I DO RECOMMED THIS BREED FOR FIRST TIMERS..
THIS BREED IS NUMBER 8 ON THE RARE RABBIT BREEDS LIST.. WE ARE TRYING TO BRING IT BACK.
A Lilac type breed called the Gouda was developed in the Netherlands, prized as a meat and fur rabbit of about 7 to 8 pounds. This breed spread to France and Germany where they remain today, still called the Gouda. In England five years later in 1922 geneticist R.C. Punnet crossed blue Beverens with chocolate Havanas. This was initially called the Cambridge Blue than changed to Lilac by the British Rabbit Club.
America imported both of these rabbits and in the mid 1920s there was considerable interest in them particularly on the west coast. The English standard was adopted here and by 1940 25 Lilacs were shown at the ARBA Convention show.
In the 1950s many breeders dropped the breed with just a handful shown and the breed was nearly extinct from the rabbit scene. Slow but steady progress has been made but the Lilac today is still considered a "watch" breed with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
With the original English rabbits being dilute colors this resulted in a recessive dilution that created the light color that the lilac is known for. They are a "four class" rabbit from a show standpoint, with classes offered for junior and senior bucks and does. Although they are a smaller rabbit, with bucks 6-7 pounds and does a half pound heavier, they should be posed as a commercial breed.
The color is dove-grey with a pinkish tint over the body. An even color is desired with eyes to match the fur and a "rollback" coat. With a close heritage with the Havana breed, the Lilac is distinctive in the color, with a good amount of muscling and flesh condition despite the size. From a show standpoint, disqualifications can come from white or mismatched toenails or white spots in the fur.