The Thrianta (properly pronounced "Tree-on-tuh") is a breed of

domestic rabbit The domestic rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus'') is the domestication, domesticated form of the European rabbit, a member of the lagomorph order. A male rabbit is known as a ''buck,'' a female as a ''doe,'' and a young rabbit as a ''k ...

that is brilliant red in color. Originating in the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

, the Thrianta was further crossed with a German breed before being exported to the United Kingdom in the early 1980s. During the 1990s, the breed arrived in the United States from both the Netherlands and England. The Thrianta breed is recognized by the

American Rabbit Breeders Association The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) is a national club for domestic rabbits and cavy breeders. The ARBA is headquartered in Knox, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Its membership is composed of rabbit and cavy exhibitors, commer ...

(ARBA) and by the

British Rabbit Council The British Rabbit Council (BRC) is an organisation for rabbit enthusiasts in the United Kingdom. Rabbits are the UK's third most popular pet. History The British Rabbit Council was formed in 1934 when the British Rabbit Society and the National ...

(BRC). The Thrianta breed is rare in Australia with only a few active breeders.

History

Thriantas originated in

the Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

, and were created by a school teacher, Mr. H. Andreae. Mr. Andrea had been working on orange-colored rabbits since 1938, using several different breeds. Andreae was very supportive of the

House of Orange-Nassau The House of Orange-Nassau (, ), also known as the House of Orange because of the prestige of the princely title of Orange, also referred to as the Fourth House of Orange in comparison with the other noble houses that held the Principality of Or ...

and the queen Wilhelmina. He also kept orange flowers in his front garden, in support of the royal house. On May 1, 1940, Thriantas were admitted to the Dutch standard. Days later the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. During the occupation, Andreae was ordered to remove his patriotic flowers in his front garden. He did this, but continued breeding Thriantas in symbolic defiance of the new regime. After the war, German Sachsengold rabbits, which were nearly extinct, were smuggled out of

East Germany East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country in Central Europe from Foundation of East Germany, its formation on 7 October 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with West Germany (FRG) on ...

in empty coffins during transfers of war dead. These were bred with Thriantas which were also nearly extinct. In 1980, Thriantas were imported to England and afterwards were recognized by the

. Thriantas were imported into the United States in 1992 and recognized by the

in 2006.

Appearance

The Thrianta has a coat of scarlet and orange, similar to the color of an

Irish Setter The Irish Setter (, literally "red setter") is a setter, a breed of gundog, and family dog originating in Ireland. The term ''Irish Setter'' is commonly used to encompass the show-bred dog recognised by the American Kennel Club as well a ...

. The fur is soft, dense and medium in length. According to ARBA, Thriantas are supposed to pose short and compact, with straight ears that are red all around. The body is to be short, stocky, barrel shaped and in all areas well rounded. The legs are to be short and strong. The ideal senior weight for this compact breed is . The BRC breed standard stipulates a minimum weight of and a maximum weight of .

References

{{reflist Leporidae Rabbit breeds

History

Appearance

See also

References