History

The rabbit as we know it, originated from South Western Europe and North Western Africa. They formed the meat diet of ancient men and was first discovered by the Phoenicians, the seafaring people at the ancient time. The Phoenicians, who spent most of their time at sea, requires an animal that is small, yet provide them with enough meat for their most tiring and excuciating time out at sea. The rabbit, as we all know, is hardy and highly adptably, is the most certain choice.

Rabbits were then introduced into Italy in 100 BC and provided the Romans with a constant supply of food. The Romans held the rabbit in high regards and the picture of rabbits is even depicted on coins in the year 120 - 130 AD.

It is also the Romans who developed the long haired rabbits, known as the Angoras, they are the oldest breed od domesticated rabbits in history.

Laterly, these rabbits were introduced into the British Isles. The British colonist, who were expanding their great empire, introduced the rabbits in United States of America , Australia and New Zealand.
Having no natural enemy, they quickly reproduced in vast numbers destroying crops and grassland in their endless quest for food.

So extensive was the damage that the scientific community came out with a disease called Myxomatosis. The disease quickly spread to the rabbit community and killed rabbits in vast numbers.

The first learning of rabbits being kept as pets was in the early 19th century where farmers and landowners began to develop special breeds from their foodstock. The first true fancy breed of rabbits was the English Lop with their huge ears danglying down their side, they still captivate the hearts of many.

The English Lop was closely followed by the spotted breed known as the English and the Angoras were re-developed.

Since then, there was no stopping of the rabbit fever which swept across the globe, seeing many rabbit club and societies springing into action.