New Zealand Rabbit Varieties Expanding

The New Zealand Rabbit is best known for its commercial quality in three varieties; red, black and white. It's been that way for many years. Now, there are two more varieties in the process of being accepted into the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) Standard of Perfection. At the last ARBA Convention just held in Louisville, Kentucky in October 2008; the Broken New Zealand passed its second showing and the Blue New Zealand passed its first showing.

The ARBA has a detailed process for introducing new breeds and varieties into the Standard of Perfection. Part of this process involves exhibiting and judging a select number of the proposed new breed or variety at successive National Conventions and this is called a "presentation". The requirements for a "presentation" are then judged by an appointed group (usually ARBA judges) as having "passed" or "failed" the showing. Without going into a lot of detail, a failed showing basically means going back to the drawing board. Both the Broken and Blue proposed variety are progressing through the process towards being fully approved.

At the Louisville Convention I had the opportunity to talk with each of the breeders who hold the "Certificate of Development" for the Broken and Blue New Zealand varieties. Dave Mangione from Ohio, started working with the Brokens in 1999 by breeding a New Zealand Black buck to a Standard Broken Rex doe. Dave had also tried using Broken Satins but that cross did not turn out favorably and found that the Rex combination gave him better results.

Sue Schmidt from Illinois, is the breeder developing the Blue New Zealand. Talking with other breeders, it's well known that Blue New Zealand's have been around for a number of years but have never gained acceptance into the New Zealand breed. Ironically, Sue made her first attempt with Blues at the 1998 Louisville Convention but they failed their showing. Now, ten years later and the National Convention is again being held at Louisville and Sue attempts another first showing and they pass.

Although neither the Brokens or Blues are approved by the ARBA yet; it appears both varieties are well on their way. It's not uncommon now to find Broken New Zealands in the barn along with the Red, Black and Whites! You might even find a Blue one in my barn in the not too distance future.

by Peter Tursa

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