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Breed Characteristics
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Belgian Hare Rabbit
| Origin | The Belgian Hare is best known for its distinctive body type and temperament, as well as its important history. Although hares are not among the most common breeds today, if not for them we might not even have a rabbit fancy in the United States. Prior to 1890, rabbits were not widely raised in America, and those that were usually went to feed the family. In England, however, the rabbit show circuit had been blossoming for a while. In 1888, the first Belgian Hares were imported. That was when the “rabbit show bug” bit America, and the fancy took off like a shot. Men from all over the country flocked to get their hands on some of the hares. Companies formed for their production and dispersion. One British shipping firm transported 6,000 hares to the United States between 1898 to 1901. Clubs sprung up in most large cities. Millionaires such as J. P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller became interested in promoting the hares. Prices on show stock were exorbitant – one buck went for $5,000 in 1900! That same year, breeders in Los Angeles county alone were believed to own 60,000 Belgian Hares. Eventually interest died down, the market became saturated, and the Belgian fell under the shadow of more popular rabbit breeds – but not before the people who raised it had developed systems of rabbit housing, standards, and tattooing, and had founded the club that would become the American Rabbit Breeders Association. Before coming to America, the breed did originate in Belgium but was developed into its current type in England. Although the Belgian is not a true hare, it was bred to look like one. Fanciers selected to produce the very long, thin body type, red-chestnut coat, and alert posture that we see in this breed today. When in proper position, the hare carries its body entirely off the table, standing with its limbs extended. Unlike other full-arch breeds (such as the English Spot or Tan), the Belgian hare is not trained to run on the show table, though some judges evaluate it by letting it move naturally. More often, the breed is posed by one of several methods. Beautiful as they are, Belgian Hares are not the best choice for a beginning rabbit breeder.The breed is known for delicate constitutions, flighty personalities, and limited fertility. Teaching young hares to pose takes time and patience. However, experienced rabbit raisers can find great rewards in carrying on the legacy of such an important breed to the rabbit fancy. One breeder named Shannon Kelly realized these rewards when her Hare won Best in Show at the Louisville ARBA Convention in 2008. |
Physical Attributes
| Weight | 6 - 9.5 lbs. (2.7 - 4.3 kg) |
| Ear Type | Erect |
| Fur Type | Flyback |
| Colours | They are believed to be the only breed of domestic breed featuring a deep red, rich chestnut colour of the Belgian Hare, together with black ticking of a wavy or blotchy appearance and an extended down the sides. |
| Appearance | The Belgian Hare is most known for its distinctively close resemblance to a hare, with a long, fine body with muscular flank, and distinctly arched back with loins and well-rounded hind quarters. Their head is long and their tail straight and carried in line with the backbone. The fore feet of a Belgian Hare is usually long and fine-boned and perfectly straight, while their hind feet long are fine and flat. |
| Other Considerations | Life Expectancy: 5-8 years Temperament: Timid and friendly, but don’t like being held Due to their difference from other breeds of domestic rabbit, the Belgian Hare may require different dietary and housing requirements to other rabbits, and as a result, they may demand more attention and care. Due to their size and energetic nature, it is recommended that the Belgian Hare be provided with a large hutch or cage to enable them to move freely. For an outdoor rabbit the ideal home is a wooden hutch made of a heavy wood with a waterproof roof, and raised off the ground. If the rabbit is going to live indoors then a wooden hutch can also be used or a cage. They should have a cage with at least a 24 by 60-inch floor for it to run around in and a height of 24 inches. A breeding or brood cage should be 36 by 72 inches, at least. In addition, the floor needs to be solid, as opposed to wire, to support the Belgian Hare's feet. The cage should have proper ventilation, and a plastic or wire base with a wire lid fixed to the base. Add straw, shredded paper or anything similar for the bottom of the cage. It is important for your Belgian Hare to stretch and one good way to ensure this is to have their water placed high in the cage All rabbits must have an adequate exercise area, whether it is an outside run or an enclosed area in the house. Softwood shavings should not be used for the floor of the hutch or cage as they can cause respiratory problems. Fine sawdust can cause eye irritations so this should be avoided. Bedding material should be provided especially in cold and wet weather for the outdoor rabbit. A recommended practise is to place the straw on top of a layer of the hardwood shavings in the sleeping compartment, in order to ensure warmth and insulation for an outdoor Belgian Hare. The rabbit home should be cleaned out weekly and any old food removed. If it is necessary to wash the home then only use a cleaner specifically designed for cleaning rabbit hutches. The Belgian Hare has a short coat and if kept clean, requires little grooming other than an occasional rub over to remove any dead coat. When in moult the coat benefits from a good combing through every other day to remove the old coat. This will help bring the new coat through faster and minimize the old fluffy undercoat matting up when it's on its way out. |
| Best Kept In | Pen, Cage |
