Podcasts about american rabbit

Alex, Jesse and Mike reach the end of their Zodiac Killer Mega Series. Did someone actually figure out who did it? MERCH - http://www.theyetee.com/collections/chilluminati Special thanks to our sponsors this episode - All you lovely people at HTTP://PATREON.COM/CHILLUMINATIPOD Jesse Cox - http://www.youtube.com/jessecox Alex Faciane - http://www.youtube.com/user/superbeardbros Editor - DeanCutty http://www.twitter.com/deancutty Art Commissioned by - http://www.mollyheadycarroll.com Theme - Matt Proft

In this weeks Zodiac Killer part, Alex, Jesse and Mike shed some light on the most likely Zodiac suspects... MERCH - http://www.theyetee.com/collections/chilluminati Special thanks to our sponsors this episode - Talkspace - http://www.talkspace.com/chill Promocode SPACE80 Stamps - http://www.stamps.com Promo Code Chill Hero Forge - http://www.heroforge.com Promo Code: Chill All you lovely people at HTTP://PATREON.COM/CHILLUMINATIPOD Jesse Cox - http://www.youtube.com/jessecox Alex Faciane - http://www.youtube.com/user/superbeardbros Editor - DeanCutty http://www.twitter.com/deancutty Art Commissioned by - http://www.mollyheadycarroll.com Theme - Matt Proft

Deeper and deeper the rabbit hole goes.... MERCH - http://www.theyetee.com/collections/chilluminati Special thanks to our sponsors this episode - Hero Forge - http://www.heroforge.com Promo Code: Chill All you lovely people at HTTP://PATREON.COM/CHILLUMINATIPOD Jesse Cox - http://www.youtube.com/jessecox Alex Faciane - http://www.youtube.com/user/superbeardbros Editor - DeanCutty http://www.twitter.com/deancutty Art Commissioned by - http://www.mollyheadycarroll.com Theme - Matt Proft

Ronan loses it due to his choice. Will the Adventures of The American Rabbit go into the vault forevermore to be enjoyed by the future of mankind? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook | @stopcthulhu Hosts Gaz | @GhenGazKhan Matt | @MattsAllFolkz Ronan | @TheRonanThe Liv | @olivia_dady Podcast artwork by Shaun Martland | @mr_picto Music by DEADLIFE | @deadlifecorps Used with artists permission Send your films for the trench or get in contact: stopcthulhu@outlook.com

The B-Team presented by Vesti Social. P-Mo, Jerry and the Junkman discuss backup QB's, pigeon breeding, the power of crystals and everything in between. Stay woke with the best "sports" podcast on the "radio".

On this week's episode Shawn Carter and Sarah Morgan talk about Dolly Parton movies 9 to 5, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Wild Texas Wind as well as their childhood favorites The Last Unicorn and The American Rabbit.

Host, Dany Roth is joined by creator of the Todd in the Shadows YouTube series, Todd Nathanson, for a clash of the titans. That's right, they take on two cartoons to decide which is the superior: The Adventures of the American Rabbit or Felix the Cat: The Movie. There will be no winners today.

We’re back for a surprise summertime episode on the 1986 animated movie The Adventures of the American Rabbit, a star-spangled box-office bomb starring the voices of Donatello, Baby Piggy, and King Triton. On This Episode Mike Westfall (@fallwestmike), furry prototype of Jessica Rabbit if she were an actual rabbit. Chad Young (@horrormoviebbq), former rugby star who was cut because he wouldn’t stop roller skating during the National Anthem, from the Horror Movie BBQ, home of the new podcast TPIF: Thank Pod It’s Funny! Topics and Tangents Fred Wolf Films. Toei Animation. Stewart Moskowitz Media and Too-Loose, the Chocolate Moose. Ping Pong, the Gorilla who Ate Garfield. You can visit the Advent Calendar House on the web at adventcalendar.house and on Twitter @adventcalhouse.

Rabbit Clubs Today we are going to cover 5 national Clubs/Association/Councils to give you an idea of what they do, and how you might benefit by joining a club. Hello Listener! Thank you for listening. If you would like to support the podcast, and keep the lights on, you can support us whenever you use Amazon through the link below: It will not cost you anything extra, and I can not see who purchased what. Or you can become a Fluffle Supporter by donating through Patreon.com at the link below: Patreon/Hare of the Rabbit What's this Patreon? Patreon is an established online platform that allows fans to provide regular financial support to creators. Patreon was created by a musician who needed a easy way for fans to support his band. What do you need? Please support Hare of the Rabbit Podcast financially by becoming a Patron. Patrons agree to a regular contribution, starting at $1 per episode. Patreon.com takes a token amount as a small processing fee, but most of your money will go directly towards supporting the Hare of the Rabbit Podcast. You can change or stop your payments at any time. You can also support by donating through PayPal.com at the link below: Hare of the Rabbit PayPal Thank you for your support, Jeff Hittinger.   Easter Easter is a season that has popularized the purchase of rabbits as surprise "Easter bunnies" for young people Easter morning. Please remember to learn about how to care for a rabbit prior to purchase and that rabbits are a 5-10 year commitment. The American Rabbit Breeders Association The ARBA is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy. With over 23,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad, their members range from the pet owner with one rabbit or cavy to the breeder or commercial raiser with several hundred animals. Each aspect of the rabbit and cavy industry whether it be fancy (for exhibition), as a pet, or for commercial value, is encouraged by their organization. There are numerous benefits for joining ARBA, including a copy of the Official Guidebook To Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies (free with the initial membership), a subscription to Domestic Rabbits magazine, Registration, Grand Champion certification and other privileges. The History of the American Rabbit Breeders Association In the late 1890s the Belgian Hare affair brought a serious touch to the American rabbit world that previously had been pet and perhaps meat rabbits. With serious prices paid for Belgian Hares there was not a national organization as with other livestock. In 1910 the National Pet Stock Association was formed. National Pet Stock Association of America was founded on January 10, 1910 by Charles S. Gibson at his home at 1045 West Warren Ave., Detroit, Michigan with a total of 13 people present who became charter members. Charles Gibson was elected as the Secretary/Treasurer. It is not known who designed the first national emblem, but it was common place for the time to use the head of Lady Liberty with the laurel leaves in her hair along with the crossed flags as part of an American symbol. Seven years later the “Pet” was dropped from the name as it began including not just rabbits and cavies but other small fur bearing animals and later another name change was made to the “National Breeders and Fanciers Association of America.” The organization changes their name to the National Breeders and Fanciers Association of America. The emblem you see was created by the George Lauterer Company of Chicago, Illinois. There is once again the crossed US flags, eagle with her stretched wings, double maple leaves (no doubt to recognize our neighbors to the north’s membership), plus the heads of four animals; top is a raccoon, right a cavy (guinea pig), bottom a fox and finally a rabbit. In January, 1918 the first national convention and show is held in Kansas City, Missouri with a total of 540 entries. The organization splits in October, 1919 and Charles Gibson incorporates the new branch in January, 1920 as the National Breeders and Fanciers Association, Inc. Gibson is replaced as secretary in 1921 by Raymond L. Pike and the national headquarters is moved to Crawfordsville, Indiana. Pike is replaced by Arthur Weygandt as secretary in 1923 and the national headquarters is moved once again to Weygandt’s home at 3166 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Illinois, then shortly after to 7408 Normal Ave., Chicago. In 1923 the rabbit fancy began to split into fur breeds and meat breeds. The name of the association was changed to the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association to narrow the focus to just rabbit and cavy owners. The organization became more specialized with the small stock that they promoted and once again changed their name officially on January 20, 1925 to the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association, Inc. Before this change, the association catered to not only rabbits, cavies, raccoons, and foxes, but most all furred animals including rats, mice and even skunks. Oddly enough the association did not have an official logo until the 1940’s. Arthur Weygandt proved to be an outstanding choice for secretary and served the organization well for 20 years until he was forced to resign in early 1943 due to a stroke, being replaced by Mr. Lewis S. J. Griffin. A new logo appeared only in the 1940’s which touted the domestic rabbit for it’s meat, fur and wool, with special emphasis placed on the cavy as an important laboratory animal, which indeed it was. The scalloped border is believed to be designed after a rosette ribbon showing that both species were highly popular as show animals. The war years were hard on the organization, but the meat of the domestic rabbit received a huge boost for its quick growth and high nutritional values by the United States government. Griffin as secretary moved the national offices to his home at 812 East Costella, Colorado Springs, Colorado and then to rental facilities for a short time in 1945 at 25 East Colorado St., Colorado Springs. Due to failing health Griffin resigned in 1945 and James Blyth moved the offices to 5941 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when chosen as the new secretary. A milestone was reached when affiliated clubs of the national and her membership pitched in together and purchased a permanent headquarters at 4323 Murray Avenue, in Pittsburgh. Not pleased with the design of the previous emblem of the national association a new design appeared in the late 1940’s, however this designer was unknown as with previous designs. The scalloped edges were increased to be more in style with a prize rosette and the emphasis of what the species were mainly used for were removed. The organization grew and by 1948 an estimated 12,000 members were involved in the organization. Then in 1952 the name was changed to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, although the cavy still today falls within the scope of the association. Six years later a youth division was added to afford adults to compete as well as the youth against their own age and experience level, with a youth division specialty club. During the 1952 national convention and show the association decided to change the name of the association for the final time to American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. It was the consensus that the national mainly existed for the promotion of the domestic rabbit, however cavies would continue to be sponsored by the ARBA. With a brand new name, came a brand new logo and this time we do know the designer, Edward H. Stahl of Missouri. He retained the scallop border, included the words, Food, Fancy and Fur and the heads of two rabbits looking to the right, or as Edward Stahl once said, “Always towards the Future.” The rabbits used in the logo were actually real animals; the top a Standard Chinchilla buck called Chin Champ was Best Standard Chinchilla at the 1924 Lima, Ohio Convention and the bottom rabbit a New Zealand White buck called White Champ that won Best of Breed at the 1932 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Convention. This was changed in 1971 when Oren Reynolds became president and the youth became a part of ARBA that had the same as an adult membership except for that of voting. The ARBA grew and with the increase in members and finances fliers, booklets and the Domestic Rabbits magazine became available to members. Today there is a guidebook, beginner book, year book and the Standard of Perfection that are updated regularly as well as other publications available through ARBA. Secretary James Blyth retires in December 1972 after a remarkable service of 27 years in the position under no less than 6 presidents. Ed Peifer, Jr. became secretary from 1973 until December, 1984. He moved the national headquarters to rental facilities at 1006 Morrisey Dr., and then to 2401 E. Oakland Ave. both locations in Bloomington, Illinois. In 1976 the ARBA purchased their own facilities at 1925 South Main in Bloomington. Upon Ed Peifer’s retirement, Glen C. Carr of Ohio was appointed secretary, but instead of moving the national offices he was the first secretary to move to where they were located. Peifer had begun to bring the association into the modern era of the internet age and Glen Carr certainly continued to improve and streamline all office operations. The organization today maintains coops and equipment for the national convention shows, it has raised over $150,000 for the research and development fund that contributes to research that benefits rabbits as well as cavy research. There is also a youth scholarship, Hall of Fame library and an active membership that is not just about breeding rabbits. While a large part of the membership do show and breed their choice of dozens of breeds there is also a benefit for pet owners of information. Because of the changing times and the attitude of people, it became very apparent that the words “Food and Fur” was no longer the primary focus of the fancier's organization. Although the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. recognizes the many valuable benefits of the domestic rabbit; meat, laboratory, fur, wool, fun, pet and fancy (exhibition) the words “Food, Fancy and Fur” were removed from the emblem. Kevin Whaley created the current logo to bring it into the 21st century as the ARBA continues to adapt to a changing country and world from it’s nearly century of existence. With the continued growth of the ARBA it quickly became apparent that a much larger facility was needed. A modern 10,000 square foot facility was located by Secretary Carr at 8 Westport Court in Bloomington which the ARBA purchased. In 1999 construction began for the Hall of Fame Library within the headquarters, which quickly became the world’s largest single collection of rabbit and cavy publications. In 2003 the name of secretary seemed out of place for what the position had evolved into and was renamed Executive Director. Executive Director Glen C. Carr retired on December 31, 2006 and was succeeded by Executive Director Brad Boyce. After a brief term as ARBA Executive Director, Brad Boyce was succeeded by Eric Stewart in 2009. Mr. Stewart, ARBA's current Executive Director, is committed to steady progress as far as establishing improvements and advances in technologies utilized in the ARBA office. The most recent improvement involved a redesign of the ARBA website. Additional changes to the ARBA's online presence are planned.. This steady evolution will improve existing services while adding new elements contributing to the betterment of the ARBA and its members world-wide. Although ARBA has been through several name changes in the last 100 years since inception the promotion of the domestic rabbit and cavy has remained. Today ARBA has members from around the world that come to the annual convention and show. Rabbits included within the scope of the association are not just fur rabbits or meat rabbits but include breeds that can do both as well as smaller breeds, wooled angora rabbits and fancy marked breeds. The cavy breeds are also distinct and compete at the national convention. The American Rabbit Breeders Association Inc. provides unification within its membership that is composed of rabbit and cavy enthusiasts throughout North America and the world. The ARBA serves to promote the domestic rabbit and cavy fancy as well as all facets of the industry including commercial and scientific research facilities. Its organizational roots can be traced back over 100 years when, in 1910, the National Pet Stock Association came into being in response to the skyrocketing popularity of the Belgian Hare (actually a domestic rabbit - not a true hare), that had come on the scene around 1890. Over the years, the ARBA has grown and evolved into its present identity - enhancing, through it's membership, high standards of perfection, efficiency and cooperation between all phases of the rabbitry industry; the all encompassing objective remaining the promotion of the domestic rabbit and cavy. Today: There are 49 rabbit and 13 cavy breeds currently accepted by the ARBA. Today the ARBA claims over 23,000 members worldwide; many who travel to the annual convention and shows held each year in a different major US city. Rabbits that are included within the scope of this association consist of 49 unique breeds ranging from rabbits prized for their fur, wool, beauty, and/or utility value to those most suitable as pets due to size and/or temperament. The ARBA also actively promotes 13 different breeds of cavies (commonly known as guinea pigs). The cavy breeds are also distinct and compete at the national convention along with rabbits, as well as local shows across North America and other countries. ARBA Library and Hall of Fame The ARBA headquarters based in Bloomington, Illinois houses the The ARBA's Hall of Fame Library - the world's largest single collection of rabbit and cavy publications in the world. There are over 9,000 items/pieces, housed in the collection, which continues to increase in size through donations and contributions of historical items. The Library is an archival library and not a lending library. Access to the Library for research by members is available by appointment only. The ARBA boasts a growing contingent of youth members who have the opportunity to participate in ARBA shows and character-building youth activities. They also have the opportunity to qualify for youth scholarship funds made available by the ARBA. The ARBA encourages youth rabbit and cavy showmanship and related activities as a means to demonstrate not only a working and practical knowledge of rabbits and cavies, but to encourage youth members to explore critical thinking skills. These are desirable values youth learn and experience through their involvement in the ARBA. Character-building values such as responsibility and sportsmanship, will benefit youth throughout their lives. ARBA youth members, while participating in character-building youth activities, have the opportunity to qualify for scholarship funds. The ARBA offers a Youth Scholarship program for high school graduates who wish to further their education. The recipients must have graduated with a minimum 3.0 GPA and be enrolled in their first year of higher education. The scholarship proceeds are designated to be used towards two- or four-year college, vocational, or technical school. While a large percentage of active ARBA members participate in exhibitions such as those hosted at the national convention shows, there is a growing faction that keep companion rabbits and cavies. These pet owners realize a great benefit from the vast stores of knowledge available through ARBA books, manuals, and the bi-monthly publication - Domestic Rabbits. There are numerous reasons owners of all types of rabbits and cavies can benefit from information available from the ARBA. Rabbit raising education This organization helps all levels of rabbit keepers and breeders, including 4-H participants to fanciers, pet owners to commercial producers. The ARBA also produces educational materials such as a guide book, 'Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies', as well as informative books on each registered breed, and a poster with photographs of the recognized breeds of rabbits and cavies, and rabbit registrar and judge training materials. The judges education program is an ongoing program for established judges. Now they also have links to national specialty clubs that are breed specific, as well as a list of all of the shows. Rabbit shows The ARBA sanctions rabbit shows throughout the year, all over the USA and Canada. These shows, sponsored by local clubs, fairs, and show circuits, give rabbit and cavy fanciers the chance to have their animals examined by educated judges and compared to other breeders' animals and the standard. The ARBA holds a large national convention show once a year, which draws in fanciers from across the country and around the world. The 2005 ARBA convention was documented in the film Rabbit Fever. Unified judging and registration system The ARBA has a standardized judging system in which rabbits are judged against the respective breed standard, set by a 100-point scale, and published in the Standard of Perfection. It is a book detailing all of the recognized breeds in the United States and their attributes. The association has licensed judges since the early 1900s who may judge at sanctioned shows and fairs. The registration system maintains records on all rabbits which have passed a registration examination to ensure the animals are healthy and meet the ARBA Standard for the rabbits' breed. ARBA licensed registrars conduct the examination. Registrations are ranked Red; White; or Red, White, and Blue to distinguish how many ancestors of the subject rabbit have been previously registered. Judges: The American Rabbit Breeders Association is proud of its judges who must adhere to the strict standards which have been set by the ARBA Board of Directors. In order to earn his or her judge's license, each individual must have been engaged in breeding and exhibiting rabbits and/or cavies at least five (5) years; two of which must include serving as an ARBA Licensed Registrar, having registered a minimum of thirty-five (35) rabbits or fifteen (15) cavies. Additionally, an applicant for an ARBA Judge's License must have secured the endorsement of 20 ARBA members in good standing. This endorsement must be in writing. All of the preceding must be accomplished before an individual can even apply for a license. Once an application for an ARBA Judge's License has been accepted, that applicant must then pass extensive written and oral examinations and must assist in judging eight (8) shows under at least six (6) judges and must secure the endorsement of these judges as well. Once an ARBA Judge's License has been granted, each judge is expected to participate in at least one Judges' Conference every 5 years and must pass yearly review examinations with a minimum score of 80%. ARBA members can be confident that the judges evaluating their rabbits or cavies on the judging table are well qualified to render their opinion as to the show worthiness and quality of each animal in each class. Registering Rabbits: The American Rabbit Breeders Association has a unique and exacting registration system. Unlike other animal registration systems, each rabbit or cavy must be examined by a licensed registrar, certified free from heritable defects and found to meet specific breed requirements as outlined in the ARBA Standard of Perfection. The ARBA does not issue registrations of litters or register individual rabbits based on the registration or pedigree of its sire or dam. Each rabbit or cavy must be at least six (6) months of age before it can be inspected by a licensed ARBA Registrar. Because of its exacting requirements, the ARBA Rabbit/Cavy Registration system is arguably the single best livestock or pet-stock registration system in the world. In order to receive an ARBA Registrar's license, each individual must be a continuous member of the ARBA for at least three (3) years, as well as have secured the written endorsement of 20 ARBA members in good standing prior to submitting an application to the ARBA office. Upon being approved to apply for an ARBA Registrar's License, the applicant has two (2) years in which to pass a written and oral examination delivered by an official examining judge appointed by the ARBA and must work under three (3) judges at three (3) shows, assist one (1) registrar with registering animals, and secure the endorsement of the registrar and at least two (2) of the judges under whom he or she has worked. Each rabbit or cavy that successfully passes the examination and whose owner (a current member of the ARBA) upon submission of the $6.00 registration fee, may receive an official ARBA Registration Certificate upon which may be affixed a seal: ~ Red denotes registration of both parents ~ Red and White - all parents and grandparents have been registered ~ Red, White, & Blue indicates that all animals on the registration form were registered ~ Gold indicates all ancestors on the registration certificate were registered grand champions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Rabbit_Breeders_Association https://www.arba.net/index.htm https://learnaboutrabbits.