Beveren Rabbits are among the oldest of the “HERITAGE” rabbit breeds. Well tempered, smart, playful and clean, Beveren are, indeed, a RARE rabbit breed. Beveren are on the Livestock Conservancy Watch List. Beveren originated in Beveren, Belgium, a small town, close to Antwerp, near the Waas region, around 1898. Beveren were derived from rabbit crosses of  St. Nicolas Blue, the Blue Vienna, and Brabanconne. Consequently, Beveren were recognized in the United States until 1925. As a note of interest, during the First World War, the “V” for victory lent towards ensuring the historic V-shaped ear carriage of the Beveren. During this time, the Beveren acquired a great amount of popularity. Wonderful for many reasons, historic, type, meat, beautiful eyes, fur, disposition, the Beveren breed needs to be protected for the sake of  future generations. There are a limited number of Breeders working together to safeguard these treasures. Won’t you join us?

Although the blue fur variety of the Beveren rabbit was the original breed, Beveren of white, blue, black, brown and lilac were primarily developed in Europe for their fur. The color was a blue that mostly came about through selection of the self-blue St. Nicholas (St. Niklass). The early Blue Beveren showed varying depth of color, but the preferred color by the furriers was a light lavender-blue. To this day, the desirable shade of blue is one of conversation. Varying shades may be produced in a litter. The blue color should be a clean shade of light lavender blue, not dark blue. The blue is to be free of silvering and carry well down into the coat. The eyes of the blue Beveren are to be blue-gray Beveren, a fur breed, was raised for its fur for a reason, and unfortunately due to points on the show table – many breeders may have let slip the emphasis on fur by focusing only on type. Some find the pelt on the Beveren is one of the best, with its rollback and density. Note , in the U.S., only the black, blue, and blue-eyed white Beveren are recognized in shows. Fur length is rather long at 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches.

Beveren are mandolin, semi-arch typed rabbits that were the ideal rabbit type more than 50 years ago.  The Beveren mandolin has a heavy rear end and a semi-arched belly. Todays “commercial type”,  is more uniform from back to front,  as seen in present commercial meat facilities. Sadly, the various historic and beautiful breeds, such as the Beveren, fell out of style, just like the other livestock breeds that fell  from fashion, due to commercialization and the narrowing down to one or two breeds that produce well on a  large scale. 

Sports, Vienna Marked rabbits, may exhibit some degree of white on a colored rabbit.  VM rabbits are NOT showable, but DO make excellent pets, or can be used for meat production. A Vienna Marked rabbit, as well a Vienna Carrier, can produce white, blue, VM, or VC offspring.

Beveren are  a good meat  breed, with a beautifully pronounced mandolin shape.  Mature bucks weigh 8 to 11 pounds and does at 9 to 12 pounds. Maybe, they have fallen out of favor as a meat breed due to their curious, friendly, and super sweet personality! Beveren are among the gentlest rabbit breeds, affectionate and attention seeking.  Beveren can explode with  energy, and they love exploring. Beveren ARE excellent on the meat table, and ARE excellent on the show table, winning Best of Breed, best type, and best fur, etc.  In any event, Beveren are certainly a multi-purpose rabbit used for meat and fur, and show.

As mentioned, the Beveren Rabbit breed is a larger sized breed, that has a pronounced body similar to the shape of a mandolin. Beveren Rabbits have strong and firm shoulders, with a well-coiled rib cage, tapering somewhat from wider, smooth hips. The body of the Beveren Rabbit breed will present an explicit arch when observed from the side. Their top line is a smooth curve, beginning at the back of their shoulder, rising to a high tip above the middle of their back, and bend over the hips to complete the curve.

The head of the Beveren Rabbit breed is full from top to bottom, with a well-packed face and jaws. Their V-shaped ears are well furred, with the length of more than 5 inches (12.5 cm) in senior and intermediate rabbits. The Beveren Rabbit front legs and feet are straight, sturdy, and of average boned, whereas their back legs and feet that are also straight, but commanding and well furred. Beveren Litters are large, the young grow fairly fast, and the does are typically docile and make good mothers.

The Beveren Rabbit is classified into four grades; pre-junior, junior, intermediate, and senior. Each grade of male and female rabbits will have a different body weight. Both male and female pre-junior Beveren Rabbits are under the age of three months and will have a maximum body weight of 6.6 lbs (2.5 kg)

The male Junior Beveren Rabbits are between the ages of three to six months and will have a maximum body weight of 8 lbs (3.6 kg), whereas the females ranging in age from three to six months will have a maximum body weight of 9 lbs (4 kg).

The male intermediate Beveren Rabbit is between the age of six to eight months and will have a maximum body weight of 9.5 lbs (4.3.kg), whereas the females under the age of six to eight months will have a maximum body weight of 10.5 lbs (4.7 kg).

The male senior Beveren Rabbit will be more than eight months of age and they will have a maximum body weight, ranging from 8 lbs to 11 lbs (3.6 to 5 kg), whereas the females more than eight months of age will have a maximum body weight between 9 lbs and 12 lbs (4 kg and 5.5 kg).