Greenberry's Amber, 57% German

Actually, the question of what is a German Angora is more complicated that it appears.  I won't get into the controversy of German Angora and Giant Angora, but I will give my opinion.

A pure German Angora rabbit in America is a rabbit that has an ancestory that can be traced to rabbits imported from Germany.  To be pure, no other breed has been crossed with the lines to produce the rabbit.  German Angoras have some wonderful qualities that are more elusive than just wool production.  They are gentle, quiet rabbits, large but not so large that they can't fit comfortably on the average person's lap for shearing, and they produce quantities of luxurious wool for hand spinning.  The German Angora doe is an excellent mother, producing nice litters that she tends well with minimal losses to death due to neglect.  German bucks are generally friendly and gentle, and in my rabbitry I see little spraying or aggression toward other bucks. 

When I'm considering a rabbit for breeding purposes, I look at her temperament first and foremost.  A rabbit that is aggressive or nervous is not a pleasure to shear, and Germans should be sheared every three months to produce a quality wool for spinning.  I don't want to fight with a rabbit every three months.  If her temperament is good then I try to make sure she has the right body type and I chose rabbits with good temperament that have good wool production.  My rabbits are not overly large; I tend to chose rabbits to breed that will fit into my lap comfortably for shearing.  My does average 10 to 11 pounds and my bucks are a little smaller.

Greenberry's Amber, above, is 57% German.  This means that back in her pedigree another breed, the French Angora, was added to her German lines to produce rabbits with color.  All pure German Angoras are white with red eyes.  As you may be able to see, Amber has many of the characteristics of a French Angora.  She doesn't have a fuzzy face like most Germans (some German does have less fuzz, or fewer furnishings) or furnishings on her ears.  But she has wonderful color, a deep, rich fawn coat that is beautiful to spin, although the quantity is not what you would expect from a rabbit with a higher percentage of German.  She also has an ear that doesn't stand up right.  Sometimes when a litter is exposed to too much heat in the summer, an ear will fall.  This is the only rabbit I've ever had where the ear didn't come back up.  Because of her wonderful color, I did breed her one time.  The resulting litter had only one bunny that didn't drop an ear.  Because of this, I feel that the problem may be genetic in Amber's case and will not breed her again.  Her bunnies are very sweet tempered and made excellent pets and woolers.  Amber will stay here and produce lovely wool for me. 

Like all breeding, there are many factors to consider when producing a quality German Angora rabbit.  The health and welfare of the bunnies depend on the health and quality of the parents, and, although wool production is important, other considerations are to be weighed when breeding.  I don't consider my stock as 'wool machines'; with their easy dispositions German Angoras make wonderful pets and companions. 

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Posted by kayinpa

Your rabbit is beautiful and your are so knowledegeable!

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Posted by GrandmaRosie

I can see I am really going to enjoy your blog. I recently had a couple of bunnies and a fine hutch given to me by a friend. I feel very much in love with my little bunnies. They cannot claim a pedigree, just run of the mill pet store bunnies. Hopper is a adorable Netherlands Dwarf male. Full of mischief and very friendly. Tiny little guy. Bun-Bun is a Mini-Lop. Solid black and very cuddly. She is very attached to me. Big Momma, well I don't here breed. She was being raised for food. She weighs 13 pounds! She does not like to be held, but likes to be stroked. I told my DH that it cost as much to feed these little lovable nobodies as it would pedigreed bunnies. So next month we are going to check out the Fat Stock Show in Ft Worth and see what we can find. ^..^

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Posted by Anonymous

Hi Leslie!
Found your new blog. This is nice. I like the explaination of your German angora. That is the nicest and best I've ever read. Explains the difference perfectly. I probably will frequent this blog most because I like reading about your animals but I'll check in on the other blog too!!
(how is your little shop coming along?)

Terri of Living Water Farm

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Posted by Amber

Our rabbits just had 2 baby bunnies. I hope these survive. We haven't had much luck. If you have any advice, please share it with me.

0:) Amber

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