6 



BAISING BELGIAN HAEES AND OTHER BABBITS. 



SELECTION OF STOCK. 



If one breeds rabbits for food only and not for show purposes, the 

 selection of stock is of less importance. All that is required is a 

 sizable animal of good, hardy stock. However, the points for which 

 the fancier breeds the Belgian hare include also those most desirable 

 in a food animal, so that if one can find stock with these characters 

 well marked, and at the same time constitutionally sound, he should 

 by all means obtain it. Purebred stock is more profitable, too, 

 because it may be sold for breeding purposes as well as for the table. 



Color. — Belgian hare fanciers of a few years ago differed somewhat 

 in opinion as to the proper standard color for this animal. Some 

 aimed at the color of the wild English hare — a sandy light brown. 

 Most American breeders seem to have preferred a deeper reddish 

 brown. In all other respects the standards were the same. The 

 chief requisite concerning color is that it shall be as nearly uniform 

 as possible throughout the upper surface of the animal and that the 

 fur shall have a rich luster. The "ticking," or shading, should be 

 wavy rather than dotted. The belly and lower surface of tail and 

 hind feet should be whitish, but not pure white. The neck and 

 breast are somewhat lighter in shade than the back, but not in 

 marked contrast with it, nor should the change in shade be abrupt. 



Ears. — The ears of the mature Belgian should be about 5 to 5^ 

 inches in length, varying with the size of the specimen. They 

 should be well shaped, strong at the base, and almost transparent 

 at the middle. They must not be pendulous, but should, when the 

 animal is quiet, be inclined backward, resting straight over the 

 shoulders. A narrow black edging at the tip and as far down the 

 front and back as possible marks the best specimens. 



Body — The body of the Belgian is longer in proportion to the 

 whole bulk than that of any other breed of the same size. Bucks 

 and the younger females should never have the appendage known 

 as " dewlap." This sometimes develops in the older does, but is 

 regarded as a blemish in animals intended for show purposes. The 

 back should be only slightly arched and the forelegs and feet should 

 be perfectly straight and free from white. 



Age of breeding stock. — The beginner should always select mature 

 animals about a year old for breeding stock. These may be known 

 by the brisk, alert look, the small white teeth, and the small claws, 

 almost hidden in the fur. Coarse, long claws are a sure indication 

 of age. He should avoid listless-looking, rough-coated, or pot- 

 bellied animals (except pregnant does), and especially those having 

 the whites of the eyes stained with yellow. A hutch rabbit in good 

 health is gentle, neither savage nor overtimid, and does not scream 

 when lifted by the ears. 



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