The American Chinchilla, also called the ‘Heavyweight Chinchilla’, is one among the three Chinchilla rabbit breeds characterized by a medium-length, stocky body. Initially bred for their fur and meat, the American Chinchilla Rabbits have now become increasingly popular as pets that are also displayed in competitions and exhibitions. These rabbits are the rarest among all the variations of Chinchillas.
The American Chinchilla was first produced through selective breeding of standard Chinchilla rabbits, which were developed by the French breeder M.J. Dybowski. This new breed was acknowledged by the American Rabbit Breeders’ Association (ARBA) in 1924.
Show rabbit, house rabbit, indoor/outdoor rabbit
Singles, seniors, first-time owners, families with children
France
Docile, sweet, gentle, intelligent
No
5-8 years
Medium, 15-18 inches long
9-12 lbs
17-19 inches
About 17-20 inches
Soft, short, rollback
Straight, erect
Low
High
Regularly wipe down its cage with warm water and vinegar to remove droppings and stubborn urine deposits. Replace all fabric bedding after a week.
Use an indoor cage roughly measuring 26 X 24 X 21 inches, a larger enclosure of dimensions 72 X 24 X 24 inches can be used to keep a group of Chinchilla bunnies
Mostly fresh timothy hay, a cup of a healthy mix of fruits, leafy greens, and vegetables as treats, and high-quality pellets per day
Occasional
Regular
Needs occasional brushing, once every three to four weeks, using a slicker brush
Low
High
Allow it to play with chew toys and grass balls, create a safe exercise area in your backyard where it can run around and explore
Low
High
Their price ranges from $50 to $100, depending on whether an individual is pedigreed, show rabbit, or purebred; the yearly cost of keeping it is average
Low
High
Sheds heavily in fall and spring, during which it should be brushed once every two weeks