Survey

Survey Submitted by Dick Gehr

Dick Gehr from Coal City, IL

How may years have you raised Dutch?

Over 15 years

What recognized varieties do you raise?

Blue

What non-recognized varieties do you own?

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 heard ballots are coming in for the Chin vote. I just wanted to pass my opinion along...picture a Black Dutch, then replace the black with Pearl White color with black ticking. This does not describe a Chin. At best, it describes a Frosted or double dilute Chin appearance. The MR and Satin verbiage of "a mixture of black and pearl with black ticking" is much more descriptive of the desired color. Also, from a judges observation, Chins with a slate blue undercolor on the belly normally have a muddy or dark ring color. To achieve the Pearl White ring color desired, a white undercolor on the belly is most appropriate, which would eliminate any Undercut marking. PLEASE think about this description before voting.

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?

Will the Chinchilla Dutch complement the Gray and/or Steel varieties? This would still need to be proven.

Would the Red Dutch complement any other colors?

Instead of adding more classes of Dutch to be judged, would it be better to have an agouti class in place of the Gray?

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?

Having more colors of Dutch may just add interest from people who haven't raised Dutch before.