Swiss Fox
{{Short description|Domesticated breed of rabbit}}
{{Infobox animal breed
|name = Swiss Fox
|image = Voskonijn-Feh.jpg
|image_size =
|alt = A grey haired Swiss Fox rabbit with upright ears lying on grass in front of a flower pot
|caption = A grey Swiss Fox rabbit
|country = {{flagicon|Swiss}} Switzerland
|distribution = Europe
|use = Pet
|coat = Long, fine
|color = Grey, White, Black, Havana or Chinchilla
|litter_size =
|life_span =
|weight = {{convert|2.5|-|4|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}
|notes =
}}
The Swiss Fox is a domesticated breed of rabbit originally bred for commercial use of their fur, but now kept mainly as pets. It is a recognised breed in the UK by the British Rabbit Council as a "Normal Fur" breed,{{Cite web |date=2013-03-29 |title=The BRC Breed Standards |url=http://www.thebrc.org/standards.htm |access-date=2023-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329051005/http://www.thebrc.org/standards.htm |archive-date=2013-03-29 }} however unrecognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association making it a rare breed in the US.
Origin
The Swiss Fox rabbit was initially bred by Hermann Leifer and Müller in Switzerland in the 1920s by crossbreeding Angora and Havana rabbits in an attempt to find a cheaper alternative to Arctic fox fur. The resulting breed was not satisfactory.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-21 |title=Swiss Fox Rabbit Information and Pictures - PetGuide |url=https://www.petguide.com/breeds/rabbit/swiss-fox-rabbit/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Petguide.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mortensen |first=Chelsea |date=2021-03-08 |title=Swiss Fox Rabbit: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures) |url=https://petkeen.com/swiss-fox-rabbit/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Pet Keen |language=en-US}} Despite initial low population counts due to its commercial potential failure, the breed is well known throughout Europe and is regularly shown.
Appearance
The breed has a medium-sized compact body, with short necks and a partial upright posture. It has strong, upright and long ({{convert|10.5|-|11|cm|in|abbr=on}}{{Cite web |title=The BRC Breed Standards - Swiss Fox |url=http://www.thebrc.org/standards/N35-Swiss%2520Fox.pdf |access-date=2023-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718015130/http://www.thebrc.org/standards/N35-Swiss%2520Fox.pdf |archive-date=2013-07-18 }}) ears. Their coat is soft, long and dense and appears in mostly pastel colouring of grey, white, black, Havana and Chinchilla.
Diet
{{Further|Domestic rabbit#Diet}}
Like most other rabbits, this breed should be fed a mainly fibre-rich diet, consisting mainly of vegetables and alfalfa hay.
Health
{{Further|Domestic rabbit#Health}}
Behaviour
The Swiss Fox is a calm and affectionate breed, suitable for families with older children. The breed can be litter trained.