Types of Mixed Himalayan Rabbit Breeds

Himalayan rabbits have a long history dating back to Russia, China and Tibet with Black Himalayans being the only naturally occurring breed. The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes the breed and the American Himalayan Rabbit Association promotes the breed. Cross breeding with other rabbits produced three new varieties of Himalayans.

  1. History

    • Little evidence exists as to the origins of Himalayan rabbits. Their history in the United States is documented with their arrival in the early 1900s from England. Their fur was considered the best from rabbits being known as Ermine fur. The rabbits were raised for their fur as well as for showing, according to the American Himalayan Rabbit Association. Today the Himalayan breed is recognized with a maximum weight of four and one-half pounds by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.

    Blue

    • Blue Himalayan rabbits trace their history to England though the details are vague. According to the American Himalayan Rabbit Association the only verifiable fact is that the mixed breed with the blue color was approved by the association as the second variety of Himalayan (after black) in 1962. Blue Himalayans have not been popular and the breed continues due to the efforts of one breeder in California, Don Smelt.

    Chocolate

    • Chocolate Himalayans resulted from cross breeding with the English Spot in England, which introduced the chocolate gene into the Himalayan. The Chocolate breed was promoted in the United States by Don Smelt and gained approval from the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1992. Smelt started with one chocolate female and through cross breeding developed the breed. Once he established the Chocolate Himalayan he was ready for more cross breeding.

    Lilac

    • The Lilac Himalayan resulted from a cross between Chocolate and Blue Himalayans. The result was a color of lilac too dark to gain recognition so breeder Don Smelt introduced another rabbit breed to lighten the color. He succeeded and the Lilac Himalayan breed eventually gained recognition as a fourth variety of Himalayan.