Two Hunnyz Rabbitry
Rare - Heritage - Heirloom
The American Rabbit
- Breed History
- General Description
- Our American Herd
- The Amazing CanAmerican Story!
- A Family Connection
Breed History
The American rabbit is unique to the history and culture of the United States. Lewis H. Salisbury of Pasadena, California introduced and developed the American Blue. Though secretive as to the breeds used, the heritage is whispered in it's elegant mandolin shape- Blue Vienna, Blue Beveren, Blue Imperial and Blue Flemish Giant.
First exhibited around 1917, Mr. Salisbury's line of American Blues were considered the best in the nation for several years prior. The A.R.B.A. recognized the breed in March 1918 with an official standard. Known as the German Blue Vienna in the beginning, the name was quickly changed after World War I. The White variety was recognized in 1925, produced from white sports thrown with the addition of White Flemish Giant blood.
Popularity of the American quickly spread throughout the country. By 1920, furriers were paying $2.00 for a good Blue pelt. The price of a breeding age Doe would start at an incredible $25.00! But by 1950, the interests of rabbit breeders had shifted towards the compact and commercial type rabbits, like the New Zealand and Californian. Today, the population of this unique breed is restricted to North America. With fewer than 200 animals, Americans are the rarest of the rabbit breeds.
A multi-purpose rabbit intended for meat and fur, Americans are a large rabbit. The A.R.B.A. standard calls for Bucks to be 9-11 pounds and Does 10-12 pounds, at Senior weight. A hardy breed, they are docile in nature, good mothers and produce large litters with fast weight gain potential. The Blue variety is said to be the deepest blue of all recognized breeds. The American rabbit has survived for almost 100 years due to the potential developed by Lewis H. Salisbury. This potential is waiting to be tapped by modern-day breeders'.
The American Livestock Breed Conservancy (ALBC) has rated the American rabbit as "critical"- in danger of loss, extinction. The Blue Imperial is already extinct; the Blue Vienna is gone from the U.S. and hard to find in Germany. We encourage you to take on the American Blue and White rabbit as a heritage animal. Join the handful of dedicated breeders striving to preserve this distinct American creation!
General Description
"The desired body type is described as "mandolin typed" in that there is a moderate arch over the loin and hindquarters and definite taper from the hindquarters to the shoulders. The head is to be well shaped and rather narrow with the ears, proportionate in length, tapering to a point. Senior Weights: Ideal- Bucks 10 lbs; Does 11 lbs. Registration- Bucks 9 to11 lbs; Does 10 to12 lbs."
From "Official Guide Book, Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies"- ARBA
Our American Herd
In our American Conservation Breeding Program, we maintain a pure line of Canadian Americans for the 'clean' genetics they have to offer and consistent production of rabbits as close to the ARBA Standard of Perfection for the breed as we've seen.
| Variety | DOB | Ear # | Wt. | Sire | Dam |
| White | 8-6-2006 | GD1 | 10 | Gerald | Darlene |
Wins: BOSB- 11/11/06, ERBA Fall Show, Chehalis, WA
BOSV- 11/11/06, ERBA Fall Show, Chehalis, WA
BOB, show A & B- 5/5/07, NWRB Spring Show, Monroe, WA
Type: From Canadian stock. Beautiful mandolin shape. Has matured to have great width and good depth, coat is the gorgeous- longer hairs and soft as the original AM's, good head, ears a bit short but well furred. Sires large litters.
Personality: Curious, calm and very laid back. A real sweetie!
DOES
Sage Lake Farm's Becca
| Variety | DOB | Ear # | Reg. # | Wt. | Sire | Dam |
| Blue | 2-21-2007 | AM12 | 11 | Durango | Calie |
Wins:
Type: From Crown2B, etc. lines. Gorgeous AM type. Color is deep, true blue, with nice density of coat, on the coarser side; good AM head and gorgeous ears. A very big girl, I must add.
Personality: Very sweet girl, so easy going. Great mother; litter sizes 5, 14 and 9.
| Variety | DOB | Ear# | Wt. | Sire | Dam |
| White | 3-14-2008 | N31 | 10.02 | Klinaklini | Nahanni |
Wins:
Type: From pure Canadian stock. Ozette is an outstanding beauty, in our opinion! Great overall type and balance, wonderful depth, terrific AM head, although her ears could be a bit longer, gorgeous coat, a 9-1/2 week old weight of 4.15. With her lineage and wonderful parents, Ozette will be a valuable asset to our American Conservation Breeding Program.
Personality: Ozette is a sweetheart- calm, gentle, curious, and begging for attention. I can definitely envision her a house rabbit! Ozette's first litter was 12; she made a gorgeous nest with lots of fur and kindled one day early, just like her Dam did with her first litter. Bred older than normal in addition to such a large first litter, 3 days before kindling she went off most feed (except for dandelion leaves, applesauce and hay) and only drank about 4 oz. of water each day. We feared pregnancy toxemia, but day of kindling she returned to completely normal. Ozette has proven her hardiness.
In Memory
G.Gordon's Nahanni - DOD: 8/16/08
| Variety | DOB | Ear # | Wt. | Sire | Dam |
| White | 6-28-2006 | GR2 | 10 | Uncle Buck | Gerlinda |
Wins: BOB, 1 leg- 11/11/06, ERBA Fall Show, Chehalis, WA
BOV- 11/11/06, ERBA Fall Show, Chehalis, WA
Type: From Canada. Nice mandolin shape, good hindquarters with depth and width, good head and AM ears, nice coat and color.
Personality: Sweet girl, loves forehead rubs! Nahanni is a great mother, not too grumbly, very protective without being aggressive, yet we have to 'ask' her permission before tending to babies in her hutch. Her first litter was 10, largest was 12. She started her nest 10 days before her first kindling, pulled fur two days before and kindled one day early, but now builds her nest when the box is put in and kindles at day 31. We so miss our sweet Nahanni.
The Amazing CanAmerican Story!
On 22 September 2006, an isolated colony of 38 American White rabbits was discovered in Alberta, Canada. Affectionately dubbed "CanAM's", this news rocked the rare breed rabbit world, causing quite a commotion among enthusiasts! Breeders were scrambling to bring some 'home' to their native land.
As the story goes, about 10 years ago, two friends- Helga and Gayle- bought rabbits from a Hutterite Community (a Christian denomination) that had been raising them for meat. They were told the rabbits were New Zealand Whites brought up from the U.S.A. in the 1920's.
In the 1920's, there were many more American rabbits, as New Zealand popularity hadn't caught on. Longtime farmers in the area said the rabbits came in white and "grey", actually the Blue variety. They had been called Americans until a few years ago when someone said they were really from New Zealand.
Helga has been showing them as New Zealand's for years. Not doing very well on the judges table, she had decided to give up on them. With the help of many rare breed and American rabbit breeders across the country, Helga and Gayle were able to identify their rabbits as Americans, and this formerly unknown colony of American rabbits was saved from anonymity! The unmistakable American type should do better at shows from now on!
Listening to the story unfold and participating as stock was brought down from Canada, has been like watching history in the making. It is a privilege to have a breeding trio of these White "CanAM's" in our Rabbitry! Through our American Conservation Breeding Program, along with other dedicated American breeders around the country, we are working to restore this beautiful breed to it's full glory.
A Family Connection
When we first decided to raise rabbits, we knew that Krystal's paternal grandfather had raised rabbits. Upon discovering and deciding to add the American breed, we learned that Krystal's maternal great grandfather also raised rabbits. Both men doing so in Southern California in the 1940's to 50's. The truly incredible discovery was the fact that both also raised the American breed! Must be in the blood!
