THRIANTA - Nikki White (Reguli Cavy & Rabbit Stud)
This breed is still very rare, having been re-created out here by some dedicated breeders. I first saw some in 2011. It is a very striking rabbit because of its rich Orange coat (almost what would be called a Golden in cavies). It is a Fancy rabbit, originally from the Netherlands.
The BRC standard calls for a short, stocky barrel-shaped body, well rounded with short strong legs. The minimum weight is 2kg and the maximum 2.75 kg. The head should be short and broad and close to the body, the ears strong and with rounded tips. The coat is dense and close lying, soft and luxurious. The top colour should be an intense orange all over the whole body and there is to be no visible change toward the belly colour which is slightly matt. No ticking and the eye colour is to be brown. The usual faults apply plus lack of intense belly colour. Disqualifications include white belly colour. It is still a rare rabbit in Britain though recently a club, Thrianta UK, was set up.
HISTORY
The breed was developed in the Netherlands by Mr Andrea of Assen. He crossed Tans, Havanas and a non-marked amber-coloured Papillon with the idea of creating a totally deep Orange rabbit. The new breed was recognised on May 1, 1940, a few days before World War II came to the Netherlands. Despite its patriotic associations (Orange being associated with the Netherlands royal family), there was little interest in the breed even after the war, despite its lovely colour as its type was somewhat coarse. It was eventually withdrawn from the breed standards. In the meantime, in Germany a similar type of rabbit though a little lighter in colour had been developed, the Sachsengold This had been created using Havana, Chinchilla, Silver, Harlequin and New Zealand Red. A German breeder of Sachsengold rabbits, one Herr Kissner, bought the last of the Thriantas to improve the colour of the Sachsengold. The offspring of these were imported into the Netherlands in the 1960s and recognised as a breed in 1971 under the name Sachsengold. However in 1979 the Dutch decided to call the breed Thrianta in honour of Mr Andrea and as one in the eye to the Germans for occupying the Netherlands. The breed reach Britain in the 1980s, imported directly from the Netherlands.
SO, A THRIANTA, THEN?
It is a shame they are so rare, as they would make lovely pets, being quite small with soft coats and a friendly nature. Their rich colour is really stunning, far more intense than orange in other breeds, not least because there is no white belly and other markings.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Well, the trick would be finding one. There is only one breeder in NSW. They should be small and stocky with rounded hindquarters. They should have broad chests and sturdy short legs, and broad round heads. They should not have any ticking on them. They are not a tan pattern rabbit.
CARE AND HANDLING
This is a small rabbit so requires a hutch 80-90 cm by 50-60 cm. Feed is as for other breeds - pellets, mix, fresh fruit and veg, as treats. Don't over feed. Their coats can be brought to a fine sheen by brushing with your hands and/or a piece of silk or satin cloth or mitt. Like all rabbits, they should be brushed with a slicker brush or comb in moult and given plenty of roughage (meadow hay or lucerne) during these times. They are basically an easy care rabbit.
ORGANISATIONS
Thrianta UK They also have a Facebook page
FURTHER READING
Russell, Geoff, Mini Encyclopeda of Rabbit Breeds & Care. Dorking, Interpet Publishing, 2008
Sandford, J. C., The Domestic Rabbit. 5th ed. Oxford, Blackwell Science, 1996
Verhoef-Verhallen, Esther, Encyclopaedia of Rabbits and Rodents. Lisse, Rebo Productions, 1998
Vriends-Parent, Lucia, The New Rabbit Handbook. Hauppage, NY, Barrons, 1989
Whitman, Bob D., Domestic Rabbits & Their Histories: Breeds of the World. Leawood, KS : Leathers Publishing, 2004
Williams, A.E. Ted, Rabbit Breeding for Perfection. Melbourne, AE Williams, 1992.
