Belgian Hare
A lean, long-legged rabbit bred to resemble the wild hare, with a rich red coat.
Origin
Despite its name, the Belgian Hare is a domestic rabbit, not a hare. Its roots lie in the "leporine" rabbits of the Flanders region, bred from domestic and wild European stock from the early 1700s. In the 1870s, leporines were imported into England, where breeders took them in two directions: one line, selected for size, became the Flemish Giant, while the other was refined to look like the English wild hare and became the Belgian Hare. A standard was first written in 1882 and revised in 1889 for a racier shape. The breed reached the United States in 1888.
Typical Adult Size
Medium in weight but very fine-boned. Mature adults typically weigh about 6 to 9 pounds (roughly 2.7 to 4 kg), and the ARBA standard sets a maximum of 9½ pounds (about 4.3 kg). Its long legs and slender frame make it look taller and larger than its weight suggests.
Coat Type
Short, close-lying fur with a hard, glossy finish that shows off the lines of the body.
Colors
The breed is defined by its color: a rich "rufus red", deep chestnut rather than dull or smudgy, with wavy black ticking through the coat. It has changed remarkably little in more than a century. The American standard of 1915 gave 20 points to the red color and 10 to ticking, as today’s standard does. ARBA’s current breed guide also lists a Tan group (black, blue, chocolate and lilac tan), but rufus red remains the classic color most people know.
Temperament
Alert, active and sensitive. Belgian Hares tend to react quickly to sudden noise or movement and do best with calm, consistent handling in a quiet setting. Many grow confident with the people they know, but the breed is usually considered better suited to experienced keepers than to young children.
Grooming and Care
Grooming is light: an occasional brush, more often during a molt, is usually enough. Their real needs are space and good footing. These are athletic rabbits that need room to stretch, run and stand tall, and solid, well-bedded flooring is recommended. The Livestock Conservancy notes that they do not do well in high heat or humidity, so shade and good ventilation matter.
Distinctive Features
A long, slender, gently arched body with a well tucked-up flank; long, fine, straight legs; a lengthy head with bold eyes; and the breed’s signature pose, standing tall on fully extended front legs. No breed carries more show points for feet and legs.
What Makes It Notable
The Belgian Hare launched the domestic rabbit movement in the United States. During the "Belgian Hare boom" around 1898 to 1901, rabbits changed hands for remarkable prices, and Southern California alone was reported to hold more than 60,000 of them by 1900. Today it is far less common, kept by a devoted group of breeders who value its elegance and its long history.