Standard Chinchilla Rabbit – information and facts about the Standard Chinchilla Rabbit Breed. Learn more about Standard Chinchilla Rabbits in this article. Breed photos are included.
No one should underestimate the value of a Standard Chinchilla rabbit. Aside from being an attractive breed, it is also hailed as one of the most important rabbit breeds to the American rabbit fancy’s development. Similar to other rabbits that have gained their ways to popularity, the Standard Chinchilla has its own unique features that its breeders can surely be proud of.
The standout among all these features is the breed’s dense rollback coat, which is colored as a wavy blend of black and white.
Coming from the family of Chinchilla rabbits, the Standard Chinchilla is the original chinchilla version. The larger versions of Chinchillas that we have today were developed from it.
Standard Chinchilla Rabbit Facts
1. History
The color Chinchilla first appeared in France in the year 1919. It was a combination of the genes of the blue Beveren, Himalayan, and an unknown wild rabbits that has contributed to its overall genetic makeup. Upon seeing the breed, the breeders instantly got hooked into it and saw its potential as a fur animal.
The popularity of the Standard Chinchilla sparked all over the world. But its fame in the United States is incomparable. Following the Belgian Hare, the Standard Chinchilla is considered as the “next big thing” by many rabbit breeders. This popularity trend also triggered commercial operations aimed at producing the breeds in mass.
In the year 1920’s, thousands and thousands of Standard Chinchillas were registered to what we call now the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
However, the popularity of the Standard Chinchillas waned upon arrival to the American shores. Fanciers who raise rabbits primarily for the purpose of profits have decided that the breed is not good enough for commercialization. They think that the six-pound size of the breed is a disadvantage especially in meeting the demands of the fur market. Instead, American breeders opted to produce the American Heavyweight and the Giant Chinchilla. These three breeds were all recognized then by 1930.
2. Characteristics and Appearance
The weight of a Standard Chinchilla could range from 5 ½ pounds to 7 pounds. On other standards, the range is from 6 pounds to 7 ½ pounds.
Standard Chinchilla has a compact and well-rounded body. The width of the body equals the depth. Its hindquarters are well filled and come with a short neck and a well-filled head.
Its fur is rollback in type. The range of the fur’s length is from 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches.
Standard Chinchillas has uneven black guard hairs, giving them the wavy appearance on the surface color. The color of the ring should be dark slate blue. 5 colors should be present on the same hair shaft.
In the United States, there are already three recognized Chinchilla breeds. However, the Standard Chinchilla is the first among all of them. The breed is known to be the ancestor of the other chinchilla breeds, and the color chinchilla that appears in some breeds as a variety.
3. Personality and Traits
Standard Chinchillas are well accounted for having docile and friendly temperaments. They also have a lot of vigor. This personality, coupled with other ideal traits, makes the breed a suitable pet for both the children and the adults.
Many pet lovers prefer the Standard Chinchilla for its size. Because of its six-pound usual weight, people won’t have a hard time handling the breed. It’s not too heavy, and it’s not too small. It’s just right for people who want to feel their pets and have a great time with them.
More than its pet advantage, its size also serves another purpose. The balanced size of the breed makes it an ideal choice for small families who want to put a little rabbit meat on the dining table.
While the Standard Chinchilla has already proven its uniqueness and rich history, it is currently living under the shadows of its Giant and American versions. Many people find it ironic given the strong following of the breed, and yet the Giant and American Chinchillas are the ones getting more publicity. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy considers both the Giant and American Chinchillas rare. And while it seemed like a disadvantage, this status has helped both breeds gain extra attention compared to the Standard Chinchillas.
Nevertheless, the large number of Standard Chinchilla breeders shows that the breed will continue to be in place for the coming years. But more efforts need to be done for its preservation, otherwise, the ancestor of all the Chinchillas might be gone while the focus is directed to its descendants.