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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* Gallo's Spookie black ACTAR's Rabbitry Peecaboo black Bunnyrific Rabbitry *blue* Muffin blue L & N's Country Rabbitry *broken* Carbon Country Critters Gem Country Critters *chocolate* Hershey chocolate L & N's Country Rabbitry *blue-eyed white* 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.* Hickman's Heavenly Blues jr. Lilac (unrecognized color) Bunnyland Ca

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