Beveren
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Also called Beveren rabbit, Blue Beveren
From Belgium: named after the town of Beveren in the Waas region near Antwerp, developed in the 19th century from crosses including the Brabançonne, St Nicolas Blue and Blue Vienna; recognised in 1898.123
At a glance the quick version
ARBA senior bucks 8-11 lb (ideal 10 lb), senior does 9-12 lb (ideal 11 lb); PetGuide gives 8-12 lb overall.
Coat and looks how to spot one
dense, glossy rollback fur 3-4 cm long
A big, mandolin-shaped rabbit: medium-long with a broad back and a smooth arch that rises to deep, well-filled hindquarters. Its thick, lustrous coat is about 1.25-1.5 inches long and has plenty of guard hairs, so it slowly settles back into place after a stroke.324
Personality what they are like
A good-natured, inquisitive and clean rabbit with plenty of get-up-and-go. Most are calm and friendly, though some prefer to stay on the ground rather than be picked up, so gentle, well-supported handling helps.234
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Energetic and fond of exploring; benefits from a rabbit-proofed room or a secure garden area to roam each day.435
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush once or twice a week with a slicker brush to keep the dense coat tidy, more often while moulting.4
Home where they are happiest
Can live indoors or in a weatherproof, raised outdoor hutch. The RSPCA recommends a total living space of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high so a rabbit can run, stretch up, hide and play; a hutch alone should only be the sleeping base, joined to a large run or daily free-roam time. As a large breed it needs a big enclosure with solid flooring and soft bedding. It copes well with cool weather.425
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Unlimited good-quality hay or grass should make up the bulk of the diet (around 70 percent or more), with a measured portion of rabbit pellets, a daily handful of fresh leafy greens and vegetables, fruit only as a small treat, and fresh water at all times.45
Company who they like around
Rabbits are sociable animals and the RSPCA advises against keeping one on its own; a neutered, bonded rabbit companion plus calm daily contact with people suits this breed best.5
The story where it all began
The Beveren takes its name from a small town near Antwerp, where it was bred in the 1800s and recognised in 1898. Mrs A. M. Martin brought blue Beverens to Britain and showed them at Norwich in 1905, and on 29 May 1918 seventeen enthusiasts met in Birmingham to found the Beveren Club. The breed reached North America around 1915 and was valued for both its fur and as a pet.243
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is counted among the oldest and largest of the fur rabbit breeds.3
- 2
Blue was the breed's original colour; black and white came later.3
- 3
The UK Beveren Club was founded by 17 people at a meeting in Birmingham on 29 May 1918.2
- 4
Its white variety is a blue-eyed white.2
- 5
The breed is noted for good tolerance of cold weather.2
Recognised by the official bits
- ARBA
- Recognised in black, blue and white (blue-eyed white); maximum 12 lb; described as active and energetic.1
- ARBA
- Accepted by ARBA by 1919 according to PetGuide; the breed reached America around 1915.4
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised; the UK standard allows several colours, all with blue eyes.6
- The Livestock Conservancy
- Conservation Priority List status: Watch.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Beveren. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily while moultingevery week
- Nail trimevery 6 weeks
- Teeth checkTeeth never stop growingevery week
- Fresh hayUnlimited hay every dayevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Bottom checkCheck the fur around the tail stays clean, especially in summerevery day
- Free roamAt least 4 hours of running space a dayevery day
- VaccinationsSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Recognized Breeds - American Rabbit Breeders Association arba.netused for origin, founding breeds, recognised colours, maximum weight
- Beveren Rabbit - The Livestock Conservancy livestockconservancy.orgused for history and dates, weights, temperament, cold tolerance, conservation status
- Beveren rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weights, body shape, coat length, colours, temperament, oldest fur breed
- Beveren Rabbit - PetGuide petguide.comused for lifespan, ARBA 1919, temperament, grooming, housing
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for space, diet and companionship guidance
- List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for BRC recognition
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.