History of the Dwarf Hotot rabbit

Orgin:

This cute little rabbit is one of the less common breeds. Their original home is Germany. They were developed in both East and West Germany; in the late 70’s 2 breeders, one from each side, took 2 different approaches in developing the Dwarf Hotot.

In West Germany one worked on the development by breeding a REW (Ruby Eyed White) and a Black Netherland Dwarf. This crossing produced a Dutch marked rabbit, when bred back to the Black Netherland Dwarf, the offspring were Dwarf Hotots with black ears and spots on their back. Breeding these offspring resulted in a true very small Dwarf Hotot.

Around this same time, in East Germany, a breeder bred a REW Netherland Dwarf doe to a Blanc de Hotot. This breeding produced a Hotot marked baby, 2 Dutch marked babies and 2 REW’s. The breeder’s Hotot marked baby was a male that weighed 3.55 lbs and had ears of 2 ¾ inches at the age of 5 months. This breeder bred this buck to the original doe, and by introducing other dwarfs, eventually developed a vigorous, prolific Dwarf Hotot but of larger size than the ones of the West German breeder.

Soon the 2 breeders from each side merged, exchanged stock across the border. This combination helped both develope a rabbit of better size and more vigor. Their first showing was in Syracuse, New York at the ARBA 1981 Convention, they were accepted by the Standards Committee. In 1982 at the ARBA Convention in Seattle, WA, they passed their 2nd showing. Third showing was in Colorado Springs, CO, again passed and in 1984, with the nick name “Eyes of the Fancy” the Dwarf Hotot was accepted as a breed in the ARBA Book of Standards.

Breeders in both Germany and the United States do still battle are color and composition of the eye; this includes blue spots in the colored part along with black spots on the body. Breeders’ goals today still include working on perfecting the coloring, along with size and length of ear, and overall body type.
 

A good Dwarf Hotot:

Dwarf Hotot must be small and compact, stocky, and docile much like the Netherland Dwarf. Their head is round and has a broad skull. When looking at them posed you should not be able to see any neck. Eyes are round, bold and bright, have good substance and plenty of fur. The ears should be balanced with head and body. Body is wide from shoulders to hips but balanced, and well rounded hindquarters. Topline should have a very slight gradual curve from the ear base to highest point over hip, then fall into a smooth curve to base of tail.

The Dwarf Hotot’s maximum weight is 3 lbs, with their ideal weigh being 2 ½ lbs. Fur is soft, dense, and fine with good luster. Fur is to roll back gently when stroked. Color is uniform and of pure white all over body except for bands around the eyes. Eyes are dark brown with narrow eyebands. Well defined bands of black should form a complete circle to outline each eye; Ideal eyeband width should be equal thickness of 2 pennies, with color as intense and dark as possible.

Visit the American Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Club to see more pictures of this beautiful and unique little bunny. Thank you Tonna Thomas for providing this picture for this article!