Biology:Swiss Fox
 A grey Swiss Fox rabbit | |
| Country of origin | Template:Country data Swiss Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Europe |
| Use | Pet |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
|
| Coat | Long, fine |
| Color | Grey, White, Black, Havana or Chinchilla |
| Lifespan | 5-8 years |
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]
Origin
The 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
The 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
Like most other rabbits, this breed should be fed a mainly fibre-rich diet, consisting mainly of vegetables and alfalfa hay.[4]
Health
The Swiss Fox does not suffer from many major health issues, however being a long-haired breed it can be susceptible to digestive issues such as GI statis as they may consume their own fur as part of their grooming habits, which may cause intestinal blockage, or in severe cases, death. This issue can be avoided by feeding the rabbit roughage and brushing their fur regularly.[4]
Behaviour
The Swiss Fox is a calm and affectionate breed, suitable for families with older children. The breed can be litter trained.[4][3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The BRC Breed Standards - Swiss Fox". http://www.thebrc.org/standards/N35-Swiss%2520Fox.pdf.
- ↑ "The BRC Breed Standards". 2013-03-29. http://www.thebrc.org/standards.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Mortensen, Chelsea (2021-03-08). "Swiss Fox Rabbit: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures)" (in en-US). https://petkeen.com/swiss-fox-rabbit/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Swiss Fox Rabbit Information and Pictures - PetGuide" (in en). 2017-12-21. https://www.petguide.com/breeds/rabbit/swiss-fox-rabbit/.
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