ARBA in 1925. The Alaska Red Fox breed had a reddish tan color on the back and sides with a slate blue color on the belly. Like the Silver Fox, the hair remained upright when stroked from back to front.

Mr. Garland also owned Standard Havana’s and Heavyweight Havana’s. Though it is not documented, he and may have used these with the Silver Fox when creating the Alaska Red Fox.

The Alaska Red Fox was a good size rabbit with Senior Bucks weighing 9 pounds and Senior Does, 10 Pounds. A standard was written and accepted by the ARBA during a Saint Louis Missouri convention in 1935, but the breed was never recognized as a true breed.

The Belgian Giant Rabbit Breed

The Belgian Giant Rabbit Breed (also known as the Red Giants) was created in Belgium in the year 1900. They were a cross between the Belgian Hare and the Flemish Giant in an attempt to create a large hare-type rabbit. They were known as the Red Giants in France before the war and had a standard weight of 17 to 18 pounds.

Mr. Fred H Dewey of Maryland imported this rabbit to America in July of 1900. They had a deep rich maroon shade, some light maroon and some dark. Mr. Dewey wrote that their heads were large and round like a cats head and when they were lain on their sides, they looked like great dogs. He originally tried to show them as Giant Belgian Hares, but they never passed the ARBA standards and became extinct shortly after.

A German breeder named Szmolinsky said German Grey Giants were called the Belgian Giants until 1937, He originally called them the Belgian Giants because they were large rabbits that originated in Belgium, however, the German Greys did not have the slender hare type look as the true Belgian Giants.

Black Siberian Hare Rabbit

The Black Siberian Hare Rabbit Breed has a cloudy history. It is thought that the original breed came to America from Canada, while others say it was indigenous to Siberia. Europeans claimed the breed present in Europe came from the Alaska Breed, others claim it originated from the Black Russian breed of 1880, and yet others say the Sitka rabbit is its ancestor.

In 1920, Charles Gibbons wrote about the first ARBA standards written for this breed. He claims that the first standards were written based on a fake photograph of a Belgian Hare dyed black and fake propaganda.

The Black Siberian Hare was first accepted by the ARBA in 1924. It is said that original breed was nothing more than an underweight Flemish Giant, though later development produced a rabbit with a shape more in line with the Belgian Hare.

It was not an overly large rabbit, weighing between 9 and 10 pounds with a jet black fur and racy build. It never became as popular in Europe, and its popularity in America was short lived. It became extinct in the mid 1930’s.

Blue Imperial Rabbit

The Blue Imperial Rabbit Breed originally developed by Miss Mabel Illingworth from England in 1896, has a number of ancestors. Miss Illingworth, the first woman to ever develop a breed, began her process by breeding a Blue English Lop to a Tortoiseshell English Lop. She then crossed their kits to a white Angora. The second-generation of this cross breeding produced rabbits with long erect ears.

Her next selection of cross breeding introduced the does of this second-generation of kits to a blue-fawn Dutch and later to a self-blue Dutch. She continued this cross breeding until she reached her desired rabbit specimen. The final color of the Blue Imperial was a dark slate blue with a slight suggestion of purple.

She showed her first Blue Imperial rabbits at a show at the Crystal Palace in London in 1903. Unfortunately, many fanciers at that time considered them a variation of the Blue Beveren.

The Blue Imperial was a mandolin shaped rabbit weighing under seven pounds. Mabel shipped this breed to America in 1915 at which time is was recognized by the National Pet Stock Association. The popularity of the breed continued in America for approximately 19 years, but then became extinct.

Blue Squirrel Rabbit

The Blue Squirrel Rabbit Breed was an odd Chinchilla color identified by Marcellus W. Meek in America. His litters of American Chinchillas produced this diluted color even with a flawless ancestry in the Bucks and Does.

He named this color Blue Squirrel in 1924, but unlike many other rabbit breeds that developed unique colors by selective breeding, the Blue Squirrel simply showed up in litters. Other breeds, such as the Dutch Rabbit Breed, had similar colors and were called by different names such as the Russian Squirrel, or simply Squirrel.

Mr. Meeks’ Blue Squirrel Bucks never reached the 11 pounds seen in some of the larger American Chinchilla’s, but stayed quite close to 9 pounds maximum. The Senior Does weighed up to 10 pounds. Though these weights were established for Senior Blue Squirrel Bucks and Does, they were equal to the designated weights of the young Junior Bucks and Does of the American Chinchilla Breed (Juniors are 6 months old or less).

It is not documented exactly when these rabbits became extinct, but is has been many years since they have been included in shows.

( standard chinchilla ??)

