History of the Netherland Dwarf rabbit

Interesting brief history of Netherland Dwarfs, from Amick's Netherland Dwarfs website:


Netherland dwarfs go back to the early 1880,s in England. Some litters of Dutch rabbits with white colored kits with red eyes, a short cobby body, and a soft coat. They were given the name "Polish". These mutations reproduced and through line breeding more of these red eyed white rabbits appeared. The new breed was first exhibited in 1884 in England and was exported to Germany. In Germany a standard was created which was similar to our current dwarf standard. These white rabbits were crossed with small wild rabbits. This improved type and resulted in agouti colored rabbits. The next generation resulted in black rabbits and finally the whites reappeared.

Until the late 1930's color choice was limited to Blue-eyed whites and Red eyed whites. At this time breeders crossed the REWs with other breeds to get different colored dwarfs. After years of breeding, the result of colored dwarfs that resembled our present day animals were given a standard in 1940.

At the beginning of the First World War, the blue-eyed white made its appearance in the province of Saxony. As to how the blue-eyed white was first bred, little is known. These animals were larger in bone structure, longer in body, and had a more harsh, fly back coat than did the red-eyed whites.

After the second world war the Netherland Dwarf arrived in England. On October 13, 1949 fanciers formed the Netherland Dwarf Club in England. Popularity grew quickly and in 1950 the British Rabbit Council gave them official recognition. A total of 18 rabbits were entered in their first dwarf show.

Netherlands come to the US:

As early as 1965 Netherland Dwarfs were imported to both the US and to Canada to improve the Polish breed, or as a curiosity. In 1969 Darrell Bramhall met with English fancier Jack Turnbull and began a life long interest in Netherland Dwarfs. Mr. Turnbull had brought a number of Dwarfs over from England and offered some of them to him. Mr Bramhall suggested that they form a specialty club to promote and encourage the breeding and showing of Netherland Dwarfs in the US. He also began work on a standard for dwarfs to be accepted by the ARBA. The English standard formed the basis and a few minor changes were made. The standard was presented to ARBA at the 1969 convention in Calgary Canada. At this show Mr. Turnbull was responsible for exhibiting the first required showing of Dwarfs at this Convention. There were a total of 6 dwarfs shown by 2 exhibitors. Albert Reurs, a Dutchman residing in Ontario, Canada, was the other exhibitor. At this show the ARBA Board of Directors accepted the proposed Standard of Perfection for the Netherland Dwarf rabbit. With this ruling, the Dwarfs could be shown as a recognized breed at all ARBA shows.

Interest in Dwarfs spread rapidly during the first year, as many more Dwarfs were imported from England and Holland, and many new breeders became interested in the breed. At the 1970 ARBA Convention & Show the small beginning of only 6 Dwarfs at the previous Convention rose to 85 Dwarfs that year.

In the spring of 1971 the ANDRC held its first National Netherland Dwarf Show at Montpelier, Ohio. There were 85 Dwarfs shown by 26 exhibitors.

The American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club, the proposed specialty club for dwarfs, was granted an ARBA charter on Jan. 15, 1970. During this time a club newsletter called Netherland News was created. Membership saw rapid growth during this time to 550 members in 1973 and over 1200 by the end of 1974. The newsletter name was changed to Dwarf Digest. Today the ANDRC is considered one of the best and largest specialty clubs in ARBA and offers many services to it's membership. The Dwarf Digest and club guidebook offer invaluable information to both new breeders and old timers. The ANDRC also has a scholarship program for youth members.

Varieties include Ruby Eyed White, Blue Eyed White, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Chestnut, Opal, Lynx, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Tortoise Shell, Tan (Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac), Silver Marten (Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac), Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Otter (Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac), Orange, Fawn, Himalayan (Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac) and Steel and recently a Broken variety.

The Dwarf body type is short, compressed, neck less, and demonstrates good rounded contours with a well-filled rump. The feet are quite short and close together. The tail is small and is carried tightly against the rump. The weight for a full grown animal may range from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 pounds. The pelt demonstrates a roll-back characteristic. The head profile is circular in contour with a wide forehead, strongly curved nose bone, and strong, well developed jaws and skull. The ears are short, worn stiffly and close together . . . not necessarily touching and go gradually to a lightly rounded point. The maximum limit is 2-1/2 inches, but a balanced appearance is necessary. The ears have very dense, but short hairs.

Pink Moon- TIME FOR OUR SPRING BREEDING!

The full moon each April is known as Seed Moon, Waking Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon and Pink Moon, per the Farmer's Almanac.

"This name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names for this month’s celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn."

