The Dutch rabbit has been around for hundreds of years, although the markings certainly weren't as refined as we see them today. The perfectly marked Dutch has yet to have been bred, although there have been some close to perfect ones produced over the many years since the breed was first developed. In breeding Dutch rabbits two ideally marked specimens mated together will not necessarily guarantee well marked offspring. This makes the Dutch rabbit an exciting challenge to breed and show.

Although the name suggests that the Dutch rabbit is from the Netherlands, it was actually developed in England. During the 1830s rabbits were imported to England from Ostend in the Netherlands every week for the meat market. Amongst these rabbits was a breed known as the Petite Brabancon, as it originated from Brabant in Flanders. The Petite Brabancon may still be found in paintings from the fifteenth century. The Dutch rabbit has its genetic roots in this old breed. The Petite Brabancon would often display Dutch markings, and breeders in England selected those with even markings, fixing those markings into the breed we know today.

Due to the popularity of the breed several Area Specialist clubs have been formed all over the UK in addition to the National breed club. As the name suggests the Greater London Dutch Rabbit Club (GLDRC) caters for breeders and exhibitors of Dutch rabbits in London and the surrounding areas.

BIS Members - Richard Jackson

We hold five shows each year in the Greater London area. Three of our shows are held independently at our home venue in High Beach, Nr Loughton, Essex and the remaining two are hosted by local clubs within our area.

All fanciers are guaranteed a warm welcome at our friendly shows, regardless of the number of rabbits they keep, the length of time they have kept them for, or even whether or not they are a British Rabbit Council (BRC) member. Our shows are also open to the public so anybody would be welcome to come along to meet us and view the rabbits.

The club also hosts an auction class at each show and sales pens at our shows held at High Beach. We often have quality rabbits that can be purchased for show, breeding or pets (please note the club abides by and supports the Pet Animals Act 1951, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the BRC Code of Practice for Sale of Domestic Rabbits) so if you are looking for new Dutch rabbit we may have just the one for you.

01/07/10

01/07/10