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The Polish Rabbit

Welcome to our page featuring the Polish rabbit! 

Here you will find a description of the Polish rabbit, *ARBA-recognized colors and showroom weights, along with related links, a listing of Polish rabbit breeders, and for your viewing pleasure-some quality pictures submitted by those who raise Polish!

 

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Description of The Polish rabbit:

A Historical Perspective on the Polish Rabbit

By Grant Olson

contributed by Madelyn Beckstrom, 2006

There are a number of possible scenarios put forth as to the origins of the Polish breed of rabbit. The Ruby-eyed whites were the first variety of Polish. They probably originated in England and Germany but definitely not in Poland. They were mentioned in English rabbit raising literature by 1860. In 1884, seventeen Polish were exhibited in Hull, England. One source noted that the breeder developed them from wild rabbits. Other breeders worked with albinos from small Silvers, albinos from the Dutch breed or possibly albinos from the Himalayan rabbit to develop their strains of Polish. The Polish rabbit was known also as the “hutch rabbit” and was mentioned in one source as being a very common breed in English rabbitries.

According to an article written by Samuel E. Rice in the 1952 APRC Guidebook, W. E. Dexter of Boston, MA imported the Polish rabbit in 1912. The Ruby-eyed whites were the only recognized variety by the National Pet Stock Association for many years. Judge John Weltevreden in an article for the magazine “Rabbit World” said the REW Polish rabbit looked like miniature New Zealand Whites. Some Polish breeders imported some of the best stock from England to improve their Polish herds but were greatly disappointed in the animal’s type and over all appearance. American breeders were able through selective breeding to develop Ruby-eyed whites that were not racy or blocky in type.

In 1938 the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association recognized the Blue-eyed white variety of Polish. Mr. Samuel E. Rice of Saugus, MA is credited with the development of this variety. In 1920 he had purchased 6 REW does and 3 REW bucks from W.E. Dexter. He used a 2.5 lb REW buck bred to two 8 lb BEW Beveren does. It required 3 generation of crossing half brother to half sisters before he was able to produce pure whites with blue eyes. His first show with the BEWs resulted in a BOB out of 60 Polish. Judge Weltevreden wrote in his article on the Polish rabbit that BEW Polish were shown at the 1919 World Exhibition in Leipzig, Germany. These breeders used the same type of cross to develop their strain of Blue-eyed white Polish.

Various colored varieties of Polish were beginning to show up in the United States around 1932. Mr. Samuel E. Rice is credited with being the breeder behind the development of the chocolate and black varieties. He developed these two colors by initially using a 2.5 lb REW buck, a Havana doe along with a small black Rex buck. The black and chocolates were thought to have had an ARBA working standard around 1947. A number of other Polish breeders were known to have colored Polish: Mrs. Jack Ross and John Mellozzo (~1948) and since 1952, F.A. Arnold, Arnold Wolfe, Floyd Tobias, Austin Gaver, William F. Thompson, Frank Call, Andrew Bain, Charles A. Henry, the Cushing brothers and Alan L. Mitchell. In Alan Mitchell’s article for the 1957 APRC Guidebook he mentioned that one breeder had developed red Polish using a New Zealand Red and Ruby-eyed White Polish cross. Some breeders used Polish/Dutch crosses as well as “solid black sports” from English Spots to produced colored varieties. Mrs. Jack Ross (APRC Secretary) used Ruby-eyed white and Havana crosses to produce her black and chocolate Polish as noted in an article written by her for Small Stock Magazine in 1949. Another very prominent breeder of colored Polish was Judge Carlton Gaddis of IN. He acquired his initial stock from Charlie Henry of Saugus, MA around 1954. He developed a black strain that consistently produced show winners and competed equally with the Ruby-eyed whites.