Golden Fawn Rabbit

The Golden Fawn Rabbit Breed was created in the early 1900’s. No documentation has been located to determine the bloodlines of the Golden Fawn, however, it is possible that it was nothing more than a sport (a kit with an unusual color, not generally found in the breed) of the early Belgian Hare.

The Belgian Hare, a long lanky rabbit breed, was created in the early 1850’s and imported to America in 1888. The Golden Fawn sports from this breed were never approved by the ARBA and became extinct rather quickly.

Records do indicate that the New Zealand Reds have Golden Fawn bloodlines. The New Zealand Red was the first rabbit breed developed in America in the early 1900’s. Though the New Zealand Red caught the attention of the Rabbit Fanciers and were accepted by the ARBA, there was no interest from the Rabbit Fanciers of the day to pursue perfecting the Golden Fawn.

Gouda Rabbit

The Gouda Rabbit Breed created in 1917 by Mr. C. H. Spruty, originated in Gouda, thus its name. His cross between the Blue Beverens and Havanas produced mostly black rabbits, but within the litter, the first lilac-colored rabbit was born.

These rabbits, averaging 8 pounds for an adult, entered America in 1920 and within four years, were accepted by the National Breeders and Fanciers Association (later called the ARBA). The original breed called the Lilac, developed in 1922 was imported to America shortly after, and shown side by side with the Gouda. It is thought that by 1930 the Gouda became extinct due to America's liking for the smaller, lighter-colored Lilac breed.

Heavy Weight Belgian Hare Rabbit

The Heavy Weight Belgian Hare Rabbit Breed is an American spawned extinct breed. They appeared around the end of the Belgian Hare boom early in the 1900’s. The delicate taste of the Belgian Hare made it an ideal meat rabbit, however, it did not have much meat. So breeding commenced to increase the size of the Hare, thus creating the Heavy Weight.

It is not documented as to who created the heavier Hare, but it was recognized along with the original Belgian Hare by the National Pet Stock Association on July 19, 1910. Compared to the original Belgian Hare who’s ideal weight is 8 pounds, the adult Heavy Weight Belgian Hare weighed not less than 9 pounds.

Its popularity did not last long and it was dropped from the ARBA standards by 1939. Popularity was not strong enough for anyone to pursue this breed and it became extinct.

Heavy Weight Havana Rabbit

The Heavy Weight Havana Rabbit Breed originated in the Netherlands where rabbit development concentrated on large animals to produce more fur and meat. Mrs Jeanne Lamaire who showed the first Havana Breed in Paris in 1903, named the rabbit Havana because she said the color looked like a good Havana cigar. These Havana’s were 7 pounds and up. It arrived in America in 1916 known as simply the Havana breed.

Through the years, some breeders reduced the size and concentrated on developing the color, while others retained the original size. In the early 1930’s, the ARBA recognized the smaller animal, 4 to 6 pounds as the Standard Havana, and the larger animal, over 7 pounds, as the Heavy Weight Havana.

The Heavy Weight Havana’s popularity lasted only twenty five years and it became extinct around 1955 while the Standard Havana continued its reign in America.

Kai Gai Rabbit

The Kai Gai Rabbit Breed - Very little is known about the Kai Gai rabbit breed. As a matter of fact, there are only two references that mention this breed. One is from a 1920’s book by Dr. F. L. Washburn a Professor of Zoology at the University of Minnesota. The book “The Rabbit Book: A Practical Manual On The Care Of Belgian Hares, Flemish Giants And Other Meat And Fur Producing Rabbits” mentions this breed briefly at one point in the book at the end of the principle varieties section.

He states that this breed is a cross between a blue and white Angora with “the blood of other breeds added in.” There is also a brief mention in “Domestic Rabbits and Their Histories” that this rabbit may have been used in early American advertising.

As no further documents have been found, it is thought that this breed had little popularity and a short existence becoming extinct in the 1920’s.

Lorain Rabbit

The Lorain Rabbit Breed has very little background, though because of its name, it is thought to have been created in France. The only American reference for this rabbit was briefly in a book written by Marcellus W. Meek in 1928. This book was the Standard for Perfection of American Domestic Rabbits. The Standard for Perfection is is a book used by the ARBA judges when examining rabbits during a show.

The standard describes a rabbit very similar to the White Blue Eyed Riveria, which also briefly put in an appearance in the early 1920’s and may have been developed from early offspring of the White Vienna or White Beveren. The Lorain standards indicate a large rabbit over 8 pounds with long pure white hair and dense lustrous undercoat. Its build was long, arched and solid with an active attitude. The head was described as long from ear to nose tip.

No other records exist for this breed and no indications as to how long it survived. As it did not appear in any further Standards for Perfection it must have become extinct not long after its appearance in the 1928 book.

