The New Zealand Red

The New Zealand Red was one of the first utility breedsdeveloped in America. There is some controversy as towhether it originated from some imports, in 1909, of animalsfrom New Zealand, they in turn being derived from wildstock, or whether they were developed from Golden Fawnsports ' from Flemish Giants crossed with Belgian Flares.The latter is the generally accepted theory.

The breed was imported into this country during 1916,although prior to this elate a very similar breed known as theOld English Red had been standardised by an organisationknown as the National Self-Coloured Rabbit Club. The same breed, although differing in some ways, was and is knownin France as the Ratite de Bourgogne and in Italy as the Fula° diBurgogna.

These various breeds, or rather varieties of the same breed,have been selected by breeders in the different countries, untilthey differ considerably in some cases, although remainingbasically the same breed. The genetical constitution of theNew Zealand Red includes a gene for the elimination of allblack pigment from the agouti colouring, which thus gives acomplete extension of the yellow colour. There are doubtlessa number of modifying genes to produce the bright reddishbuff colour.

Although developed in America as a utility rabbit for theproduction of young meat, the breed in this country has beenselected away from this standard, and the fur character, beingharsh, is not of great value.

The New Zealand White seas imported into England duringthe post-sear period, and has become fairly popular as anexhibition animal. Further it is a most useful laboratoryanimal. It is an albino, as opposed to the White Beverenwhich is a blue-eyed white.

Recognised in the late 196os as a further variety was the NewZealand Black which resembles except for colour the New Zealand White in every way.