The blue variety of Polish proved to be the more contentious of the varieties to get approved. They were first introduced at the 1977 ARBA Convention in Houston, TX. Elois Liebman of CA was the variety sponsor. Her blue strain originated from a chocolate buck from J.B. Miller. In an ad in the 1966 APRC guidebook, John Mellozzo of NY is credited with the 1st development of the Blues around 1948. Carlton Gaddis also had Blues showing up in his blacks around 1954. This variety had been around for a number of years. The issue for the APRC membership at this time was the concern with what was happening with the Netherland Dwarfs and their large number of varieties. Members were seeing a lack of quality in these ND varieties and did not want the Polish breed to lose the quality achieved thus far by a continual addition of new varieties. Also there was confusion about the differences between the two breeds by some judges. Members want to insure that the Polish remained distinctly “Polish” and by adding new varieties might jeopardize keeping these two breeds unique. The APRC membership did not approve the variety on the first vote. However the membership continued to discuss the merits of the Blue variety in the APRC newsletter. Breeders of the variety were exhibiting them at the shows so other members could see the quality of the animals in this new variety. A second vote was requested and the APRC membership approved the Blues as the fifth Polish variety in 1982.

The Broken variety of Polish was approved in 1998. Gail Gibbons of Cedar Lake, MN is credited with starting the development of the Broken in 1985.  She used a black Broken Holland Lop with poor ear carriage to introduce the broken pattern into her Polish. She bred him to black and chocolate does. She continued then breeding brokens to solids. Judge Larry Bengston initially viewed her efforts. He said they were further along in development than most first showing animals seen at the Convention. The brokens first showing was to have occurred at the 1990 ARBA Convention in Tampa, FL. However, because of a miscommunication between the standards committee with Gail Gibbons, the exhibition did not occur. The black, chocolate and blue broken varieties were needed for the exhibit. She decided not to continue with the certificate of development. Judge Rene Goedderz, MN bought a Gail Gibbons broken stock. She gave Trevor Sypnieski of Brainard, MN a very nice black broken buck. Trevor decided to continue the development of the broken variety. He bred this buck to black, chocolate and blue varieties in his herd. They were first shown to the ARBA standards committee at the 1993 Convention with final approval coming at the 1999 Convention. Trevor started raising Polish as a youth member in 1988.

The lilac variety is now in the process of gaining recognition. Enlow Walker of AK was the initiator of this effort.

  

Sources used in this article:

1952 and 1957 APRC Guidebook

ARBA “Official Guide to Raising Better Rabbits”, 1965, 1973

APRC Newsletters, 8/1982, 8/1977, 2/1974, 8/1975, 5/1980

“Domestic Rabbits and their Histories”, B.D. Whitman, 2004

Article in “Rabbits”, “The Beauty of the Blues: Polish Rabbits with Potential”, Donna Marshall, 7/1979

“Domestic Rabbit”, “The Polish”, W.H. Kennedy, Sept.-Oct., 1975

Phone conversations with Gail Gibbons and Trevor Sypnieski, 1/2006

 

Recognized Colors of The Polish rabbit

Showroom weights of the Polish rabbit

Varieties: Black, blue, broken, chocolate, blue-eyed white, ruby-eyed white

 

Sr. Bucks & Does - 6 months of age and over, not over 3 1/2 lbs. Ideal weight 2 1/2 lbs.

Jr. Bucks & Does - under 6 months of age, not over 2 1/2 lbs. Min weight 1 1/4 lbs.

 

 
National Breed Specialty Club

American Polish Rabbit Club

 

Secretary pro tem:

Patti Walthrop

2405 Greenridge Ct

Euless, TX 76039

 

email (remove spaces): pwalthrop @ tx.rr.com

 

 

American Rabbit Breeders Association

 

What is ARBA and why should I join?

 

Polish Rabbit News and Links of Interest

Do you have interesting news, articles or links to submit into this section?  Click here for more info!

 

Heartland Polish Rabbit Club

www.heartlandpolish.com
165 Members from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio,
Illinois, Florida, Oregon, Wisconsin,
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa,
Alaska, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas,
Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California & Wyoming!
Join Us!
 

How to make your own Polish Rabbitry website

 

   

*Dec. 2005-Showroom weights, colors and National Breed Specialty club info is taken from the ARBA website and the ARBA's Standard of Perfection (2006-2010) and is provided here for general breed information.  While I make every effort to ensure information on this page is correct, I may miss updates or changes-please visit the American Rabbit Breeders website, your breed's specialty club, or refer to your Standard of Perfection/Domestic Rabbit for current information-especially when its' use is vital!  Please email me if you notice out-of-date or incorrect info!

