Silver Fox

The Silver Fox is a large domestic rabbit that was developed in the United States. Adults typically weigh around 4 to 5.5kg, which puts the breed among the heavier rabbits kept as pets and for showing. Its name refers to the coat: an even scattering of white tipped guard hairs lies over a dark base, giving the fur a frosted, greyish sheen.

The coat's texture is the breed's most distinctive trait. Stroke the fur from tail to head and it stands upright, holding that position rather than dropping straight back down, a trait very few other rabbit breeds share. The coat is also longer and denser than an ordinary rabbit's fur, and this adds to the breed's solid, substantial look.

Silver Foxes have a reputation for being docile and good natured. Owners generally describe them as friendly, gentle and calm, which makes them straightforward to handle and a steady option for anyone wanting a large, settled rabbit about the house.

Is a Silver Fox right for you

A Silver Fox suits owners who have space for a large rabbit and want a calm, easily handled animal. Its even temperament makes it a sound choice for families, and the breed generally responds well to regular, gentle handling. Because it is a heavier breed, it needs a roomy enclosure and an owner happy to lift and support its weight properly. The breed is uncommon in general circulation, so anyone hoping to keep one will usually need to get in touch with a dedicated breeder rather than expect to find one through a typical pet shop.

The Silver Fox breed was developed in the United States in the early twentieth century. Its creation is credited to Walter B. Garland of North Canton, Ohio, who set out to produce a large rabbit with a distinctive silvered coat and good carcass qualities.

The breed gained recognition from the American national rabbit breeding organisation in 1925. In its early years it went by other names, including the American Heavyweight Silver, before Silver Fox became the standard name. The aim was a dual purpose rabbit: one that yielded quality fur and a substantial carcass for meat while remaining easy to handle.

The silvered, standing coat was always the main focus of selection. Breeders valued the pelt because the standing fur resembled that of the Arctic silver fox, and the dense coat had real value once rabbit fur entered the garment trade. As demand for rabbit fur fell away through the twentieth century, numbers of the breed dropped sharply.

Today the Silver Fox is considered a rare breed and has featured on conservation watch lists for heritage rabbits in the United States. A small group of dedicated breeders keeps the line going, with continued care given to the standing coat and calm temperament that have defined the breed from the outset.

The Silver Fox has a large, well muscled body of commercial type, with a broad back and full hindquarters. The head is full and the ears stand erect. The overall impression is of a solid, heavy rabbit with a balanced, sturdy frame.

The coat is what sets the breed apart. It is dense and longer than an ordinary rabbit's fur, and it stands on end when stroked against the lie of the hair, settling back into place only slowly. The silvering comes from white tipped guard hairs scattered evenly through the darker base coat.

Coat and colours

Black has long been the recognised and most common Silver Fox colour, showing a deep base coat with even white silvering across the body. Blue, chocolate and lilac variants exist and breeders have worked on them over the years, though black remains the foundation of the breed standard. Silvering develops as the young rabbit matures, so kits are born a solid colour and gain their frosted look over the following weeks. An even, consistent spread of silvering across the body is favoured over patchy colouring.

The Silver Fox has a reputation for being docile and good natured. The breed is generally calm and tolerant of handling, and many individuals settle quickly once picked up and supported correctly. This steadiness is one reason the breed often gets recommended to families and to owners new to keeping a large rabbit.

Around people, Silver Foxes tend to be friendly and curious once they trust their keeper. Regular, gentle handling from a young age helps keep that calmness in place. Compared with some of the lighter, more reactive breeds, the Silver Fox is not usually nervous or skittish.

Around other pets, a Silver Fox can live alongside calm dogs or cats under supervision, though a rabbit should never be left unsupervised with a predatory animal. Pairing with another rabbit is possible after careful, gradual introductions, and neutering cuts down on territorial behaviour. As prey animals, even placid individuals startle at sudden noise or movement, so a quiet, predictable environment helps keep behaviour settled.

Grooming

• Brush weekly to remove loose hair and keep the dense coat in good order.
• Brush more often, several times a week, during seasonal moults, typically in spring and autumn.
• Check the claws roughly every four to six weeks and trim as needed.
• Check ears and teeth regularly; overgrown teeth need a vet's attention.
• Avoid bathing, which stresses rabbits; spot clean any soiled fur instead.

Exercise

• Allow at least three to four hours a day outside the enclosure in a safe, rabbit proofed space.
• Provide tunnels, platforms and things to chew to keep the rabbit active.
• Supervise time outdoors and guard against predators and escape.
• Give a rabbit this size enough floor space to stretch out, hop and stand up fully.

Environment

The Silver Fox needs a roomy, secure enclosure kept clean and dry. House the rabbit away from draughts and direct heat, since the dense coat makes it prone to overheating. Provide a solid resting surface rather than bare wire to protect the feet, along with a hiding spot where the rabbit can feel secure.

The foundation of a Silver Fox's diet is unlimited grass hay, such as timothy or meadow hay, which should make up the large majority of what it eats each day. Hay supports digestion and helps wear down teeth that grow continuously. A measured portion of plain pellets and a daily serving of leafy greens complete the core diet. Fresh, clean water must be available at all times.

Treats and extras

Treats should be small and occasional. Suitable options include a slice of carrot, a piece of apple with the pips removed, or a few herbs such as parsley or coriander. A rabbit on a balanced diet of hay, greens and good quality pellets does not normally need extra supplements. Sudden changes to the diet can upset digestion, so make any change gradually over several days.

The Silver Fox is generally a hardy breed with a typical lifespan of 7 to 10 years when well looked after. Most health problems are common to pet rabbits generally rather than specific to this breed, and a diet high in hay together with a clean, appropriately sized enclosure prevents many of them. The dense coat brings a particular risk of overheating in warm weather.

Preventative care

• Feed unlimited hay to support dental and digestive health.
• Check the rabbit daily for appetite, droppings and alertness.
• Check the rear end daily in warm weather to guard against flystrike.
• Keep the enclosure clean and dry.
• Find a veterinary practice experienced with rabbits before problems arise.
• Ask your vet about vaccinations available in your area.

As a large breed, the Silver Fox needs more room than smaller rabbits. The enclosure should let it take several full hops, stand fully upright on its hind legs and stretch out flat. A solid floor protects the feet from sore hocks, which can affect heavy rabbits kept on bare wire. Housing must be secure against predators and escape, with good airflow but no cold draughts. Whether the rabbit lives indoors or in a sheltered outdoor set up, it also needs daily access to a larger area for exercise, such as a secure part of the garden.

Setting up the enclosure

• A large enclosure with a solid floor and soft bedding.
• A hay rack and a heavy, tip resistant water and food bowl or bottle.
• A hide or shelter where the rabbit can feel secure.
• A litter tray, since rabbits can be trained to use one.
• Chew toys and other items to prevent boredom.
• Shade and cooling options for warm weather.

Silver Fox rabbits generally reach breeding maturity at around 6 to 8 months old, with larger breeds maturing a little later than smaller ones. In rabbit breeding the doe is taken to the buck rather than the other way round, and mating itself is brief. Gestation lasts about 28 to 31 days. The doe builds a nest from bedding and her own fur shortly before giving birth.

Litters are commonly large, and the doe nurses the kits, usually once or twice a day. Silver Fox kits are born a solid colour and develop their silvered guard hairs over the following weeks, with the adult coat pattern becoming clear as they grow. Young rabbits are weaned at around 6 to 8 weeks old. Because the breed is rare, breeders generally take care to preserve the line and maintain both the standing coat and the calm temperament. Anyone breeding rabbits should plan for the care of every kit produced and take veterinary advice on responsible practice.