Blanc de Hotot
A snow-white French breed with crisp black "eyeliner" around each eye.
Origin
The Blanc de Hotot was developed at Hotot-en-Auge in Normandy, France, by Eugénie Bernhard, who wanted a white rabbit with distinctive eye markings that would also be useful for meat and fur. Around 1902 she began crossing Vienna Whites and Checkered Giants with white Flemish Giants. The breed declined in Europe during World War II, spread again in the 1960s and 1970s, and was re-imported to the United States in 1978. ARBA recognized it in 1979.
Typical Adult Size
A medium-large rabbit with an ARBA maximum weight of 11 pounds (about 5 kg).
Coat Type
Short, dense fur with a distinctive sheen, thanks to luster-tipped guard hairs that give the white coat a frosted brightness.
Colors
One pattern only: pure white with a narrow black band circling each eye, and dark brown eyes.
Temperament
Usually calm, friendly and easygoing, which makes it a good choice for families and exhibitors alike. Like all rabbits, it does best with gentle, regular handling.
Grooming and Care
A weekly brush, more during molts, keeps the coat clean and bright. White fur shows stains, so clean, dry bedding matters. It needs a roomy enclosure and daily exercise.
Distinctive Features
The striking "eyeliner" look: dark eyes framed by thin black rings on an otherwise spotless white rabbit, set on a well-rounded commercial-type body.
What Makes It Notable
The Blanc de Hotot is recognized by both the British Rabbit Council and ARBA, and The Livestock Conservancy lists it as a conservation priority. Its eye bands were later carried into the much smaller Dwarf Hotot.