Creme d'Argent

Did You Know?

• The Argenté Clair, called Light Groot Silver in Germany, is not currently recognised by the BRC or ARBA.
• The Argenté Noir has a grayish white coat with deep slate blue undertones and distinctive bold brown eyes.
• The Argenté St Hubert has a dark blue undercolour at the base with an orange intermediate band and a narrow top chestnut band.

Argenté Brun

The Argenté Brun is recognized by both the BRC (as Argente Brun UK) and ARBA (as Argente Brun US), with differences between the two standards. The UK variety weighs about 6 lb and originated in England; its undercolour is deep brown, body colour brownish-white, and the coat is dense, glossy, silky, and 1.9–2.54 cm long. The US variety, originating in Canada, may reach 10.5 lb. Its surface color is an even silvered chocolate brown, with darker muzzle, ears, and feet desirable, and a rich chocolate undercolor carried to the skin.

Argenté Crème (UK)

The Argenté Crème weighs approximately 2.3 kg and has a very dense, glossy, silky coat that lies close to the body. Its undercolour is orange, carried to the skin, and the outer color is silver, giving a creamy complexion. In shows, the body should be evenly interspersed with longer orange hairs for a creamy effect from a distance. A white underbelly is permissible but a coloured one is encouraged. Eyes are bold and dark brown; toenails should be horn coloured. Faults include light soiling of feet, ears, and genital organs, bare pads, soiled or matted fur, and long toenails.

Argenté de Champagne (UK)

The Argenté de Champagne weighs 4.1–5.4 kg. Its undercolour is dark slate blue, with a bluish white body, and long jet black hairs interspersed in the fur create a silvery tone from a distance; it can also be all black. Show faults include dark ears, creamy or yellow tint (especially around neck and cheeks), a large paunch, bony or angular frame, harsh, thin, wooly or too short fur, and dewlaps in either sex. White-topped or too dark exhibits are discouraged; white toenails are a minor fault. One of the oldest known rabbit breeds, it was once called the French Silver and prized for its pelt. Kits are born pure black and begin turning silver gray at about 3 weeks, reaching a silver grey shade by 6 months.

Crème d'Argent (US)

The Crème d'Argent weighs 3.6–5.0 kg, much larger than the Argenté Crème. Its coat is creamy-white with an orange cast throughout the fur; the undercoat is bright orange and carries to the skin, and orange guard hairs are interspersed. Originating in France in the mid- to late-nineteenth century, its unusual fur was quite popular. In the 1920s and 1930s, specimens were imported to the United States from France, Germany, and England, with the first rabbits arriving in 1924 or shortly before. The breed struggled initially but appealed to American fanciers. Today it is rare, listed on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy 'Watch' list, with fewer than 100 registered annually in the US; only 43 were shown at the 2006 ARBA National Convention & Show.