 BRC Logo | |
| Abbreviation | BRC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1934 |
| Legal status | Non-Profit Organisation |
| Purpose | Rabbits in the UK |
| Location |
|
Region served | UK |
Membership | Rabbit Owners |
Main organ | Governing body |
| Website | thebrc |
The British Rabbit Council (BRC) is an organisation for rabbit enthusiasts in the United Kingdom. Rabbits are the UK's third most popular pet. [1]
The British Rabbit Council was formed in 1934 when the British Rabbit Society and the National Rabbit Council of Great Britain and her Dominions merged. [2]
Local rabbit clubs in the 1940s were able to affiliate to the BRC. [3] In 1952, the chair of the BRC, Mr T Leaver, said that there had been difficulties in the rabbit industry during the war, partly because of lack of government support before the war. [4] "Despite these many setbacks, Mr. Leaver declared, 'We are an optimistic crowd, and we will carry on.' There were now over five hundred judges, who wanted people to breed exhibition rabbits with beautiful fur." [4] Women were active in supporting the club and providing refreshments at meetings, but the organisation wanted more women active in showing rabbits. [4] In the same year, the society set up examinations for rabbit-keeping. [5] The first National Diplomas in Rabbit Husbandry were awarded in 1953. [6]
In the 1960s, the BRC campaigned against bans on rabbits being kept in council housing, and suggested an upper limit of 12 rabbits per household. [7] [8]
In 1935, during the Great Depression, the BRC provided rabbits to unemployed people so that they could breed them. [9] In 1941, during the Second World War, the BRC worked with the Domestic Poultry and Rabbit Keepers' Council and the Ministry of Agriculture to encourage keeping rabbits as a food source. [10] The BRC's legal department was said in 1944 to be ready to challenge any local councils which prohibited the keeping of rabbits, as this was contrary to the war effort. [11]
After the war, the council's promotion of rabbit as a food source continued. In 1954 a representative of the council said that "all rabbit breeders had a duty to the nation and that was a better feeding stuffs conversion into meat", to lessen the country's reliance on imported food. [12] In 1959 the society tried to encourage mass production of rabbit meat; this was opposed by the RSPCA. [13] The BRC set up the Commercial Rabbit Association as part of this project. [14] [15] In 1977, the secretary of the BRC "said that two or three does, kept in an ordinary backyard could produce enough meat for one family meal a week". [16]
In 1946, the society had around ten thousand members, and another quarter of a million through affiliated clubs. [17] Its slogan was "Grow more rabbit meat for home consumption, and Angora wool for export". [18] In January 1951 it had 70,000 members. [19] In March 1951 it was said to have "more than 6,000 individual members", and 700 affiliated clubs. [20]
In 1951, the society was given a government grant to enable it to support Rabbit Clubs. [21] In 1953, it was given a grant for Domestic Food Production of £1,150. [22]
In the 1950s, the society warned people about the danger of myxomatosis. [23] [24] [25] It carried out a survey of rabbit owners to try to manage the effects of the disease. [26] The council successfully lobbied for inoculations against myxomatosis to be available for domestic rabbits. [27] [28] Members of the society were directly involved with dealing with the effects of the disease among domestic rabbits. [29] They campaigned against the deliberate spreading of the disease. [30]
In 1992, the BRC temporarily stopped rabbit shows because of rabbit hemorrhagic disease. [31] [32] It campaigned for vaccination for rabbits against the disease. [33] [34]
There are over 50 breeds recognised by the British Rabbit Council and over 500 varieties. These are divided into four groups – Fancy, Lop, Normal Fur, Rex. [35]
To enter most rabbit shows, participants must be Council members and their rabbits must have a metal ring around one hind leg registered in their name. [36] [37] In 1993, the Council was said to give out a hundred thousand rings each year. [38] In breed classes, the rabbits are judged to standards defined by the BRC. [39] [40] The BRC awards stars, certificates for winning breed classes, diplomas, and identifies champion rabbits. [41] [42]
Myxomatosis is a disease caused by Myxoma virus, a poxvirus in the genus Leporipoxvirus. The natural hosts are tapeti in South and Central America, and brush rabbits in North America. The myxoma virus causes only a mild disease in these species, but causes a severe and usually fatal disease in European rabbits.
