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My experience with Dutch
To me the Dutch rabbit was the ideal breed. Ever since I was a young child, It was the breed that I instantly thought of when picturing a rabbit before I even knew what the breed was called. I have been raising the Dutch breed the longest out of the breeds that I own. A young pet quality Chocolate Dutch named Hershey marked the start of my rabbit journey. His singular shoulder spot still sometimes shows itself with his bloodline. Even though a shoulder spot is not desired in the Dutch breed, I find it a great reminder of my Beginnings with this breed. My first Dutch litter of only two kits consisted of a pet quality Gray and a show marked Agouti Chocolate. That later became Loaf. I fell in love with not only the beauty of the Dutch markings but also with their colorful and varying attitudes that signifies the uniqueness of their markings.
Showing Dutch Rabbits
With this small 4 pound breed wearing a distinctive white blaze on their faces and two-toned bodies. Dutch are one of the most easily recognized breeds of rabbit. The Dutch rabbit also dons a lovely ring of fur around their midsection, dividing the rabbit in two with white and a splash of color. Dutch rabbits are a marked breed, meaning that a majoraty of the grade of the presented rabbit is due to its fur markings. these are the main steps in having a show quality Dutch.
Starting at the head, the rabbit must have an even blaze and cheeks. Judges like to see that the rabbit has rounded cheeks with little to no color going in the jaw line or whisker bed. Moving to the middle of the body, a show quality Dutch rabbit must have as even as a saddle and undercut as possible. These are the markings that divide the Dutch rabbit in half, with white being predominantly on the front of the rabbit and any other color being predominantly on their backside. Dutch rabbits also must have a pair of white booties on their back feet in order to be shown. The booties are called “stops”, these stops must be of mid-length and no color can be going in between the rabbits back toes or else the rabbit will be disqualified from the show. A Judge’s opinion can be somewhat varied with the topic of stops, some judges like short stops with the ring of color being as close to the toes as possible. Other judges like to see rabbits with the stops being in the center of the foot. Dutch are compact rabbits and there for their body must be round. Judges like to see a wide round head with little nose extension along with short even ears.
The Recognized Varieties are:
Black
Blue
Chinchilla
Chocolate
Lilac
Grey
Golden yellow
Steel
Tortoise
Harlequin (UK only)
Yellow (UK only)
How did Dutch Rabbits Come to be?
The Dutch rabbit breed originated in the Netherlands. Very early in their development the rabbits with Dutch markings were called Petite Brabicons. When they came to England they were called Hollanders. Later they came to be known the name we all recognize as Dutch.
Dutch rabbit common vocabulary
Compact type - A compact type is similar to a commercial type. This body type is often seen in smaller breeds. The ideal compact type should be relatively rounded and balanced throughout. It should start from behind the head, over the shoulders to the highest point of the loin, and round off over the hindquarters. The shoulders should remain well-rounded.
Cobby - when a Dutch is considered cobby they are round, short, and stout. In my opinion, this is one of the utmost ideal comments you can get from a judge when showing.
Square Cheek - a "square cheek" is a term referring to the cheek marking on the Dutch breed. When a Dutch has a square cheek it is a marking fault within the breed.
Tied Elbow - a "tied elbow" is often mistaken for a tight elbow. A tight elbow is a marking fault within the breed. It refers to when the color portion of the animal is touching or overlapping the elbow.