I like that. Our rabbits certainly sprung springish last night & this morning- I think this may be the fastest breeding ever in the history of ever at The Rabbit Tank! Here's the rundown:

Thomas' Mr. A (black) to:
Tank's Nico (himi)
Tank's Sapphire (choc. chin)

Tank's Bacchus (opal) to:
Tank's Eris (black otter)
Tank's Habiba (black)

Tank's Milkshake (REW- yay,'Shake!) to:
Tank's Oseya (sable)
Tank's Tizaqueena (chocolate)

Tank's Dunkirk (chin) to:
Tank's Liberty (chestnut)
Tank's Karolina (himi)

Tank's Hjalmir (black otter)to:
Tank's Rashida (chocolate)
Tank's Sesheta (black otter)

Tank's Jupiter (chocolate himi) to:
Tank's Shiara (black)
Tank's Chatter (black)

Our goals include producing a quality black buck, does of all colors but especially black otter & agouti patterns and, as always, fun colored coats on quality animals!

Comments?

MBT

More Show Table Fun!

Amara & Garron introducing Tank's Dunkirk, our young Chinchilla Senior Buck.

MBT

August 2008 Breeding Info

Here is the roster for the breeding we completed on August 11-12. Does should kindle around September 9-12 .

Netherland Dwarf Breedings:

Tank's Thor (otter) was bred to Tank's Dyvette (black), Tank's Sapphire (siamese sable agouti), Tank's Rashida (chocolate) and Tank's Ena (siamese sable).

Tank's Bacchus (opal) was bred to Tank's Aiobh (black), Tank's Habiba (black), Tank's Sisele (chinchilla) and Tank's Inge (blue otter).

Tank's Almond (chocolate otter) was bred to Tank's Chatter (black) and Tank's Kate (black).

Hill's Phoenix (silver marten) was bred to Becca's Beka Dot (broken black) and Tank's Freya (chocolate otter).

MBT

New Baby Rabbit Photos- July 2007

Hello there! Hope everybody is having a great summer and your rabbits are staying cool. Above is Tank's Hans, our newest Holland Lop buck. My mom says I always give the Holland Lops short-shrift, so that's where we start and end in today's post. Following are photos of new and available rabbits for sale:



Bacchus and M'Nyara produced two wonderful little chestnut agoutis, above.



Busy Bacchus also gave us this blue otter with Inge, (at right, not for sale, sorry!) and a black and siamese sable pair of bucks via Oseye (both available!)



Diana and Dakir gave us a sweet black doe and a REW.



Somewhere far, far back in their pedigrees, Thor (black otter) and Emma (tortoiseshell) had some himalayan-patterned relatives, as they surprised us with three himi does!




Jean-Claude and Sesheta gave us a short-eared pair of cuties- one black otter and one chestnut.



Meilyr and Kelita teamed to have our newest black otter out of his storied line, Tank's Gunter (not for sale.)




... and we'll leave off where we began, with Tank's Hans (fawn) and his orange sister with the interesting ears!

We also have several adult rabbits for sale- Tank's Aiobh (black doe,) Tank's Ilene (black otter- proven doe,) Tank's Nyosha (black- proven doe,) Tank's Ivor (sable marten buck,) Tank's Silver Dragon (silver marten buck,) and Hopperhaus' Hiram (black buck- two legs.) Photos of these rabbits can be found in the posts under this one, or I will send new ones upon request.

Thanks!

MBT

May 2008 Breeding

Here is the roster for the breeding we completed on May 25-6. The does should kindle around June 24-6, sometime in there.

We decided to capitalize on some of our main bucks, as we lost poor little Domhnall on the day of the breeding. There was no sign he was in any kind of trauma, he went very quietly, up one minute and down the other. Luckily we have two of his sons and four daughters.

Here are the Netherland Dwarf breedings:

Tank's Tighearnan (Domhnall son)- Tank's Dyvete, Becca's Beka Dot

Tank's Bacchus (Domhnall son)- Tank's Aiobh, Tank's Oseya, Tank's M'Nyara and Tank's Inge

Tank's Meilyr- Tank's Kelita, Tank's Habiba

Power's Jean-Claude- Tank's Chatter, Tank's Sesheta

Tank's Thor- Tank's Ilene, Tank's Sisele and Caldwell's Emma

Tank's Almond- Tank's Nyosha, Tank's Rashida (chocolate time!!)

Hall's Phoenix- Tank's Freya

Tank's Silver Dragon- Tank's Kate

Tank's Ivor- Tank's Ena

and our one little Holland Lop breeding, Tank's Felix to Tank's Gretchen.

Be sure to e-mail or call if you'd like to reserve something from any of these nestboxes or if you're interested in breeding stock, show rabbits or pets!

MBT

New Rabbit Photos from This Weekend

We had some extra time over at Augie's (Grandma's) this weekend and Amara and I took some new photos of the younger generation of our rabbits.

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Tank's Acorn (Chocolate Otter)- out of Tank's Meilyr, pictured at right.