 

Polish Rabbit Breeders

Pictures of Polish Rabbits

submit your listing!

 

Premium breeder listings are shown first,

followed by standard listings

upgrade your listing-it's free!

 

 

Ashke Rabbitry

Canada: Alberta (central)

email

Rex (black, broken, blue, castor, chocolate), Polish (black, broken, chocolate)

a082505

 

Brimstone Rabbitry

Lauren Megquier

Breeder Since:  2003

Michigan

email

Polish, Jersey Wooly

a110906 P+

 

Diana's Polish Rabbits

Diana

New York: Tonawanda

email

No Shipping

Polish

Raising quality Polish in western New York

a060306 P

 

Early Winters Rabbitry

Cliff C. Dick  ARBA Judge & Registrar (RC)

Breeder Since: 1968

New Mexico: Albuquerque

email

Phone: (505) 962-2153

Shipping

Mini Satin, Havana, Himalayan, Velveteen Lop, Champagne D'Argent, Polish

Raising show rabbits with rabbitry partner, Katy Saul (ARBA Judge - R)

a091206 P

 

Fulcher's Rabbitry

Ashlee Fulcher, Briana Potter, Katie Hill

Breeders Since: 2005

Ohio: Mechanicsburg

email

English Spot, Polish

a093006 P

 

Glory Acres Rabbitry Tree

Scott & Jill Gannon

Ohio, Camden

email

shipping possible

Polish, English Spot

a082205 c042506

 

Hares From Heaven

Rosie M. Fleming

Pennsylvania:  Bernville

email

Lionhead, Holland Lop, American Fuzzy Lop, Polish

Mother & son rabbitry.  Show & pet quality.  Rabbits for sale.  Proud of our winnings & bloodline!!

a072006 c112906 P

 

Hickman's Heavenly Hares

Todd Hickman

Ohio: Eaton

email

Polish

Started out as a 4-H project and now raising all colors except REW.  Our rabbitry is located in southwest Ohio, near the Indiana border.

a032906 P

 

Hillside's Farm

Patsy Butcher ARBA Judge-R

Breeder Since: 1976

Washington: Burley

email

Phone: (253) 857-7718

No Shipping

Silver Fox, Rhinelander, Polish (black, REW, broken) Mini Lop, Havana (black) Silver (black)

I support the rare rabbit breeds: 20 years as a rabbit judge

a111206 P

 

Jennifer's Barnyard Babies

Jennifer Klapczynski

Breeder Since: 1997

Wisconsin: Waukesha

email

Phone: (262) 662-3674

No Shipping

Polish

Raising black, blue, broken and chocolate in show, breeding and pet quality.

a010107 P

 

Kayla's Bunny Barn

Kayla Robb

Oklahoma: Broken Bow

email

No Shipping

Mini Lop, Polish

We breed, raise and show quality pedigreed rabbits in rural Oklahoma.  We breed only when new show stock is needed.  Please visit our site for availability.

a080606 P

 

Kayla's Rabbitry

Kayla Campbell

West Virginia: Morgantown

email

No Shipping

English Spot, Netherland Dwarf, Polish, Jersey Wooly, and many others

Quality rabbits at reasonable prices

a080306 c101806 P+

 

LaReau Lops & Cavies

Cathy, Kelly and Jody LaReau

Breeders Since: 2002

Wisconsin: McFarland

email

no shipping

French Lops, Holland Lops, Polish

Visit our site for tons of info on rabbit showing and more!  Quality rabbits for sale, plus occasional pet rabbits for sale.

Picture contributor!