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/the-history-of-the-american-rabbit-breeders-association/ The British Rabbit Council The showing and exhibition of rabbits - known as "The Fancy" - started more than 200 years ago! By the middle of the nineteenth century there were many Local Clubs which had formed with the objective of holding regular shows for their Fanciers to enjoy. By the end of the 1800's Specialist Clubs had formed who were devoted to the improvement of individual breeds of rabbit. This structure still exists today with The Fancy still going strong, the number of recognized breeds steadily increased up to the beginning of the 1914-18 war but all of them were 'Fancy Breeds' with just two 'Fur Breeds'. During war time rabbit keeping was enjoying popularity and, coupled with the improved travel available, it meant that many Fanciers went overseas and saw many new breeds - not known in Great Britain - which had been developed. Today there are over 50 recognized breeds and over 500 varieties! By the end of the 1914-18 war the most important Fur rabbit was the Beveren. This inevitably led a group of Beveren breeders in May 1918 to set up, in Birmingham, a new National Club called The Beveren Club. In the words of its seventeen founders, it was established "in an endeavor to raise the dignity and status of rabbit breeding with the best fur breeds." Today, The British Rabbit Council continues to raise the profile and status of rabbit breeding. As new breeds were developed during the 1920's, they were standardized and adopted by The Beveren Club until the society had become a general fur breed club. To recognize its new status, it had two name changes, first to the British Fur Rabbit Society and then later to the to The British Rabbit Society. By 1928 the Society had 13 different fur breeds under its jurisdiction. It also managed its individual members, a number of Clubs and Agricultural Societies. However, things were happening in the rabbit world! There was at this time great deal of interest in Angora wool production and attempts were made to found an Angora wool testing center. Although this idea was backed by a number of influential people, not only in the rabbit world but in the agricultural and scientific worlds, the idea was eventually abandoned. However, the meetings held did give rise to a new national organization for rabbit breeders with the resounding title of...... The National Rabbit Council of Great Britain and her Dominions. Like The British Rabbit Society already in existence, this organization became a forerunner to today's British Rabbit Council. The new organization grew very rapidly but strife developed between the two national bodies. This eventually led, in 1934, to the two organizations merging with approval from all sections of the rabbit world and the affiliated societies. The British Rabbit Council was born! There had always been a need for the permanent identification of rabbits with the numbers being registered with a central organization. A scheme was started in the late 1920's when the British Rabbit Society arranged for the formation of a National Rabbit Marking Council. This Council carried out a ringing scheme for a number of years but in 1938 The British Rabbit Council took over the ringing scheme with Fur & Feather handling the distribution of the rings. This arrangement was not entirely satisfactory and in 1946 the British Rabbit Council took over the whole matter - an arrangement which continues today. Until 1960, the British Rabbit Council was concerned not only with the showing of rabbits but also with the commercial farming of rabbits. The Commercial Rabbit Association was formed for commercial rabbit keepers and this organization took over responsibility for the rabbit farmers. Today, The British Rabbit Council recognizes that the rabbit is an enormously popular domestic animal and Britain's third most popular pet. It is a much loved part of many children's childhood as parents chose a rabbit to help teach their children about responsibility and commitment. The British Rabbit Council has made the decision to encourage the pet owner to join them so they also have access to good advice and that the Council can aid the welfare of the rabbit. The British Rabbit Council's objectives today do not differ too much from the original Beveren Club as the Council "promotes the breeding and showing of rabbits and helps pet owners with the welfare of their rabbits." Throughout its history, The British Rabbit Council has used its influence to help on a number of issues. For example, during the war regulations prevented landlords from prohibiting the keeping of rabbits. After the war, the association was largely responsible for having this particular wartime regulation put into permanent legislation thus insuring that rabbit keeping was not prohibited. Also, when there was considerable transit of rabbits by rail to and from shows, The British Rabbit Council played a large part in getting compensation from the Railways for delayed transit and hence loss of entry fees and rail fares. Other examples include a stock transfer scheme if rabbit breeders lost their entire stud in terrible flooding as they did once on the East Coast; the administration of the bran rationing scheme for the Government after the war; the provision of lecturers for Local Club meetings, and so on. In the late 1990's representatives from The British Rabbit Council have attended international conventions to secure the British Rabbit Council's place as a leading European rabbit organization. Alongside all this extra work, the Council is still the governing body for The Fancy and has established over the years a comprehensive set of Show Rules. Each year approximately 1000 shows take place throughout Great Britain! Today sees a structure of District Advisors who give their time to help people in their regions. These are well respected members of great experience appointed by the Council to give advice locally. At shows, awards are available from the Council. The basis of these is the Challenge Certificate which is awarded to the best rabbit of its particular group. Today, The British Rabbit Council encourages research into diseases etc. among other topical issues. As the role of the rabbit has developed into a popular pet, the British Rabbit Council actively encourages good rabbit keeping among pet owners. The Newark Head Office receives many hundreds of letters or calls each month asking for advice or information on an extremely wide variety of topics concerned with the rabbit. These are not confined to individual people but are sometimes from official bodies, Governments or overseas. "To protect, further and co-ordinate the interests of all British rabbit breeders; to assist and extend the exhibition rabbits, to influence, advise and co-operate with central and local authorities, departments, education and other committees and schools in promoting the extension of the breeding of rabbits, and to promote and encourage education and research of a scientific and/or practical nature for the welfare and benefit of the rabbit." As a member of the BRC you will receive the following: Articles of Constitution & Rules Book; Breed Standards Book; Year Book; Five Freedoms; Benefits of Vaccination; Top Tips How to Look After Your Rabbit; Composting Rabbit Manure; Recommended Reading; Ring Order Form, in all Adult packs. The membership also enables you to exhibit rabbits at a BRC Star Show and Join National/Area/Local BRC Clubs. The 'bible' of rabbit showing is the Breeds Standard Booklet. There is also a library consisting of a considerable number of books relating to the rabbit. It is difficult to sum up an organization with such a long and interesting history - and bright future -as The British Rabbit Council. One thing, however, is very certain. The British Rabbit Council is made up of its members and exists to help all rabbit breeders and keepers. Most members consider that it is not only a pleasure to be a member but perhaps also a duty which allows him or her to give back a small part of the happiness he or she has gained from the Fancy. http://thebritishrabbitcouncil.org/standards.htm The Australian National Rabbit Council Why did we need a National Rabbit Council? We have now grown into a fully fledged National body with almost three years behind us and our first National Convention held in March 2014. Perhaps the most important thing to remember about a National Governing body is that it will not change the way your local rabbit Clubs run to any great degree. The National Rabbit Council is not there to change the way you do things now but to hopefully allow all the rabbit Clubs across Australia to improve the service they give to their members and to co-ordinate some activities to all Rabbit Fanciers across Australia. The only rules that affiliated Clubs would be expected to run under National Club rules would be the show rules same as what happens with the BRC. To quote the BRC rules: All affiliated organizations shall retain freedom of action and to be at liberty to carry through any program within their own sphere as they may deem desirable or which may be most suited to their particular locality, except that all organizations affiliated to the Association must hold their shows under BRC Show Rules. Anyone who has read the BRC rules will know that there are some rules in there that we do not/cannot run by. So to say Clubs run under BRC rules is somewhat of a misnomer. Most of us run under most of the Show Rules but I don’t believe anyone runs under all the Rules. The BRC has an Investigation Committee but I am not aware of any Club that has one in Australia. The WARCI had one for a number of years but had to dissolve it in the end because they were really too small to support one. Also many of the BRC rules relate to show support and as most Clubs run as individual Clubs and not under a governing body they do not need to apply for show support. With a National Club the rules would relate to Australian conditions and allow for the long distances in Australia and the introduction of non BRC accepted Breeds. So Australian Rules for Australian Rabbit Clubs. One of the huge advantages to being an affiliated Club to the Australian National Rabbit Council would be that they would not have to pay their own Public Liability Insurance as they would be covered by the ANRCI Insurance. At the moment many Clubs – especially smaller ones – struggle to find the large amounts required for their Public Liability Insurance. As an affiliated Club they would pay ANRCI a Third Party Insurance Levy (which would be a small percentage of their previous payments) and would then be covered. This is a service the BRC also offers to its Affiliated Clubs. Another service that ANRCI hopes to set up is a National Stud Register. The idea of having an Australia wide database of stud names has been discussed – and generally supported – for many years. This service would be relatively easy to set up and maintain with the cooperation of the affiliated Clubs. It would allow already duplicate Stud Names to be acknowledged (perhaps with the state of registration added to the stud name – Stud Name (WA)) and to ensure that future stud names are not duplicated. It would also allow members to use the stud names in every club and not have to pay separate registration fees at every club they wish to show in. Our Committee is looking at the feasibility of having a Stud Name Register, the best way it could be run and the rules under which it could be run. The Steering Committee is also looking at the feasibility of having an Australia wide Ring Register. There are many ways this could be done and all the options will be examined to find the best way that it could be set up. In the future, we may be able to access our own rings and not having to bring them in from England. Just having our own rings will save our Clubs all having to buy and import rings (costs of exchange rates and postage) and decrease the time of ordering and receiving the rings. An Australian Breed Standard that allows non BRC standard breeds would be a long term goal. This would be a long process and would require a lot of research and discussion. There are many breeds and colors we will never have here in Australia but there are some unique breeds that we do have that deserve to be in an Australian standard. These are all areas that the Steering Committee will be examining to find the feasibility of setting up these processes within an ANRCI. We expect that some of these subjects will produce a lot of discussion – both for and against – and also many different ways that these things could be set up. We welcome good sensible ideas and suggestions. We will look at all of them and try and find the best way that these things can work in Australia. We feel that Australian rabbit breeders deserve an Australian governing body that is developed with our own local conditions in mind. We hope that you all feel that this is a huge step forward for the Rabbit Fancy in Australia and that you come forward with lots of positive ideas to help us develop the best Australian National Council possible. ANRCI is an Incorporated Association (WA) . We have an elected Management Committee made up of State Representatives. All Rabbit Clubs have the option to affiliate with ANRCI and enjoy the benefits of shared ideas, databases and costs. All fanciers or owners of rabbits are able to join ANRCI as well, you do not need to be a member of an affiliated club, but you do need to be a member of a club The Rabbit Fancy in Australia is relatively small compared to the UK and the US. The website offers support for both affiliated and non affiliated Clubs. It contains the Stud Prefix database, The Championship System, Judging Training Guidelines and the Breed in Development Program. All this information is listed under the Club Support Heading Fanciers Professional Development Seminars ANRCI is really excited to announce a great new initiative which we are sure will help provide showing, breeding and judging information to members of the Fancy - especially in rural areas. We hope it will develop Professionalism in all aspects of the Fancy – whether it is running a Club and shows, assessing and breeding your stock, or showing and judging rabbits. Last year they undertook to use any profits from the ANRCI raffle to help with education of the Fancy. So we have now put that promise into practice! They plan to run these seminars (as many as we can afford each year) in a number of different regional centers. These seminars will cover showing, breeding and judging and range from information suitable for beginners, or people just interested in improving the standards of their rabbits as well as Fanciers that hope to become judges in the future. They will also be great refreshers for existing judges. They hope to build on these seminars in the future and offer different perspectives or emphasis depending what is being asked for. John Porritt together with Debbie Pulford have created the program and they will present the lectures - with assistance at times from other suitable people. They know that once you see the agenda of the seminars you will be very excited as well!! Apart from the formal learning opportunities from the lectures the informal learning from exchange of ideas and networking make these seminars something not to be missed!! ANRCI is paying the transport and accommodation costs of the lecturers and also the cost of the venue. Participants will need to pay a small fee to help cover some of the costs (so that we can run more of these learning weekends) and their accommodation if required. They hope that lots of Fanciers make an effort to come along and listen to the most experienced judges and exhibitors in Australia. Many exhibitors, particularly rural ones, rarely get this sort of opportunity and we at ANRCI are very proud to be offering these great learning experiences. It is envisaged that this road show will also visit Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. People keep rabbits for many reasons. Many of us buy a bunny as a pet for ourselves or our children. Some people decide that they would like to have pure bred rabbits and exhibit them in competitions. Others keep them for Agility or Hopping Competitions. Keeping rabbits as a food, fur or fiber source is also quite common. Whether you keep your bunny for a pet or for exhibition they hope to provide you with all the information you need. https://www.australiannationalrabbitcouncil.com/ European Association of Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cavy Breeders. The EE for short. European Association of Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Founded in 1938 . As a charitable and non party political and non denominational organization, it is the objective of the EE to unite all small livestock organizations in Europe. The object of our organization is also, apart from enhancing the contact among nations, to process the technical and breeding problems of all indigenous breeds. A further object includes taking charge of shows and judging panels. Organizing shows and seminars as well as dealing with all technical issues unites all European small livestock fanciers, which is a high priority within our organization. Austria : Rassezuchtverband Österreichischer Kleintierzüchter Belgium : Fédération Nationale des Éleveurs d’Animaux de Basse-Cour asbl Bulgaria Croatia : Hrvatski Savez udruga uzgajatelja malih životinja Czech Republic : Český svaz chovatelů Denmark : Danmarks Kaninavlerforening Finland: Finnish Rabbit and Rodent Breeders’ Federation France : Fédération Française de Cuniculiculture Germany : Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchter e.V. Great Britain : The British Rabbit Council Hungary : Magyar Galamb- És Kisállattenyésztők Országos Szövetsége Italy : Federazione Italiana delle Associazioni Avicole Lettonia Luxemburg : Union des Sociétés avicoles du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg Netherland : Kleindier Liefhebbers Nederland Norway : Norges Kaninavlsforbund Poland: Polski Związek Hodowców Romania Russia Serbia Slowakia : Slovenský Zväz Chovateľov Slowenia : Slovenska zveza društev gojiteljev pasemskih malih živali Spain : Federación Española de Avicultura, Colombicultura y Cunicultura de Raza Sweden : Svensk duvavelsförening Switzerland : Kleintiere Schweiz The European Standards Committee of the Rabbit section (ESKK) is a technical committee within the EE. The European Society for Poultry and Rabbit breeding (European Society for Small Livestock breeding) was founded in Brussels on the 18th of June 1938 by the small livestock societies of Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The society will hereinafter be referred to as the EE, in line with the French translation of the original name - Entente Européenne d'Aviculture et de Cuniculture. Nowadays the EE is known as: European Association of Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cavy breeders. The legal seat of the EE is in Luxembourg. The European Standard Committee(ESKK) has the responsibility to establish a European standard and thereafter amend it whenever necessary, in accordance with the Constitution of the EE The European standard has been in existence in German since 2012. All non German speaking countries can translate this standard and use all photographs after approval of the ESKK In order for a breed or colour to be included in the European standard, it needs to be fully standardised in at least 3 EE affiliated countries. The breed or colour must have been shown at a European show prior to inclusion. Breeds or colours of rabbit that are not included in the European standard, can be judged at a European show as long as a guidance description is available to the judge in one of the 3 official languages (German,English or French). 31 Nations comprising 2.5 million members It seems that they are the holder of the rules for Kanin Hop as well. Changes of these regulations require the consent of the European Kanin Hop responsible. The consent shall require a simple majority of countries organizing Kanin Hop tournaments. http://www.entente-ee.com/about-us/ The Malta Rabbit Club The Malta Rabbit Club - in brief The Malta Rabbit Club was founded in 1964. The club has approximately 300 members and amongs others, the club organises an Annual National Rabbit Championship Show. Over 40 different rabbit breeds in around 160 classes. Malta National Rabbit Society - WHERE EXHIBITION AND LEARNING ARE A PLEARSURE !!! http://www.petngarden.com/maltarabbitclub/ Benefits of Joining an Organization Here's five great reasons why joining an organization near you is a good idea: 1. When you join a rabbit organization you will get to meet other rabbit breeders from abroad and have an opportunity to learn, share and gain valuable experience in your field. 2. You get to stay informed about the latest news in the rabbit industry on a consistent basis. 3. If you love rabbits, you'll fine the atmosphere of events etc fun and enjoyable as you learn and share. 4. You have the opportunity to help “give back” to the rabbit industry as a whole. 5. If you are joining an organization specializing in rabbits you will potentially have the opportunity to help save the lives of bunny rabbits whether you adopt or donate. https://www.justrabbits.com/rabbit-organizations.html © Copyrighted

Polish Rabbit Breed This week we are going to discuss the Polish Rabbit breed. This breed is know as the "Little Aristocrat" as this is a regal little rabbit breed. I found a lot of helpful information about the Polish Rabbit Breed on the American Polish Rabbit Club or APRC website, which we have a link to in the show notes. The Polish Rabbit is a dwarf breed of domestic rabbit, most often bred by fanciers and commonly exhibited in rabbit shows. Again, we come across a breed that sounds like it is from someplace other than what it's name implies, and despite its name, The Polish rabbit originated in England, and not Poland. One of these days, I think I am going to have to list off breeds with a name form one place, but actually come from another, because this is getting crazy now. A few updates, this weekend, Saturday was a beautiful 65 degree day in central Virginia, and I worked on updating my rabbitry hutch system. The first hutches I purchased are starting to need repairs, as the bottoms are rusting through from the rabbit urine. My most recent hutch system is free standing cages with a 4x8 roof, but there are only 2 hutches per rack, so I was working on installing a second row below. So far, I have found this to be the best system for me without converting a shed, and I am only looking to have about 8 rabbit holes, with one to two grow out hutches. I am not sure what I will do with the other three hutches I have that are in need of repairs. I think I will clean them up, repair them and sell them in the spring. Now the weekend past the family and I went to see the Terra-Cotta army in Richmond, so I apologize for taking a week off. https://www.vmfa.museum/exhibitions/exhibitions/terracotta-army-legacy-first-emperor-china/ I have been working more hours at my 8-6 job, and finding that I am tired of looking at a computer at nights when I work on the podcast, but I have no plans on pod fading, which is when a podcast is abandoned. I still enjoy learning about rabbits! This coming weekend (The first weekend in February 2018) the family and I are going to Pittsburgh PA to see a performance by Poppy, so if you are in the Pittsburgh area, and would like to meet up for a beer or a coffee, I would love to meet with you. Just shoot me an email! Now the weather forecast for Pittsburgh is snow and cold... Imagine that during February, but during the same time we will be in Pittsburgh, my parents are going on a Caribbean cruise. I think they have the right idea. Now onto our breed this week. As I said I received a lot of information about this breed from the American Polish Rabbit Club, and one article on the site is titled, A Historical Perspective on the Polish Rabbit by Grant Olson. There are a number of possible scenarios put forth as to the origins of the Polish breed of rabbit. The Ruby-eyed Whites were the first variety of Polish. They probably originated in England and Germany but definitely not in Poland. Despite its name, the Polish Rabbit breed has its origin in England and it may have been offspring of an albino Dutch rabbit. In the early 1800s, a few white rabbits of small sized (and probably mixed origins) popped up in England and breeders began calling them “Polish” (we will never know why they decided to call them by this name). It is thought that it was developed by breeding a Dutch and Himalayan rabbit dating back to the 1600s. By the 1900s, they were one of the most popular meat breeds in Europe, especially in Belgium. These rabbits eventually made their way to America around 1912 and were used to source other breeds, such as the Netherland Dwarf. Soon after, the Polish Rabbit was accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). They were first mentioned in English rabbit raising literature by 1860. In 1884, seventeen Polish were exhibited in Hull, England. One source noted that the breeder developed them from wild rabbits. Other breeders worked with albinos from small Silvers, albinos from the Dutch breed or possibly albinos from the Himalayan rabbit to develop their strains of Polish. The Polish rabbit was known also as the "hutch rabbit" and was mentioned in one source as being a very common breed in English rabbitries. REW Polish According to an article written by Samuel E. Rice in the 1952 APRC Guidebook, W. E. Dexter of Boston, MA imported the Polish rabbit in 1912. The Ruby-eyed Whites were the only recognized variety by the National Pet Stock Association for many years. Judge John Weltevreden in an article for the magazine "Rabbit World" said the REW Polish rabbit looked like miniature New Zealand Whites. Some Polish breeders imported some of the best stock from England to improve their Polish herds but were greatly disappointed in the animal's type and over all appearance. American breeders were able through selective breeding to develop Ruby-eyed Whites that were not racy or blocky in type. BEW Polish In 1938 the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association recognized the Blue-eyed White variety of Polish. Mr. Samuel E. Rice of Saugus, MA is credited with the development of this variety. In 1920 he had purchased 6 REW does and 3 REW bucks from W. E. Dexter. He used a 2.5 lb REW buck bred to two 8 lb BEW Beveren does. Now we have covered the Beveren on a past podcast episode. I will leave a link to this in the show notes. http://www.hareoftherabbit.com/2017/01/09/beveren-rabbit-episode/ It required 3 generation of crossing half brother to half sisters before he was able to produce pure whites with blue eyes. His first show with the BEWs resulted in a BOB out of 60 Polish. Judge Weltevreden wrote in his article on the Polish rabbit that BEW Polish were shown at the 1919 World Exhibition in Leipzig, Germany. These breeders used the same type of cross to develop their strain of Blue-eyed White Polish. Black and Chocolate Polish Various colored varieties of Polish were beginning to show up in the United States around 1932. Mr. Samuel E. Rice is credited with being the breeder behind the development of the Chocolate and Black varieties. He developed these two colors by initially using a 2.5 lb REW buck, a Havana doe along with a small black Rex buck. In a past podcast episode we covered the Havana Rabbit breed, and I will leave a link to this episode in the show notes as well. We have not covered the rex rabbit yet, and I have a rex rabbit that we call Moo, so maybe it is time to cover this breed. http://www.hareoftherabbit.com/2017/06/13/__trashed/ The Blacks and Chocolates were thought to have had an ARBA working standard around 1947. A number of other Polish breeders were known to have colored Polish: Mrs. Jack Ross and John Mellozzo (~1948) and since 1952, F. A. Arnold, Arnold Wolfe, Floyd