American Chinchilla
The American Chinchilla is a large domestic rabbit breed developed in the United States after the smaller Standard Chinchilla arrived from Europe in the early 1900s. Breeders selected for a heavier commercial body while keeping the dense, banded agouti coat that gives a gray, chinchilla-like appearance. It should not be confused with the unrelated chinchilla rodent; in rabbits, chinchilla describes the hair pattern, with pearl, black, and slate bands. The breed was once valued for both meat and fur and is now considered a heritage rabbit in limited numbers.
In practical husbandry, American Chinchillas are managed much like other large commercial-type rabbits. They need roomy housing with dry resting surfaces and good airflow. Feeding should be based on hay, with measured pellets used to maintain condition. The coat is short enough for routine brushing, but breeders watch molting because clarity of ring color is part of the breed's character. People sourcing breeding stock should ask about growth, litter records, hock health, and whether the line is kept separately from Standard or Giant Chinchillas.