The Netherland Dwarf is a breed of domestic rabbit that originated in the Netherlands. Weighing 1.1–2.5 pounds (0.50–1.13 kg), the Netherland Dwarf is one of the smallest rabbit breeds. Its popularity as a pet or show rabbit may stem from its neotenic appearance. The Netherland Dwarf is recognised by both the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and the British Rabbit Council (BRC). The Netherland Dwarf is often confused with the Polish breed of rabbit, but the latter has longer ears, a non-brachycephalic head and less cobbiness.
The domestic or domesticatedrabbit—more commonly known as a pet rabbit, bunny, bun, or bunny rabbit—is the domesticated form of the European rabbit, a member of the lagomorph order. A male rabbit is known as a buck, a female is a doe, and a young rabbit is a kit.
The Californian, also known as the California White, is a breed of domestic rabbit originally developed for the fur and meat industries by George S. West of Lynwood, California, starting in 1923. West maintained a herd of 300 genetically pure New Zealand Whites, which he began crossing with Standard Chinchilla rabbits for their dense coat, and Himalayan rabbits. This new breed, named for the state of its origin, was first shown in 1928 and a standard was accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1939.
The French Lop is a breed of domestic rabbit developed in France in the 19th century from the selective breeding of English Lop and Flemish Giant stock. The French Lop resembles the English Lop, but the French Lop is heavier in stature and does not have the exaggerated ear length of the English Lop. Weighing approximately 4.98 kg to 5.21 kg, it has an average lifespan of five to seven years. The French Lop is currently recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and by the British Rabbit Council (BRC).
Lionhead is a breed of domestic rabbit recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC) and by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). The Lionhead rabbit has a wool mane encircling the head, reminiscent of a male lion as its name implies. Other Lionhead characteristics include a high head mount, compact upright body type, short well-furred 2- to 3+1⁄2-inch ears, and a weight of 2.5 to 3.75 pounds.
The term rex rabbit refers informally to one of at least eight breeds of domestic rabbit. One such breed is the Rex, which is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and by the British Rabbit Council (BRC). Other modern-day rex rabbit breeds are listed below. Care must be taken to distinguish the rex rabbit breeds from the three types of rex rabbit fur for which they are known.
In modern agriculture, a rare breed is a breed of poultry or livestock that has a very small breeding population, usually from a few hundred to a few thousand. Because of their small numbers, rare breeds may have a threatened conservation status, and they may be protected under regional laws. Many countries have organizations devoted to the protection and promotion of rare breeds, for which they each have their own definition. In botany and horticulture, the parallel to rare animal breeds are heirloom plants, which are rare cultivars.
The Argenté rabbit is one of the oldest breeds of French show rabbits. The British Rabbit Council (BRC) recognises six varieties: Argenté Bleu, Argenté Brun, Argenté Crème, Argenté de Champagne, Argenté Noir, and Argenté St Hubert. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognises the Champagne d'Argent, the Crème d'Argent and the Argenté Brun. A rare variety, the Argenté Clair, is not currently recognised by either the BRC or ARBA.
The European rabbit or coney is a species of rabbit native to the Iberian Peninsula, western France, and the northern Atlas Mountains in northwest Africa. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, often with devastating effects on local biodiversity. Its decline in its native range due to myxomatosis, rabbit hemorrhagic disease, overhunting and habitat loss has caused the decline of the Iberian lynx and Spanish imperial eagle. It is known as an invasive species because it has been introduced to countries on all continents with the exception of Antarctica, and has caused many problems within the environment and ecosystems; in particular, European rabbits in Australia have had a devastating impact, due in part to the lack of natural predators there.
The Cinnamon rabbit is a breed of domesticated rabbit created "accidentally" in 1962 and named for its coat color. The Cinnamon is currently recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) but not by the British Rabbit Council (BRC).
The New Zealand is a breed of rabbit, which despite the name, is American in origin. The breed originated in California, possibly from rabbits imported from New Zealand. New Zealand rabbits are available in five colors recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders' Association (ARBA): white, red, black, blue, and broken. Crossbreeding can result in many other variations, such as gold tipped steel and chestnut agouti. They average 10–12 lb (4.5–5.4 kg) with the does being slightly larger than the bucks. New Zealands are bred for meat, pelts, show, and laboratory uses, being the most commonly used breed of rabbit both for testing and meat production. They are also bred as pet rabbits but mostly breed for meat.
