Mountain Pine Rabbitry

The Breed we now know as the Harlequin was initially known as the Japanese rabbit. This rabbit was the iconic Black and Orange rabbit that remains the poster child for the breed. Despite the name this is a French breed of rabbit and has been around since the late 19th century.

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Before I got into the breed I had heard that the rabbit was originally a Japanese breed which was bred to represent the rising sun on the Flag. I can see how this was understood as The American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Guidebook and Standard 1928-1929 had the following description of the Japanese Rabbit "The Japanese rabbits’ color is intended to represent the rising sun and has circles running around the body at irregular intervals; the bands forming the circles are not regular in size or width; the circles represent the sun’s rays and the undercolor the sun." 

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Despite this description, in the very same publication, there was an article written by B.K. Turnock, AR & CBA Judge who stated that "The Japanese rabbit is not of Japanese origin. To Europeans, the orient has an atmosphere of weirdness. Because the Himalayan was weirdly marked, it was called Chinese by some, Russian by others. For the same reason, the name Japanese was given to the most weirdly marked breed or rabbit known. This breed is strictly of French origin, and has been raised as a common rabbit throughout France, and especially in Normandy and the North, for a great many years. It appeared accidentally in the Belleville or Montmartre suburbs of Paris, and is obviously descended from Brabancon or Dutch (also of Brabancon ancestry), and colored rabbits of English or checkered classification. It was first exhibited in 1887 at Paris in the Jarin D’Acclimation. A description of the baby zebra appeared in 1891 in L’Aviculteur."

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It was also said of the breed that "Its striking appearance puts it in the fancier exhibition classes. As a meat rabbit, it is said to be ideal, having a fine bone and firm, sweet flesh. It is one of the best mothers known, seeming having inherited the wonderful maternal instinct of the Dutch rabbit. It is docile and gentle as the Havana. This exceptional tameness, and its gay coloring, make it suitable also as a pet for children."

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The standard for this rabbit remained largely unchanged until 1939 when the breed was dropped by the AR & CBA guidebooks presumably because of WWII and the then unfavorable name of the breed. 

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In 1942 the British standard was revised and included the new name of the "Harlequin" as well as other acceptable colours, includding the first description of the 2nd group--the Magpie.

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This standard was adopted back in America in 1966 when the breed reappeared in the standards and guide books.

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Today the Harlequin is Recognized in two Varieties:

 

Japanese: paying homage to the original name, this is an animal with an Orange base and all 4 colours Black, Chocolate, Blue, and Lilac.

 

Magpie: A white base with any of the 4 recognized colours. Black, Chocolate, Blue and Lilac.

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If you are interested in a more complete history, please Click Here to read Pam Granderson's History (Which is where I got my information from).

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If you are interested in all things Harlequin please visit the American Harlequin Rabbit Club or Contact Us with any questions you may have. 

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