Silver Fox Rabbits

Learn more about the Silver Fox Rabbit Breed. Discover cool facts, pictures, resources and find information about caring for Silver Fox Rabbits.

This rabbit breed information page is part of our rabbit breeds article series.

Silver Fox Rabbit Resource Links: Free Rabbit Breeders Newsletter | Silver Fox Rabbit Breed Info | Silver Fox Rabbit Information and History | Silver Fox Rabbit Care | Silver Fox Rabbit Resources

Silver Fox Rabbit Breed Info

Silver Fox Rabbit BreedRecognized colors: black only

Size: Maximum of 12 pounds

National Specialty Club:
nsfrc.com

Silver Fox Rabbit Breed Photo Credit:

rightpet.com

Silver Fox Rabbit Information and History

“One of a Kind since 1929,” claims the National Silver Fox Rabbit Club, proud of the breed they sponsor.  The Silver Fox rabbit was the second breed to originate in the United States, the first being the American Blue.  Ironically, these are two of the rarest breeds in our country today.

At least, the Silver Fox is classified as “threatened” by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, but it seems to have a fair-sized following among both show breeders and those who prefer a more interesting meat rabbit than Californians or New Zealands.  In terms of type, the Silver Fox has a heavy commercial body, producing a fryer that can dress out at 65% of its live weight.  The breed has a number of unique features as well.  One of these is the fur.  The Silver Fox is the only breed to have a type of normal fur that is called a “standing coat.”  It is very long at 1 ½ inches, and when stroked from tail to head, should stand nearly straight up.  While other breeds have “flyback” or “rollback” coats, where the fur returns to natural position after being stroked against the grain, the Silver Fox coat must be smoothed down by hand.  This quality makes the pelt very similar to that of the arctic canine, the silver fox.

The Silver part of the name comes from the quantity of white and white-tipped guard hairs that are scattered throughout the coat.  These contrast from the dark base color to create a “ticked” appearance.  Rabbits are not born silvered, but the white hairs start to appear at four weeks of age, and continue to increase throughout the rabbit’s life.  Silvering is caused by a recessive gene, indicated by the symbol si.  There are four breeds recognized in the US that always show this gene: the Crème d’Argent, Champagne d’Argent, Silver, and of course the Fox.  Each breed’s standard calls for a little bit different type and degree of silvering.

It’s thought that the Champagne d’Argent was used to introduce the gene to the Silver Fox.  An Ohio man named Walter B. Garland developed this breed in the 1920’s.  He didn’t tell what breeds he used, but as he normally raised Champagnes and Checkered Giants, it’s likely that both contributed to the genetic makeup of the Silver Fox.  The breed was first known as the American Heavyweight Silver when its first working standard was approved in 1925.  In 1929, the name was changed to American Silver Fox, and later just Silver Fox.  Black is currently the only accepted variety, but blue and chocolate are in development.  Silver Foxes are known to have very gentle temperaments.

This breed is only found in the United Sates.  The “Silver Fox” breed of Europe and Australia is the same rabbit that Americans call Silver Marten.

Silver Fox Rabbit Care

Here is a list of resources to help you care for your silver fox rabbits…

Silver Fox Rabbit Resources

Here is a listing of silver fox rabbit resources to help you out with your rabbit project…

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