Miniature Lop is a breed of domestic rabbit recognised by the British Rabbit Council (BRC). Confusion arises because, in the UK, the Miniature Lop is often commonly called the Mini Lop. It is, however, a different breed from the Mini Lop that is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). The BRC-recognized Miniature Lop is most similar to the ARBA-recognized Holland Lop. The Miniature Lop is also similar to several other small rabbit breeds.
Despite its name, the Alaska Rabbit originates in Germany, rather than Alaska. It is a medium-sized rabbit breed, weighing around 3–4 kg (7-9 lb) with glossy black fur, any colour other than black is a fault for this breed.
The Deilenaar is a breed of rabbit from the Netherlands. It is a medium-sized rabbit, weighing between 5 and 7 pounds with chestnut red fur. It is a rare variety in the UK.
The Continental Giant, also known as the German Giant, is a very large breed of rabbit which was originally bred for meat. It is recognized by the British Rabbit Council in two categories, colored and white, but is not recognized as a breed by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
The Lilac rabbit is a dove-blue coloured breed of domestic rabbit. A uniform pink shade of dove is called for by the breed standard, with matching eyes. Lilacs are mid-sized, docile and hardy rabbits. Developed in Great Britain in the early 20th century, the breed spread to the United States in 1922. Population numbers remain low enough that it is currently listed by The Livestock Conservancy as a breed to watch. The Lilac breed is recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC) and the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).
The Swiss Fox is a domesticated breed of rabbit originally bred for commercial use of their fur, but now kept mainly as pets. It is a recognised breed in the UK by the British Rabbit Council as a "Normal Fur" breed, however unrecognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association making it a rare breed in the US.
The society has been affiliated to the British Rabbit Council since last April, and, in consequence, its members are entitled to all the benefits offered by this body of affiliated clubs
As a means of improving the status of the rabbit industry in the country the British Rabbit Council has decided to award National Rabbit Certificates and Diplomas on reaching the required standards rabbit husbandry examinations. The first examinations are to be held at the Harper Adams Agricultural College on March 22nd and 23rd
many persons now out of work are anxious to breed rabbits ... The British Rabbit Council has assisted some of the unemployment centres by gifts of stock, mainly in the form of young breeding does, but there are many more applications for these than can be met
To me it seems ridiculous that Perth Town Council should try to put a stop to this important supplement to the nation's feeding and clothing supplies whilst the Government is doing everything in its power to encourage people to keep rabbits for food and fur. I would also point out that should any rabbit keeper find himself in difficulties with the Council I shall be quite prepared to refer the case to the Legal Department of the British Rabbit Council for proper action to be taken.
The British Rabbit Council (backed by the Government) are making a survey of rabbit keepers to be in a position to combat the disease in the domestic rabbit
Local members of the British Rabbit Council will also have facilities to deal with any outbreak amongst household pets.
John Sandford, life president of the BRC, admitted he was extremely worried about the situation. He said: "It is very worrying that the disease appears to be on the increase. Thousands of people have contacted us for advice." The BRC has been pressing the Government to make sure a vaccine is made available in Britain as soon as possible
In December, 1992, the British Rabbit Council started a petition among its members for the vaccine to prevent VHD to be made available in the UK. Although it was on sale on the Continent British Government red tape about the licence needed for its sale here meant it did not arrive until late last year.
The rules of the British Rabbit Council are very strict. You cannot exhibit unless you are a member and all your rabbits must have your number on a ring on their legs.
if you intend exhibiting your rabbits in shows run by the British Rabbit Council (BRC) you must be registered with them. The BRC supply ID rings to each member They are unique to that particular person and are slipped on to rabbits' legs when they're very young.
Presiding over all this activity is an august body, the British Rabbit Council, which years ago fixed the standards by which a good rabbit is recognised and acclaimed.
Following rules laid down in the British Rabbit Council's handbook, judges have particular traits to look for in each breed. Markings, fur patterns and body measurements are all taken into account.
Stars are awarded to a rabbit until it is officially recognised as a champion by the British Rabbit Council