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Acorn's brother, Tank's Almond (also Chocolate Otter)

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Tank's Chatter (Black), named out of the nestbox by Garron because she made the cutest chattering sound.

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Couldn't get a great photo of Tank's Ena (Siamese Sable) but I thought this shot of Amara and Ena hugging was adorable.

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Tank's Rashida (Chocolate), out of Tank's Dakir and Sisele. Sweet girl!

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Tank's Aiobh (Black). The pic doesn't do her justice.

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Gorgeous little Tank's Bacchus (Opal) Mr. Personality of the new gen. Brother to Chatter and...

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Tank's Sapphire (Siamese Sable Chin), who is interested in the oatmeal!

Another of Sapphire, just 'cause I think she's beautiful.

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Tank's Kelita (Black) If she'd just lift her ears this would be a great photo.

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And last but hardly least, Tank's Diana (Chestnut Agouti).

It's Been Too Long...

... since I've updated this blog and I must apologize for that! Life has been hectic this past year, with lots of re-organization in the company where I work, health issues involving my grandmother, my mom and me, challenges from seemingly every front. Here's hoping 2008 will be better than 2007.

... since we've been to a show. I hope people realize we're still in the business. I mentioned my grandmother's health, she is completely bed-ridden now and things have been rough, especially for my mom. This spring, we hope to celebrate our 20th year raising and showing rabbits, though you may see odd mixtures of us attending.

... since we've had baby rabbits in the nestbox. Our last breeding didn't go well at all- only two kits out of about ten does bred. Luckily we have the chance to correct that. Our rabbitry has gotten much younger lately, as I wrote back on July 20. Looking back, it's fun to see that we kept many of the young ones mentioned.

Out of Tank's Domhnall and Tank's Dyvette, we kept Tank's Bacchus, a typey little opal buck (although his color could better,) Tank's Chatter, a tiny teacup-sized Dwarf with great type and Tank's Sapphire, a lovely doe of unrecognized color. I believe she is an agouti-patterned smoke pearl.

Let me step up on my soapbox for just a minute... I cannot stand the fact that the ARBA and the ANDRC are so conservative in their policies regarding the recognition of Netherland Dwarf colors. My opinion is, if a color is genetically possible, it should be described and recognized. If a dwarf breeder wants to work on that color, they should be allowed to exhibit any color, provided it matches the description offered.

But I digress. We also kept Tank's Aiobh and Ena out of Tighearnan and Oseya. Aiobh (pronounced, roughly, "Eve,") is possibly the best rabbit we have ever produced, and I don't say so lightly. She is black in color and I look forward to her meeting and beating some REWs and BEWs. Her sister is a Siamese Sable with very nice color, surprising me as both parents are very dark Siamese Sables, bordering on plain Sable. Ena's disposition is particularly pleasant- she wants human attention constantly and is always up front and ready for time out.

Also added were chestnut agouti Tank's Lisabet, from Domhnall and Tank's Seshata, Tank's Rashida, a typey chocolate doe with excellent color from Tank's Dakir and Tank's Sisele; and Tank's Kelita, a black doe out of Jean-Claude and Tank's M'Nyara.

Our next breeding will be focused on several goals. First, we want to shore-up our black otters, as we are down to only two breeding does. Secondly, we need to produce something out of several does on the bubble, who have been kept due to color and variety. Most notably, Becca's Bekah Dot, our only broken doe, needs to kindle this time. We plan to try her with Tighearnan, as he seems to produce large litters with good quality. Thirdly, we want to take advantage of our growing selection of shaded colors and chocolates and see how much fun we can have!

... since we've listed anything for sale. I would say that several of the rabbits previously mentioned would be available for the right offer, one being Tank's Kelita. We have plenty of black does and she'd be excellent, especially for somebody looking to improve the hindquarters-area. This doe has bodacious booty! We also have blue otters, blues and sable martens that may come available. Feel free to e-mail us, rabbittank at grandecom dot net or catch us at a show if interested.

MBT

We just completed one of the roughest ruts in the path of our entire journey raising rabbits over the weekend. You've read in this space (or can read below) about the possibility of our selling-off of the Holland Lops in our rabbitry. Now that it is over, I'll attempt to explain why we considered such a possibility.

We've had an air-conditioned rabbitry for our entire 19+ year history. I've always believed that it is more humane to house the animals this way, especially during the Summer in Texas. It also allows for year-round breeding (with appropriate rest schedules for the does) and increases our comfort- ensuring that our rabbits get the same amount of attention and affection year-round.

This year, our air conditioner, active for over 15 years, decided to break down. It has broken before but has always been relatively inexpensive to repair. This time, not so much. We called a repair service in Waco which shall remain nameless (rhymes with Zampbell Zappliance, as in the zoup.)

