Gotland rabbit - Video Learning - WizScience.com
Like 1 Dislike 0 Published on 4 Sep 2015
The "Gotland rabbit" is a Swedish variety of rabbit of medium size that comes in a variety of colours. The Gotland rabbit has official landrace status in Sweden and is considered an endangered variety, but is also being developed as a formal breed under the same name. The landrace closely related to the even rarer Mellerud rabbit.
Rabbits have been held at farms in Sweden since at least the 1500s, though decreasing in popularity during the 1900s. These rabbits were referred to as "bondkaniner" in as early as 1881 and were kept mainly for their meat and pelts. As a result of this, health, productivity and nursing instincts were considered more important that type and colour, which has traditionally been of higher importance in showing breeds. The Gotland rabbit has therefore managed to retain a large genetic diversity in terms of shape and colour, at the same time maintaining good health and few known genetic illnesses.
As show breeds gained popularity, the farm rabbits became rarer until all but extinct. A few remaining populations were discovered in the 1970s on the island of Gotland.
The modern Gotland rabbit originates from these populations, the studbook having been closed since a breeding animal inventory was performed in 1993. Despite the landrace's name, the type represented by the Gotland rabbit is not unique to the island of Gotland - rather, these rabbits represent the old type of farm rabbit once found all over Sweden.
Föreningen Gotlandskaninen is responsible for the preservation work of the breed. Although many rabbits of unknown heritage may resemble a Gotland rabbit, only rabbits born after parents registered by Föreningen Gotlandskaninen are considered to be purebred Gotlands and may be registered as such. Registered rabbits are maintained in an official gene bank registry.
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