Californian

The Californian is a medium-large domestic rabbit breed created in California in the 1920s, usually traced to crosses involving Himalayan, Standard Chinchilla, and New Zealand White rabbits. It became a major meat and show breed because it combines a deep, well-muscled body with a short white coat and dark points on the nose, ears, feet, and tail. The point pattern comes from temperature-sensitive pigment: kits are born pale and the cooler parts of the body darken as they grow, while very warm or cold housing can affect shade and body smut. Adults are compact for their weight, often in the eight to ten and a half pound range.

Californians are common in commercial rabbitries, youth meat pens, homesteads, and pet homes that can house a sturdy rabbit. They need dry, well-ventilated quarters, constant hay, measured concentrate feed, and secure handling that supports the back and hindquarters. Breeders pay close attention to loin width, depth, growth rate, litter performance, and clean markings, since weak type or muddy point color shows quickly on the show table. For buyers, a Californian from working meat lines may differ in size and temperament from a show-focused or pet-bred animal, even though the markings look similar.

Colors: Agouti, Black, Blue, Broken, Charlie, Chestnut, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Cream, Fawn, Harlequin, Himalayan, Lilac, Lynx, Magpie, Marten, Opal, Orange, Otter, Pointed White, Red, Sable, Seal, Squirrel, Tortoise, Tri-Color, Vienna Marked, White, White with Black Points, White with Blue Points, White with Chocolate Points, White with Lilac Points