The Swiss Fox is a domesticated breed of rabbit originally bred for commercial use of their fur, but now kept mainly as pets. It is a recognised breed in the UK by the British Rabbit Council as a "Normal Fur" breed,[2] however unrecognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association making it a rare breed in the US.[3]
 A grey Swiss Fox rabbit | |
| Country of origin |  Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Europe |
| Use | Pet |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
|
| Coat | Long, fine |
| Color | Grey, White, Black, Havana or Chinchilla |
Origin
editThe Swiss Fox rabbit was initially bred by Hermann Leifer and Müller in Switzerland in the 1920s by crossbreeding Angora and Havana rabbits in an attempt to find a cheaper alternative to Arctic fox fur. The resulting breed was not satisfactory.[4][3] Despite initial low population counts due to its commercial potential failure, the breed is well known throughout Europe and is regularly shown.[4]
Appearance
editThe breed has a medium-sized compact body, with short necks and a partial upright posture. It has strong, upright and long (10.5–11 cm (4.1–4.3 in)[1]) ears. Their coat is soft, long and dense and appears in mostly pastel colouring of grey, white, black, Havana and Chinchilla.[4][3]
Diet
editLike most other rabbits, this breed should be fed a mainly fibre-rich diet, consisting mainly of vegetables and alfalfa hay.[4]
Health
editBehaviour
editThe Swiss Fox is a calm and affectionate breed, suitable for families with older children. The breed can be litter trained.[4][3]
References
edit- ^ a b "The BRC Breed Standards - Swiss Fox" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ "The BRC Breed Standards". 2013-03-29. Archived from the original on 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ a b c d Mortensen, Chelsea (2021-03-08). "Swiss Fox Rabbit: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures)". Pet Keen. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
- ^ a b c d e "Swiss Fox Rabbit Information and Pictures - PetGuide". Petguide.com. 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2023-08-16.