Detailed profile of this breed: origin, year of creation, recognised varieties and official approvals.
Breed summary
The Vienna Blue is a medium to medium-large rabbit breed characterized by a uniform slate-blue coat produced by the dilute gene. Adults are generally robust rather than delicate; typical mature weight is approximately 3.5–5.0 kg (7.7–11.0 lb). Temperament is usually described as calm and manageable, making the variety suitable for small-scale breeders and show breeders where available. Reliable population data are limited and regional prevalence varies.
Detailed origin
Documentary sources about the breed are scarce and sometimes inconsistent. The name and traditional association point to the Vienna region (Austria) and the breed is believed to have been stabilized in Central Europe in the late 19th to early 20th century through selection for a uniform blue (diluted black) coat. Exact founding crosses and breeder lines are not well documented in easily accessible primary sources; therefore statements about precise parent breeds or dates should be treated as approximate. Recognition and popularity have varied by country and over time.
Detailed description
Coat: uniform slate to steel-blue shade, without patterned markings; the blue color is the phenotypic expression of the rabbit dilution gene (d) acting on a black base. Texture is a normal short to medium dense rabbit coat rather than long or woolly. Size and proportions: medium to medium-large body conformation, often described as well-muscled and rounded; adult weight typically ~3.5–5.0 kg. Reproduction and lifespan: typical litter sizes for medium rabbit breeds are roughly 5–8 kits; typical life expectancy under good care is around 5–8 years. Quantitative measurements (ear length, body length) vary by breeder line and are not standardized across all national standards; when involved in breeding or showing, consult the relevant national breed standard for the precise measurements used by that registry.