 

Lyon's Pride Rabbitry

Rod & Janay Lyon

Colorado: Penrose

email

Phone: (719) 372-3847

No shipping

Satin, Polish, Mini Lop, Mini Satin, Lionhead

a011506 v011806

 

Maplend Rabbitry

Drew Bliss

Breeder Since: 2000

Michigan: Marne

email

No Shipping

Polish

Quality Polish rabbits - BOS at 2006 ARBA Convention!

a091605 u122106 P

 

Maria's Zoo Rabbitry

Maria Bindert

Canada: Prescott, Ontario

email

No Shipping

Polish, Holland Lop, Netherland Dwarf, Lionhead

Family operated rabbitry raising quality, friendly and happy rabbits

a083106 P

 

Olde Meadowe Menagerie

Michael Sherwood

Breeder Since:  1997

Wisconsin: Wausau/central

email

Phone: (715) 571-9663

No Shipping

Havana (all varieties, emphasis on chocolate), Harlequin (japanese), Polish (black, blue, chocolate, broken)

Breeder of quality, reqistered Havanas!! "Mink" of the rabbit world. IngescheVeuraoz  (Fireball of Ingen)

a111106 P+

 

Reithmayr Acres

Tami, Ashley (R-Registrar), Kurt Reithmayr

Washington: Kennewick

email

Himalayan (black, blue, chocolate), Polish (black, blue, broken, chocolate, REW),  Silver Marten (black, blue, chocolate)

Cavies: American

Many of our rabbits are registered and Grand Champions!

a022306 c112006 u122006 P

 

RJK's Rabbit Patch

Randi Inniger

Breeder Since: 2000

Michigan: central

email

No Shipping

Mini Lop, Mini Rex, Thrianta, Dwarf Hotot, Polish

We raise and show quality rabbits from our small rabbitry.

a072606 u100806 P

 

Rocky 7 Rabbitry

Deb & Kayla Moe

Wisconsin: western area

email

Shipping

Polish (black, blue, self, and broken)

a020306 c072806

 

Ruffian Rabbitry

Jennifer Munday

Breeder Since:  2000

Canada: Bancroft, Ontario

email

No Shipping

Lionhead (harlequin, siamese sable), Polish (black), Holland Lop (otter, smoke pearl), Mini Rex (harlequin, tri, castor, chocolate, booted)

Have sold over 500 rabbits to satisfied customers and happy homes!

a091406 P

 

Rustic Rabbitry

Tiffany McCord

Breeder Since:  2000

Michigan: Pickford

email

Phone: (906) 647-8195

No Shipping

Polish

I raise Polish in the varieties of black, blue, broken and chocolate.

a110906 P+

 

The Stable Room Rabbitry

Bobby & Carol George

Breeders Since: 2001

Indiana: Fremont

email

Phone: (260) 495-5018

No Shipping

Polish (all varieties, over 150 rabbits)

We are located in the northeast corner of Indiana; 6 miles from Michigan and Ohio.

a092006 P

 

Sugar and Spice Rabbits

Jodi

Idaho: Lewisville

email

No Shipping

Holland Lop, Polish

Quality Holland Lops in several colors and Polish in chocolate and black.

a081806 P+

 

Sunset Creek Acres Rabbitry

Michelle & Nicole Pallme

Illinois: Woodstock

email

phone: (815) 568-5394

No Shipping

Holland Lop, Netherland Dwarf, Polish

Raising quality rabbits in Illinois.

a032506 P+

 

TJ's Rainbow Rabbitry

Theresa Ratzel

Breeder Since: 2004

Wisconsin: southeast

email

No Shipping

Mini Rex (black, blue, broken, chinchilla, opal, white, sable point), Polish (blue, chocolate), French Angora (black, cream), Lionhead (tortoise)

First place in 2006 Wisconsin Rabbit Breeders Assoc points sweepstakes for Youth Mini Rex!  Take a look at my website for more information on our quality rabbits.

