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About German Angora RabbitsAbout German Angora Rabbits




German Angora Rabbits were developed in Germany around 1777 and was a registered breed in the first German rabbit show held in Chemnitz, Germany, in 1885. It was first bred for fiber length, but at the time of the First World War the demand for warm Angora wool increased and the rabbit was then bred for fiber density rather than just length.

German Angora rabbits were then bred aggressively for density and size, and they reached what seems to be their natural limit of fiber production with records of two kilograms plus of fiber per animal per annum. One big problem of these super-dense coated and supersized animals was a reduction in fertility, some rabbits becoming sterile, as they were pushed beyond their limits for greater annual yields of fiber.

Recent breeding standards now show a preference for medium sized animals (around 3.5 kilograms body weight) with good fiber yields in relation to food intake and increased animal cleanliness (leading to high percentage of wool usability).

The German Angora is listed as an endangered species worldwide.

Content and Photo Source: New Zealand Rare Breeds (www.rarebreeds.co.nz ).

German Angora Rabbits Associations

American Rabbit Breeders Associations, Inc. American Rabbit Breeders Associations, Inc. - www.arba.net