Survey

Survey Submitted by Shelly Thompson

Shelly Thompson from Coshocton OH

How may years have you raised Dutch?

Over 15 years

What recognized varieties do you raise?

Chocolate, Steel

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 believe we should add colors that will strengthen our current varieties. Let's not let our current colors become few and poor. (Adding a lilac variety would certainly boost the chocolates, and open a lot of doors for better breeding programs to improve the chocolate variety over all- which in my opinion is in need of a lot of help, as it is pretty much a "stand alone" color among the Dutch breed.

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 think with lots of open discussion (such as this survey), we can add new colors wisely, improve our breed, and gain interest as well. I think it is key to always have a complimentary color when adding a new one. Ask ourselves "does this color go with any of our existing colors?"

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

???? In mini rex, I believe the chinchilla has something to do with himis, seals, and sables?????

Would the Red Dutch complement any other colors?

Brown gray - agouti??

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

This may be needed if we add several new varieties over the years.??

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?

The same could go for chocolates. Maybe the numbers are down in steels, but the quality is above and beyond the chocolates. I don't feel that other varieties would hurt the steels.

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

I believe more colors will add interest. But I believe we should also strengthen our current colors and keep trying to improve them.