History of the Netherland Dwarf Rabbit

About the early 1880's in England, there appeared in the litters of Dutch rabbits a white sport [mutation] with red eyes, of a similar body type to the Dutch of that time, weighing about 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 lbs., cobby in build and soft in coat. These white sports were later given the name "Polish", but they were far removed from the petite little Pole [Britannia Petite] that we know today. Although not strong or robust in character, a few were kept and interbred, and were found to reproduce their own kind. Through selected line-breeding, several more white rabbits with red eyes were obtained.

This new creation was shown at an exhibition in Hull in 1884, and at about that time these "Polish" were exported from England to the Hanover district of Germany.

Their arrival in Germany was greeted with enthusiasm and the fanciers of that time set a standard somewhat similar to that of the Netherland Dwarf today. In an effort to obtain this new "type", the Polish were crossed with small wild European rabbits. The resulting young were agouti in color, but in the next generation blacks appeared and, as is inevitable in this color group, red-eyed whites soon made their appearance again.

At the beginning of the First World War, the blue-eyed white made its appearance in the province of Saxony, now in East Germany. As to how the blue-eyed white was first bred, little is known, as information from Eastern European countries is difficult to obtain. These animals were larger in bone structure, longer in body, and had a more harsh, flyback coat than did the red-eyed whites.

Until the late 1930's, the only colors of Dwarfs were red-eyed and blue-eyed whites. However, at this time the great Dutch fancier Jan Meyering, together with some close associates, saw the possibilities of a colored Dwarf and began to cross red-eyed whites with the normal counterparts of the larger breeds they wished to dwarf. After many years of selective breeding, colored Dwarfs had arrived at their present high standard, and were first given a standard in Holland in 1940.

Darrell Bramhall of Iowa, who is a noted pigeon judge and small stock fancier, met Jack Turnbull at a rabbit exposition in Fort Worth, Texas in January, 1969. Mr. Turnbull, a Netherland Dwarf rabbit breeder from England was working in Connecticut on a temporary basis at the time. These gentlemen began a discussion about Netherland Dwarfs which increased Mr. Bramhall's interest in them dramatically. Mr. Turnbull had indicated that he had plans to contact some of his breeder friends in England to import a number of Dwarfs that year. Netherland Dwarfs had been imported to both the United States and to Canada as early as 1965; however, they were being used only to improve the Polish breed, or merely as a curiosity.

Mr. Bramhall did not hear from Mr. Turnbull again until June, when he wrote to him to see how he was progressing with the importation of Dwarfs. Mr. Turnbull replied that he had brought a number of Dwarfs over from England and offered some of them to him. Of course, Mr. Bramhall wanted some of the Dwarfs and began negotiating for several pairs. The first pair he received were Himalayans.

Mr. Turnbull was responsible for exhibiting the first required showing of Dwarfs at this Convention. He showed a pair of Ruby-Eyed Whites, a Black, and a Siamese Sable. There were 6 Dwarfs shown altogether by 2 exhibitors. Albert Reurs, a Dutchman residing in Listowel, Ontario, Canada, was the other exhibitor. He had a pair of Ruby-Eyed Whites. After the Convention, word was received from Mr. Turnbull that the Dwarfs created a lot of interest at the show, and that the ARBA Board of Directors accepted the proposed Standard of Perfection for the Netherland Dwarf rabbit. With this ruling, the Dwarfs could be shown as a recognized breed at all ARBA shows, however, the exhibitor must provide the presiding judge with a copy of the Standard for Dwarfs.

Interest in Dwarfs spread rapidly during the first year, as many more Dwarfs were imported from England and Holland, and many new breeders became interested in the breed. Officers for the first two years were Jack Turnbull, President; Joe Stankus, Vice-President; and Darrell Bramhall, Secretary-Treasurer. At the 1970 ARBA Convention & Show held at Syracuse, New York, the small beginning of only 6 Dwarfs at the previous Convention rose to 85 Dwarfs that year.

In the spring of 1971 the ANDRC held its first National Netherland Dwarf Show at Montpelier, Ohio. There were 85 Dwarfs shown by 26 exhibitors which were judged by Darrell Bramhall.

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