Tobias, Austin Gaver, William F. Thompson, Frank Call, Andrew Bain, Charles A. Henry, the Cushing brothers and Alan L. Mitchell. In Alan Mitchell's article for the 1957 APRC Guidebook he mentioned that one breeder had developed Red Polish using a New Zealand Red and Ruby-eyed White Polish cross. Some breeders used Polish/Dutch crosses as well as "solid black sports" from English Spots to produced colored varieties. Mrs. Jack Ross (APRC Secretary) used Ruby-eyed White and Havana crosses to produce her Black and Chocolate Polish as noted in an article written by her for Small Stock Magazine in 1949. Another very prominent breeder of colored Polish was Judge Carlton Gaddis of IN. He acquired his initial stock from Charlie Henry of Saugus, MA around 1954. He developed a Black strain that consistently produced show winners and competed equally with the Ruby-eyed Whites. Blue Polish The Blue variety of Polish proved to be the more contentious of the varieties to get approved. They were first introduced at the 1977 ARBA Convention in Houston, TX. Elois Liebman of CA was the variety sponsor. Her Blue strain originated from a Chocolate buck from J. B. Miller. In an ad in the 1966 APRC guidebook, John Mellozzo of NY is credited with the 1st development of the Blues around 1948. Carlton Gaddis also had Blues showing up in his Blacks around 1954. This variety had been around for a number of years. The issue for the APRC membership at this time was the concern with what was happening with the Netherland Dwarfs and their large number of varieties. Members were seeing a lack of quality in these ND varieties and did not want the Polish breed to lose the quality achieved thus far by a continual addition of new varieties. Also there was confusion about the differences between the two breeds by some judges. Members want to insure that the Polish remained distinctly "Polish" and by adding new varieties might jeopardize keeping these two breeds unique. The APRC membership did not approve the variety on the first vote. However the membership continued to discuss the merits of the Blue variety in the APRC newsletter. Breeders of the variety were exhibiting them at the shows so other members could see the quality of the animals in this new variety. A second vote was requested and the APRC membership approved the Blues as the fifth Polish variety in 1982. Broken Polish The Broken variety of Polish was approved in 1998. Gail Gibbons of Cedar Lake, MN is credited with starting the development of the Broken in 1985. She used a Black Broken Holland Lop with poor ear carriage to introduce the broken pattern into her Polish. She bred him to black and chocolate does. She continued then breeding brokens to solids. Judge Larry Bengston initially viewed her efforts. He said they were further along in development than most first showing animals seen at the Convention. The Brokens first showing was to have occurred at the 1990 ARBA Convention in Tampa, FL. However, because of a miscommunication between the Standards Committee and Gail Gibbons, the first showing did not occur. The Black, Chocolate and Blue Broken varieties were needed for the exhibit. She decided not to continue with the certificate of development. Judge Rene Goedderz, MN bought Gail Gibbons Broken stock. She gave Trevor Sypnieski of Brainard, MN a very nice Black Broken buck. Trevor decided to continue the development of the Broken variety. He bred this buck to Black, Chocolate and Blue varieties in his herd. They were first shown to the ARBA Standards Committee at the 1993 Convention with final approval coming at the 1999 Convention. Trevor started raising Polish as a youth member in 1988. The Lilac variety is now in the process of gaining recognition. Enlow Walker of AK was the initiator of this effort. Now to cover the breed description a little more in depth. Appearance Today, the American Polish rabbit is used as a fancy exhibition breed and pets. They are small rabbits with short ears that touch each other all the way to the tips. They should have a short head with full cheeks and bold eyes. Due to their small size, the Polish rabbit is often confused with the Netherland dwarf, although the Polish is a little larger and the head is not rounded. There are many other differences between the two breeds, such as coat structure, body type and colors. The accepted weights of the American Polish rabbit 6 months or older are 2½ to 3½ pounds. The ideal weight is 2½ pounds. Until the 1950s, most American Polish rabbits were white with either red eyes or blue eyes. The ruby-eyed white is a true albino. The blue-eyed white has the Vienna white gene and is not a true albino. Since the 1950s, colored Polish breeds have been recognized by rabbit clubs. In 1957, the American Rabbit Breeders' Association approved the black and chocolate Polish. In 1982, the blue variety was approved and in 1998 the broken variety was allowed. Polish first made their way to the United States around 1912. Breeders have come a long way since then, in improving the type of the original imported animals. Large, bold, expressive eyes are a distinctive feature of the breed. As we cover in the history, there are 6 different varieties accepted in Polish today: Ruby-eyed White, Blue-eyed White, Black, Blue, Chocolate, and Broken Pattern. Breeders have an excellent opportunity to try his or her breeding skills to come up with the right rabbit to win BEST of BREED. In the UK, the American Polish is unknown. Polish rabbits in Britain are the breed known as Britannia Petite in the USA. Coat Polish rabbits love attention and will happily let you pick them up.The Polish rabbit has short, soft, flyback fur that is easy to maintain in comparison to other breeds, which have longer wool (Angoras, for instance). To keep it maintained, you should groom your rabbit once a week or biweekly . During the spring or when they start to shed, you may want/need to increase your grooming to twice a week in order to keep your house fur-free. Personality and care Due to their small size, Polish rabbits need less space in cage and barn facilities and take up less space in apartments than some of the larger breeds. Cage bottoms should not be slippery, as this can cause hip injuries and splay leg. Your indoor rabbit enclosure should be made of wire, be large enough for your rabbit to comfortably stretch out and have a plastic/metal bottom that’s covered in comfortable bedding (horse bedding works well). The bedding needs to be spot-cleaned every day and completely replaced every week. The American Polish rabbit is generally calm and friendly, especially the bucks. Does can be territorial if not spayed. Children should always be supervised when handling rabbits, to ensure that the rabbit is not inadvertently injured. Rabbits can be easily trained to use a litter box and to accept a harness with leash when out of their cage. Rabbit-proofing a room where a rabbit is roaming freely is critical. Rabbits will chew on carpets, baseboard and especially electrical cords. http://www.hareoftherabbit.com/2017/05/08/house-rabbit-corn-advancement-rabbit-and-otter-news/ Feeding Polish rabbits should be fed about 1/4-1/2 cup of pelleted feed every day depending on the activity level of the rabbit. Treats such as fruit and carrot should be fed sparingly; typically a portion no larger than the tip of the thumb. Fresh young dandelion leaves, parsley and spinach are nutritious choices for treats. Vegetables in the cabbage family and high-sugar foods such as corn should be avoided, as these can cause gastroenteritis. Research what kind of fruits, vegetables and greens are rabbit-friendly – if you’re not sure if a particular food can be eaten, the rule of thumb is simply not to give it to them. Do not feed your rabbit yard clippings as grass can be treated with fertilizer, insecticides, pesticides, and other chemicals that can harm your rabbit. A healthy rabbit should be well fleshed but not flabby. This is tested by running one's hand over the rabbits back. A firm layer of flesh over the ribs and spine together with the ribs and spine should be felt, indicating proper nutrition. A prominent spine indicates under nutrition and is corrected by increasing the feed. Inability to feel the spine indicates over nutrition and likewise, the amount of feed is decreased. Health concerns As with other rabbits, Polish rabbits do not do well in high temperatures, but can withstand low temperatures if they are kept dry and out of drafts. They are prone to hairball obstructions and matted coats if not cared for properly. Other health concerns include ear mites, Pastureland, respiratory disease, dental problems, urinary bladder stones and fractured backs. Be quick to notice any changes in diet or litter box habits and contact a rabbit veterinarian immediately. The average life span of a breeding Polish rabbit is 5 to 6 years. Clubs The APRC boasts members across the USA and Canada. APRC members have the privilege of competing in the annual sweepstakes contest which measures to a degree, the success of members exhibiting at local, state, and national all breed and Polish specialty shows. The APRC publishes a quarterly newsletter - The Little Aristocrat. Publication/submission dates are available for those interested in contributing articles or reports of benefit to the membership. http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/171/8/192.extract http://www.petplace.com/small-mammals/choosing-a-polish-rabbit/page1.aspx http://www.americanpolishrabbitclub.com/ http://www.americanpolishrabbitclub.com/history.htm http://www.petguide.com/breeds/rabbit/polish-rabbit/ Hares in Slavic traditional mythology. These little critters were usually given also a male “phallic” role in their symbolism. It was the symbol of fertility but also shamanism and ancient drug usage. Some local folk legends say that if a married woman would dream a hare it would mean she would give birth to a son in near future. Rabbit is largely considered being unclean, and speed of a hare is associated with quite a negative sign: if hare runs along the mans house, expect fire. https://www.slavorum.org/animal-symbolism-in-slavic-cultures-wolf-bear-fox-and-hare/ A Slavic Legend of Immortality: Koschei, the Deathless A figure from Slavic folklore, Koschei the Deathless was known for his titular characteristic: his inability to die. If you would live in Russia, you would know of Koshchei the Immortal, the most horrific character from East Slavic fairy tales. His name Koshchei originates from the Slavic word for “bone” and it indicates that Koshchei is bony or skinny in his form. Myths of Koshchei are mostly found in East Slavic lands and scholars there see him as an interpretation of a Slavic god of Death, or a frost sorcerer that has the ability to bring death and frost to anyone that opposes him. What is most interesting about this figure, however, is that his immortality was not foolproof. It was said that when Koschei cast the magical spell to protect and defend himself, he accidentally left room for error. Though there are few records about his physical appearance, in legend Koschei is most often described as ugly, and he enjoyed riding naked upon his enchanted horse through the mountains of Russia. He was also known as a shape-shifter, sometimes seen as either a monster or a human, but he preferred to kidnap his female victims in the form of a whirlwind tornado. In modern approach on the subject some scholars don’t see him just as a villain but as a force of nature, in other words not necessarily that he is evil. Still, in various Russian myths Koshchei is seen as a powerful frost sorcerer, with a cunning mind and not such good intentions. In few different fairy tales he turns people into a walnut, or even turns entire kingdoms into stone, so folk-legends still see him as an evil character. As a old cunning sorcerer in fairy tales he is usually bound to build his activity around young pretty girls where he tries to seduce them and win their love with magic or even brute force. In his failure and rage he even curses these young girls in animal form to become frogs, snakes and other wild life. However in one fairy-tale he plays the role of a good anti-hero and even in turn of events succeeds to win the hearth of a beautiful girl to become his wife. The most important aspect of the mythical Koschei's being, however, was his absolute terror of death. This fear left him open to making mistakes, and his most fatal mistake was the imperfect spell he cast to protect himself from harm. Koschei maintained his life and immortality through the removal of his soul. Taking it from his body, it was said he hid it in a needle, inside an egg, in a duck, in a rabbit, then locked it in an iron or crystal chest, and buried it under a green oak on an island. Koschei the Deathless further safeguarded his soul by ensuring his animal vessels, or seals, could get away. Legend has it that if the chest was ever dug up and opened, the duck would try to flee. If the duck was killed, the rabbit would try to run. Most seen Koshchei as an immortal being and one of the fairy-tales opens up with him saying “My death is far away: the sea on the ocean there is an island on the island of oak stands under an oak chest buried in the chest – a hare, in a hare – a duck in a duck – egg and egg – death my”. It is only once his opponent reached the egg that Koschei's life was truly endangered. The egg contained the needle which held the heart of his power. According to myth, possession of the egg was enough to gain control of the demon. Furthermore, should the egg break, the needle within it would break as well, forcing hundreds of years of age down upon Koschei in a single instant, vanquishing the demon once and for all with the power of age. Many scholars have seen in this “matryoshka” interpretation model of the universe: water (sea, ocean), earth (the island), plants (oak), animals (rabbit), poultry (duck), and oak – “world tree”. In other words, you can only kill Koshchei by destroying the world itself. http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/slavic-legend-immortality-koschei-deathless-002717?nopaging=1 https://www.slavorum.org/koshchei-the-deathless-legend-of-immortal-slavic-villain/ Word of the week: Luxury   © Copyrighted

Today we are going to explore The Himalayan Rabbit Breed. But first we are going to cover Rabbit Awareness Week which is from June 17th - 25th, 2017 This is the 11th year for Rabbit Awareness Week and the 2017 campaign is focusing on the importance of hay! #HoptoHay RAW is run by a collaboration of organizations: The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, The Blue Cross, PDSA, RSPCA, Wood Green, Burgess Pet Care and Agria Pet Insurance. This team pick a new theme each year and aim to provide information to both veterinary professionals and the general public about key aspects of rabbit care. Many veterinary clinics sign up to RAW and offer a range of events and promotions – you can visit the RAW website to see who has signed up and whats on offer. Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) is an important week for rabbits. Over the past 11 years we have made it the biggest and best campaign about rabbit care and welfare in the UK! The UK is a nation of self-confessed pet lovers with recent research showing that rabbits are the 4th most popular pet in the UK with 0.8 million rabbits (PFMA Pet Population 2016 report). So we need to keep driving the messages about welfare for rabbits – especially for those pet owners who have got rabbits or are thinking about getting one! Every year Burgess Pet Care, together with its partners Agria Pet Insurance, RSPCA, PDSA, The Blue Cross, Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) and Wood Green The Animals Charity join forces to focus on a different aspect of rabbit care and welfare. During the RAW week thousands of vets and practices across the UK offer free health clinics for local rabbits and their owners. So it doesn't matter if your rabbits have never been to the vet before, it's the perfect opportunity to get them health checked by the experts! Hundreds of retailers and rescue centers will be running fun and educational events to also spread the word about how to get the most out of pet rabbits by keeping them happy and healthy. I feel that raising rabbit awareness should continue all year long and throughout many countries, so I urge you all to embrace RAW and continue it longer than just the suggested week. Together we aim to improve the lives of the UK's rabbits and stop them getting a RAW deal! http://www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk/ http://www.rabbitawareness.co.uk/ you can also support the podcast, and help keep the lights on, whenever you use Amazon through the link at Hare of the Rabbit on the support the podcast page. It will not cost you anything extra, and I can not see who purchased what. Although the Himalayan's name suggests that it originated in the Himalayas, it is unknown exactly where its origins lie. It strikes one strange that one of the very oldest rabbit breeds remains so unique today. Indeed, several of the earliest-developed breeds still seem one-of-a-kind. The Himalayan breed is even has a body type category all to itself! In the United States, there are several breeds with commercial, compact, or full-arch body type, but no other with cylindrical! The Himalayan is one of the oldest rabbit breeds we have today. They have been around for so long, we are not sure when they first appeared, or where they originated. Though some say they are indeed from the Himalayan mountain area, records of these rabbits are found is several regions of the old world. History Much of the history condensed from articles about the Himalayan Rabbit's History, written and compiled by Carl "Eli" Shepherd. The Himalayan’s first appearance happened so long ago that its record has been lost. Some say it did indeed come from the Himalayan mountain area in the middle east, but the truth is that there are timeworn writings of it occurring in many areas of the old world.  Himalayans may have come to America during the “Belgian Hare boom” around 1900. They were one of the earliest breeds recognized in the United States. 1857 seems to offer the earliest mention of white rabbits with black points called “Africans.” The description bears no resemblance to today’s Himalayans, other than color. The source of these Himalayan-pointed “African” rabbits was nowhere near China or Africa – they were sports from crosses of tame Silver-Gray rabbits with local wild English Silver-Gray warren rabbits and some unspecified black rabbits, possibly also sourced from the warrens as the Silver-Grays were known to throw recessive black offspring. The History of the Himalayan rabbit is very vague. There are many thoughts and theories of Himalayans. Actually there is no sound solid proof of where the Himalayan rabbit actually came from. There is little tangible evidence to indicate that it even came from the Himalayan Mountain area as many claim. Records indicate that this rabbit is known by over 20 names, which cause one writer to comment that "It is the most Christian rabbit having so many names." This rabbit is called, in various parts of the world, the Russian, the Chinese, the Egyptian, the Black Nose, and on and on. Himalayans are one of the oldest breeds of rabbit known throughout the world, dating back to ancient times in countries like China, Tibet, and Russia. It is one of the few breeds that was not man-made by crossing different breeds of rabbit. It is known as one of the oldest established breeds with a wider distribution throughout the world than any other rabbit. Himalayans, for the most part, will breed true to type and color. It is believed at some remote time in its history, that its ancestors were Silver rabbits in part. As in some litters of today, at birth, soon seem to be white slightly tinged all over with silver gray, and some are almost a solid gray. The Silver-gray or the Solid gray gradually leaves the baby rabbit and its coat becomes snow white, with its extremities, (nose, ears, feet & tail) gradually darkening until they reach a rich, velvety Black, Blue, Chocolate or Lilac. History of the Himalayans in the United States Around the turn of the century, or real early 1900's, Himalayans were shipped into the united States from England, along with what he called the "Belgian Hare Boom." Most breeders of other breeds also had some Himalayans. As at that time, Himalayan fur was the best of all rabbit furs. Back then, they were known as the Ermine fur of rabbits. This was before Rex and Satin fur came along. Many raised them for their valuable fur, as well as to show. Eventually, breeders began to raise them to show, and they also became popular as pets. The American Pet Stock Association recognized black Himalayans in 1912. Later, the American Rabbit and Cavy Association granted a charter to the American Himalayan Association in 1931. The club name was later changed to the current “American Himalayan Rabbit Association.” History of the Blue Variety. Let the records on Himalayans reveal that Black Himalayans are the only naturally occurring variety. Other Varieties (colors) have been created by crossbreeding other breeds of rabbits to create the desired variety or color. The 2nd Variety of Himalayans were Blues. There are no accurate records on who or how the first Blue Himalayans were developed. Breeders in England worked for many years to create Blue Himalayans with many problems to attempt to correct to achieve the true Himalayan type on Blues. Their progress on Blues is very vague. What we do know is Blue Himalayans were accepted at Tampa, Florida, on October 30th, 1962 by AHRA members. Only four AHRA members were present at this meeting. A motion by R. Hanson, that the Blue Himalayan be accepted by AHRA. Motion was seconded by Francis Riffle. And from that day on we have had Blue Himalayans as the second variety. Interest in Blue Himalayans was not very strong for many years. A few dedicated breeders kept Blues alive. Blues were very scarce and very seldom seen in many parts of the United States. It was reported that Don Lovejoy imported a pair of Blue Seniors and a Blue Junior Doe from England in 1963. No one seems to have any information on these imported blue Himalayans. A 1976 Himmie News stated that Diane Ford of California was to try for a Blue Himmie by crossing a Blue Havana doe. No records on how this venture turned out. Over the years there were several breeders who opposed the Blue variety very strongly. Especially one long time, well known breeder from Maryland. Lack of interest in Blues and a few breeders opposed to the Blue variety. A proposal was put to the AHRA membership to eliminate Blues as a variety of Himalayans in the early 1980's. This vote was very close. Blues survived only by a few votes. The Blue variety survived mainly due to the efforts of Ron Smelt of California. Due to Ron Smelt's efforts to save the Blue Variety, two additional varieties of Himalayans have been introduced by Ron Smelt of California. Which are Chocolate and Lilac marked Himalayans. History of the Chocolate & Lilac Himalayans By: Ron Smelt (A.H.R.A. Hall of Fame member). He started with showing and breeding Himalayans in 1976.  