History of the Netherland Dwarf
The Netherland dwarf,s origins go back to the early 1880,s in England. Some litters of Dutch rabbits had mutations, white colored kits with red eyes, a short cobby body similar to a Dutch, and a soft coat. They were given the name "Polish". These mutations were able to reproduce and through careful line breeding more of these red eyed white rabbits appeared. The new breed was first exhibited in 1884 in Hull, England and were exported to Germany. Their arrival in Germany brought great excitement and a standard was created which was similar to our current dwarf standard. The white rabbits were crossed with small wild rabbits to improve the type which also resulted in agouti colored rabbits. The next generation resulted in black colors and finally the whites reappeared. Mr Otto Lippolt was given credit for perfecting the breed, now known as "Hermelin". They were becoming very popular in Germany and some were exported to Holland.

Until the late 1930's color choice was limited to Blue-eyed whites and Red eyed whites. At this time the Dutch fancier Jan Meyering and some close associates began crossing the REWs with other breeds to get different colored dwarfs. After years of careful breeding colored dwarfs appeared that resembled our present day animals and were given a standard in 1940.

At the beginning of the First World War, the blue-eyed white made its appearance in the province of Saxony, now in East Germany. As to how the blue-eyed white was first bred, little is known, as information from Eastern European countries is difficult to obtain. These animals were larger in bone structure, longer in body, and had a more harsh, fly back coat than did the red-eyed whites.

Their arrival in Germany was greeted with enthusiasm and the fanciers of that time set a standard somewhat similar to that of the Netherland Dwarf today. In an effort to obtain this new "type", the Polish were crossed with small wild European rabbits. The resulting young were agouti in color, but in the next generation blacks appeared and, as is inevitable in this color group, red-eyed whites soon made their appearance again.

After the second world war the Netherland Dwarf arrived in England. Some English Rex fanciers visited Holland to help the Dutch fancier's whose rabbitries had become non-existent or depleted due to German occupation. This was 1947 and the English first saw and feel in love with the dwarf at an exhibition in Amsterdam. They wanted some to take home, however at this point only 17 dwarfs had survived the occupation. Finally in 1949 Joyce Naylor and some other fanciers were able to get a hold of 9 of these precious gems. On October 13, 1949 these fanciers formed the Netherland Dwarf Club in England. Popularity grew quickly and in 1950 the British Rabbit Council gave them official recognition. A total of 18 rabbits were entered in their first dwarf show at New Malden in Surrey.

Netherlands come to the US:
As early as 1965 Netherland Dwarfs were imported to both the US and to Canada, however, they were being used only to improve the Polish breed, or merely as a curiosity, by fanciers to improve the Polish breed. In 1969 Darrell Bramhall met with English fancier Jack Turnbull and began a life long interest in Netherland Dwarfs. Mr. Bramhall did not hear from Mr. Turnbull again until June, when he wrote to him to see how he was progressing with the importation of Dwarfs. Mr. Turnbull replied that he had brought a number of Dwarfs over from England and offered some of them to him. Of course, Mr. Bramhall wanted some of the Dwarfs and began negotiating for several pairs. The first pair he received were Himalayans. Mr Bramhall suggested that they form a specialty club to promote and encourage the breeding and showing of Netherland Dwarfs in the US. He also began work on a standard for dwarfs to be accepted by the ARBA. The English standard formed the basis and a few minor changes were made. The standard was presented to ARBA at the 1969 convention in Calgary Canada. At this show Mr. Turnbull was responsible for exhibiting the first required showing of Dwarfs at this Convention. He showed a pair of Ruby-Eyed Whites, a Black, and a Siamese Sable. There were a total of 6 dwarfs shown by 2 exhibitors. Albert Reurs, a Dutchman residing in Listowel, Ontario, Canada, was the other exhibitor. He had a pair of Ruby-Eyed Whites. At the show, and that the ARBA Board of Directors accepted the proposed Standard of Perfection for the Netherland Dwarf rabbit. With this ruling, the Dwarfs could be shown as a recognized breed at all ARBA shows, however, the exhibitor must provide the presiding judge with a copy of the Standard for Dwarfs.

Interest in Dwarfs spread rapidly during the first year, as many more Dwarfs were imported from England and Holland, and many new breeders became interested in the breed. Officers for the first two years were Jack Turnbull, President; Joe Stankus, Vice-President; and Darrell Bramhall, Secretary-Treasurer. At the 1970 ARBA Convention & Show held at Syracuse, New York, the small beginning of only 6 Dwarfs at the previous Convention rose to 85 Dwarfs that year.

In the spring of 1971 the ANDRC held its first National Netherland Dwarf Show at Montpelier, Ohio. There were 85 Dwarfs shown by 26 exhibitors which were judged by Darrell Bramhall

The American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club, the proposed specialty club for dwarfs, was granted an ARBA charter on Jan. 15, 1970. At the 1970 ARBA convention in Syracuse NY the number of dwarfs exhibited dramatically rose to 85 from 6 the previous year. The following year the ANDRC held it's first National show at Montpelier, Ohio, with eighty-five dwarfs shown by 26 exhibitors. During this time a club newsletter called Netherland News was created. Membership saw rapid growth during this time to 550 members in 1973 and over 1200 by the end of 1974. The newsletter name was changed to Dwarf Digest. Today the ANDRC is considered one of the best and largest specialty clubs in ARBA and offers many services to it's membership. The Dwarf Digest and club guidebook offer invaluable information to both new breeders and old timers. The ANDRC also has a scholarship program for youth members.

Varieties Ruby Eyed White, Blue Eyed White, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Chestnut, Opal, Lynx, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Tortoise Shell, Tan (Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac), Silver Marten (Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac), Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Otter (Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac), Orange, Fawn, Himalayan (Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac) and Steel.

The Dwarf body type is short, compressed, neck less, and demonstrates good rounded contours with a well-filled rump. The feet are quite short and close together. The tail is small and smart and is carried tightly against the rump. The weight for a full grown animal may range from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 pounds. The pelt demonstrates a unique roll-back characteristic. The head profile is circular in contour with a wide forehead, strongly curved nose bone, and strong, well developed jaws and skull. The ears seem very finely woven without being parchment or paper-like. They are short, worn stiffly and close together . . . not necessarily touching, but are smartly formed and go gradually to a lightly rounded point. The maximum limit is 2-1/2 inches; there is no minimum, but a balanced appearance is necessary. The ears have very dense, but short hairs. Type is elusive, but with so many varieties in the Dwarf standard, color can give the fancier as much of a challenge as can attainment of correct type.
BACK