 

Tranquil Morning Farm

Kristen Hay-Engebretson

Connecticut: South Windsor

email

Shipping Possible

Mini Rex, Polish

Excellent quality Mini Rex and Polish rabbits in central Connecticut

a031106 P

 

Wagner's Bunny Haven-Rabbitry & Caviary

Mary Ellen Wagner

Pennsylvania: Millmont

email

phone: (570) 922-0516

No Shipping

Holland Lop, Lionhead, Polish

Skinny Pigs (hairless cavies)

We raise healthy pet and show quality rabbits and cavies from our small hobby rabbitry and caviary located in central PA.

a021506

 

Wanda's Polish Rabbits

Wanda Kowalik

Canada:  Garson, Manitoba

email

Polish, Netherland Dwarf (opal, chocolate)

Breeding Polish in black, chocolate, blue and brokens - show and pet quality.

a082005  c051506 c091306P

 

Wild Rose Rabbitry

Janice & Jennifer Romick

Breeders Since: 1980

Canada: Cold Lake, Alberta

email

Phone: (780) 594-4108

No Shipping

Flemish Giant, French Lop, New Zealand (white), Mini Rex, Dutch, Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop, Mini Lop, Polish

Raising purebred pet and show quality rabbits since 1980.

a120206 P

 

Wilderhares Rabbitry

Brian, Sonya, Trev, Krystin Wilder

Breeders Since: 2006

Nebraska: Holdrege

email

Phone: (308) 991-3337

No Shipping

Holland Lop, Polish, Netherland Dwarf

Specializing in temperament, and raising quality stock.  Honesty is our first value.

a122306 c010207 P+

 


upgrade your listing-it's free!

 

Archway Rabbitry

Maine: Minot

email

a060606

 

Aspen Grove Farm

Michigan: Millington

email

a062406

 

Bunnyrific Rabbitry

Connecticut

email

Polish

 

Country Critters

Nebraska: northeast area

email

c012206 v111706 c123106

 

Elavage Lapifouine

Canada: Trois-Rivieres, Quebec

email

a012206

 

5 Star's Rabbitry

Ohio: Urbana

email

a012706

 

Graham's Bunny Barn

Michigan: Central Lake

email

a111506

 

The Hare Connection Rabbitry

Minnesota: southern

email

 

KC's Pet-A-Polish Rabbitry

California: Petaluma (northern)

email

 

Kelsie's Rabbitry

West Virginia: Morgantown

email

a050609 c101806

 

L & N's Country Rabbitry

Canada: Maitland, Ontario

email

a120405 c112506

 

Meadow Lane Rabbitry

Pennsylvania: Frederick

email

Phone: (610) 754-1837

a1200406

 

Moore Rabbits

Indiana: South Bend

email

phone: (574) 272-3251

a121605

 

Muddy-Paws Rabbitry

Washington

email

a081106

 

Outback Rabbitry

North Carolina: eastern region

email

 

Papyrus Rabbitry

Massachusetts: Dracut

email

Phone: (978) 957-4824

a041506

 

Riverside Ranch

Oregon: midwestern region

email

a080805

 

Shady Tree Rabbitry

Iowa: Marshalltown

email

 

SilverStar Polish Rabbitry

Michigan: central

email

v120805 c030106

 

Uhlman's Rabbitry

Wisconsin: Rubicon

email

a080805

 

Valley Bunnies

California: Napa

email

Phone: (707) 974-1109

a111606

 

Woehls Rabbits

South Dakota: Menno

email

 

Wood Creek Ranch Rabbitry

Texas: central area

email

a010207

 

 

black

 

Polish rabbit - black

Gallo's Spookie

black

ACTAR's Rabbitry

 

 

Polish rabbit - black

Peecaboo

black

Bunnyrific Rabbitry

 

 

blue

 

blue Polish rabbit

Muffin

blue

L & N's Country Rabbitry

 

 

broken

 

Polish rabbit - broken

Carbon

Country Critters

 

 

Polish rabbit - broken

Gem

Country Critters

 

 

chocolate

 

chocolate Polish rabbit

Hershey

chocolate

L & N's Country Rabbitry

 

 

blue-eyed white

 

Blue Eyed White Polish rabbit

Brad's Chloe

BEW

Bunnyland Ca

 

 

ruby-eyed white

 

We are looking for a breed picture for this slot!  What a great way to promote your rabbitry!  click here to find out more....

 

misc.

 

Lilac Polish rabbit - an unrecognized color

Hickman's Heavenly Blues

jr. Lilac (unrecognized color)

Bunnyland Ca

 

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