Tan rabbits, despite their name, are not, in fact, tan in color. They have a two-toned pattern with similar markings to Doberman Pincher dogs, with tan on the chin, chest, belly and tail. The rest of the rabbit may be lilac, blue, chocolate or black, depending on the type. Tans are small rabbits, weighing no more than 5.5 pounds and primarily bred by experienced rabbit breeders for show purposes.

Challenges to Raising Tan Rabbits

Personality

Tans, unlike many domestic rabbits, are a high-strung, active breed. They were developed in 1880 from a colony of wild rabbits in England and a Dutch cross, and while their physical appearance has changed over the generations, their ancestry certainly can be seen in their activity levels. If not properly socialized or handled, they have been known to be aggressive – especially the females. They are not “snuggly” rabbits, and require plenty of exercise.

Breeding

Breeding tan rabbits can be a challenge for a number of reasons. Litters are small, often only averaging about four kits. Because the adults are so active, the death of the young through cannibalization or stomping to death is common, especially since many rabbit cages don’t provide enough space. They also are known for having young outside the nestbox because of their energetic natures. Socializing does can help them become better mothers, and more experienced does are less likely to have issues.

If breeding for show, be aware that Tans have often been line bred for many generations. This means that the rabbits that have good genetics are great, but the breed will also be prone to harmful mutations. Bucks born with missing testicles or a split penis, or rabbits born with misaligned teeth are not uncommon. Body conformation will also be important at shows, and keeping only those that meet the proper standards will reduce available stock even further.

Care of Tan Rabbits

Tans live about eight to ten years, and aside from the previously-mentioned genetic concerns, are not unusually predisposed to any diseases. However, because of their activity level, they can be prone to injury. Broken tails and nails are especially common, and these or other injuries can be a cause for worry.

Especially for those who intend to show or breed their rabbits, the Tan will need lots of socialization and “hands-on” time. Daily handling, exercise and show-ring training are recommended. Despite being a small rabbit, plan on a larger cage to give them plenty of running room. Tans cannot be trusted outside a caged area, so don’t try them with free-ranging. You might never get them back!

The upside to all this activity is that breeders rarely have to worry about obesity with their Tans. Some even struggle to maintain a healthy weight. A balanced diet of pellets, high-quality hay and fresh water will help them maintain good nutrition. Make certain protein levels are as high as possible with pregnant and nursing does to ensure good health and lower stress levels.

Showing the Tan

Tans have a body type unlike almost any other breed and it is worth twenty-five out of the full hundred points at show. It should have a long, fine-boned body that arches from neck to tail. The chest should be wide and the body should taper from shoulders to hips. The hips and legs should be the width of the body and parallel to one another. Balance is important in the Tan, since if the body is too long or too short the rabbit will lose the lovely arch that makes the Tan so distinctive. The bone structure, likewise, should be fine without being too fine.

The Tan should have a short “flyback” coat that quickly returns to position when stroked backward. The line between the colors on the chest should be clearly defined. The coat texture will change as the rabbit gets older, so knowing the show requirements by category is important. The coat will always be medium fine, however, and should have no colors other than Tan and the color allowed by the rabbit’s type.

Broken tails, nails or other signs of injury are a common reason for disqualification, so rabbits should be checked carefully before showing.

Conclusion

The tan rabbit is an active breed, suggested for experienced rabbit breeders only. Their active nature has made them difficult to breed, high-strung and prone to injuries. Generations of line breeding also make it important to be able to recognize and cull poor genetics early on. However, they can be a stimulating project for the experienced breeder and their elegant appearance makes them a stand out in the show ring.

This article about Tan rabbits was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.