Darrell Gates from Marshfield, WI |
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How may years have you raised Dutch? |
Over 15 years |
What recognized varieties do you raise? |
Black, Blue, Chocolate |
What non-recognized varieties do you own? |
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When using other breeds of rabbits in the development of these new colors, it will take many years to get animals that consistently show a good Dutch type. What about the colors we could have just crossing the varieties we already have? Lilac Dutch for example were very popular back in the days of the AOV class. |
I think the colors we have are in need of development. We should ask ourselves if the ones we have are perfect. If the answer is no, then we need to work on them first before adding more. |
If we start adding new colors of Dutch to the Standard will we get carried away with the entire thing? for example, the Netherland Dwarfs and Mini-Rex. Will this benefit our club or the Dutch breed? |
I am sure we will. The different colors asked about above should tell us that. |
Will the Chinchilla Dutch complement the Gray and/or Steel varieties? This would still need to be proven. |
No they will not. The big problem I see is dishonest breeders. We all like to think no one will start mixing color together in strange ways but we know they do. The chin rings will start showing up at first in the steels and then all colors. It is too common for breeders to breed blacks to other colors. Blacks born of chins will get breed to all colors. |
Would the Red Dutch complement any other colors? |
A red will at least be a solid color, like choc or blue and will not have pattern or ring color to mess what we have. |
Instead of adding more classes of Dutch to be judged, would it be better to have an agouti class in place of the Gray? |
No |
At many shows the number of Steels shown is not very good. Will more colors hurt the Steel numbers even more? Plus will it add to having more varieties with poor showings? |
I am sure it will, it has in other breeds. |
Having more colors of Dutch may just add interest from people who haven't raised Dutch before. |
Over our many years of raising rabbits I can tell you I have not had many breeders that tell me they never had Dutch at one time. It is the markings not the color that attracts people to the Dutch. At the same time it is the markings that keep people moving to other breeds. The challenge of getting the good markings is not for everyone. |
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