American

The American is a large domestic rabbit that was developed in the United States in the early twentieth century. Bucks and does typically weigh between 9 and 12 pounds, with does usually running a touch heavier than bucks. The breed belongs to the semi-arch group and is recognised by its mandolin-shaped outline, where the back rises in one smooth curve from just behind the shoulders to the rounded hindquarters.

Only two colours are accepted under the breed standard: a deep slate blue and a clean white. The blue American is unusual in carrying a true, even blue coat over the whole body, and this colour was central to how the breed was first promoted. The white variety has pink eyes and a dense, uniform coat.

Nowadays the American is kept chiefly as a calm companion animal and as part of heritage conservation work. It is gentle, quiet and settles into a routine without much fuss, tolerating being picked up and handled better than many large breeds. Because it is such a substantial rabbit, it needs considerably more space and feed than a dwarf or small breed, and that is worth budgeting for before taking one on.

Who the American suits

The American suits keepers who can offer a spacious enclosure and daily time out of it. Its quiet, docile nature makes it a sensible choice for older children who already handle animals gently, and for adults after an undemanding, easy-going companion. It is a poorer fit for very small homes or for anyone who cannot commit to daily care across a lifespan that can run to 8 years.

The breed was developed in California during the 1910s. Credit generally goes to Lewis Salisbury of Pasadena, who set out to fix a deep blue colour and the distinctive semi-arch, mandolin-shaped body in a large dual-purpose rabbit kept for both meat and fur.

It was first exhibited and recognised in 1917 under the name German Blue Vienna, a nod to the European blue breeds behind it. With anti-German feeling running high during the First World War, breeders renamed it American, and the new name helped it find favour at the time.

The blue variety came first and built the breed's early reputation, since an even, slate-blue coat across the whole body was unusual for the period. A white variety followed later, widening the breed's appeal for meat and fur producers alike. Through the middle of the twentieth century, many farms kept the American for its dense pelt and good carcass size.

As commercial rabbit keeping moved towards faster-growing breeds, American numbers dropped away sharply. It is now regarded as a heritage breed and has featured on conservation watch lists, which has brought it fresh interest from small breeders working to keep the line going.

The American has a long, deep body that falls into the semi-arch class. Seen from the side, the topline climbs gradually from the shoulders and peaks over the hips before rounding off at the rear, the profile that gives rise to the mandolin description. The ears stand upright and sit in proportion with the head and body. The overall effect is of a solid, well-muscled rabbit rather than a compact one.

Coat and colour

The coat is dense and rolls back slowly when stroked against the lie of the fur, a quality that breeders prize. The blue variety carries an even, medium to dark slate blue right across the body, with the same tone running through into the undercolour. The white variety is a pure, clean white with pink eyes. Both varieties should show one uniform colour, free of stray off-colour hairs, a brassy cast, or patchiness.

The American has a steady, good-natured disposition. It is generally docile and copes with being picked up and held better than many flightier breeds, provided handling stays calm and the rabbit is properly supported. Does have a name for being attentive, settled mothers, which adds to the breed's easy-going reputation.

Around family members the American is usually placid and enjoys gentle attention once it trusts the people nearby. With strangers it tends towards caution rather than fear, and it warms up as it gets used to new voices and routines. It is a quiet rabbit and rarely thumps or struggles without good reason.

It can live alongside other rabbits in compatible pairs or groups where introductions are gradual and both animals have been neutered or spayed. As with any rabbit, dogs and cats need supervising, since even a friendly one can find a predator species stressful to be around. Patience during the first few weeks pays off, since a settled American is calm and predictable.

The American is a hardy breed with straightforward care needs, though its size means it needs more room and a bigger set-up than a small rabbit.

Grooming

• Brush once a week to clear loose fur and keep the dense coat in good order.
• Brush more often, every few days, during a seasonal moult.
• Check the claws roughly every 4 to 6 weeks and trim when they grow long.
• Look over the ears and rear end regularly for cleanliness, since a large rabbit can struggle to reach round to its back.
• Avoid full baths, which rabbits find stressful; spot-clean soiled fur instead.

Exercise

• Allow at least 3 to 4 hours of supervised time outside the enclosure each day, in a rabbit-proofed space.
• Give it room to hop, stretch up and run, which a large breed needs to stay fit.
• Offer tunnels, cardboard boxes and safe chew toys for mental stimulation.
• Keep play areas clear of electrical flex and toxic houseplants.

Environment

House the American in a roomy, dry enclosure away from draughts and direct sun. Rabbits cope with cold far better than heat, so shade and airflow matter once the weather turns warm. Provide solid flooring or a resting board, since wire floors can bring on sore hocks in a heavy rabbit.

Grass hay should make up the large majority of the diet and be available round the clock. Timothy, orchard or meadow hay keeps the gut moving and wears down teeth that grow continuously. A measured portion of good-quality pellets and a daily helping of fresh leafy greens round out the diet. Fresh water must always be to hand, offered in a heavy bowl or a clean bottle.

Treats and extras

Keep treats small and occasional. A few pieces of carrot, apple without pips, or herbs such as parsley and coriander make suitable rewards. Bring in any new green slowly over several days to avoid loose droppings. A rabbit on unlimited hay and fresh greens generally needs no extra vitamin supplements.

The American is a robust heritage breed without any major breed-specific defects. With good husbandry it usually lives 5 to 8 years. Most health problems seen in the breed are the same ones that affect rabbits generally, and most trace back to diet, dental wear and hygiene.

Preventive care

• Feed unlimited grass hay to protect the gut and teeth.
• Book an annual check-up, including a dental and weight check.
• Vaccinate against regional rabbit diseases where a vet recommends it.
• Neuter or spay to prevent reproductive cancers and reduce hormonal behaviour.
• Keep the enclosure clean and dry to prevent skin and respiratory problems.

Because the American is a large breed, its housing needs to be generous. The enclosure should let the rabbit lie fully stretched out, sit upright with its ears clear of the roof, and cover several hops end to end. A common guideline for a large rabbit is an enclosure of at least 12 square feet attached to an exercise run of around 24 to 32 square feet. Solid flooring, with a resting board if the base is wire, protects the feet from sore hocks.

Set-up checklist

• A roomy enclosure with a solid resting area.
• A heavy water bowl or drip bottle, checked daily.
• A hay rack or pile kept constantly topped up.
• A litter tray in one corner with rabbit-safe litter.
• A hide box or covered nook for security.
• Chew toys and a digging box for enrichment.

As a heritage breed kept partly for conservation, the American is bred to hold on to its body type and its two standard colours. Bucks and does of large breeds mature a little later than small rabbits, so breeders usually wait until the animals are physically mature, often around 6 to 8 months, before a first mating. The doe is taken to the buck's enclosure rather than the other way round, since does can be territorial.

Gestation lasts about 31 days. A nest box with clean straw should go in a few days before the due date, and the doe will line it with fur she pulls from her own body. American does have a name for being good, calm mothers, which fits the breed's gentle reputation. Kits are born blind and hairless and open their eyes at around 10 days old.

Young rabbits start nibbling hay and pellets at around 3 weeks and are usually weaned by 6 to 8 weeks. Handling kits gently from an early age helps them grow into the docile adults the breed is known for. Breeders working with this rare breed often coordinate with one another to keep bloodlines varied and conserve the line.