Exploring Rabbit Breeds: The Californian Rabbit
Not as Cute as a Playboy Bunny, but Darn Close!
Appearance:
The Californian Rabbit reaches an adult weight of ten to twelve pounds, with the does on the higher end of the scale. The rabbit has a white body with the ears, tail, feet and nose a dark brown to black color, with black being preferred. The rabbit also has pink or red eyes, just like his New Zealand White ancestor.
History:
The Californian Rabbit was first shown in 1928 at a South Gate, California rabbit show. The Californian Rabbit began when, in 1923, George West cross bred a Himalayan rabbit to a Standard Chinchilla to produce a chinchilla colored buck. This buck was bred to several New Zealand White does, resulting in the rabbit we currently know as the Californian.
Health:
As with all large breed rabbits, the Californian will tend to get sore hocks if kept in a wire bottomed pen. Proper measures must be taken to avoid them. Aside from the occasional problem of sore hocks, Californian Rabbits are not generally bothered with health problems.
Personality:
The Californian's personality ranges from a very social and loving animal to a very quiet and reserved one. He is generally mild mannered and even tempered. The body is sturdy, compact and healthy, making him an excellent choice for your house pet.
4-H/FFA:
For those interested in a 4-H or FFA Market Rabbit project, the trend leans towards the popular New Zealand White. However, the Californian comes in a close second. He is a valuable prospect to consider. The Californian reaches his market weight quickly, in just under 12 weeks time. He is easy to keep in show condition and his mild temperament makes him easy to handle, impressing fair judges.
Whatever your reason for wanting a rabbit, I can honestly recommend the Californian breed. For many years I have been involved with rabbits of various sizes and breeds, from the diminutive Netherland Dwarf to the gargantuan Flemish Giant and only the Californian has remained constant. I am sold on this fabulous breed of rabbit and I am sure that you will be as well.
Published by BunnyMama29
I am a 29 year old country girl living in Central Ohio. I raise rabbits, Treeing Walker Coonhounds and two amazing step sons, not to mention my husband! I'm a big fan of Tillamook Cheese, Kevin Smith and w... View profile
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- The Californian Rabbit reaches an adult weight of ten to twelve pounds
- Californian Rabbits are not generally bothered with health problems.
- his mild temperament makes him easy to handle
11 Comments
Post a CommentI had a Californian rabbit for several years (from July 2002 to November 2007, although he was already approximately 9 months old when I got him), and he was one of the funniest creatures I've ever seen. He was relatively calm, but he was quite intelligent for a rabbit and very stubborn. He was impossible to bribe out from under beds or desks, and required someone to physically grab him if he didn't want to leave. On the other hand, he was very soft and tolerated being cuddled and was fun to play with. He had a very pleasant and quite humorous personality for a rabbit. If he is any indication of the breed, I would highly recommend a Californian to anyone who wants a rabbit.
i got a californian couple years ago and im gonna show her in tha county fair, i showed her in the fair beforev but im lost in all this electrinics so i aint got no clue what im doin. but this web site helped me out alot to find fact bout my rabbit thank ya
If you have a rabbit out of control; if possible to pick up, just put his head under your underarm. Normally not always but normally, it will work.
I've got 2 Cal. does' and they just got some young born. They have gone through FIVE litters, all died on both of my doe rabbits. This is their fist time to have a litter live. One doe Miss Frisky had 2, Only one lived. My second had 5, only 4 lived. I my self, sell rabbits; meat rabbits. They say that when you get rabbits, they multiply like Crazy. WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT!
I got a californian a few months agoa and she has the worst hutch stain imaginable, she is literally a yellow orange. she would attack me before and just now is holdable. Any one know how 2 get rid of it?
I to recently aquired a beautiful 2 year Califorian buck rabbit through the Westland Humane Society. He to as well is my 4Th rabbit. I owned a female Holland Lop, A female Lop. I still own a Netherland Dwarf male and now this 12 pound fellah. I have to say that out of all my rabbits? My Californian rabbit has one of the sweetest temperments. Friendly, loving, gentle, social as ever with my 4 cats, St Bernard, German Shepherd and Lab mix. From day one I could sit on the floor with him and he would come right up to me for some attention. He loves to take naps with me and cuddle right up under my chin while I sleep. He was not potty trained at all when I adopted him but I started him the very first day with a littler pan and put some Timothy hay in to one corner of it and it's only been two weeks and he is now 100% litter box trained. Extreamly smart and willing to please. He has never one time nipped me or has shown agression towards any of my other animals what so ever. I would 100% an
I hope this works, and if it does, here's a pic of my Cali:
Last year I adopted a Cali from a shelter in Chicago. He had been abused, abadoned, adopted, and returned again. I'd definitely say he's on the "mild and reserved" end of the spectrum. While not being all that cuddly, I can swear up an down he is an intelligent, curious little guy! He's warmed up to "nose kisses" as long as we're down on the ground with him, and we don't try to pick him up. I imagine he'll warm up even further in the next few years (we've just crossed the threshold of the amount of time he was abused). I definitely recommend a Cali for anyone seeking a rabbit!
I now own four Californian Rabbit Bucks for FFA and they are the sweetest animal i have ever owned
thats so cute i need a mini lop