Tan Rabbit

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, glossy flyback coat on a full-arch body

A sleek, compact little rabbit with a lean, deep body that arches in a smooth curve from the neck to the tail, and fairly long legs. The fur is short and shiny and springs straight back into place when stroked the wrong way. The top colour is dark, while a rich, deep red-tan trims the chest, belly, underside of the tail, jowls, nostrils, eye circles and ear edges.231

Personality what they are like

A bright, high-energy rabbit that is friendly and sweet once it knows its people. Its lively nature makes it a great match for active, experienced owners, and regular gentle handling from a young age helps it stay relaxed and confident.32

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Very active. Needs a roomy enclosure where it can hop and jump freely, plus plenty of daily exercise time outside it.35

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Low maintenance. Brush every couple of weeks with a slicker brush, and once or twice a week during heavier moults. Spot-clean with a damp cloth if needed rather than bathing.3

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. Give enough room for this agile breed to run and leap safely.35

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.35

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

Tans trace back to a wild rabbit colony in England in the late 1800s, and English fanciers were showing them from that period onward, with black, blue and lilac lines established by the 1920s. The breed later took off in the United States, where a specialty club was replaced by today's national club in 1960, and its popularity on the show table grew strongly in the 1990s.123

Recognised by the official bits

ARBA

Recognised; shown as a full-arch running breed with a maximum weight of 5.5 lb. National club: American Tan Rabbit Specialty Club.1

British Rabbit Council

Recognised in the UK, where the National Tan Rabbit Club was the first club formed for the breed.2

British Rabbit Council

Listed as recognised by both ARBA and the BRC.4