At that time only Black Himalayans were obtainable in his area. Some of the active show people were David Holland, Dorothy Bayliss and Leonard Weir and Diane Ford, who were in the process of getting out of the breed. He liked the Himalayan a lot and inherited the breed from Diane Ford. It was the perfect sized rabbit for him with the space he was able to give it. He liked the unique type and what he called an sophisticated look to the breed. He realized right away that England showed the Himalayan in four varieties. Black, Blue, Chocolate and Lilac. Here in the US only in Black and Blue. He thought it would not be unpleasant to have all four colors showing against each other in the US. He felt that with the four colors would create interest and as a result competition. During this time he also was told by the late Don Lovejoy, that the Himalayan was a dying breed. He did not want to except this and felt that his goal was to try and create interest in this breed and so the mission was set for him to do my part and find a way. He realized that this quest to have the Chocolate and Lilac Himalayans become excepted would be a long one. He felt that he needed support of others who were interested in the idea of having four colors in the standard. Several people he talked to felt that the only good Himalayan was a black Himalayan. A few persons supported him in his quest. Some only liked the Chocolates and did not care for the idea of Lilac Himalayans. The first few years were difficult ones. In the late 70's he corresponded with a Himalayan breeder Mr. Fred Nellis who lived in England. He told him how they got the Chocolate gene introduced into the Himalayans was with the use of the English Spot. English Spots from time to time produced Solid colored animals. An English Spot breeder by the name of Linda Bell of California called him up one day and said she had a chocolate doe for him. This was bred to a small black 3 1/2 lb. buck from Dorothy and George Bayliss. This cross produced all solid black offspring. They were bred together and the first Chocolate marked appeared. These then were bred to other black Himalayans and then mated to each other and the rabbits were beginning to look like Himalayans. Some of these early chocolates were rather large and lacked the refined look. Through line breeding a smaller, finer boned chocolate Himalayan developed. (In 1992 Chocolates Passed first ARBA Showing, Columbus, OH) The Chocolate Himalayan was then bred to the Blue Himalayan and from in-breeding the first Lilac Himalayan appeared. These lilacs were dark lilacs, you can tell the difference when you put them next to a blue. When presenting them to the Standards Committee, they did not like the color, it was too dark and too close to the blue. So what to do? He had reached a brick wall. He had locked in the dark Lilac color into his himmies. At the same time Judy Ball, a Mini Rex breeder, was also trying to get the Lilac Mini Rex accepted by the ARBA Standards Committee. The Standards Committee liked her color Mini Rex Lilacs. An idea went into his head to introduce this color liked by the Standards Committee into the Lilac Himalayans. He knew that he would be introducing a Non-Himalayan gene as well as Mini Rex fur into the Himalayans, and in line breeding and in-breeding this Rex gene would materialize some where down the road. He made a difficult decision and was afraid that his present dark Lilac Himalayans would not pass the Standards Committee since he was told the lighten them, and so he did. The first cross was his purchased Mini Rex Lilac Buck (from Judy Ball) bred to a Lilac Himalayan Doe. All the babies were Lilac, and to his surprise two of them were Himalayan marked, the rest solid. He lucked out again with the two Himalayan-marked Lilacs were buck and doe. They both turned out to be rather coarse and so lacked refinement. They produced lighter Himalayans, and the color he was looking for. The Lilacs became the 4th Himalayan color to be recognized. With selective breeding and culling refinement in the Lilac Himalayan returned, with an added bonus of better fur quality. Now the problem of the Non-Himmie gene and the rex gene will be floating around in some of these himmies, but he feels we can cull this out since there were only a few of these Lilacs passed on to other breeders. These past fifteen years of trying to have Chocolate Himalayans and Lilac Himalayans accepted into the ARBA Standards Committee have been fun with some heart-ache and lots of challenges and he is so glad to have been able to do it. As we have covered in some of the breeds where one breed is crossed to create another, The Himalayan also plays an important part in many other breed's history, especially the Californian's, which looks like a large, meaty version of it. The Californian was made by crossing Himalayans with New Zealands and a few other breeds (some Californian breeders say it is just Himalayan and New Zealand, while others say the Standard Chinchilla was mixed in too). The Californian was added to many other breeds (like Champagne d'Argents and some lines of Cinnamon) to improve body type, so Himalayan marked sports pop up sometimes. Overall Description Description and Standards Himalayans are long and snaky in body, the only rabbit breed with this body type, which is described as “sophisticated” by Mr. Smelt. They are mainly white, with color limited to the points – ears, nose, paws and tail. The eyes are red. They are small, weighing up to 4.5 pounds (2 kg) according to standards in the USA and UK. The Himalayan generally breeds true in type and color. But occasionally, some newborn Himalayan kits are tinged with silver, and others are nearly solid gray. Not to worry - the pigmentation eventually leaves the baby kit, and its coat turns snow white. At the same time, its points darken to nearly black (or blue, chocolate, or lilac). Body The Himalayan rabbit is medium-sized breed of rabbit easily mistaken for the Californian rabbit. The body is white with colored points, recognized colors are black, blue, chocolate and lilac. They are one of the oldest and calmest breeds. Adult Himalayans weigh 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 pounds (1 to 2 kg) with an ideal weight of 3 1/2 pounds. They are the only breed that is classified in shows as cylindrical. They are judged in a stretched-out position. They are posed stretched out, and their body is to be 3.5 head lengths. The Himalayan is posed with the body fully extended – stretched out as far as it will go while all four feet remain flat on the table. European Himalayans and American Himalayans have different poses. On most breeds, the top line of the body should be very round, but on a “Himie” it should be flat as possible. When looking at a posed Himalayan from above, the side body lines should be straight also, with little or no taper from the hindquarters to the shoulders.  Fur is a fly-back. All Himies are white with red eyes and colored markings on the points. Markings include an egg-shaped “smut” on the nose, colored “boots” on the feet, and colored ears and tail. The markings are black, blue, chocolate, or lilac, but the body is always pure white. The Himie color is found as a variety in a number of other breeds, such as Mini Rex and Netherland Dwarf. It’s called Californian in the Cal, Satin, and Rex, and pointed white in Jersey Woolies, lops, and angoras. The color can vary with the surrounding temperature: points become darker in colder climates and lighter in warmer ones. In fact, a rabbit can even develop a dark spot if it lies against a cold metal object such as a feed cup on a winter night. Color differences: The black color variety is the only one in the Himalayan that was not produced by crossbreeding. Other acceptable colors are blue, chocolate, and lilac. This breed is born solid white, but its colored markings develop with age. Coat A Himalayan rabbit’s fly-back fur is short, soft and doesn’t need much maintenance in order to keep its healthy sheen. Should you find your Himalayan rabbit is shedding more than usual (such as during spring), simply brush their fur 2-3 times per week or as required. Otherwise, a weekly brushing with spot-cleaning using a damp cloth should more than sufficient. Colors The Himalayan rabbit is well known for its markings, which are similar to the Himalayan cats'. The Himalayan rabbit’s body is always white with different colored markings. The markings include colored “boots”, an egg-shaped marking on its nose and a colored tail and ears. The markings can be black, blue, chocolate or lilac. This coloration is due to a heat-sensitive enzyme on the Himalayan’s body that creates a brown pigment melanin. This enzyme is active on the parts of the body where the Himalayan rabbit is discolored, such as their ears, nose, feet and tail.The markings change with age and environment. The colder weather may darken markings, enlarge markings, and also add markings around the eyes and genitals (vent smut). These markings are not a disqualification because it is not on the usable portion of the pelt. If the markings spread into the usable portion of the pelt, such as into the belly or on the pin bones, it is a disqualification. Warmer weather may lighten markings, shrink markings, and cause white hairs in markings (known as "frosting"). In extreme warm weather, a Himalayan may even develop light or white toenails. Chocolate and lilac Himalayans usually have bigger markings than blacks and blues, and are more likely to develop disqualifying markings, known as "smut". Himalayans may develop smut after just ten minutes of contact to cold objects. Baby Himalayans are especially sensitive to temperature. Most babies in the warmth of the nest will look the same as albino babies (because Himalayans can only produce eumelanin under a certain temperature and they cannot produce pheomelanin at all.) If a nest gets too cold or a baby falls out, they will get dark bands on their fur. This varies from looking to off-white to looking chinchilla-colored, and it causes confusion among many novice breeders. Because of their constantly changing colors, most Himalayan breeders do not look at markings as a factor when making breeding plans. A baby who was chilled in the nest box is often called "frosty," which is not to be confused with frosted pearl. Genetics Himalayans are known for having a double copy of the ch gene. They also have a black color, which is probably caused by a double copy of the a (self) gene. Then there are the variations with the B gene (chocolate) and the D gene (dilute). A Himalayan with bb will show up as chocolate, a Himalayan with dd will show up as blue and a Himalayan with both bb and dd will show up as lilac. The Himalayan gene (ch) has been bred into many other breeds, they lack marking modifiers so they often show up with smaller, lighter markings. Things to Avoid: Rabbits with short, close coupled type, or an arch or taper in the top or side lines. Heavy hips, large bone, or large rabbits. Fat rabbits or animals with pot bellies are faulted. A dewlap is a disqualification. Full, bulldog type head, or pinched muzzle. Thick ears, ears shaped like spoons, or ears that are spread apart. Unmatched toenails are a disqualification. Fur that is long, harsh, uneven, or hutch stained is a fault. Eye stains are a minor fault. Smut (dark color) is a disqualification on any useable part of the pelt, and white spots in any marking is a disqualification. Markings that have stray white hairs, are not clean cut, are frosty, brassy, or are unequal. Himalayans commonly have an extra set of teats. Diet Like other rabbits, the Himalayan will benefit from a diet that consists of high-quality hay and Pellets and the rest of a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, leafy greens and pellets. There are plenty types of pellets and hay available on the market, some with higher protein content than the other depending on your budget. Be aware of what kid of fruits, leafy greens and vegetables you have in your home as some are rabbit-safe and others are not. In fact, most leafy greens are unsafe as they can cause digestive issues, especially if you feed your rabbit a large amount of it. Feed your rabbit greens that are high in fiber and nutrients, such as romaine lettuce, and be aware of what kind of fruits you’re feeding (nothing that is too high in sugar). Health The Himalayan rabbit is not susceptible to any particular health issues like Wool block. They do require regular checking in a few places such as their ears (for mites), their coat and backsides (for flystrike) and their teeth (for overgrown teeth). Overgrown teeth can protrude into your rabbit’s face and jaw and be painful. Symptoms include a loss of appetite, droppings and overall less movement from your rabbit. When a rabbit’s coat is soiled with feces, urine or other unpleasantness, flies may like to call your rabbit’s bottom their home. They can lay their eggs and once the eggs have hatched, they will eat your rabbit’s flesh while they are alive in order to get the nutrients to grow. This is painful for your rabbit and can cause death. If you believe your rabbit may have contracted fly-strike, take them to your local veterinarian immediately for treatment. Temperament/behavior Himalayans are a unique breed. There is no other breed as gentle and easy to handle. Their gentle, loving nature puts them in a class unto itself. Their small size and weight allows for smaller cage space and lower feed bills than many other breeds of rabbit. These rabbits are remarkably docile and loving, making them a wonderful choice for 4-H projects or a child’s pet. The Himalayan rabbit is gentle and patient, making them the perfect pet for families with young children or seniors. Himalayans are known for their easy-going and docile temperament. This coupled with their small size makes them an excellent choice for children wanting to start raising and showing rabbits. This rabbit’s small size makes it ideal for smaller hands to carefully pick up. In fact, this breed of rabbit is not known to scratch or bite humans, making them the perfect pet for families with young children or seniors looking for a furry companion to add some color to their life. They are generally calm-natured animals who don’t mind being picked up, petted and handled and unlike other high-energy rabbits, Himalayans are not particularly active. Having said that, they do require plenty of time out of their enclosures not only to socialize and bond with their human family but also to stretch their legs and catch some sunshine. Rabbits are not impossible to litter train, however they are significantly more challenging than training, let’s say, a dog or a cat. They have the tendency to “go” anywhere they please. To remedy this requires plenty of patience…and lots of litter boxes. Place a few litter boxes around your home where you find your Himalayan tends to do the deed and with lots of hard work (and rewards!), you should be well on your way to litter-training your little rabbit. Make sure their enclosure is large enough so they can comfortably stretch out of their full size and although Himalayans are relatively small, they are long so make sure you purchase the correct enclosure size. uses Rabbits tend to be bred for one of four things: meat, fur, show, or pet use. Himalayans are popular both as show rabbits and as pets. They have fine bone and a skinny body, and, unlike many other breeds, were never raised primarily for meat. This breed's main purpose is for showing, but in its past, it was raised for its white pelt. Club The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) maintains the breed standard for all of the recognized rabbit and cavy breeds for it's international membership. Recognized breeds are eligible for Registration and Grand Champion recognition. The AMERICAN RABBIT BREEDERS ASSOCIATION, INC. is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development, and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy. The British Rabbit Council (BRC) is a British showing organization for rabbit breeders. Today, the BRC among other things investigates rabbit diseases, maintains a catalog of rabbit breeds, and sets rules for about 1,000 rabbit shows annually in the UK. Today all four varieties are recognized in both the UK and the USA. The Black variety, however remain a popular variety. Himalayans are easy to find in most areas and breeders are easily found online Have I Missed Anything about the Himalayan? If you know something about the breed standard, history or status of the Himalayan rabbit, please let me know. Do you have a story about the Himalayan Breed? What do you love about them? Do you have any tips or tricks up your sleeve for what might make this breed happiest? Perhaps you're a breeder of the Himalayan rabbit. Let me know, and maybe we can set up an interview? http://www.himalayanrabbit.com/breed_history.htm http://himalayanrabbit.com/ http://www.raising-rabbits.com/himalayan-rabbit.html http://rabbitbreeders.us/himalayan-rabbits http://www.thenaturetrail.com/rabbit-breeds/himalayan-rabbit-breed-information/ http://animal-world.com/encyclo/critters/rabbits/HimalayanRabbit.php http://ahra2001.tripod.com/history.html http://www.petguide.com/breeds/rabbit/himalayan-rabbit/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_rabbit If you would like to support the podcast, you can support through Patreon for one dollar a month. Patreon is an established online platform that allows fans to provide regular financial support to creators. Plant of the Week:  Carrot Word of the Week:  Catnip A Rabbit Story http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/tft/tft38.htm The voice of the wolf is a sign to the sheep. Tibetan Proverb. ONCE upon a time there were two neighbor families, one family composed of an old mother bear and her son and the other of an old mother rabbit and her son. The children kept the house while the two mothers went out to dig roots. The rabbit's claws were sharp and quick and she got the most. This made the old bear mad so she killed the rabbit and took the dead body and roots home, although she couldn't dig very many, as her claws were dull. The little rabbit waited and waited and could not understand why his mother didn't come home. Finally he slipped over to the old bear's house to see what he could discover. He peeped in and saw that the old bear was cooking his mother, and she and her son sat down and ate her all up. He felt dreadfully bad and began to think of revenge, and said to himself: "Some day I will get even with them." One day the old mother bear went out to carry water, and while she was gone the little rabbit heated an arrow red hot and shot the little bear in the ear and killed him. Then he took his mother's sack which the old bear had stolen with the roots in it and carried it away with him. As he went up the mountain he met a tiger and said to him, "There is a bear coming after me, Mr. Tiger, won't you save me and find a place for me to hide?" "All right, you crawl in my ear and that bear will never find you." The old mother bear returned, bringing her kang of water, and found her son dead. She said, "The young rabbit has done this. I shall follow him and kill him." So, going after the rabbit, she came upon the tiger and asked, "Have you seen a fellow with gray fur and long ears any-where? If you don't tell me the truth I will kill you." The tiger answered, "Don't talk to me that way, for I could kill you without very much trouble." And the old bear went on. The rabbit sat there in the tiger's ear eating some of the roots he had in his sack and the tiger could hear him munching away, and asked: "What are you eating?" "My own eye-ball," he answered. The tiger said, "Give me one, they seem very good." The rabbit handed him a root, the tiger ate and said, "That's very good. Let's take my eye-balls out and eat them, and if I am blind, since I saved you from this bear, you will take care of me and lead me around, will you not?" The rabbit said, "I will do that all right." So he dug out the tiger's two eye-balls and handed him some roots to eat in place of them. Then he went on leading the tiger, who now was blind, right up to the side of a big steep cliff, where he told him to lie down and go to sleep. Then he built a big fire on the other side of the tiger, who got so hot that when he moved away he fell over the cliff and killed himself. The rabbit now went to a shepherd and told him, "There is a dead tiger up there, you can go and cut him up." Then he went to the wolf and said, "The shepherd is gone and you can go kill some sheep." Then he went to the raven and said, "You can go and pick the little wolves' eyes out, as their mother is gone to kill a sheep." Now the rabbit had done so much harm he thought he had better run away. He went into a far country and I expect he still dwells there. News Campaign aims to put Hungarian rabbit, popular abroad, on local plates https://bbj.hu/economy/campaign-aims-to-put-hungarian-rabbit-popular-abroad-on-local-plates-_134133 Hungaryʼs government and rabbit farming professionals launched a national campaign to boost consumption of rabbit meat on Friday, Hungarian news agency MTI reported. István Nagy, state secretary at the Agriculture Ministry, said that while Hungary is Europeʼs biggest exporter of rabbit meat, it is on the bottom rung when it comes to domestic consumption of the healthy meat, which is low in cholesterol and fat, as well as being easy to prepare. Hungarians consume just 200-300 grams of rabbit meat per capita each year, while residents of Mediterranean countries eat more than 2 kg, he added. Róbert Juráskó, who heads the Rabbit Product Council, said healthy, easy to digest rabbit meat should be on Hungarian familiesʼ tables at least once a week. St. Louis Families Would Be Permitted 8 Chickens, Rabbits Under New Proposal http://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2017/06/12/st-louis-families-would-be-permitted-8-chickens-rabbits-under-new-proposal A bill introduced at the Board of Aldermen last week would allow St. Louis families to keep up to eight chickens or rabbits on a normal-sized city lot — a sizable increase to what's currently permitted. Under existing city ordinances, St. Louis residents are allowed no more than four pets total, and chickens and rabbits have no special classification. If you have three dogs and one chicken, for example, you've reached the cap. But the new bill, sponsored by Alderwoman Cara Spencer and Christine Ingrassia, carves out a framework for small farm animals, namely chickens and rabbits, that is separate from pets. It would also allow one Vietnamese potbelly pig per household, although other large farm animals and roosters both remain expressly prohibited. The new regulations are part of a broader effort to encourage urban farming within St. Louis. The alderwomen worked with the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, seeking to bring the city's ordinances that affect urban agriculture in line with best practices in other cities. The coalition's survey, which involved more than 850 people, found broad support for such reforms locally. An additional proposal from Ingrassia and Spencer would allow St. Louis residents to sell eggs, honey and produce from the property where they are grown, without costly business licenses. Says Ingrassia, "It's all about letting people have easier access to food, and to make the city more sustainable." Selling home-grown produce won't make anyone rich, she acknowledges. "But if you can make a few extra bucks, that's a good thing." Last year, a proposal to increase to six the number of chickens owned by city households couldn't attain passage at the Board of Aldermen. Spencer, for one, believes this year may be different. "With the new energy on the board and more progressives on it, we should be able to get this passed," she says. She urges all of those interested in the issue to contact their alderman or woman to seek their support.   Sharon J. Mixdorf (1962-2017) http://wcfcourier.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/sharon-j-mixdorf/article_4729793d-e6d5-5a2d-bdc2-71b97dd76abb.html DENVER -- Sharon Jane Mixdorf, 55, of Denver, died at home Saturday, June 10, from complications of breast cancer. She was born June 6, 1962, in Marshfield, Wis., daughter of Stanley and Joan Welch Fait. On May 30, 1992, she married Eric Mixdorf in Marshfield. She graduated from Marshfield Columbus High School in 1980. Sharon lived in Marshfield, Waterloo and Denver and worked as a pet and dog groomer for 22 years, most recently at Brookside Veterinary Hospital in Cedar Falls. She was a member of the Bremer County Genealogical Society, Pet Pals, Iowa State Dutch Rabbit Club, Iowa State Rabbit Breeders Association, Collie Club of America, American English Spot Rabbit Club and was a life member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association and the American Dutch Rabbit Club. Sharon also was the director of the Upper Midwest Dutch Rabbit Club, the secretary of the Waterloo Area Rabbit Breeders Association, and was the Rabbit Show secretary at the National Cattle Congress Fair. Survived by: her husband; her mother of Marshfield; five sisters, Nancy (Leon) LeClair of Two Rivers, Wis., Linda (Dan) Neve of Marshfield, Mary Lou (Rich) Volk of Arpin, Wis., Patty (Jim) Shaw of Marshfield and Kathy (Tony) Kuhlka of Hewitt, Wis.; a brother, Michael (Gayle) Fait of Marshfield; two sisters-in-law, Pat Bitel and Brenda (Patrick) Wellner; four brothers-in-law, Darrell Gates of Pittsville, Wis., Richard (Kathy) Mixdorf, David (Rhonda) Mixdorf and Brian (Esther) Mixdorf; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by: her father; and her twin sister, Karen Gates. Services: 2 p.m. Friday, June 16, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Waterloo, with burial in Garden of Memories. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories, Waterloo. Memorials: may be directed to the family. Condolences may be left at www.overtonservice.com. Sharon enjoyed reading, camping, swimming, canoeing, rabbit shows and exotic animal swaps.   New Species of Cottontail Rabbit Identified: Sylvilagus parentum http://www.sci-news.com/biology/sylvilagus-parentum-suriname-lowland-forest-cottontail-04951.html new species of cottontail rabbit (genus Sylvilagus) has been described from the lowlands of western Suriname by Portland State University Professor Luis Ruedas. The Suriname lowland forest cottontail (Sylvilagus parentum). Image credit: UOL / IUCN. The Suriname lowland forest cottontail (Sylvilagus parentum). Image credit: UOL / IUCN. Prof. Ruedas made the discovery after studying rabbit specimens at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, the Netherlands. The specimens were collected in the 1980s by Dutch scientists during the fieldwork in Suriname. The researcher studied the anatomy of the specimens and determined they were larger and shaped differently than other rabbits throughout South America. He named the newfound species the Suriname lowland forest cottontail. The scientific name of the species, Sylvilagus parentum, honors Prof. Ruedas’ parents, Patricio Ruedas Younger and Paloma Martín Daza. “The rabbit discovery in South America could affect how animal species are identified as unique, which is an important step when determining if a species is endangered,” Prof. Ruedas said. “It could also lead to conservation efforts in Suriname, where environmental degradation is threatening the rabbit’s habitat.” Sylvilagus parentum is relatively large for a South American cottontail. The species measures 15.3 inches (39 cm) in head and body length and 10 inches (2.5 cm) in tail length. The length of the ears is about 2.4 inches (6 cm). The average mass is around 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg). The new species is described in a paper recently published in the online edition of the Journal of Mammalogy. _____ Luis A. Ruedas. A new species of cottontail rabbit (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) from Suriname, with comments on the taxonomy of allied taxa from northern South America. Journal of Mammalogy, published online May 17, 2017; doi: 10.1093/jmammal/gyx048   A new species of cottontail rabbit (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) from Suriname, with comments on the taxonomy of allied taxa from northern South America https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jmammal/gyx048/3828752/A-new-species-of-cottontail-rabbit-Lagomorpha?redirectedFrom=fulltext Abstract Of the 19 currently recognized species of Sylvilagus Gray, 1867, 15 inhabit North America, and only 5 are recognized in South America: S. brasiliensis Linnaeus, 1758 (throughout most of the continent); S. varynaensis Durant and Guevara, 2001, restricted to the southern lowlands of Venezuela (states of Barinas, Portuguesa, and Guarico); S. andinus (Thomas, 1897) from the Andean páramos of Ecuador and potentially in a sporadic manner to the Colombian and Venezuelan páramos; and S. tapetillus Thomas, 1913, from the coastal plain in the region of Rio de Janeiro. In addition to these, putative subspecies of S. floridanus, primarily a North American taxon, nominally are recognized from the grassland plains areas of northwestern South America east of the Andes. While S. varynaensis and S. tapetillus are monotypic, S. brasiliensis contains at least 37 named taxa in synonymy, distributed in various habitats; S. andinus requires further study. As a result of the recent description of a neotype for S. brasiliensis, it is now possible to assess species limits and begin the process of illuminating formerly obscured biological diversity in South American cottontails. Here, I describe a new species of Sylvilagus from the lowlands of western Suriname, and excise S. sanctaemartaeHershkovitz, 1950 from synonymy with S. brasiliensis.

