breed Library > Rabbit > Californian

Description

Rabbits have been popularly kept as pets in Western nations since the 1800s. Rabbits can adjust well to indoor life, and can even be litter box trained. Like all pets, rabbits need a considerable amount of care and attention.

The Californian rabbit is a true American original. Developed in the United States in the 1920s, this breed was intended to be a rapidly maturing meat breed that also had good quality fur. It was first brought to the UK from the United States in the 1950s.

Proportions

The Californian rabbit has erect ears and is moderate in size, weighing around 7 to 10 pounds (3.5 to 4.75 kilograms). The original coloration of this breed was very similar to the Himalayan. With a predominantly white body and black on the feet, nose, ears and tail, this color pattern is called normal today. The Californian rabbit is now available in chocolate, blue and lilac, all developed in Great Britain.

Background

In the early 1920s, rabbit breeders in the United States crossed New Zealand whites, Himalayans and chinchillas to finally produce the Californian rabbit. The purpose of this breed was to have a good meat breed that also had good fur. The breed did not become popular for at least 15 years after development. Today, the Californian is the second most popular meat-producing breed in the world. The fur quality allows this rabbit to also be classified as a fancy breed.

Personality

Pet rabbits can be trained to urinate and defecate in a litter box or on a newspaper in a specific corner of a room. The litter box may also be placed inside the rabbit's cage or the rabbit can be trained to treat the cage itself as the litter box. Litter training becomes much easier once a rabbit is spayed or neutered. Rabbits can be taught to follow voice commands like a dog, but they can also be trained to recognize different patterns of the voice. For instance, if a rabbit is disobeying, for example biting, making a high pitched, or extremely bass noise will convey the message. Rabbits can be taught their names, although they recognize the pattern of the noises more than the words. Rabbits are intelligent and enjoy games and toys. It is possible to permit a rabbit to run loose in the home if rooms have been rabbit-proofed (i.e. dangerous chewable items such as electric cords are removed from the rabbit's reach). Rabbits have a tendency to chew on items in their space, particularly wires, although some can be encouraged not to chew dangerous or valuable items by offering alternatives such as sticks of unpainted wood. Rabbits will play and throw around objects. Pet rabbits are often provided toys for their entertainment. It is preferred to keep rabbits caged individually. However, it is becoming common to spay and neuter pet rabbits allowing male and female rabbits to live together.

Things to Note

Rabbits are often considered to be a children's pet. However, many experts know that rabbits make poor pets for young children. Children may be careless in picking up the rabbit or physically unable to provide the support the rabbit requires when carried. Because they are ground-dwelling prey animals, most rabbits do not enjoy being picked up and held as some cats and dogs do. Rabbits have very strong back legs that can kick hard; this may hurt the rabbit or cause it to be dropped, possibly resulting in injury to the rabbit or the child. Rabbits are quiet animals that can be fearful of sudden movements and noise. Children may be noisy or chase the animal. As with any pet, parents must take full responsibility for the daily care of any rabbit adopted as a pet for a child.