The Harlequin rabbit is a French breed, known primarily for its multicolored coat which, in a perfectly patterned specimen, resembles a medieval court jester. The Harlequin is categorized as a commercial breed – used primarily for meat – by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). However, the American Harlequin Rabbit Club reports that the breed is primarily raised for its coloring, not for meat. Processing is usually done only for rabbits that do not meet coat standards.
The Harlequin is an exceptionally social animal, even for a rabbit. They do best with plenty of exercise and lots of attention. The ideal weight for the Harlequin is 6.5-9.5 pounds. They have few grooming needs and are not prone to any unusual health issues, beyond the normal concerns of rabbits. Most Harlequins live at least 5 years and up to ten years is common.
Harlequin Rabbit Coloring
The Harlequin is an old breed, with the initial color schemes and patterns first appearing in 1887. Currently, it comes in two color varieties, known as Japanese and Magpie.
Japanese was the original color scheme, combining orange with another color – most commonly black. Blue, chocolate and lilac are also considered valid colors. They were initially known by a wide variety of names but became known as “Japanese” because – at the time – Asian countries were often associated with the strange and unique.
The magpie coloring was first mentioned in 1946. Magpie coloring is a white rabbit, combined with another color; again, most commonly black. Like the Japanese, blue, chocolate and lilac are also acceptable secondary colors.
Harlequin Rabbit Patterns
Face & Ears
In both the magpie and Japanese standards of perfection, the requirements are similar. A perfect rabbit is considered to have its primary color on half its face, and the secondary color on the other. There should be a perfect, vertical line down the center of the face where the colors meet. The ears should be held in a “V” shape and must each be one color – opposite that of the face color.
As an example, in a Magpie-lilac, the primary color will be white and the secondary will be lilac. If the left side of the face is white, the ear on the left must be lilac. The ear on the right should be white, and the face color should be lilac. A lack of clear division on the face is a disqualifying trait in showing.
Legs & Body
The legs should also alternate. If the left front paw is white, the right back paw must be white. The other two legs should be the secondary color. Rabbits of the Japanese type are disqualified if they present with white toenails.
The body should have bands of color down its length – alternating the primary and secondary colors. These can be solid bands or split bands. Split bands have a line that runs down the back and wraps around the body. Like the face, these lines must be distinct where the colors meet – primary color on one side, secondary on the other, swapping in the next band, and so on down the back.
White spots in the Japanese type are a disqualifying trait when showing. White coloring under the tail and body, however, has been an area of contention between Harlequin breeders and the ARBA for some time. This is a normal presentation for the Japanese color. However, there have been instances of the ARBA pushing for this to be a disqualifying trait. Currently, though, it remains allowed in show rabbits.
This article about the harlequin rabbit was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