This week we are going to explore the Havana Rabbit breed. If you would like to support the podcast, you can support through Patreon for one dollar a month. Patreon is an established online platform that allows fans to provide regular financial support to creators. Thank you for listening. If you would like to support the podcast, and keep the lights on, you can support us whenever you use Amazon through the link: It will not cost you anything extra, and I can not see who purchased what. When I hear the name Havana rabbit I picture a rabbit that came from Cuba, but as we have discovered several times the breed is named for a place that it does not originate from. The Havana rabbit originates in Holland, not the Caribbean as you might expect. They get their name from the fact that the chocolate variety closely resembles the color of the deep brown Havana cigars, not because the breed hails from Cuba. When you think Havanas, think cigars, not Cuba. The rich dark brown coloration of the original Havanas was reminiscent of Havana cigars to the early breeders, hence the name was applied to the newly developed breed.  The Havana Rabbit had its beginnings in a small Dutch village near Utrecht, Holland (not Cuba), in 1898, by total accident. History Havana Journey: A rabbit farmer named Mr. Honders tossed a newly acquired common farm rabbit into the stable with his other communal rabbits. The black and white doe was bred by who knows which of the bucks in the farmer’s warren, and soon gave birth to a litter of brown and white rabbits with modified Dutch markings. The Havana’s journey began with breeders’ vision, work, and dedication since it first arrived on the rabbit scene in 1898. The rabbit breed known as ‘The Mink of the Rabbit Family’ includes an evolution defining its type today into the lovely compact breed known for its intense color and luxurious fur. I thought this would be an appropriate time to trace the Havana evolution to its breed standard today. Because of their unusual chocolate color, the farmer retained these offspring for further breeding. Being chocolate, their eyes had the typical ruby glow in them when viewed in bright light. It was anything but usual to Mr. Honders. He named these new rabbits “Fire-Eyes of Ingen” (Ingensche Vuuroog). The rabbits were a dark reddish brown, and weighed around 7.5 pounds. For a brief historical overview, the Chocolate variety of the Havana was the first, and appeared in a litter of a Dutch marked doe in Ingen, Holland in 1898. These new rabbits were first given the name of Ingensche Veuoraoz, “Fire-eye from Ingen,” because of the unusual ruby glow to the eyes when viewed in good light. The breed soon became known as “Havana” after the rich chocolate color of Havana cigars. Havanas were soon being bred in France, Switzerland, and Germany and Chocolate Havana of widely different types were displayed at various shows in Europe. In the first decade of 1900, the new chocolate rabbits quickly made their way through Europe via Switzerland and Germany. They varied wildly in type, size, and quality. Little by little, Havanas began to look like Havanas, as breeders used out-crosses to correct faults and enhance fur quality. They showed up in the UK in 1908. England’s National Havana Club formed in 1920. The breed also made its way to the USA in 1916. The Havana breed made its way to the United States and was accepted into the ARBA in 1916 as the ‘Standard Havana’. Havana quickly became popular due to their eye appeal and their mink-like fur quality and texture, which placed Havana pelts in great demand. The Havana Rabbit Breeders Association was established in 1925. The Havana Club in the US was formed in 1920. At the time, the rabbit was still 7+ pounds, and reportedly difficult to breed. Over the next 30 years, Havanas took two shapes - large and small. The heavyweight variety never caught on, but the medium-sized Havana we know today was well-received. Lee Own Stamm originated the Blues in 1965 and the Blacks in 1980. The Havana of today evolved from a much different type. Havana breed is based on intense color and mink-like fur, and the emphasis of those features becoming more intense over the years. The compact body type, however, has evolved over the decades to the standard we depict today. 1914 In the 1914 ‘Rabbit Culture and Standard,’ The Complete and Official Standard of all the Rabbits (1), “Havanas were one of the latest varieties listed… The correct color listing was described as dark brown to dark chestnut brown and blood red brown changing with the varying light.” The development of two distinctly different sizes of Havana were being exhibited, with one a smaller, neat, short-coated variety and “… larger ones often exhibit a dewlap and are somewhat coarse and awkward looking.” The 1914 standard reflects the importance of color with 30 points and type with 30 points; however fur was only allotted 10 points and was to be short, fine and silky. 1920’s In the 1926-27 and 1928-29 editions of The American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association Guidebook and Standard, the Havanas were listed as “one of the most beautiful fur breeds and a very useful rabbit for their skins require no dying but can be used in the natural state as the rich chocolate color is very attractive...” Havana Rabbit Club Standard continues to emphasis color with 30 points, and the coat was to be short, fine and silky and cut severely for white hairs. Type was still being determined as the breed tried to meet the demand for beautiful pelts. Senior weights were 4 ½ to 7 pounds exhibiting quite a range. 1930’s The 1930’s appeared to be a period when the Havana was being defined as to type. The Standard Havana description began to change to make room for a new variety. There were now 2 varieties, chocolate in color, known as the Standard and the Heavyweights. The Heavyweights were later called the American Havana, with an ideal weight of 9 pounds. The emphasis was for a larger fur pelt which was in high demand at the time; however they lost much of the body type and quality of fur and the Heavyweights were dropped from the standard by the 1940’s. Meanwhile, in 1930, Mr. Walter Huey discovered a new mutation of Havana with an entirely new coat mutation. Initially, these ‘Havanas’ were known as Satin Havana and shown in competition against the Standard Havana; however there was a storm of protest. From this protest came the acknowledgment that the coats were an entirely new coat mutation and we had the start of the Satin breed with the White Satin. Satin Havana Mutation In 1934, the Satin mutation occurred in Indiana. For a short time, they were recognized as a variety of Havanas, however they were unfair competition since the satin shine was so striking. By 1946, breeders of satinized rabbits organized a national club for a dedicated Satin Rabbit breed. 1940’s - 1980’s The Standard Havana continues to be recognized for its coat which is often called near mink. The most recent variety is broken, achieving acceptance in 2008 thanks to the efforts of Brad and Katie Boyce. Brad and Katie Boyce presented the Broken, which was accepted in 2008. Julie Spier presented the Lilac, which was accepted in 2016, providing the breed with the five varieties accepted in the standard and shown today. The flatter body type of the time is reflected in the standard description: “The body shall be cobby type, rather flat and compact, with full, meaty shoulders, tapering slightly to broader and higher haunches. Avoid snaky and too-rounded type, high, rounded hips, or hips cut in under. The head should have a short neck, having full appearance of head being joined directly to shoulders.” The emphasis is on the bold eye reflecting the origin of the breed and on meaty shoulders and broader hindquarters. The breed is ancestral to several others, including the Fee de Marbourg, Perlefee and Gris Perle de Hal. TODAY The Havana of today embraces the compact body type in its definition. General type of the competitive Havana is rather short and compact, tapering slightly from hindquarters to shoulders. Top body line should be a continuous curve from the ear base with a high point over the center of the hips and falling in a smooth curve to the base of the tail. Judging continues to emphasize the breed’s best characteristics: color and fur with 45 points, and a compact type with lots of depth balancing width for 45 points. Eye appeal of an animal that is full, smooth, and well rounded, displaying intense color with lots of luster and mink-like texture of fur is the standard to strive for. Body Havanas are small-medium sized rabbits with short, deep bodies and deep, rich color. Their lustrous fur gives them the nickname “the mink of the rabbit family.” Although they don’t often catch the fancy of pet owners, their beautiful type is a joy to the practiced eye of judges and breeders. The Havana rabbit is a compact breed that should not exceed 6.5 lbs. They have short, rounded bodies. The top line should form a half-circle that rises over the hips before or down to the tail. They have short, straight legs with dark-colored toenails, short ears which are relatively close together, medium-sized eyes and a short head with full cheeks. Approximate Size: 4 1/2 to 6 1/2 pounds Havanas are recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in four color types: chocolate, blue, black, lilac, broken and which is best described as a mix of colors that looks like a Dalmatian. Their average weight is between 4.5 pounds (2.0 kg) and 6.5 pounds (2.9 kg). Coat This breed of rabbit has short, soft, fly-back fur that does not much need maintenance to keep in tip-top condition. To keep their shedding to a minimum, indoor rabbits can be groomed once a week with a slick brush and when shedding time comes around (around Spring), increasing their brushing to twice a week. In any show breed, there’s the ideal type – that wonderful, deep, smooth, sleek body – and then there’s what representatives of the breed really look like. No matter what the standard says, how close does that breed come to meeting it, on average? In some breeds, the real and the ideal are rather a long ways from each other. But there are a few breeds that have been developed to the point where the average show breed is a fine representation of the standard, and the best ones are nearly perfect. One of those breeds is the Havana. It’s no wonder that Havanas are often honored with the Best in Show award at local, state, and even national levels. There’s nothing particularly flashy about this breed, such as might grab a pet owner’s attention, but to the trained eye of a judge, a top notch Havana is simply breathtaking. The body type is incredibly short and deep, approaching a “half basketball” shape when viewed from the side. When viewed from the top, the hindquarters evenly taper to the shoulders. Ideally there should be no flat or narrow spots in the body type, no squared hips, no pinched hindquarters. The head and ears are of medium length and balance with the body. Although type is important, the coat and color are to be given strong consideration as well. Havanas have fly-backs – fur that returns very quickly to its usual position when the rabbit is stroked from tail to head. Havanas do not have a Satin sheen, but their fur does carry an unusually high luster. There are currently four recognized colors: black, blue, chocolate, and broken. The solid colors are all of a dark, rich shade. Havanas have short, fly-back coats which need minimal grooming. A quick brushing once a week should be enough to keep your rabbit looking his best. You can also go over their coat with slightly damp hands to remove static. Havanas may need more frequent grooming when they are molting. Things to Avoid: A long, narrow, or flat body. Flatness over the shoulders. Narrowness over the loin. Hips that are pinched or undercut. Roughness over the spine or hips. Long head or long neck. Unmatched toenails are a disqualification. Color that looks faded, light, rusty, mealy, or has scattered white hairs. Care Requirements: Like any other breed of rabbit, Havana bunnies require a diet consisting of pellets. The rest of their diet is made up a healthy balance of hay, leafy greens, fruits and vegetables. Be aware of what kind of leafy greens you feed your rabbit, as some of them (like iceberg lettuce) contain no great amount of vitamins or nutrients and contain laudanum, which can be harmful in large quantities. Also be careful of what kind of vegetables you decide to feed your rabbit, as some of things are harmful, and some fruits contain too much sugar. Havana rabbits do well whether they are indoors or outdoors, provided they are given plenty of room in their enclosures to stretch their legs and catch some much-needed sunshine. Outdoor enclosures should be made of wood or wire and need to be raised off the ground in order to provide protection from wildlife. Indoor rabbit enclosures should be made of wire and have bedding that should be spot-cleaned every day for cleanliness and completely changed out at the end of every week. Health The Havana rabbit is not known to be susceptible to any particular health issues, but like any other rabbit, measures must be taken in order to raise a healthy, happy rabbit. Remember to check their mouths once every week or two for ingrown teeth, which can grow into their jaw and faces and cause a lot of pain. The best way to prevent overgrown teeth is to have a proper diet with hay, as the hay will naturally file down their teeth. Should you rabbit live outdoors, be aware that they will be more susceptible to fly-strike. Fly-strike is an extremely painful condition in which flies lay their eggs in a rabbit’s fur near dirty areas. When the eggs hatch, they begin sustaining themselves by way of eating your rabbit from the inside out. In order to avoid fly-strike, always check your rabbit for dirt or feces stuck on their coat. Always make sure your rabbit’s enclosure and coat is clean and that your rabbit’s eating habits remain constant. Should you decide to spay or neuter your rabbit, some owners notice that their rabbit tends to be less aggressive. However the Havana rabbit is not known to be hostile, so neutering them may do nothing to their personality. Does can be spayed once they are 4-6 months old while bucks can be neutered as young as 3 and a half months old. Temperament/behavior The Havana Rabbit is known for having a relaxed, friendly personality. However there are also examples that have been known to have a bit of an attitude so it’s well worth researching the lines you’re thinking of purchasing from to make sure that all of his relatives have been even tempered. As long as he’s been allowed to get used to humans and other pets from an early age your Havana rabbit should be calm and able to cope with human interaction without getting stressed. It’s vital that anyone who’s going to be charged with looking after the rabbit knows exactly how to handle it as they can struggle if they feel vulnerable or uncomfortable when picked up. Despite his small size, he will be very strong and can kick and scratch, potentially injuring himself or his handler. Most rabbits are active in the morning and the evening and he will be grateful for boxes, tubes and toys to play with. Rabbits are sweet creatures who easily bond with their human family so long as they are given time and space to properly socialize on their own terms. While not the most energetic rabbit breed by any means, these medium-sized rabbits are perfectly capable of running around indoors or out and letting out a little mid-air hop. Should you decide to engage in some one-on-one playtime, you may find that your particular rabbit enjoys some ear or head scratches and some gentle back petting. Because of its medium size, the Havana rabbit makes a great pet for families with children of any age. Because it isn’t too high energy, it makes an attractive pet for seniors looking for a fuzzy companion in their lives. Some rabbits need to be entertained with many toys (whether it is a store-bought one or something as simple as a toilet paper roll is entirely up to you), others don’t need much to keep them happy. It all depends on your particular rabbit’s personality. When it comes to potty-training your rabbit, you may find it is significantly more difficult than training another pet such as a cat or dog. While more challenging, it is definitely not impossible to litter-train rabbits but they do require much more patience and time than other animals. Many pet parents have found that placing several litter boxes around the house works best, as your rabbit won’t have to travel to the other side of your house to do the deed and risk not making it. If you would like more info on a House rabbit, you can check out the house rabbit episode. uses Rabbits tend to be bred for one of four things: meat, fur, show, or pet use. Havana rabbits are usually show rabbits, and are very popular as such. They come very close to their breed standard, often winning top honors at local and national shows. Often referred to as the ‘mink of the rabbit family’. Club The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) maintains the breed standard for all of the recognized rabbit and cavy breeds for it's international membership. Recognized breeds are eligible for Registration and Grand Champion recognition. The AMERICAN RABBIT BREEDERS ASSOCIATION, INC. is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development, and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy. In the USA, Havanas weigh 4.5 - 6.5 pounds. They have a compact body type, and are useful for show and pets. And additionally, their fur has a special glossiness, which makes it great should you also wish to utilize their pelts. One is not limited to Chocolate. Four additional varieties have been accepted in the US: Blue, Black, lilac and brokens. The British Rabbit Council (BRC) is a British showing organization for rabbit breeders. Today, the BRC among other things investigates rabbit diseases, maintains a catalog of rabbit breeds, and sets rules for about 1,000 rabbit shows annually in the UK. In the UK, Havanas are dark chocolate “with a purplish sheen.” The glossy normal fur is approximately 1 inch in length. Havanas should weigh 2.722 kg (6 pounds) with a half-pound latitude permitted either way. Have I Missed Anything about the Havana? If you know something about the breed standard, history or status of the Havana rabbit, please let me know. Do You Have a Story About The Havana? What do you love about them? Do you have any tips or tricks up your sleeve for what might make the Havana happiest? Perhaps you're a breeder of the Havana rabbit. Let me know, and maybe we can set up an interview? http://www.thenaturetrail.com/rabbit-breeds/havana-rabbit-breed-information/ http://rabbitbreeders.us/havana-rabbits https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana_(rabbit) http://www.raising-rabbits.com/havana-rabbit.html http://www.petguide.com/breeds/rabbit/havana-rabbit/ https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/breeds/rabbits/havana/ http://www.havanarb.net/breed-history.html Plant of the Week: Wheat Word of the Week: Brilliant Every week I would like to bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience, and I have researched enough to recommend. Today’s HOTR Amazon Item of the week is the This weeks item is a Headlamp:   This weeks item is a NiteCore Cree Headlamp. I use this NiteCore Cree Headlamp to check on my rabbits outside. This is Purpose-designed for hiking, climbing, camping and general outdoor recreation. It is All metal high-performance dual-beam headlamp Aluminum "unibody" construction is highly rugged and provides excellent cooling performance. It Utilizes a premium CREE XM-L2 (T6) LED Powered by a single 18650 lithium-ion battery for up to 565 lumens of output. High-efficiency circuit provides up to 400 hours of run-time. It produces an extremely wide beam. This is probably the best NiteCore Cree Headlamp I've found to-date. What I like about the NiteCore Cree Headlamp: It's bright - for most stuff, the 2 highest settings are way more than you'd want for anything that's within a few yards of you. It'll also blind anyone you're looking at. Easy to use control buttons. Built in red lamp which is useful for retaining your night vision. I think the red light level is just about right - you're really not going to see anything more than a few yards out with it, but it's meant to preserve your night vision. It would be nice if you could adjust the brightness, but that would just be a nice bonus. This has long battery life - I usually use this at the 2nd dimmest level as that's enough for most projects, and I get many many hours. I usually re-charge it once a month, and I use it several times a week or more. The only real issue is the strap isn't the greatest. I usually have to have it on a little tighter than I'd prefer for longer usage duration to keep it from falling off if I'm sideways or upside down. If you're not contorting yourself in crazy positions it probably won't be an issue. You can also put the NiteCore Cree Headlamp on over a hat. Rabbit Dance an Oneida legend retold by Desiree Barber http://www.uwosh.edu/coehs/cmagproject/ethnomath/legend/legend16.htm Long ago, two hunters went hunting deer for their village. They hunted for a very long time without seeing any signs of deer, but they didn't return to the village for they knew they had to provide food for the winter. Suddenly, they heard a very loud thump! They stopped and listened to see if there would be another thump, and sure enough, they heard it again! This time the thump was louder, "THUMP!" One hunter said to the other, "What is that?" The other hunter said, "I don't know, but IT sounds very close!" So, both hunters got on their bellies and crawled