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Blanc de Hotot

By | Last Updated: 3rd February 2020

The Blanc de Hotot (pronounced: Blahn deh Oh-Toe), identifiable by its small, compact, heavily-built body and black rings around each eye, is a medium-sized breed of domestic rabbits. It was first bred in Hotot-en-Auge, Normandy, by Eugenie Bernhard, a famous French breeder. In 1902, Bernhard crossed Checkered Giant and Vienna White rabbits with Flemish Giants to produce the desired black and white coloration.

Blanc de Hotot

The new breed was first exported to the US in 1921 and 1922, but the bunnies did not become popular, and they eventually died out. In 1978, the Blanc de Hotot was re-introduced to the United States and the rabbits were displayed at the New Mexico State Fair. In the following year, the American Rabbit Breeders Association recognized the Blanc de Hotot.

Basic Information

How big do they get

Size

Medium, 14-15 inches long

Weight

8-11 lbs

Height

15-17 inches

Width

About 17-19 inches

What do they look like

Fur Type

Very dense, lustrous, soft, rollback, relatively short, with a frosty appearance

Ear Type

Well-furred, rounded tips, about 4-5 inches long

Color

Dark Brown Eyes Blanc de Hotot

Dark Eye Band Blanc de Hotot

White Body Blanc de Hotot

Care Level

Low

High

Weekly cleaning its cage or hutch with a rabbit-friendly cage cleaner, taking your rabbit to the vet, if it has flystrike symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, or yelps of agony

Cage Size

Use an indoor cage of approximate dimensions 24 X 36 X 20 inches; a larger enclosure measuring 72 X 24 X 24 inches is needed for a group of bunnies

Diet

Unlimited supply of timothy hay (comprises 70 percent of its diet), 1/4 cups of quality pellets, a handful of leafy greens, one or two slices of fresh veggies and fruits

GROOMING

Occasional

Regular

Weekly brushing its soft, rollback coat with a slicker brush once a week, check its ears for signs of infection, such as inflammation, foul smell, and waxy build-up caused by ear mites

ACTIVITY

Low

High

Not overly active and it needs 1-2 hours of regular exercises, let it roam in a fenced yard where it can run, hop, and socialize with its human companion

COST

Low

High

While the price of a show-quality or breeding Blanc de Hotot ranges between $50 and $100, the total annual expense of feeding and maintaining it is average.

SHEDDING

Low

High

Sheds more in spring and autumn, during which it should be brushed twice a week

Did You Know

  • Most small dog harnesses fit Blanc de Hotots well, and they can be trained to walk on a leash.
  • The black bands circling the eyes give the Blanc de Hotot the appearance of spectacles around its eye.
  • It is listed as a “threatened” rabbit breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

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