Piruvian Rabbit

The Piruvian Rabbit Breed was created in California in the 1940’s and named after the city where it originated. Though Mr. V.I. Jackson, the Piruvian creator, did not publish details of the bloodlines within this rabbit, it appears that the New Zealand White, Californians and one of the giant breeds, such as the Giant Chinchilla or Flemish Giant, contributed to this breed. Overall, it looked like a large Californian breed.

They were presented at a show for the first time in 1955 as a meat rabbit. Unfortunately, one of the requirements of breed acceptance is proof of breed interest. A breeder must provide the ARBA with affidavits from 5 ARBA members showing interest in the breed. Mr. Jackson was never able to convince 5 ARBA members to develop interest in the Piruvian and the breed became extinct in the early 1960’s.

Beveren Rex Rabbit

The Beveren Rex Rabbit Breed is one of the many breeds created in America during the craze from the mid 1930’s to early 1940’s to create a Rex coat on just about every breed currently existing in America. The Beveren Breed originated in Belgium in the late 1890’s and was imported to America around the second decade of the 20th century. The first Rex rabbit originated in France in the early 1900’s and arrived in America in 1924 where it’s unique soft fur took the breeders by storm.

The Beveren Rex was strictly an American creation, a Beveren rabbit bred with no guard hairs, and officially recognized by the Beveren Club as a Beveren breed, but the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association (now known as the ARBA) ruled that the breed must fall under and thus be sponsored by the National Rex Club, thus becoming one of the Rex variations instead of a Beveren variation. Having been removed from the Beveren Club sponsorship, interest wane and, like all of the other Rex variations created at the time, the Beveren Rex became extinct not many years after its original creation.

Chinchilla Rex Rabbit

The Chinchilla Rex Rabbit Breed became popular in the early 1900’s shortly after the Belgian Hare boom in America. There are three breeds of Chinchilla rabbits, the American, the Giant, and the Standard. When the Rex craze hit America, breeders saw the Rex coat as a way to create a breed that most closely resembled the Chinchilla mammal of South America.

Fanciers bred the Rex coat into all three of the American Chinchilla rabbit breeds, and many of the Chinchilla traits filtered into the original Rex bloodline. However, like many of the other breeds created with a Rex coat, none of the three Chinchilla Rex breeds lasted long and they soon became extinct.

Havana Rex Rabbit

The Havana Rex Rabbit Breed originated in America from the Havana Rabbit breed. The Havana’s were created in 1898 in the Netherlands, and were imported to America in 1916. Between 1916 and early 1930, two distinct Havana breeds existed, the Standard and the Heavyweight.

During the Rex craze, the Havana fanciers joined in and created the Havana Rex and Heavyweight Havana Rex. These two breeds were incorporated into the Standard Rex breed in 1935, thus becoming extinct as breeds themselves. The original Heavyweight Havana became extinct in the late 1930’s. However, both of the Havana Rex Rabbit breeds contributed to what is now known as the Chocolate Rex today.

Himalayan Rex Rabbit

The Himalayan Rex Rabbit Breed was developed in the late 30’s during the period where rabbit fanciers were trying to put a Rex coat on every possible rabbit breed in America. The Himalayan Rabbit breed existed overseas in the early 1800’s and arrived in America in 1912. The Rex variety of the Himalayan was very short-lived. It received its own standard from the ARBA by 1944, but like all of the Rex creations, was absorbed into the true Rex line and became extinct shortly after its recognition.

Known for its black markings on the ears, nose, tail and feet, and unlike the Havana Breed’s contribution to the chocolate Rex variety of today, there is no feature from the Himalayan rabbit that was passed on into the current Rex bloodline. They were never cross bred with other Rex varieties, breeders simply stopped breeding them.

Lilac Rex Rabbit

The Lilac Rex Rabbit Breed was an American creation. Like many other fanciers during the Rex craze of the 30’s and 40’s, Lilac rabbit breeders attempted to put a Rex coat on the Lilac Rabbit breed.

The Lilac Rabbit breed was created in 1913 in England and arrived in America in 1922. It was created from a cross breed between the Havana Rabbit breed and Blue Imperials. When it arrived in America, it vied with the Gouda Rabbit breed, a cross between the Havana breed and Blue Beveren breed. While the Gouda became extinct, the Lilac breed survives today.

The Lilac Rex Rabbit breed was accepted by the ARBA as its own breed in 1944. It did not exist as a separate breed for very long, though there is no specific date as to when it became extinct. However, it is responsible for the Lilac color currently accepted in the Rex breed today.

New Zealand Rex Rabbit

The New Zealand Rex Rabbit Breed was developed in America during the period shortly after the Rex rabbit was introduced. It is not certain exactly when it was created, but pictures are available of a buck New Zealand Rex shown in 1930.