to a nearby clearing surrounded by bushes. In the center of the clearing they saw the biggest rabbit they had ever seen! The first hunter started to aim his bow and arrow at the huge rabbit, but the second hunter stopped him and said, "Let's wait to see what he is going to do." Both hunters waited and watched the huge rabbit as he lifted one of his big back legs and thumped it three times on the ground. Then, out from every direction hopped regular sized rabbits. The hunters watched very closely not wanting to miss anything. The little rabbits gathered around the big rabbit, and the big rabbit began to thump his back leg in a pattern as the little rabbits danced. The hunters watched in awe as the rabbits danced. Then the big rabbit thumped his leg in the directions in which the hunters lay. The huge rabbit looked in that direction and leaped into the sky. Then all the rabbits quickly hopped away. The hunters watched still in awe. They realized they had to go back to the village and tell the people what they had seen and heard. They ran all the way to the village and asked if they could speak to the elders. After they told their story, one of the elders said, "Show us how the beat and the dance went." The hunters showed them exactly what the rabbits did. Another elder said, "The rabbits gave this dance to tell us to show them respect and appreciation for what they give to us. We will name the dance after them, and we will dance it at our socials to show them our gratitude." So this is the way it was then and is now. That is how the rabbit dance came to be. News http://www.mauinews.com/opinion/columns/2017/06/rabbit-fever-could-be-deadly/ It is the law in Hawaii to keep rabbits contained and off the ground if they are outside. Environmental impacts not withstanding, rabbits also pose a threat to human health. Tularemia, aka “rabbit fever,” can be a serious disease for both humans and animals. Several years ago, a researcher working with sparrows at a rabbit farm on Maui fell ill. He was fev-erish and tired, then started getting sores on his skin. Doctors weren’t sure what it was and although he was never officially diagnosed, he responded to treatment for tularemia, a disease caused by a bacteria carried by rabbits, rodents and other animals. Officially, tularemia has never been documented in Hawaii. It’s difficult to culture the bacterium and handling it poses a significant infection risk to lab workers. “If not here, there is a real threat that tularemia could, at any time, be introduced into Hawaii. It affects so many animal species, and once here, mosquitoes and other blood-sucking arthropods could spread it, “says Fern Duvall, head of Maui’s Native Ecosystem Protection and Management program with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. On the Mainland, where tularemia is widely present, the disease is rare among people. They are exposed to the disease if they handle infected animals, or if bitten by ticks or another insect that fed on an infected animal. When bacteria come in contact with the skin, they cause ulcers that spread through the body, eventually reaching the lungs. If the bacteria are inhaled, the results can be deadly. Occasionally, there are serious localized outbreaks of the disease. The summers of 2000-01 saw 19 cases of tularemia on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and one proved fatal. The Centers for Disease Control came to investigate. An unusually high number (14 out of 19) had pneumonia (the bacteria had entered the lungs) and many involved landscapers. What the CDC suspected was that lawnmowers or other cutting tools struck the carcasses of dead, infected rabbits and the bacteria went airborne. In 2015, there were outbreaks in Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska. The CDC theorized these outbreaks may have been triggered by increases in rabbit populations, which grew in response to more vegetation, caused by higher than normal rainfall. Vegetation, rainfall and landscapers are plentiful in Hawaii; what we don’t have are populations of rabbits running wild — at least not yet. According to state law, people can keep rabbits but they must be contained. If kept outside, rabbits must be in a cage off the ground. The penalties for noncompliance may reflect the seriousness of the threat: loss of your pet, fines or even jail time. Duvall says the natural predators of rabbits in Hawaii — cats, rats or mongoose — are unlikely to keep populations of wild rabbits in check. Rabbits evolved with a multitude of predators: weasels, coyotes, bobcats, owls, hawks, snakes, foxes and raccoons. To survive high mortality rates, they breed like, well, rabbits. The female (doe) can become pregnant with her first litter at 3 months of age, and again just a month later, within days of giving birth. One pair of rabbits can produce 100 kits (baby rabbits) per season, and up to 1,000 in a lifetime. “We know they can become invasive,” explains Duvall. In 1989, six illegally released rabbits quickly became 100 at Hosmer Grove in Haleakala National Park. On Laysan, a small island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, free-roaming rabbits ate the island bare in the early 1900s, likely causing the extinction of three bird species — Laysan millerbird, Laysan apapane and Laysan rail. Beyond environmental impacts, rabbits running wild increase the risk of tularemia. “Rabbits are more often in contact with people,” explains Duvall. Whether as pets kept outdoors or released to the wild, more rabbits means more rabbit-human interactions. Other pets can be affected: dogs, cats and livestock can get tularemia from ticks or direct contact with an infected animal. Early treatment with antibiotics is critical. You can help protect Hawaii. If you have a pet rabbit, spay or neuter it. If you raise rabbits, keep them contained. If you see a rabbit running wild, report it. Call the Maui Invasive Species Committee at 573-6472. Irish R&B Trio Hare Squead’s New Video Is Just The Thing For A Rainy Summer Day http://www.thefader.com/2017/06/09/hare-squead-video-pure-premiere Ireland's imaginative rap and R&B group Hare Squead presents a new video for their soulful track “Pure." Before this release, the Dublin trio appeared on Goldlink's recent At What Cost album, crooning on the song, "Herside Story". In their latest visual, the three artists find themselves on a mental journey, on what seems to be a long day of looking for escape. They play pool and carouse through the city in a G-Class Benz, singing “I just want to leave sometimes/ You should let me breathe sometimes.” “This song represents more of a serious side," Hare Squead told The FADER over email. "We recorded it in a haunted studio in a village in Ireland where Michael Jackson used to record. We were very inspired by old antiques and eerie fields and that had a play on the whole vibe of the track. The meaning of the track is something personal, each of us has a different interpretation. Overall, we could say the meaning of the song is about how fresh love and pure intentions get twisted and messed up as we struggle and fail to understand one another. It's not a summer song. Play it on that one day it rains in the summer.” http://vevo.ly/yPXDHn Peter Sallis, voice in 'Wallace and Gromit,' dies at 96 And with him, one of the great characters in animation. http://www.metro.us/entertainment/movies/peter-sallis-wallace-and-gromit-dies Peter Sallis is one of those actors you probably know more by his voice than his face. He was one of England’s many go-to workhorse actors, appearing on stage and on screen, but usually in minor roles. (These include tiny parts in “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning,” the Timothy Dalton “Wuthering Heights” from 1970 and 2005’s “Colour Me Kubrick.”) But his most famous turn was a biggie. He was the voice of Wallace, the absentminded, cheese-loving inventor of the beloved “Wallace and Gromit” stop-motion animation series — one of the great British exports of the ’80s through the early 2010s. It’s reported that Sallis has died. He was 96 years old. Sallis’ passing leaves us bereft of one of movies’ and television’s most soothing sounds. Hearing him say, in his Northern English drawl, “Cracking good cheese, Gromit,” caused a Pavlovian chill in fans of the franchise, which spanned four award-wining shorts, a television show (2010’s “Wallace and Gromit’s World of Invention,” Sallis’ last credit) and, sadly, only one (delightful) movie: 2005’s “Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit.” Apart from supporting characters — including Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter in “Were-Rabbit” — Sallis was often the only voice you heard on “Wallace and Gromit.” After all, Gromit was his dog, who, of course, never spoke. He didn’t need to; he had one of the most expressive faces in animation, even if it was often used for Buster Keaton-style deadpan, regular there to show his loving exasperation with his owner/flatmate. A rare kind-hearted mad scientist, he was always coming up with harebrained contraptions that got him and Gromit into trouble. In our favorite “W&G” product, the Oscar-winning short “The Wrong Trousers,” Wallace’s oversized, mechanical trousers are commandeered by a devious penguin (posing as a chicken, with a latex glove over his head, natch), who wants to rob a bank. We’re speaking of the “Wallace and Gromit” franchise in the past tense. That’s because we’re not sure if it will continue after Sallis’ passing. Aardman, the peerless stop-motion animation house that made the series (as well as “Chicken Run” and the “Shaun the Sheep” series), did retire their characters in 1996, only to repeatedly revive them, as a world without more “Wallace and Gromit” just seemed to grim to bear. And now that he’s gone, it is. Still, it would be surreal and sad to hear someone taking over for Sallis — much like the disconnect when you hear someone voice Kermit after Jim Henson’s death: The voice is similar, but something’s off. Instead, we can honor Sallis’ legacy by gorging on the “Wallace and Gromit” work we do have. Friends from England tell us it’s tradition there to spend Christmas Day watching a big movie — “Gone with the Wind,” or the original “Star Wars” trilogy” — as well as the original three “Wallace and Gromit” shorts. Might as well make that a tradition here as well. Rabbit in the Moon come to Orlando House of Blues this summer http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2017/05/30/rabbit-in-the-moon-come-to-orlando-house-of-blues-this-summer The psychedelic duo will be performing at the House of Blues on Saturday, Aug. 19. Doors open at 8 p.m. Since their reunion at Ultra Music Festival in Miami in 2016, following a six-year hiatus, singer-performer Bunny and producer David Christophere have been making more regular appearances together. https://youtu.be/nDCnWn-WrNw Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, June 2. Unicorn drinks, rabbit pizza on Stampede menu https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/7321411-unicorn-drinks-rabbit-pizza-on-stampede-menu/ CALGARY — The annual reveal of new foods coming to the Calgary Stampede has been released, and the list includes both the sickeningly sweet and the simply weird. The Unicorn White Hot Chocolate offers white hot chocolate surrounded in rainbow sour poppers, sprinkles, sugary stars, a ribbon rainbow tail, and blanketed with a fluffy cotton candy cloud. Cereal Monster Sandwiches consist of a massive amount of ice cream crushed between two marshmallow squares, while the Cookie Dough-ne offers raw cookie dough in a waffle cone that is surrounded by cotton candy. From the fryer, there's deep-fried Jell-O, pork belly and something confusingly called Butter Chicken Bear Balls, which is described as "golden deep-fried balls smothered in a delicious butter chicken sauce ... and topped with a candy-coated anise." Canadian bacon Pickle Balls are a hot dog and pickle wrapped in bacon, fried in batter and served on a stick, while the World’s Hottest Pizza delivers its flavor punch by simply packing on the ghost peppers. If unconventional meat is your thing, try the rabbit pizza, crispy chicken feet on a stick or the Angry Chicken sandwich, smothered in both chipolte aioli and sweet and sour sauce. And no Stampede would be complete without a not-routine poutine, and this year the prize must go to the Tropical Bobster, consisting of lobster and mango salsa atop crispy fries. The Calgary Stampede runs from July 7 to 16. By The Canadian Press Photo Magic Minot Camera Club awards winners in ‘Year-End Competition http://www.minotdailynews.com/life/arts-entertainment/2017/05/photo-magic/ Along with winning first place for “Prairie Storm,” Zeltinger was voted winner of the Eileen McEown Outstanding Member Award. Submitted Photo “Have You Seen a Rabbit?” by Minot photographer Erich Linser earned first place in the monochrome division. Submitted Photo “Have You Seen a Rabbit?” by Minot photographer Erich Linser earned first place in the monochrome division. As Zeltinger captured the ferocity of a lightning storm, Kyra Hansen, of Minot, seized the magic of “Fireflies” in the artistic division. “Kyra is an up and coming photographer,” Nordstrom said. “She has an incredible eye for catching pictures and adds a unique artistic quality to them. Kyra has a bright future.” For the fourth year in a row, Hansen was awarded Outstanding Photographer of the Year. While Hansen caught the mesmerizing “Fireflies,” Erich Linser, of Minot, tested the curiosity of viewers in his first-place monochrome winner, “Have You Seen a Rabbit?” “This picture has placed in various North Dakota competitions,” Nordstrom said. “Erich has a special way of capturing the eyes of viewers.”   For Wichita artist, a bunny a day keeps the boredom away http://www.kansas.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/keeper-of-the-plans/article150898277.html By Matt Riedl Wade Hampton doesn’t have a bizarre obsession with rabbits. He just likes their form, artistically – simple as that. “From an artistic standpoint, I think rabbits are the perfect subject if you’re going to draw an animal,” Hampton said. “I don’t have some weird obsession with rabbits, like I’m running around the yard chasing them.” As a creative challenge, Hampton is drawing a bunny every day for a year and posting the results on Instagram. Some of his rabbits are cute – the kind with carrots and flowers included – and some are creepy, with dark circles under their eyes and cigarettes dangling from their mouths. People have enjoyed the project on social media – whenever Hampton shares his drawings on Facebook, they typically garner upward of 150 reactions. Not bad for quick daily doodles. “For me, it’s an experiment,” Hampton said. “I know the majority of them are not very good. That’s not a big deal to me. It’s like publicly putting out a sketchbook.” Hampton is well-known in Wichita for hosting “home shows,” in which he would invite friends and strangers to his home, where the walls were covered with hundreds of doodles like these, all for sale. While Hampton said he has decided to stop doing the home shows, he wanted to keep his artistic chops sharp – hence the bunny project. “I did a bunch of shows a long time ago called Art from the Gut, where you just do a bunch of drawings and you don’t really think about it too much,” Hampton said. “The thinking is that if you don’t think about it too much, some magic can happen.” About three months into the project, Hampton said Tuesday he’s considering putting on a bunny-drawing show at a gallery later this year. Those plans are still in flux, though, so until then, your primary viewing outlet will be at www.instagram.com/drawabunnydaily. “Hand to God, when I did these, it was totally for an experiment. ... You know me: If I wasn’t doing a show, I’d probably do some kind of video where I burn them all and some guy in a rabbit costume dances around it and call it art,” Hampton said. “It’s nice for these pieces to find a home – otherwise, they just sit in a sketchbook until I die. I’d much rather have somebody say I framed this and stuck it on my wall than it sit in my drawer.”   http://www.petgazette.biz/14537-burgess-celebrates-national-pet-show-success/ Burgess celebrates National Pet Show success Burgess Pet Care has announced that this year’s National Pet Show in London has been its most successful yet. The company more than doubled its sales from last year. Burgess’ team highlighted the welfare needs of small animals and provided information about the benefits of high-quality feeding hay. Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB MRCVS, veterinary director at Burgess, held a series of presentations aimed at educating small animal owners – and those considering a new addition to the family – about the responsibilities of pet ownership and the best ways to ensure the health and happiness of small animals. As organizers of this year’s Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW), the National Pet Show provided the team with a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness around the importance of high-quality feeding hay in rabbits’ diets. Once again, the Burgess team joined forces with Julian Norton, star of Channel 5’s hit TV show The Yorkshire Vet, who was in attendance at the Burgess stand to sign copies of his new book and talk about the importance of feeding hay as part of this year’s RAW campaign. The #HoptoHay campaign is raising awareness around the fact rabbits should have between 85-90% of feeding hay and grass in their diets every day. Charlotte Varley, Event Manager at Burgess Pet Care, said: “This year’s National Pet Show in London has been our biggest yet, and we couldn’t be happier with the feedback we’ve had from visitors at the stand. Our sales were more than double of that last year – we even sold out of some product lines by the end of the first day! “The wellbeing of animals is at the heart of everything we do, and events such as the National Pet Show provide an amazing opportunity to engage with enthusiastic pet owners who share our love of animals, and help them learn more about how they can keep their animals well looked after and happy. “As we move closer to this year’s Rabbit Awareness Week, we’ll continue to work with our partners to help better the lives of more rabbits and to help more people understand one of Britain’s most misunderstood pets.” Rabbit awareness week takes place this year between June 17-25 and is supported by a variety of partners, including Agria Pet Insurance, RSPCA and RWAF     South Pasadena bans sale of dogs, cats, rabbits from pet stores http://www.sgvtribune.com/government-and-politics/20170519/south-pasadena-bans-sale-of-dogs-cats-rabbits-from-pet-stores SOUTH PASADENA >> By a unanimous vote, the City Council outlawed the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits from pet stores and other commercial establishments within the city. The ban received overwhelming support from community members and animal rights’ groups who see it as a step toward shutting down puppy mills, said Councilwoman Marina Khubesrian. “The thank you letters are still pouring in this morning,” she said on Friday. Recommended by the city’s Animal Commission, the new ordinance was first approved Wednesday night by a 5-0 vote. It must receive approval upon second reading in June and takes effect 30 days after final approval, she said. Puppy mills usually breed cats and dogs in poor conditions and sell them to pet stores and other retail outlets. But the sale of puppies, kittens and rabbits has become an interstate business facilitated by ads on Internet sites, something the retail ban will not address, the city report states. “Such an ordinance will assist in reducing the demand for animals bred in substandard facilities,” concluded the report from Arthur Miller, chief of police. Once in effect, the ordinance will mostly affect Pet’s Delight, which sells puppies, kittens and rabbits. The store, located at 725 Fair Oaks Ave., also sells rodents, reptiles, birds and fish and the sales of these animals are not banned by the ordinance. A woman answering the phone said the store would have no comment. The Urban Pet, down the street at 900 Fair Oaks, does not sell animals and therefore would not be affected by the new ordinance. Khubesrian said the city had not heard from Pet’s Delight, adding: “This will not put them out of business.” The city had not received a response from anyone opposing the change, she said. Dozens of people spoke in favor of the ordinance at City Hall Wednesday night. Khubesrian said the city received 60 to 70 emails in support. On Thursday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent each council member and police Capt. Mike Neff who helped craft the ordinance vegan chocolates in the shape of rabbits as thank you gifts. “Cruel puppy, kitten and rabbit breeding mills churn out animals into a world that’s already bursting at the seams with homeless animals, said Tracy Reiman, PETA executive vice president in a statement. “PETA hopes South Pasadena’s progressive example will inspire other cities across the country to ban the sale of animals in pet stores.” Instead of buying kittens, puppies or rabbits from Internet dealers or pet stores, Khubesrian encourages residents to adopt them from the Pasadena Humane Society, whom the city has a contract, or from pet rescue organizations. The city will encourage more pet adoption events to be held at pet stores, she said. She said buying from a puppy mill often means the puppy is not healthy and can end up costing the buyer in veterinarian bills. Licensed pedigree dog and cat breeders will not be affected by the ban, she said. “Pedigree breeders don’t subject the animals to constant litters and the animals are raised in a much more humane environment,” said Khubesrian.

