Belgian Hare 101
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- Опубліковано 7 чер 2024
- The Belgian Hare, although a domestic rabbit, was bred to closely resemble a wild hare.
It is for that reason that this breed has a long, muscular body with an arched back. They have long heads, a straight tail, which is carried in line with the backbone, and tall, slightly wide, erect ears.
Belgian Hare Breed History.
Belgian Hare breed’s lengthy history originates in 18th century Belgium where they were developed using selective breeding tactics from domestic and wild European rabbits with the intention of making hearty meat. They were imported as early as 1856 into England and dubbed the Belgian Hare, but it wasn’t until 1873 that a man by the name of Winter William Lumb and Benjamin Greaves developed into the breed that exists today.
The first Belgian Hare was shown in America in 1877 where its popularity rapidly grew. The National Belgian Hare Club was formed in 1897, and the National Pet Stock Association added this breed under its all-breed club. After many name changes, the National Pet Stock Association eventually became known as the American Rabbit Breeders Association. In 1972, a group of Belgian Hare breeders came together and applied for a specialty club charter. Soon after, the Belgian Hare was officially accepted into the ARBA.
Belgian Hares Make Waves in the U.S.
In the United States, rabbits were kept almost exclusively as meat animals for the vast majority of its history. Pet and exhibition rabbits were pretty unheard of when, in 1888, E.M. Hughes imported the first Belgian Hares into the United States. He collaborated with two others, W.N Richardson and G.W. Fenton, to bring these new exotic animals to small livestock shows across the country and promote their ownership.
Coat.
The Belgian Hare has short, glossy fur that requires little to no maintenance to keep it in pristine condition. Rabbits are genuinely clean animals. They should never be given a bath, as this causes great stress and can lead to heart failure. Occasionally, rub your Belgian Hare down to rid the coat of any dead fibers, no brushing required, and their coat should remain in good condition.
ARBA accepts only one kind of Belgian Hare coat color: bright tin rust, with a red or orange tint. The entire body consists of this color, and markings include lighter-colored eye circles and ticking on particular parts of the body, such as on their upper back and hips.
Care Requirements.
This rabbit is usually kept in an outdoor enclosure that’s fairly large and tall. The ideal outdoor hutch should be made of wire or wood, have a solid bottom, and be at least 24 x 60-inch floor with a top that is no less than 24 inches high. The bottom of the cages needs to be lined in bedding, spot-cleaned every day, and completely replaced every 5-7 days. While Belgian Hares can do fine in temperatures above the freezing mark, so long as sufficient protection and bedding are given to keep them warm, there needs to be sufficient ventilation during the summer months.
When it comes to their diet, this rabbit breed needs access to clean, fresh water and high-quality hay. Hay should be 70 percent of their diet while the rest consists of a healthy balance of pellets and rabbit-safe vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens. There are some foods that should be avoided, iceberg lettuce, for example, does not have enough nutritional value, while others are fine in moderation like apples and carrots are a wonderful treat.
Health.
The Belgian hare, although domestic, was bred to closely resemble a wild hare. While Belgian Hares are not susceptible to digestive issues such as Wool Block, like long-haired breeds such as Angoras, for instance, care has to be taken in order for them to live long, healthy lives. Two problems that are most common in outdoor rabbits are ear mites and flystrike.
Flystrike is common to rabbits that have soiled fur during the summer. Flies lay their eggs in soiled fur and when the eggs hatch, their primary food source is the rabbit. It is extremely painful and symptoms include lack of appetite, fewer droppings in your bunny’s cage, and sudden jumping or thrashing in pain. If you suspect your rabbit may have flystrike, take them to your veterinarian for treatment.
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Belgian Hares are actually recognized by ARBA in Rufus and the Tan varieties (black, blue, lilac and chocolate) as of 2019. I personally raise them in Rufus and Opal. Also, malocclusion is usually a genetic issue but is sometimes caused from injury, not from a lack of hay. A well bred rabbit has peg teeth (differentiates lagomorphs from rodents) and it keeps their teeth worn down at an appropriate length.
What state are you in (I’m thinking about picking up a pair or thrupple of bunnies)?
@@Rick_Sanchez_C137_ I’m in Canada.
I recently just started getting into Belgian Hares. I want to learn more about the breed and what they’re supposed to look like. Do you know any websites and/or videos I can use to learn more about the proper type of a Belgian Hare?
@@snakeypooo I highly suggest joining the breed club, first off (American Belgian Hare Club). They have a lot of valuable information on their website. I would also look into joining the ARBA and purchasing a Standard of Perfection to learn the breed classes, points, type, etc. Next I would suggest attending some shows to get valuable feedback from judge’s on your animals. Belgian Hares take a lot of time, work and dedication.
@@livingwithawolf I will look into it, thank you!
The black and tan is gorgeous!
"They can learn their names and sometimes come when called." Oh, so it is like a cat then?
VERY cat-like; I have three! I've had probably a dozen (purebred) breeds over the years, and I think they're the most cat-like of all rabbit breeds. Shy, intelligent, inquisitive, and they bond very closely with one person, usually... but they also have a mind of their own and aren't shy about telling you about it! Still, they're my absolute favorite! Absolutely leonine rabbits! LOL
Pretty much any rabbit can learn their name
This feels like a Jojo reference if you grab for enough straws. Lol
Just paid for my first pair today! I can't wait to add these to my program!
How does the meat taste, is there any difference?
I have 7th month old rabbit as a pet his name is charlie!. but he is completely white with brown spots on it. he looks like a Belgian hare but I am not confirmed it bcz of his fur color
I free roam my Belgian Pearlgrey van Halle rabbit in my home. She's litter trained too. Can i bond her with a Belgian Hare? A Belgian Pearlgrey are kind semi large rabbits. Will that fit with a Belgian Hare?
Dang, 3-4yrs? That's a shame. My buck is 9yrs old already. I prefer larger & sleeker rabbits. Too bad US Belgians don't live long.
Wow my Teddy Rabbit just made six years
Hell yess this nice rabbit
so its main use is for its meat or as a pet ?
I bought mine when it was supposed to be killed and sold...
Pet
@@Splashstar216 no. they where domesticated for meat and show. just like any other rabbit.
I dream of a rabbit with American DNA, slender with long paws and dark fur. There are no such in Europe. And it probably can't be transported by airlines anymore.
Can you have one in an apartment ?
Yes
Sure
I don't "like" AI channels.