Unlike many breeds that were created overseas, the New Zealand breed is an American made creation from the early 1900’s. Their bloodlines are not formally documented; however, it is believed that the Golden Fawn, now an extinct breed, and the Belgian Hare played a major role in its creation.

When the Rex rabbit was introduced to America in 1924, the American Federation of New Zealand Breeders jumped on the band wagon to create the New Zealand Rex rabbit breed. The breed held its own standards for Red and White varieties until 1935 when it was integrated into the Rex National Club and lost its individual standards. It has been extinct since that time.

Sherman’s Short Hair Rabbit

The Sherman’s Short Hair Rabbit Breed was created by Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Sherman from Culver City California. Even less is known about this extinct breed than the Sherman Long Hair Breed, also developed by the Sherman’s in the early 1900’s. The Sherman’s owned the Los Angeles Fur Farm in Culver City, and Mr. Sherman was a member of the National Committee on Rabbit Fur Industries, established in 1918.

The Sherman Short Hair was developed prior to 1920 and was mentioned in a few ads found in the National Breeders and Fanciers Association guide books. Other than that, there is nothing else known about its blood lines or appearance. As with any new breed, they may become acknowledged by the National Breeders and Fanciers Association (now called the ARBA), which gives them a breed status, but if the creator cannot encourage interest in a breed variety, the rabbit will become extinct.

Silver Black Giant Rabbit

The Silver Black Giant Rabbit Breed was a fairly large breed who’s earliest records date back to 1924. The bucks of the original breed weighed in at 11 pounds with the does weighing 12 pounds. By 1939, bucks were documented at 12 pounds and does over 14 pounds.

Some believe that the Silver Black Giant was nothing more than a Black Flemish Giant with white hairs distributed through the body creating the “silver” coloring. Unlike the Silver Fox of the time, the white hairs on the Silver Black were full white hairs, not white tipped hairs and breeding between the Silver Giant and Silver Fox were discouraged.

Since no records exist as to the breeding lineage of the Silver Black Giant, the belief that it was a Black Flemish Giant can be neither proved nor disproved.

The Silver Black Giants popularity survived from 1924 to the middle 1940’s when interest in the breed began to decline. By 1950, the breed was removed from the “Book of Standards”, the official ARBA standards listing, and it has since become extinct.

Trent Rabbit

The Trent Rabbit Breed is on the extinct list because it was mentioned one time and one time only in the history of American rabbits. This was during the Third Annual Convention of the National Rabbit Breeders and Fanciers Association (now known as the American Rabbit Breeders Association, or ARBA.) This convention was held from August 25 to August 30, 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio, where it was noted that five Does were show. The breed received a championship certificate during that showing.

However, it is hard to say whether this was a true recognized American breed. To become a recognized breed in America, a rabbit must be shown and accepted at three conventions. As there is no further documentation regarding the Trent breed at any other showings, it may be that this was an attempt at developing a new breed that failed after its first showing. No pictures exist of the Trent Does shown at the Third Annual Convention nor of the champion that received the certificate, no description of the rabbit exists, and no official standards have ever been found.

White Alaska Rabbit

The White Alaska Rabbit Breed was said to have originated in England, however, no documentation has been found to prove this. As a matter of fact, the only documentation of the White Alaska Rabbit Breed was in America in the 1928 edition of the Standard of Perfection for Domestic Rabbits, written by Marcellus W. Meek.

The White Alaska Rabbit was a small animal with adults weighing no more than 6 pounds, pure white, with a thick, soft, glossy coat. The ears were no more than 4 inches long and they had either blue or red eyes. No other eye color was accepted in the standards. It had a compact body, short tail, and all nails were to be flesh colored.

There is no documentation as to the blood lines of this rabbit and no further mention of it after the publishing of the Standard of Perfections, thus indicating that it became extinct shortly after 1928.

White Blue Eyed Riverias Rabbit

The White Blue Eyed Riverias Rabbit Breed is another extinct American breed where very little is known about it. It is a breed accredited to E. W. C. Arnold of Long Island New York. Mr. Arnold was known for rabbit imports from England, France and Germany. It was thought that the White Blue Eyed Riverias may have been an early creation of breeding from the imported White Vienna or White Beveren; however, nothing definite has been established about this long extinct breed.

The White Blue Eyed Riverias was mentioned once in the National Breeders and Fanciers of American Yearbook and once in the 1924 Standards of Perfection. Its standards were very similar to the extinct Lorain Rabbit Breed that put in a brief appearance in the early 1920’s. Like the White Blue Eyed Riverias, the Lorain was also thought to be an offspring from White Vienna’s or White Beveren’s.