In this weeks episode, we will be covering the Flemish Giant rabbit, the plant of the week which is Linseed, the word of the week; admission, and a few news articles. I have a new segment I am adding to the podcast.  Every week I would like to bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience, and I have researched enough to recommend. Today’s HOTR Amazon Item of the week is the 20 Pack of Blue Barb Rabbit Nipples for Automated watering .   I believe with some things to always buy the best you can afford. This weeks product is a nipple waterer for rabbits.  These are one of the best rabbit nipples available for 5/16″ inch tubing.  These are easy to take apart either to clean or replace parts. They are easy for rabbits to use and works great with gravity fed or low psi automated watering systems.  They can also be used with Ferrets, Chinchilla’s and other small Mammals.  I have found that the blue ones seem to hold up better then the red nipples.  I have also found that the “T”‘s that are with the nipples break very easily, so I would not recommend expecting the “T”‘s to last very long.  In fact, I have found that the “T”‘s last about thee weeks before I have a failurethat I have to change them out.  The nipples I have found seem to last pretty well.  I have had to swap them out about every few months, and this is because they sometimes break in half, and I think this is more from getting knocked by something outside of the cage.  They attach to the cage by sticking one end of the spring in one of the small holes on the metal base of the drinker, hook that to the cage, and stick the drinker inbetween one of the bars of the cage, with the hook on the nipple piece to the cage.     If you would like to support the podcast, you can support through Patreon for one dollar a month.  Patreon is an established online platform that allows fans to provide regular financial support to creators.  Patreon was created by a musician who needed a easy way for fans to support his band. you can also support the podcast, and help keep the lights on, whenever you use Amazon through the link at Hare of the Rabbit on the support the podcast page. It will not cost you anything extra, and I can not see who purchased what.   Now we are going to explore the Flemish Giant Rabbit.  We briefly discussed this breed last week when we were covering the Belgian Hare, and that led to this episode. History Opinions differ as to the real origin of the Flemish Giant.  It is undisputed that Flanders – the origin of it’s present name – was the country of it’s adoption and dissemination throughout Europe and eventual appearance in America.  As early as the 1500’s, rabbits "four times bigger than ‘normal’ rabbits" were already living in the area of Verona, Belgium.  Exactly when the actual oversize rabbit giant genes first surfaced will probably remain forever unknown. It could have been a random mutation. It was bred as early as the 16th century near the city of Ghent, Belgium. It is believed to have descended from a number of meat and fur breeds, possibly including the Steenkonijn (Stone Rabbit—referring to the old Belgian weight size of one stone or about 3.76 kg (8 lb 5 oz)) and the European "Patagonian" breed (now extinct). The name Patagonia is a reference, which could be a reference to Argentina, or to a Spanish term meaning "big foot."  On the other hand, the belief that giant creatures lived in Patagonia was common at the time, making the name a logical one for a very large rabbit breed. In the late 19th and early 20th century, big bunnies were all the rage.  From Flanders, Belgium comes the biggest bunny of all, the Flemish Giant.  Europe, however, can give no definite information as to how or when it first appeared there.  It is known to have been bred there on a large scale during a period of several hundred years, and for a long time was called the Patagonian rabbit. Now I read many different thoughts about the "Patagonian" Rabbit, and I will cover them as we go. This "Patagonian" rabbit, a large breed that was once bred in Belgium and France, was not related to the Patagonian rabbit of Argentina (Sylvilagus brasiliensis), a separate wild species weighing less than two pounds (about 1 kg), nor the Patagonian hare (Dolichotis patagonum), a species in the cavy family of rodents that cannot interbreed with rabbits. An analysis of historical events during the 16th and 17th centuries gives strong support to the belief that the original Patagonian was the wild rabbit of Patagonia in the Argentine Republic.  During the 16th and 17th centuries the Dutch were sailing the seas back and forth, trading with the West Indies, Central and South America.  It is not likely that they would bring back with them merely the name Patagonia and tack it on to the rabbit of Flanders and the Netherlands.    It is, however, very likely that they would take back to Europe the rabbit itself, and name it after the country from which it came.  However, it was just about the time the Dutch were carrying on their trade with South America that these rabbits first became known.  Previously there was no record of them.  Even today the loose limbed, wild sandy rabbit of Patagonia has the same typical appearance of the Patagonian rabbit of Flanders as it existed there several hundred years ago. It seems likely then that one of three things happened.  Either this rabbit was taken from Europe to Patagonia, or from Patagonia to Europe, or was a breed givin an exotic name with no origin's in Patagonia; but since we find no record in Europe before the Dutch started trading with America, then it seems fairly obvious that this rabbit may have originate in Patagonia. Whereas, however, in Patagonia the rabbit has remained wild and not been subjected to selective breeding, leaving it as it was hundreds of years ago. In Europe and America, selective breeding has been carried out extensively, and this has produced the far superior rabbit known today as the Flemish Giant. The earliest authentic record of the Flemish Giant Rabbit occurred about the year 1860.  At that time, in England, stories were being circulated by travelers having recently returned from Flanders, of the enormous size of the rabbits raised in that country and in parts of France.  Weights of certain specimen were stated to be 18  to 20 pounds.   Rabbit meat at the time was being imported into England to the extent of millions of pounds yearly and local breeders were unable to fill the demand.  English breeders of meat stock produced their product from stock weighing an average of 7 to 8 pounds at maturity, so it was but a short time later that the first importation of Flemish breeding rabbits took place.  In The British Islands Rabbit breeding as a fancy and as a means of reducing family expenses was looked upon more as a necessity rather then a hobby with this and competition being what it is, it was but a short time before the Flemish Giant made its appearance at some of the many rabbit shows held periodically in England.  The first standards for the breed were written in 1893. The first Flemish exhibited, although impressive in size, was not handsome.  The color being of a dirty iron grey with sandy or white bars on legs, long ears bent over at the tips, and a general uncouth appearance.  Nevertheless, it was but a brief period before the first Flemish Breeders’ Association was organized for the express purpose of improving the new breed.  Various experiments and crosses with other varieties worked a wonderful change in the former homely specimen and it eventually became the rule that no show was complete without a large display of Flemish Giants.  The weight and color improved from time to time.   American fanciers imported Flemish Giants from England about the same time of the Belgian Hare boom in the early 1880’s.   Fast-forward to the mid-1800’s.  Multiple Belgian clubs were already regularly holding weight competitions featuring their giant rabbits. The winning Flemish Giants weighed up to 19 pounds in the latter half of the 1800’s. No special notice was attracted to the breed until the year 1910 when at that time rabbits were exhibited at the leading poultry shows throughout the country.  The Flemish Giant was soon established as a favorite owing to their enormous size and beautiful colors.   Flemish Giants arrived in the USA at the very end of the 1890’s. They arrived here only partially pedigreed, yet the demand for these giant rabbits was as monstrous as the rabbits themselves. It was not long before American breeders organized their own clubs and standards of perfection for the Flemish Giant. The breed was well established by the turn of the 20th century, desired for its meat-producing qualities.  The first Flemish Giant club in the United States was established in 1915.  The Federation was founded in 1915 by a group of four Flemish Giant rabbit breeders and recently, they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Flemish Giant National Show.   In 1924, the Flemish Giant Rabbit became a charter breed of the newly formed American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association, the forerunner of today’s ARBA. Before and during the last World War, it was very common in Europe to see these large easy-care rabbits being raised by children, who fed them on garden produce, to provide cheap and healthy meals in hard times. The British Flemish Giant is only bred in the UK, and is not as large as the typically massive Flemish Giants found in every other country. The breed is rare today. British Giant Rabbits The British Giant Rabbit is similar to a true Flemish Giant as recognized throughout the world.  It is a massive rabbit with a minimum weight of 13.5 pounds (6.14 kg), and no maximum weight. Now we are going to look at how the breed spread around rest ot the world!  By the end of the 19th Century, Flemish Giants were recognized in Belgium in two colors, gray agouti (white bellied) and iron gray (dark bellied), and various breeders began importing them to their various countries. Flemish Giant Rabbits are the mammoth rabbits of the rabbit world, and the basis of all giant rabbit breeds such as British Giants, Continental Giants, and Gigantes de Espana (Spanish Giants). New Zealand: The breed was imported into New Zealand from North America in the 1980s, its principal attraction being its large size – it is one of the largest breeds of domestic rabbit.  It soon attained a degree of popularity in NZ, which it still has today.  In 1986 a 10-month old Giant weighting over eight kilograms was imported from Germany and was used to help increase the size of those in New Zealand. Since then no other Flemish Giants have been brought into New Zealand.  Some time after the Flemish Giants were imported into this NZ, they were bred to New Zealand Whites by a small number of commercial breeders to try and produce a larger carcass with a fast growth rate.  The results were not up to their expectations as the cross resulted in an increase of bone to meat ratio – a Flemish Giant will produce bone first before filling out into the large solid rabbit they are.  They are often referred to as slow growers.  The Giants were also crossed with smaller breeds to introduce different colours and this has resulted in a reduction in their overall size, with a number of smaller sized rabbits being sold as Flemish Giants in New Zealand.  Any adult below five kilograms can’t be a giant amongst rabbits and live up to its name!  In 2011 it was estimated that there were about 70 Flemish Giant rabbits in New Zealand. Germany: The Germans changed the name of their Flemish Giants to German Giants in 1937.  They are genetically 100% Flemish Giants, however selectively bred to conform to the particular specifications of the German standards of perfection for the breed. England: Flemish Giants arrived in England in the early 1900’s. There was apparently a difference of opinion as to which breeding goals to pursue and which colors would be permissible. Perhaps this is why one can find a British Flemish Giant which is only bred in the UK and in only one variety, and the larger British Giant Rabbit which resembles the true Flemish Giant, and which is found in various colors. Japan: Japanese Jumbo Whites resulted from crosses between Flemish Giants and New Zealand Whites.  They enjoyed their heyday before 1950, but now their numbers are so few that the Japanese Agriculture Association protects the breed. Spain: The generally accepted breed history is that the Spanish Giant is the result of crosses between Flemish Giants and two Spanish rabbit breeds, the Lebrel Espanol and the Belier, a lop.  Subsequent breedings selected for erect ear carriage and size.  By 1900, the breed known as the Gigante de Espana (Spanish Giant) was recognized in Valencia, Spain. Flemish Giant Rabbits in the USA American Flemish Giant Rabbits are massive, but don’t quite achieve the truly gigantic proportions seen in a few strains of Continental Giants. This does not mean that Flemish Giants do not have the same size potential of the Continental Giant. They do, but the US Standards of Perfection don't incentivize massive size. Additionally, Flemish Giants in the USA do not carry themselves as flat as do the Flemish in other nations.  American breeders focus on their ideas of overall "balance," while still specifying no maximum weight.  In the US, a slightly smaller, but balanced rabbit will win over an enormous Flemish Giant that does not appear sufficiently balanced. This is the part of the USA standard that places less emphasis on a gigantic rabbit, resulting in giant rabbits that aren’t quite as ‘giant’ as their cousins in the UK or Europe. Overall Description Appearance The typical reaction of most people who see their first Flemish in person is that of awe! Those first comments are almost always some version of “WOW! That is one BIG rabbit”; many will also add “that is bigger than my dog!” Both statements are not an exaggerated truth, though are they favorites that the owners of these amazing giants just love to hear. The body of a Flemish Giant Rabbit is powerful, with relatively broad hindquarters without being fat.  It should carry a heavy bone. Flemish Giants are easily recognizable & quite distinguishable from other breeds of rabbits.  Most commonly, Flemish are world-renown for their long, erect ears and their substantially large size. In addition to this, they have big blocky looking heads with bright bold eyes that are fully complimented by long, noticeable eyelashes. When they are sitting in a resting position on a flat surface, starting from the base of their shoulders, they have a gradual rise that transitions across their wide midsection to their massive, broad hindquarters which continues in a smooth descent, over the hips, to a rear end that sits flatly on the table-top. As one of the largest breeds of domestic rabbit, the Flemish Giant is a semi-arch type rabbit with its back arch starting in back of the shoulders and carrying through to the base of the tail giving a "mandolin" shape.  The body of a Flemish Giant Rabbit is long and powerful, with relatively broad hindquarters.   Flemish Giant Rabbits weigh 15 pounds on average, though the biggest ones can weigh up to 22 lb, and the longest one on record (in fact, holding the record for the longest rabbit in the world of any kind), measured about 32 inches long. ARBA - The show standard minimum weight for a senior doe is 14 lb (about 6.4 kg), and the show standard minimum weight of a Senior buck is 13 lb (about 5.9 kg). The English Lop has a minimum ear span length, but the Flemish is the only breed where the standard specifies a minimum rabbit length.  This happens to be the same number as for the English Lop ear span: 21 inches.   Weight is at least 13 pounds on senior bucks and 14 pounds on senior does.  No maximum weight is specified, but some Flemish have pushed even to 20 pounds.  However, when judging the Flemish it is important to remember that big is good, but balanced is better.  Bone should be heavy, These are gentle giants. BRC - Bucks shall not be less than 4.974kg (11lb) and doe’s not less than 5.44kg (12lb). Size shall be considered irrespective of weight. FUR The fur of the Flemish Giant is known to be dense. When stroked to the head, the fur will roll back to its original position. The fur of the Flemish Giant is known to be glossy and dense. When stroked from the hindquarters to the head, the fur will roll back to its original position.  Coat & Condition should be a full short coat, firm in flesh and moderately thick. Color: The American Rabbit Breed Association (ARBA) standard recognized seven different colors for this breed: black, blue, fawn, sandy, light gray, steel gray, and white.  All are solid colors, as “broken patterns” are not recognized by the ARBA.  However, the color standards are different as defined by the BRC, mentioning only Dark Steel Gray. (BRC) Colour - Dark steel grey, with even or wavy ticking over the whole of the body, head, ears, chest and feet alike, except belly and under tail which shall be white, upon the surface of the fur. Any grey, steel, sandy or other shade on the belly or under tail, except a streak of grey in each groin, shall disqualify. AMPLIFICAITON OF COLOUR: The under should be blue at the base for a little more than a third of the length, then black, merging into a creamy, or bluish white ticking which may be again tipped with black.  In even ticked specimens, the mixture should show half grey and half black tipped hairs over half of the body, neck, face and ears, but may be interspersed with longer yet – black hairs, both even and wavy ticking being permissible. The whole should be uniform in colour.  The under parts to be white with blue under-colour. Tail should be ticked rather darker on top, white on the underside. Legs Their front legs will be very large, within proportion to their bodies, which will also be quite visible. However, their hind legs, while they are equally massive & very powerful, will not usually be as visible because they will be tucked up under their sides. BRC - Shall be in length proportionate to body, strong in bone, large and straight. Feet shall be velvety, dark and ticked. Ticking to show when coat rubbed back. Ears and Eyes The ears are around 8" (20cm) long, standing erect, there may be light rings around the eyes.   The ears large, and the standard actually calls for a reposeful expression in the eye.  Eyes shall be bold and dark brown in colour. Bucks and Does: Bucks have a broad, massive head in comparison to does, and can take 1.5 years to reach full maturity. Does may have a large, full, evenly carried dewlap (the fold of skin under their chins), and can take 1 year to reach their full maturity.  Does can take 1 year to reach their full maturity. Breeding season is in February. Flemish Giants do not handle heat well and therefore, pregnant rabbits do not do well during hot Summers. Babies are ready for new homes at 8 weeks or older. BRC and ARBA Although there are several differences of desired traits in this giant rabbit breed, the two most commonly used descriptions are that of the ARBA & the British Rabbit Counsel (BRC) Breed Standard’s of Perfection. Both standards state slight differences, from the American minimal weight standards for fully matured bucks at 13 pounds & 14 pound does, to the British standard of 11 pound bucks & 12 pound does. Other differences include body style, with the ARBA calling for a semi-arched mandolin shape & the BRC desiring longer, flat bodies. Otherwise, both state that heavy bone structure, mass, & thick, long ears, with bold eyes & dense, short fur that has a roll-back effect when brushing your hand across their backs in a back-to-front motion. BRC points:  1) Colour 30 points 2) Size & Weight 20 points 3) Body 15 points 4) Legs and Feet 15 points 5) Head & Ears 10 points 6) Coat & Condition 10 points Total 100 points INTERMEDIATE FLEMISH 1. To be judged to the Giant Standard 2. Age to be over 6 months old. 3. Weight - Buck to be less than 4.989kg (11lb). Doe to be under 5.443kg(12lb). Important Tips to Look for When Buying Show Stock: Big Flemish are desirable, but balance is even more important. Balance means well proportioned.  The head, ears, and legs should balance with the body. Long bodied rabbits should have longer heads, ears, and legs than a medium length rabbit.  Flemish giants should wide enough to not be too narrow.   Things to Avoid: Rabbits that are not balanced.  Pinched hindquarters, fat rabbits, narrow body.  Short body under 20 inches on seniors or lack of body arch is a disqualification.  Thin ears or weak ear base. Ears that turn over at the tip or are less than 5 1/2 inches are a disqualification.  Medium bone is a fault. Fine bone, short legs, cow hocks, flat feet, weak ankles (bending at the ankle affecting straightness of forelegs), and mismatched toenails are disqualifications. Thin, very short or very long fur or a soft coat. Care You should keep in mind that caring for a Flemish Giant differs from caring for smaller well-known rabbit breeds, this is of course mainly due to their larger size. Before getting started you will have to consider which of the different housing options would be the best solution. Due to its large size, the Flemish Giant needs substantial living quarters that provide ample opportunity for physical movement. The House Rabbit Society recommends keeping rabbits inside the home in a very large pen or room(s) in the home.  Larger dog crates are often more appropriate than traditional rabbit and small-pet cages, which tend to be smaller and shorter.  In the United States Department of Agriculture's standards for animal housing, rabbits over 12 pounds must have at least five square feet of floor space.  The size of appropriate living quarters increases with size of the rabbit.  You may wish to consider a custom made hutch, with a large door for the rabbit's access, or perhaps a dog crate would be better than a hutch.  They require a lot of space. Outdoor cages should be 5 feet by 3 feet ( 1.5 meters by 1 meter).  Cages must be in the shade so the rabbits do not overheat. Cages should be protected from wind using painter drop cloth. Cages should have plywood roofs to protect rabbits from rain and snow. The US dept of Agriculture standards for rabbits over 12 lbs (5.45 Kilos), advise at least 5 sq ft (.50 Sq Meters) of floor space for rabbits of such sizes and elsewhere you will find suggestions of minimum hutch sizes for large rabbits to be 14"High x 36" Depth x 48" Width (36x91x122 cm). This size allows the rabbit very little room and whatever you decide upon, just bear in mind the fully grown size can be from 14 to 20lbs (6.36 to 9.09 Kilos). Cages with incorrectly sized wire gauge bottoms (as opposed to small gauge wire or solid bottoms) can harm the feet of a Flemish Giant more so than smaller house rabbits due to their increased weight.  A resting board may be required to prevent sore hocks for a larger breed rabbit.  The Flemish Giant will require larger quantities of food compared to smaller breeds of domestic rabbits. Like some other short hair breeds of rabbits, the Flemish Giant will usually require mild attention to grooming due to its shorter hair. Shedding during the spring and fall transition periods tend to be the most dramatic, with smaller sheds often occurring in between. Care for the Flemish Giant is the same as with all rabbits but a rabbit of such size needs a lot of attention and handling from the beginning or a young age. Diet Flemish Giants can be fed like other rabbits, with the amount of food increased to match their larger size.  ARBA recommendations include hay and occasional treats. A high protein diet of 16% or more is needed for them to gain bone mass while growing and later when muscle mass develops.  Apples, cabbage or broccoli in small amounts can be given as treats and slowly increased.  A quarter apple per rabbit every other day for 3 weeks can be increased to a half apple after that.  Since Flemish Giants do not reach full size until they are 1.5 years old, they need to be fed a lot until then.  When females have babies and during winter, they need to be fed as much as they can eat, and given plenty of water. In supplementing a commercial diet, care must be taken to avoid excess protein, calories, and minerals such as salt and calcium, which in excess can cause kidney stones.  