Polish

History

The American Polish rabbit should not be confused with the English rabbit, which is also called the Polish. When the English breed was accepted into the ARBA there was already a Polish rabbit, the American, so the English Polish rabbit was renamed in the United States to the Britannia Petite.

Just when the American Polish rabbit, one of the smallest domesticated rabbits, came into existence is not known. Many Polish came from albino forms of Dutch. Albino forms of Silvers were known to have been exhibited as Polish in the beginning, but were gradually eliminated since the Dutch forms produced the better type and the smaller size favored by the breeders.

The American Polish is not well known in Poland. The name Polish probably came from some rumor or other fantasy as many breed’s names have.

In 1884 there is mention of a polish class of 17 entries at Hull, in England. They have been raised as a fancy, exhibition rabbit ever since for many years in England and Germany.

A few years back, the Polish began to resemble miniature White New Zealands with broad hips, large coarse heads and bone, flat backs and some times faded eye colors. Mr. Douglas M. Clarke sent to England and brought stock from the most outstanding Polish breeder there, Mr. Tom Halliday. These animals had long bodies and appeared “racy”. They also suffered from long, narrow heads and limbs. Through a combined effort of Mr. Clarke and top American Polish breeders such as Mr. Ed Corrin, Mr. Clarence Meitzner, and Mr. Sam Rice, the small, neat and highly active Polish of today was achieved.

The American Rabbit Breeder's Association originally only accepted Black, Blue, Chocolate, and White (both Ruby eyed and Blue eyed) color varieties. As of November 1998, the Broken variety is also recognized.

 

Standards

Varieties: Black, Blue, Broken, Chocolate, Blue Eyed White, Ruby Eyed White

Points:
General Type		75
Body	............	25
Head	............	15
Ears	............	15
Eyes	............	15
Feet & Legs	............	4
Tail	............	1
Fur	............	10
Color and Markings	............	10
Condition	............	5
Total Points		100

Showroom Classes and Weights:
Senior Bucks and Does- 6 months of age and over, weight not over 3 1/2 pounds. Ideal weight 2 1/2 pounds.

Junior Bucks and Does - Under 6 months of age, weight not over 2 1/2 pounds. Minimum weight 1 1/4 pounds.

*Note  No animal may be shown in a higher age classification than its true age.  No animal may be shown in a lower age classification than its true age.

*Note  Do not flatten or stretch out the Polish, or penalize the more active animal. The more alert specimens will present the all-important head, ears, and eyes in their most natural position and will afford the best opportunity to properly evaluate them.

Faults – Long in body; protruding hips; flat, broad hips; not well rounded.

Disqualification from Competition – Dewlap, but allow for pencil lines or small roll of fur.

Head – The head should be medium full and short, with full cheeks and muzzle. It is to be slightly broader in bucks then does. When viewed from the side, there should be a slight curvature in the skull from the base of the ears toward the nose, and there should be a slight roundness between the eyes.

Faults – Long, narrow head; pointed nose or pinched muzzle; flat or concave between the eyes; Dwarf type head.

Ears – Ears are to be small and balanced with the body. They are to be well formed, of good substance, set close together, and touch each other all the way up, without showing flanges in frontal view. Base of ears is to be in proportion to the head.

Faults – Scissored; bowed; “V” spread carriage. Not well furred or lacking substance.

Disqualification from Competition – Ear length over 3 inches.

Eyes – Eyes are t be large, bold, expressive, and bright.

Feet and Legs – Feet and legs are to be short, with fine bone. Toenails are to be white on white varieties and to match the body color on colored varieties.

Disqualifications from Competition – One or more colored toenails on whites; one or more white toenails on colored varieties. Toenails not matching on same food or corresponding foot.

Tail – The tail is to be short, full, and in proportion to the body. It should harmonize in color with the body. It should harmonize in color with the body.

Fur – The fur is to be a short, fine, dense, flyback coat. The fur should be clean and have a glossy luster, free from molt.

Faults – Lack of finish to coat; cottony texture; harsh texture; too long in length with excessive guard hair.

Disqualification from Competition – Rollback fur.

Condition -   Must conform to the ARBA Condition Standard