They took part of the system, told us they'd look for a replacement, then proceeded to quote us an amount which was about $300 over our final bill. While attempting to negotiate, the owner held us (and our rabbits) hostage for over a month, telling us fairy tales about finding used parts on the internet.

Zoup is bad food.

We finally found a repairman willing to attempt the job who successfully repaired the system for a reasonable price. Our rabbits were well-taken care of during the interim, of course, but we had to rely on fans and a small window-unit AC to cool them. We also had limited cage space and had to rotate them between 18' x 24' units and show cages. They are glad to be back in their regular rabbitry now, with room to stretch.

MBT

It's been a while since I've posted anything, my apologies. Still working to get everything on rabbittank.com transferred over from the old geocities account. I also have TONS of new photos to add to our Galley pages.

We've had horrible luck with our air conditioning system this summer. Looks like we'll be out around $600 to fund repairs. We have money coming in from sales but hardly enough to cover.

We may be forced to sell out of Holland Lops completely. I wish we didn't have to but our Dwarf program is so much stronger, so it's a logical move. Also, it will allow us room to expand our Netherland Dwarfs, perhaps even to enter another color or experiment with colors. It's one of those head vs. heart battles. Sigh.

Looks like most of our babies from the last breeding have been sold or will be hoarded by us :-) More does had their litters after my last post- Ilene and Domhnall are the proud parents of two gorgeous little Chocolate Otters and one super-nice black doe. We're keeping them for now to watch them grow, if you're interested, send me an e-mail at rabbittank at grandecom dot net.

Now it's time to think about our next breeding, which should happen this weekend according to my Llewellyn's Datebook, which lists days fertile for planting and harvesting. This will be the first breeding for several does I can't help but think of as babies, I watched them grow so closely. Tank's M'nyara and Nyosha, sisters; Tank's Sisele, lovely Chinchilla doe; Tank's Diana, who recovered from an injury she sustained at a show when a judge slammed a door on her leg; and Becca's Bekah Dot, our broken doe pictured with Garron on the "Love Breeds Champions" page. We have a commitment to her terrific youth breeder, who lives in West Texas, to split the first litter. She'll be bred to Tank's Domhnall, our Chin buck that has produces so well with such quality.

Please keep watching for more photos and rabbits for sale. If you're interested in some great Holland Lops, now's the time to contact us. THANK YOU for reading!

MBT

RESULTS a/o June 20:

We had a major breeding about 31 days ago. Despite some sultry temperatures and multiple failures of our air conditioning system, our little Netherland Dwarf does are coming through! Here's a summary...


Delivered June 19:

Tank's Seshata/Dwarf Hill's Phoenix- 3 babies- looks like two of these will be a dilute coloration and either Marten or Otter.

Tank's Habiba/Tank's Meilyr- 3 babies- one of these looks dilute, very promising looks.

Caldwell's Emma/ Tank's Tighernan- 2 babies- one baby may be a REW, it was born with it's eyes open, so survival is doubtful. The other is most certainly a Tortoiseshell!

Tank's Oseye/Tank's Domhnall- 2, stillborn


Delivered June 20:


Tank's Sigrid/Tank's Thor- 1 baby

Tank's Muireaghl/Tank's Ivor- 2 babies

Tank's Dyvette/Tank's Meilyr- 3, stillborn

Tank's Ursula/Caldwell's Joachim- 2, stillborn

Tank's Ilene/Tank's Domhnall- busy in her nestbox as I type!

Still out: Tank's Freya, Tank's Olympia, Tank's Kate, Tanks Norah Jones

More news as it comes...

MBT

First Post

Greetings from Central Texas!

Finally, you say, it's about time there is no more obnoxious "Test Post" repeating the words "Rabbit Tank Rabbitry" over and over again. Things have been going ok in Valley Mills so far in 2007. Our rabbits are healthy and the babies we've had have been nice. Our production rate hasn't been stellar, so we are making a switch from Petrus rabbit feed to the 16% protein Pen Pals variety. I think this will be a positive change; our friend Ann Ward at Award's Rabbitry in OKC like it and has quite a bit of success.

Out of our most recent breedings, we've kept:

- Two chinchilla ND does, Sisele and Sadhbh from Tank's Domhnall and Tank's Oseye (chinchilla father, siamese sable mom.)

- Two black ND does, Nyosha and M'nyara from Tank's Dakir and Emma from Robert Caldwell's rabbitry (black buck (pictured at right on this blog,)tort doe.)

- One chesnut doe, Diana from Tank's Meilyr and Tank's Olympia (black otter sire, chestnut dam.)

I'll post more photos both on our Gallery on the main site as well as the very blog you're now reading. Looking forward to our next breeding on May 1, those Maypoles will be spinning ;-) I'll post those combos soon as well.

We have several ND and HL rabbits for sale in a variety of colors, more details to come. E-mail me with interest, rabbittank at grandecom dot net.

MBT