Overfeeding leading to obesity is a major health concern for both commercial and pet rabbits. The House Rabbit Society recommends 2 cups of chopped leafy vegetables per 6 pounds (3 kg) of body weight and no more than 2 tablespoons of fruit or carrots per 6 pounds of body weight daily. CARE OF THESE GENTLE GIANTS Because of their large size they are usually not bothered by cats, hawks or other small mammal prey.  Flemish Giants do not handle heat well.  They would need shade and a way to cool down. In hot cliamates, some people keep rabbits in a climate controlled environment with air conditioning in the Summer.  Flemish Giants are large rabbits that eat a lot. It is extremely important to have a good quality pellet food and plenty of hay daily.  IF you add a vegetable one day, and the bunny gets diarrhea, STOP IT IMMEDIATELY.  It is critical when a bunny gets diarrhea because they will dehydrate quickly.  Make sure they have plenty of clean water available at all times. Health The American Rabbit Breeders' Association (ARBA) recommends delaying breeding of female rabbits until they reach the senior weight range.  For Flemish Giants, this is 14 pounds, and a typical rabbit will reach this weight when they are about 9 months to one year.  A Flemish Giants can take up to 1.5 years to reach their maximum weight and a breeder should wait until the rabbit is slightly over a year old before breeding.  Females and males can become sexually mature at 4 months and 8 days.  Once the rabbits are 3 months old they should be keep in separate cages or put females with females and males with males.  If fighting occurs then they must be separated.  The breeding lifespan of a rabbit is variable.  Some breeders prefer not to have any more litters after the age of three years while others continue to produce quality litters for five to eight years.  The gestation period is between 28–31 days.  On average they give birth at 30–32 days. The Flemish Giant rabbit can produce large litters, usually between 5 and 12 in a litter. A nesting box filled with hay is given to the female as she prepares for birth.  After birth, clean out the hay, replace with some new hay, and check to see if babies are all alive.  Check box every day in case babies die and take them out. If the rabbit is not used to handling, then you will have big problems later on when, for example, you need to pick them up or examine them.  Rabbits of sizes similar to the Flemish Giant can be heavy to lift when fully grown. Because of their size, children are unlikely to hurt them by picking up or dropping them. They also get on well with other pets and can live easily with smaller rabbits, but you need to be careful with any introduction to smaller rabbits. Although they can cope with cold temperatures, they do not fare so well with the heat.  They must have exercise and it needs to be remembered that they will be more expensive to keep. They will eat a lot more than the smaller breeds, requiring more hay; they excrete more and need larger living accommodation. Larger rabbits can become high maintenance as they get older, though no more than a dog would. Uses Flemish are thought to have originally been used for fur & meat production.  However, it has since been realized that due to their large bone density, the meat to bone ratio is not the most ideal prospect available for such a purpose as meat production.  Instead, they are now primarily kept as pets and showmanship animals, as well as for 4H projects in the United States.  These gentle-giants are well-known for their easy-going, calm, docile nature.  Because of this, they make great pets for children and adults alike. Flemish Giants make excellent pets as they are calm, but heavy for most children to handle.  They eat at least .5 kg. or more food a day of dried rabbit pellets.  They expel a lot of waste.  Flemish Giants are not typically regarded as "meat" rabbits because much of the commercial rabbit market focuses on young rabbits, usually around 70 days of age.  At this time, Flemish Giants are developing bone mass rather than muscle.  However, when raised to roasting (under 6 months) and stewing (over 6 months) age, the size of the Flemish makes them desirable.  They are also often bred with other meat rabbit breeds, such as the New Zealand, to increase both meat-to-bone ratio and litter size. Due to the large amount of high protein food they consume and the cost of this food, the selling of the Flemish Giants for meat is not profitable; as buyers want to give just a few dollars per rabbit. Apart from being kept as a pet, the Flemish Giant is used for meat, fur, show, pet assisted therapy and education. 4-H and Show Flemish Giants, due to their uncomplicated grooming requirements and docile personalities, are used by 4-H programs throughout the United States as a starter rabbit for teaching children responsibility and care of farm animals and pets.  Another very popular youth program outside of 4-H that promotes responsible show breeding is the National Federation of Flemish Giant Breeders Youth Program.  Flemish Giants are the second oldest domesticated rabbit breed in the United States, following behind the now rare Belgian Hare, which we covered in last weeks episode. The Flemish these days is primarily a fancy breed, raised for show and pets.   People who first see them sometimes think these biggest ones must be meat rabbits, but Flemish consumes too much feed for the meat yield to be a very efficient commercial breed.  They have always had a strong following. Today the Flemish rabbit leads in number exhibited at all the principle shows and are sold at the highest prices recorded since the days of the ill-fated Belgian boom. Temperment/behavior Flemish Giants can be docile and tolerant of handling; frequent interaction with humans is a requirement for this to occur.  Flemish Giants, like all rabbits, can become fearful, and sometimes aggressive, if handled incorrectly or irresponsibly.  Their larger frame requires special attention paid to the spine alignment when handling a Flemish Giant, or any rabbit for that matter. Consequently, potential owners should consider these factors in addition to their size, level of food consumption, and substantial waste production before buying. It should be stressed though that proper handling of such large bunnies is very important- for your benefit as well as theirs. They do have very powerful hind legs, & when they feel threatened or scared, or are hurt, they can quickly inflict serious injury. Otherwise, due to the size of these bunnies, respectfully compared to that of a medium-sized dog, they require more money & time spent in caring for them than that of a smaller breed of rabbit. However, owning such a wonderful rabbit is well worth the investments to have one, or more.  Among other things, when considering becoming a Flemish Giant owner, it’s always best to learn all that you can before you buy. Each & every one of these gentle Giants has his or her own personality.  They are very inquisitive, and they are quite intelligent.  They will often stand up on their hind legs and stretch their bodies out so that they can see what is around them.  This is a common greeting as well, especially when they are buttering up their owner for a good ear-scratching or head-rub.  It also goes without saying that the more attention they get, the more they will want.  They will play with toys too, rolling them around by using their front paws or some nose-nudging, picking them up with their teeth, and most of the time will follow through by tossing it in true bunny-fashion.  If your big buddy is quite fond of you, or just in a playful mood, he may even bring his toy to you in the manner a dog would, when playing fetch.  However, they will also let you know when they are aggravated or upset, be it with you or for any number of other reasons.  This may be done by completely ignoring your greetings, turning their back to you and refusing to acknowledge that you even exist at that very minute, or if they are really ticked off, you can expect some loud thumping from those heavy hind feet and possibly adding in some grunting noises while they are demonstrating their unhappiness.  Although some Flemish are more vocal than others, they all do possess the ability and will, at some point, of making known their wide array of sounds. There are a few things that Flemish Giants do not tolerate very well.  First on their list is being picked up.  They become very nervous when they are picked up.  Therefore the importance of doing so correctly can not be stressed enough.  Picking them up is best done by lifting with both hands under midsection.  When that is not a possibility, pick them up swiftly, by the scruff (between the shoulder blades), and rapidly tuck them into position; be that onto a sturdy surface, or holding them in the manner of carrying a small human child, with their butt cradled in your arm and their front feet resting on your chest, or in a foot-ball type hold, where their head is tucked into the bend of your elbow, your arm snuggly holding their body against your stomach region while using your other hand to securely support around the rest of their massive body.  Once they know that they are secure and safe, they will relax and you can carry them around. Next, they do not like any loud noises, of any kind.  To them, this only means ones thing, danger is near! They will run, stomp, jump, scratch, and even bite without warning if they are really afraid.  Keep in mind that if these things happen to you, especially if you just brought your furry friend into your home, he is afraid and trying to protect him-self. Don’t take it as a personal attack against you in particular.  Brighter, happier days are just around the corner.  Be patient and be sure to give your Flemish the best possible care that you can. Flemish Giants are placid and laid-back, docile and tolerant by nature.  Because of this they do well with considerable handling, and are ideal for showing and as pets. Am intersting fact I uncovered about the breed is that the:  THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ONCE "INTERVIEWED" A FLEMISH GIANT. In 2010, the paper ran an "interview" with Herbie, Prospect Park Zoo’s 18-pound rabbit, to promote the zoo’s Live Encounters Program.  It was actually an interview with Denise McClean, the zoo’s director.  McClean revealed that Herbie was domestic and "probably would not be able to survive out in the wild on my own." In response to the question "Do you ever misbehave?" she said, "Flemish Giant rabbits have litters that run from five to 12 bunnies. If you left me with a female, you could end up with a whole lot of rabbits." Uses Rabbits tend to be bred for one of four things: meat, fur, show, or pet use.  Even though this is a large breed of rabbit, they are gentle and easily handled.  This makes them good for pets or show rabbits. Club Today, it is one of the more popular breeds at rabbit shows because of its unusually large size and its varying colors.  It is promoted by the National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders, which was formed in 1915.  The Flemish Giant has many nicknames, first and foremost the "Gentle Giant" for its uniquely docile personality and also the "universal rabbit" for its varied purposes as pet, show, breeding, meat and fur animal. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) maintains the breed standard for all of the recognized rabbit and cavy breeds for it's international membership.  Recognized breeds are eligible for Registration and Grand Champion recognition. The AMERICAN RABBIT BREEDERS ASSOCIATION, INC. is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development, and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy.  With over 30,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad, its members range from the pet owner with one rabbit or cavy to the breeder or commercial rabbit raiser with several hundred animals.  Each aspect of the rabbit and cavy industry, whether it be for fancy, as a pet, or for commercial value, is encouraged by the organization. The British Rabbit Council (BRC) is a British showing organization for rabbit breeders. Originally founded as The Beveren Club in 1918, its name first changed to British Fur Rabbit Society and finally to The British Rabbit Society. Today, the BRC among other things investigates rabbit diseases, maintains a catalog of rabbit breeds, and sets rules for about 1,000 rabbit shows annually in the UK. Owners of house rabbits are also encouraged to join the organization to learn how to care optimally for their pets. Both the ARBA and the BRC recognize the Flemish Giant Rabbit with slightly differing standards as discussed earlier. Have I Missed Anything? If you know something about the Flemish Giant breed standard, history or status of this rabbit, please let me know.   Do you have a story about this particular Breed?  What do you love about them?  Do you have any tips or tricks up your sleeve for what might make this breed happiest? Perhaps you're a breeder of this type of rabbit. Let me know, and maybe we can set up an interview? http://www.nffgrb.net/Articles/Origins.htm http://rabbitbreeders.us/flemish-giant-rabbits http://mentalfloss.com/article/62965/7-big-facts-about-flemish-giant-rabbit http://www.rabbitmatters.com/flemish-giant.html http://flemish-giant.com/ http://www.thenaturetrail.com/rabbit-breeds/flemish-giant-rabbit-breed-information/ http://www.raising-rabbits.com/flemish-giant-rabbits.html www.thebrc.org www.arba.net https://www.rarebreeds.co.nz/flemishgiants.html http://www.petrabbitinfo.com/flemishgiantrabbits.html www.nffgrb.com. https://gentlegiantrabbitry.com/about-us/ NEWS: United Airlines in fresh PR nightmare after rabbit set to be world’s biggest dies on UK flight http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/26/united-airlines-fresh-pr-nightmare-rabbit-set-worlds-biggest/ United Airlines is battling another PR nightmare after a rabbit destined to be the world’s biggest died on a flight from Britain to the US. The airline, which recently triggered a worldwide backlash after a passenger was forcibly removed from one of its flights, could now face legal action after the death of a valuable rabbit in the cargo section of a Boeing 767 from Heathrow to Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport. Simon, son of Darius the worlds largest rabbit who died during transit to the USA Measuring three-feet, Simon was expected to outgrow his father Darius, whose length of 4ft 4in made him the world's biggest bunny. The 10-month-old continental giant rabbit was reportedly being sent to his new celebrity owner, whose identity hasn’t been revealed.  “Simon had a vet’s check-up three hours before the flight and was fit as a fiddle,” breeder Annette Edwards, of Stoulton, Worcs, told The Sun. “Something very strange has happened and I want to know what. I’ve sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before.” The animal was found dead when it arrived at O’Hare, the airport where passenger Dr David Dao was dragged off a United flight earlier this month. "We were saddened to hear this news,” a United Airlines spokeswoman said, according to the Mirror. "The safety and wellbeing of all the animals that travel with us is of the utmost importance to United Airlines and our PetSafe team. "We have been in contact with our customer and have offered assistance. We are reviewing this matter." Ms Edwards, a former glamour model whose rabbits are said to be hired out at £500 a time, and the new owner in the US are considering legal action, the Sun reported. Darius, the Guinness World Record holder for world’s biggest rabbit, weighs three-and-a-half stone and costs his owner about £2,400 per year in food alone. United Airlines is already facing a row over a passenger being taken off a plane at Chicago's O'Hare Airport His mother Alice held the record before him and Simon was expected to continue the family tradition. The most recent figures from the US Department of Transportation - dating from 2015 but released this February - show 35 animal deaths occurred during transit across 17 carriers in the States. United accounted for 14 animal deaths in that period with a further nine reported injured among the nearly 100,000 animals carried by the company. United Airlines is still trying to tackle the public relations disaster caused by Dr Dao’s removal from a Chicago to Louisville flight on April 9. Video recorded by other passengers showed the 69-year-old doctor being dragged down the aisle with blood on his face after refusing to give up his seat. The carrier has since apologised several times. Second wild rabbit tests positive for tularemia in Pueblo West http://www.koaa.com/story/35243351/second-wild-rabbit-tests-positive-for-tularemia-in-pueblo-west PUEBLO WEST - A second wild rabbit found in Pueblo West has tested positive for tularemia, according to health officials. This animal was found near Scarsboro Drive. The first animal was found before Friday, April 21 in the Kirkwood Drive area. Health officials do not believe either rabbit came into contact with people. Both animals were reportedly covered with ticks. Tularemia, also called rabbit fever, is known to be transmitted by ticks and deer fly bites. Rabbit fever, or tularemia, can spread to human and cause life-threatening fever.  Typical signs of infection in humans include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, chest pain, and coughing. Tularemia can be effectively treated with antibiotics, therefore should you have any of these early signs, see a doctor.   Dogs and cats can also contract tularemia by eating infected animals or through tick and deer fly bites. Signs to watch in your pet include fever, nasal and eye discharge, and skin sores. If you notice any of those signs it is recommended that you take your pet to a veterinarian promptly. Health officials recommend the following precautions to avoid the bacteria: · Avoid handling wild animals. · Leash your pets when outdoors and keep them away from dead animals. · When outdoors near places where wild rabbits or rodents are present, wear insect repellent containing DEET. · If a dead animal must be moved, avoid direct contact with it. Put on a repellent to protect yourself from its fleas or ticks, and use a shovel to scoop it up. Place it in a plastic bag and dispose in an outdoor trash receptacle. Wash your  hands with soap and water afterward. · Wear proper footwear outdoors where dead animals have been found. · Routinely use a tick and flea prevention treatment on pets. · Avoid mowing over dead animals. If you hunt, trap or skin animals, take additional steps: · Use impervious gloves when skinning or handling animals, especially rabbits. · Cook the meat of wild rabbits thoroughly to a temperature of 165°For higher. Rabbit club seeks participants http://www.prairieadvocate.com/2017/04/23/rabbit-club-seeks-participants/akghmaa/ by Prairie Advocate staff MOUNT CARROLL – The 4-H Rabbit SPIN Club is looking for members. Participants don’t have to be 4-H members, but must be from 8 to 18 years old by Sept. 1, 2016. Meetings are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 8 and 21, June 6 and 26, and July 10, 24, and 31, at 610 E. Washington St. Participants will show their rabbits May 21 in Belvidere, and do not have to own a rabbit. Information will include field trips to professional rabbit shows and rabbit breeders, learning how to handle, feed, groom, and perform veterinary checks on a rabbit, and more. Current 4-H members can take part at no cost, while there is a $20 fee for non-4-Hers. Scholarships are available for new club members if needed. Email Leanne Rahn at lrahn@illinois.edu or call the Carroll County Extension Office at 815-244-9444 to register. Boy, 15, charged over hare coursing http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-39671721 A 15-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a hare coursing incident in Midlothian. The teenager was also charged in connection with a dishonesty offence that allegedly occurred at the same time on 31 March. He was further charged in connection with a separate hare coursing incident in the Pathhead area on 23 March. The boy is the second to be charged with the Dalkeith incident which took place on farmland. A report has been submitted to the Children's Reporter. Sgt Michele Lindsay, of Police Scotland, said: "We recognise the impact that hare coursing has on rural communities and remain committed to investigating all reports of this. "We are working with farmers to tackle this issue and patrols are being carried out as part of the rural crime initiative. "Anyone with information about hare coursing or rural crime is urged to speak to a local officer. More than 100 rabbits saved by Brother Wolf http://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20170420/more-than-100-rabbits-saved-by-brother-wolf LEICESTER — A nonprofit animal welfare organization in western North Carolina says it has rescued more than 120 rabbits from a home after getting a tip from the neighbor of a property owner. The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that Brother Wolf Animal Rescue initially took 60 animals from the property, and is in the process of spaying and neutering 60 more. Brother Wolf founder Denise Bitz said more than 30 rabbits were pregnant, resulting in 65 baby bunnies born while in the group’s care. Bitz said many of the rabbits came to Brother Wolf with medical concerns because of overcrowding and poor nutrition. She said several rabbits died. Bitz said the property owner realized she was in over her head, but didn’t have the funds to have the animals spayed and neutered Video of rabbit being hit against pole prompts Maypearl ISD to change curriculum https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2017/04/18/video-rabbit-hit-pole-prompts-maypearl-isd-change-curriculum Written by Claire Z. Cardona, Breaking News Producer The Maypearl Independent School District is changing the curriculum for one of its classes after a video surfaced that shows a junior high student killing a rabbit for a class assignment, KXAS-TV (NBC5) reported. The outdoor education elective at Maypearl Junior High School is focused on survival and life skills. Part of the class involves the "dispatching and harvesting of animals, cleaning of animals and the proper cooking techniques of the animals, and those kinds of things," Maypearl ISD Superintendent Richie Bowling told NBC5. In a video of the incident provided to the Waxahachie Daily Light, a seventh-grade student is instructed by her teacher to kill the rabbit. The student is seen swinging the rabbit into a metal pole. A few parents raised concerns about the animal being killed, and whether it was killed humanely. The school has since changed the curriculum so no more animals will be killed in the class, the station reported. "Our parents were given information prior to even signing up for the class and asking to be a part of it," Bowling told the station. "And my understanding of that is it lists every bit of that out, as far as dispatching animals, harvesting animals, and all the processes that go along with that." The student who filmed the video was given a three-day in-school suspension because of the school's cellphone policy, the Daily Light reported. In its guidelines for the implementation of agriculture education, the Texas Education Code expects students to discuss "livestock harvesting operations" as well as "describe wildlife harvest techniques and procedures." It does not mention an in-class demonstration, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Happy America, everybody! We're ringing in America's birthday with returning guest Blake Goble from Consequence of Sound, as we gawk at the strange neo-con kid's flick The Adventures of the American Rabbit! Based on an obscure piece of 70s pop art, the film sees a young, wide-eyed rabbit turn into a star-spangled superhero and defeat thinly-veiled Communist stand-ins, advocate for American values of kindness and fairness, and...play piano in a jazz band? The whole thing's a crazy mess, and we do our best to unpack it, along with our custom cocktail and drinking rules! (Thanks to our sponsor Cards Against Humanity as part of the Chicago Podcast Coop!)