American

The American is a large domestic rabbit that was developed in the United States in the early 1900s. A full-grown American usually weighs between 9 and 12 pounds, with does coming in a bit heavier than bucks. Breeders identify the breed by its semi-arch body type, often called mandolin-shaped, where the back curves smoothly from behind the shoulders up to the rounded hindquarters.

Two color varieties count as standard: a deep blue and a clear white. The blue American is one of the few breeds anywhere with a true slate-blue coat covering the whole body, and this was the trait that first made the breed known. The white variety has pink eyes and a coat that is dense and even all over.

Today the American, sometimes called kuneho by local raisers, is kept mostly as a calm companion animal and as a heritage breed worth conserving. It stays gentle and quiet, does not mind being handled, and settles into a routine fast once it gets used to one. Since it is a bigger rabbit, it needs more room and more feed than a dwarf breed, something to plan for before bringing one home, especially in a small apartment or condo unit.

Who should get one

The American suits raisers who can give it a roomy enclosure and free-roam time every day. Its quiet, easygoing nature makes it workable for older kids who know how to handle animals gently, and for adults who want a low-maintenance, low-drama pet. It is not the best fit for a cramped bedspacer setup or a small condo unit, or for anyone who cannot commit to daily care for up to 8 years.

The American rabbit was developed in California in the United States sometime in the 1910s. Credit for the breed goes to Lewis Salisbury of Pasadena, who worked for years to fix a deep blue color and the distinct semi-arch, mandolin-shaped body in a large rabbit meant for both meat and fur.

Breeders first showed and recognized the breed in 1917. Back then, it went by the name German Blue Vienna, a nod to the European blue breeds behind it. Once the First World War stirred up strong anti-German feeling, the name changed to American instead, which helped the breed find acceptance at that time.

The blue variety came first and built up the breed's early reputation, since an even, slate-blue coat all over the body was rare for its day. A white variety came along later to widen the breed's appeal for both fur and meat production. All through the middle of the twentieth century, American rabbits were common on U.S. farms because of their dense pelts and good carcass size.

Once commercial rabbit raising in the U.S. shifted toward faster-growing breeds, American rabbit numbers dropped fast. Conservation groups now list it as a heritage breed under watch, which has drawn renewed interest from small-scale raisers working to keep the line going, including hobbyist breeders outside the U.S.

The American has a long, deep body that falls under the semi-arch class. Seen from the side, the topline climbs gradually from the shoulders, peaks over the hips, then rounds off toward the rear, the profile that gives it the mandolin comparison. The ears stand upright and match the head and body in proportion. Overall, it reads as a solid, well-muscled rabbit rather than a compact one.

Coat and color varieties

The coat is dense and rolls back slowly when brushed against the grain, the trait that makes the fur prized. The blue variety carries an even, medium to dark slate-blue over the entire body, with the same shade going into the undercolor. The white variety comes in a pure, clean white with pink eyes. Both varieties are expected to show uniform color with no stray off-color hairs, no brassy tinge, and no patches.

The American carries a steady, good-natured disposition. It tends to stay docile and puts up with being picked up and carried better than many high-strung breeds, as long as the handling stays calm and well-supported. Does have a name for being attentive, settled mothers, which adds to the breed's easygoing reputation.

Around family, the American usually stays placid and takes to gentle attention once it trusts the people around it. Around strangers, it leans cautious rather than fearful, and it warms up as it gets used to new voices and routines. It stays quiet most of the time and rarely thumps or struggles without a real reason.

With other rabbits, the American can share a hutch or run in compatible pairs or groups, provided introductions go slow and both animals are spayed or neutered. As with any rabbit, dogs and cats need supervision around it, since even a friendly rabbit gets stressed out by a predator species nearby. Patience during the first weeks pays off, since a settled American turns out calm and predictable.

The American is a hardy breed with fairly simple care needs, but its size means it calls for more room and a bigger setup than small rabbit breeds.

Grooming

• Brush once a week to clear loose fur and keep the dense coat looking good.
• Brush more often, every few days, during a seasonal moult.
• Check the nails every 4 to 6 weeks or so and trim once they grow long.
• Check the ears and rear end regularly for cleanliness, since a big rabbit can have trouble reaching its own back.
• Skip full baths, which stress rabbits out; spot-clean soiled fur instead.

Exercise

• Give at least 3 to 4 hours of supervised time outside the enclosure daily, in a space that has been rabbit-proofed.
• Give it room to hop, stretch up, and run, which a large breed needs to stay in shape.
• Offer tunnels, cardboard boxes, and safe chew toys to keep it mentally occupied.
• Keep the play area clear of electrical cords and toxic house plants.

Environment

Keep the American in a roomy, dry enclosure, away from drafts and away from direct sun. Rabbits handle cold far better than they handle heat, so shade and good airflow matter a lot in the Philippines' hot and humid climate. Give it solid flooring or a resting board, since wire flooring can cause sore hocks on a heavy rabbit.

Grass hay should make up the bulk of the diet and stay available around the clock. Timothy, orchard, or meadow hay keeps digestion moving and wears down teeth that never stop growing. A measured amount of good pellets, plus a daily serving of fresh leafy greens, rounds out the diet. Fresh water needs to be available at all times, in a heavy bowl or a clean bottle that gets checked often in hot weather.

Treats and extras

Keep treats small and occasional. A few slices of carrot, apple without the seeds, or herbs such as parsley and cilantro work well as rewards. Bring in any new green slowly, over several days, to avoid loose stool. A rabbit getting unlimited hay and fresh greens usually needs no extra vitamin supplements.

The American is a sturdy heritage breed without major issues specific to the breed. With good care, it typically lives 5 to 8 years. Most health problems seen in the breed are the same ones that affect rabbits in general, and most trace back to diet, dental wear, and hygiene.

Preventive care

• Feed unlimited grass hay to protect the gut and the teeth.
• Book an annual checkup that includes a dental and weight check.
• Vaccinate against rabbit diseases present in the area, on a vet's advice.
• Spay or neuter to prevent reproductive cancers and cut down on hormonal behavior.
• Keep the enclosure clean and dry to head off skin and respiratory problems, especially during the rainy season.

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

Setup checklist

• A roomy enclosure with a solid resting spot.
• A heavy water bowl or a drip bottle, checked every day.
• A hay rack or pile that stays topped up at all times.
• A litter tray in one corner, filled with rabbit-safe litter.
• A hide box or covered corner for security.
• Chew toys and a digging box for enrichment.

As a heritage breed kept partly to conserve the line, the American gets bred to hold onto its body type and its two standard colors. Bucks and does of large breeds mature a bit later than small rabbits, so breeders usually wait until the animals are physically mature, often around 6 to 8 months old, before a first mating. The doe gets brought over to the buck's enclosure rather than the other way around, since does can turn territorial.

Gestation runs about 31 days. A nest box lined with clean straw should go in a few days before the due date, and the doe lines it further 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 overall. Kits arrive 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 early on helps them grow into the docile adults the breed is known for. Breeders working with this rare breed often coordinate with each other to keep bloodlines diverse and keep the line from disappearing.