Standard Chinchilla Rabbit: Overview of the Domestic Breed

Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Laura Thompson

The Standard Chinchilla Rabbit is one of the most popular breeds of domestic rabbits. They are small in size, easy to handle, and are quite sociable.

Not to be confused with the American Chinchilla Rabbit or the Giant Chinchilla Rabbit, the Standard Chinchilla are similar but are actually a separate breed in itself.

What are Standard Chinchilla Rabbits?

Standard Chinchilla Rabbit
Source: petguide.com

The Standard Chinchilla Rabbit is a breed that originated in France during the early 20th century.

They were originally created with the intention of being used as laboratory animals for testing and experimentation, but their usefulness was short-lived due to their docile behavior.

This particular breed was originally known as “Spanish Rabbit.” In English, they were called “Chinchillas” after their resemblance to animals from the animal family Chincheraes which lives in South America.

This has made them popular pets around the world, and they are available in many colors including black, white, brown, and blue.

This article will provide you with all of the information you need to know about Standard Chinchilla Rabbits!

Standard Chinchilla Rabbits are a type of rabbit with fur that is typically black, gray, or cream which includes long hairs and a short undercoat.

Where do they come from?

Chinchilla rabbit breeds are well-known for their unique coat color, which has led to them being popular in many countries and across time.

The Standard Chinchilla Rabbit originated in France as a crossbreed of wild rabbits with Beverens and Himalayans but became even more popular when it was imported into the United States during World War I.

Though not originally bred for exhibition purposes, its uniqueness made it an instant hit among showgoers at national competitions like ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association).

In 1919 Belgium Hare breeders tried out this new variety on American soil; by 1922 they were recognized as one of two varieties available from any registered breeder – “Standard” or “Himalayan”.

Appearance and colors of Standard Chinchilla Rabbits

Standard Chinchilla Rabbit
Source: lovinrabbits.com

The Standard Chinchilla Rabbit is characterized by a large white circle around the head, sometimes with black spots or lines on it.

The rest of their coat can come in shades of grays and browns that are similar to those found on wild rabbits.

The ARBA requires that chinchillas have a single color with the colors of an actual chinchilla.

The under shade is dark slate blue at the base and it gradually transitions to darker shades before ending in light grey, while also having patches of white along its body.

Eye circles should be well defined but not too big or small; they’re typically pearl-colored so black eyes are frowned upon as much as brown ones would be in humans because vision isn’t great without iris pigmentation for contrast against surrounding features on such tiny animals.

They also have white feet with the skin between each toe.

Specific characteristics of Standard Chinchilla Rabbits

They are classified as one of the six recognized French Chinchilla breeds and were first registered by L’Association Française de Zootechnie (French Association for Animal Husbandry) in 1881.

Standard Chinchillas have an appearance that’s described as “very muscular” or “chunky”. This is due to their compact body type which also means they’re less likely to get caught on fences or wires.

Their dense fur can be used commercially for clothing such as sweaters, scarves, hats, mittens, and gloves.

It’s known for being soft and high quality.

The size of a Standard Chinchilla Rabbit

Standard Chinchilla Rabbit
Source: pawtasticpet.com

Standard Chinchilla Rabbit ranges from just a few pounds to around 11lbs. They are classified as a small rabbit breed and have been selectively bred for their fur, which is the most prized characteristic of this breed.

The lifespan of Standard Chinchilla Rabbits is

The life expectancy of Standard Chinchilla Rabbits is an average of seven years.

The personality and behavior of Standard Chinchilla Rabbits

Standard Chinchilla Rabbits are known for their friendly nature and can be great around children.

They have a tendency to hide from strangers, but when they do come out of hiding expect them to approach you calmly as if they’re tame.

These domesticated rabbits will roam in your home freely without any fear or signs of aggression whatsoever.

If you plan on having more than one rabbit, make sure there is ample space because these animals need plenty of room to run about while being away from other bunnies.

Standard Chinchilla Rabbits as Pets

Many people wonder whether Standard Chinchilla Rabbits make great pets or not. The answer is that they do make excellent pets and are perhaps one of the best types of pets to own.

Standard Chinchilla Rabbits require a lot less care than other animals, such as dogs or cats. They can live in smaller spaces and don’t need much exercise.

Many people think that rabbits are only good for meat production but this isn’t true at all!

Standard Chinchilla Bunnies also provide companionship and entertainment if you’re willing to put in some effort each day with them.

When it comes down to choosing between a dog or cat versus a rabbit, many people find themselves going with the latter because of how low maintenance they are while still providing lots of love and enjoyment!

How to care for your Standard Chinchilla Rabbit

Standard Chinchilla Rabbit
Source: rabbitexpert.com

Standard Chinchilla Rabbits should be brought to a veterinarian at least once every year for their yearly checkup. This is the best way to ensure that your rabbit has been vaccinated against diseases and infection, as well as monitored for any health concerns.

The vet will also examine the teeth of your rabbits, make sure they have no lumps or bumps on them, and monitor weight in comparison with other characteristics such as fur density.

In addition to visits from the vet, your Standard Chinchilla Rabbit’s coat needs regular grooming from you! You can groom using a comb made especially for pet hair (just like our human combs!) which makes it easier than ever before!

Health and Hygiene of Standard Chinchilla Rabbits

These rabbits require a lot of care and attention to keep them healthy. They need daily maintenance with water, food, and exercise in order to maintain optimum health.

The best way to guarantee that your rabbit is getting the proper diet is by using fresh hay as its main source of protein. Hay should be provided at all times for this reason.

As far as water goes, they will drink from a standard bowl but it’s always suggested that you provide an additional option such as a dripping bottle or even another container filled with clean water (such as the sink). It also helps if there are multiple bowls around so they can have more than one choice each day when consuming fluids.

The diet of Standard Chinchilla Rabbits

Standard Chinchilla Rabbits are herbivores which means they eat living plants.

Standard Chinchilla Rabbits feed on a wide variety of foods including grass, hay, and fresh vegetables such as lettuce.

They are not typically given fruits or berries that contain high levels of sugar because it can lead to obesity in the rabbit population.

Their diet should also include food pellets made from alfalfa and timothy hay which provide the necessary dietary fiber for a healthy digestive system.

The pellets also help keep their teeth ground down so they do not grow too long and cause problems with eating later on in life!

The rabbits’ water dish must be placed near them at all times during daylight hours due to their heightened senses when compared to humans’.

Housing Requirements for Standard Chinchilla Rabbits

Standard Chinchilla Rabbit
Source: thepetstep.com

While the Standard Chinchilla Rabbit can be kept indoors or outdoors, they do best when living in an indoor environment.

Provide a large cage (at least 18″x18″) with a wire floor and good ventilation for your bunny to freely roam around inside.

The bottom should also have plenty of hay so that it is natural and comfortable for them to walk on as well. Have two litter boxes accessible at all times along with clean water available 24/hours per day.

It’s important not only that the rabbit has enough space but also that other members of their species are present with them otherwise they will become lonely which could lead to more aggressive behavior like biting.

Conclusion

The most important part is knowing how to take care of them. If you are a responsible, caring person who likes rabbits and wants to make the world a better place for animals everywhere, then these pets might be perfect for you! 

We hope this gave you some good insight into what it’s like living with Standard Chinchilla Rabbits as your pet.