The Blue Holicer - A Rare Breeds Rabbit

History; The Blue Holicer is a medium sized rabbit with a stocky, upright cylindrical body, thickly furred ears and ultra dense medium steel blue fur. The breed was developed in the Czech Republic in the 1950 by a breeder named Imrich Vanek. The breed was recognized by the Central Committee of the Slovak Small Breeders’ Association in 1975 and then by the Club of Rabbit Breeders of the Slovak Breeds and Rex in 1993. The breed has steadily gained popularity and began to thrive around the world particularly the rest of Europe, Canada, USA and now the UK.
With special thanks to Graham Bulgin for setting me up with a lovely trio of babies, their names yet to be chosen. Also thanks to Jeff for allowing me to use his photos to help show off this gorgeous breed.
Heather has also fallen in love with these beautiful rabbits and will follow with great interest but sadly her allergies prevent her from showing or keeping rabbits ever again.
Below are photos and articles from Germany, Slovakia and USA. Further down is the BRC breed standard as this lovely rabbit has now been accepted on the British show tables. It is in the Rare Varieties section.

The Blue Holicer stud at Barrowbunnies

Here is my buck. Lots of growing and lots of changes will happen but I want to log these to learn how they develop.
Parents John and Mary. Born 01.03.24
Age 13 1/2 weeks old.
# 24G 0203
Weight 1.978g
Good coat colour including belly, nails and eyes.
Overall body shape okay, does not like to pose atm.. I feel the front legs are currently a little long. His coat lacks the density of the does, to be reviewed. Unsure how bucks develop compared to the does.

Here is my bucks sister. As already mentioned lots of changes will happen.
Parents John and Mary. Born 01.03.24
Age 12 1/2 weeks old.
# 24G 0229
Weight 1.924g
Good coat colour including belly, nails and eyes.
Overall body shape good the front legs are an improvement on her brothers but I feel still a little thin. Her coat is denser than her brothers with a good abundance of guard hairs but it flys back a bit too much for my liking at the moment.

This doe is a week older.
Parents Delila and Peter. Born 21.02.24
Age 13 1/2 weeks.
# 24G 0230
Weight 1.830g
Good coat colour including belly, nails and eyes.
Thickest coat of the three. Still a little fly rather than roll back. Shorter, thicker front leg.

All three vaccinated 29.04.24
Photo below is John (sire to two of my trio)

Blue Hoilcer BRC Breed Standard

Ring Size G
1 Type 20
2 Weight 10
3 Fur 20
4 Head & Ears 15
5 Top Colour 15
6 Undercolour 15
7 Condition 5
Total 100

1 Type - Body Shape & Build
The body is barrel shaped, slightly stocky, with an even running back line which is well rounded. The neck is short and hardly noticeable. The legs are short and strong, leaving a gap between the body and the ground.
The doe is virtually free from dewlap however a dewlap is permitted in older / adult does.
2 Weight
2.25-2.49 kg 2.50-2.747 kg 2.75-3.25 kg
4.95-5.48 lb 5.5-6.03 lb 6.05-7.15 lb
8 points 9 points 10 points
3 Fur- The fur is of medium length, very dense undercoat as well as furnished with resilient, but not too long guard hairs. The ears are well furred.
4 Head & Ears - The head is short and broad, well rounded, broad forehead and close to the body. The ears are to be of a strong structure in accordance with the length of the body. The ideal length is 8.5 to 11 cm (3.35 - 4.33 inches)
5 Colour Evenness - The colour is a medium blue on the whole body and with a sheen. Belly colour more matt. Eye colour is grey - blue. Toe nails are horned coloured.
6 Undercolour - Under colour in accordance with the top colour. There could be a narrow lighter banding present near the skin.
7 Condition (see general condition)

FAULTS
- Completely abnormal carriage of the ears.
- Ear length under 8 cm (3.15 inches) or above 12 cm (4.72 inches).
- Top colour strongly interspersed with white.
- Clear squirrel haze over coat, top colour too dark (black, blue).
- Mouth part decidedly lighter. Eye colour different from standard, toe nails two coloured or without pigment.
- Very bright under colour, distinct intermediate colour, totally white under colour near the skin.

Information from breeders worldwide, their articles in national magazines and special help from Jeff Hardin (USA/ARBA)

The red lines and text show the incorrect build or type.

Notes:
List of potential names to choose from:
Aquamarine, Azure, Cambridge, Cerulean, Cobalt, Cyan, Lapis Lazuli, Navy, Nile, Oxford, Peacock, Periwinkle,
Pewter, Prussian, