Chinchilla Rabbits originated in France and were named for the similarity of their fur to the South American rodent, the Chinchilla. The Standard Chinchilla (then simply called the Chinchilla Rabbit) was developed in the early 1900s using Himalayans, Beverens, and wild-colored agouti rabbits. Chinchilla Rabbits were first shown on April 1913 at Saint-Maurand, France. This new breed of rabbit was an instant sensation throughout Europe and was considered the "ideal" fur rabbit due to the similarity of their fur to the pelt of a Chinchilla, but also because their coat matured much more quickly than other rabbit breeds.
In the summer of 1917, Mrs. Haidee Lacy-Hulbert of Mitcham Surry, imported the first of the new breed to England.
Two years later, in 1919, the Chinchilla Rabbit arrived in the US when a shipment of Standard Chinchillas was brought to the New York State Fair by a British exhibitor. After the show, they were sold to Edward H. Stahl and Jack Harris. Those Chinchilla Rabbits were rather small, weighing in at 5-7 1/2 pounds which today are considered to be the "Standard Chinchilla" Rabbit. Breeders soon set out to produce a larger version that was known as the "Heavyweight", and would have the same fabulous fur pattern, color and general phenotype, but one that was better suited for meat production. In 1924 both Chinchilla rabbit breeds were recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and the "Heavyweight" was renamed to the "American Chinchilla", with the original, smaller breed differentiated as the "Standard Chinchilla". The third chinchilla breed that was later recognized by ARBA is the Giant Chinchilla, which more resembles the Flemish Giant.
American Chinchillas were so popular, that in just one year, from November 1928 to November 1929, about 17,328 Chinchillas were registered through ARBA (that record has yet to be broken).
Then the Economic Depression happened in the 1930s and fur sales plummeted. Many people lost their money in the stock market and no longer had the disposable income to purchase furs. The fur markets continued their downward spiral in the early 1940s due to World War II. The fur industry was bogged down with WWII regulations and the fur industry suffered a shortage of equipment and materials which went to support the war effort. Many families experienced loss of income when the heads of households went overseas.
During the war, meat was being rationed and sent overseas to the troops. Due to this meat short many households kept rabbits in their backyards, feeding them their table scraps, which in turn provided even the most poverty-stricken with meat. However, after the war ended, and meat became available in stores again, backyard rabbits started to dwindle in popularity. Despite American Chinchillas having outstanding meat quality (they are one of the finest meat rabbits in the world, with only medium (not heavy) bone, a great dress-out and high meat-to-bone ratio, and notably better taste than many other breeds of rabbit), the shift of preference in the meat market had a negative affect on the breed.
After the war, large commercial operations were once again set up for the mass production and selling of the American Chinchillas for meat and fur. By 1947 fur coats were being made for the "suburban housewives", and with the renewed economic prosperity in the 1950s, fur garments had regained their popularity - but that only lasted about a decade. Changing fashion trends, introduction of fake fur, consumer disinterest in furs all contributed to the decline, particularly luxury furs. Commercial rabbitries began switching to white-colored rabbits for meat production since their fur could be dyed any color and sold to a greater number of industries. This was another negative strike against the American Chinchilla breed.
The 1960s brought animal right activists campaigning to sensitize the public regarding the plight of animals and the cruelties they suffer at fur farms. And by the 1970s, fur coats had lost their appeal. As a result, the fur industry suffered financial losses - many facing bankruptcy, and many animals were facing extinction, including the American Chinchilla.
Two solitary breeders, the only known keepers of American Chinchillas in the world at one point, kept the breed from extinction.
Today, the American Chinchilla is virtually unknown outside the USA. Because there was a lack of demand - no longer needed for its fur or meat, the American Chinchilla has become extremely rare and is currently listed as critically endangered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
By raising this breed, using it for all of the purposes for which it is useful, the breed is being strengthened, and other breeders see it as a viable alternative to the other, more popular, rabbit breeds.
By raising this breed, using it for all of the purposes for which it is useful, the breed is being strengthened, and other breeders see it as a viable alternative to the other, more popular, rabbit breeds.
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