One of the newest breeds accepted in the Standard of Perfection by the American Rabbit Breeders Association is the thrianta. Official since February 1, 2006, it was the first new breed recognized by the ARBA since 1988.
The thrianta is a medium-size copper red or orange rabbit that should have a brilliant coat. Its tail, belly and footpads must be a lighter red color, and any hint of white, even on a toenail, means disqualification. Its soft, dense fur should roll back when stroked. It should weigh five to six pounds.
This breed originated in the Netherlands as a tribute to the House of Orange. Only days after the Dutch standard was legitimized in the 1940s, Hitler invaded the country, and the orange rabbits became symbolic of Dutch defiance of the Nazis. The thrianta barely survived the war, since breeding rabbits for anything other than food had to be downplayed.
After the war, the breed was improved in Germany, where it was bred with a gold-coated rabbit, and was imported into the U.K. about 30 years ago. In the 1990s, the first thriantas came to the U.S. and were bred by one Iowa breeder.
As pets, thriantas have sweet, friendly dispositions. Today, the breed is being promoted across the country, and the thrianta can look forward to a bright future.
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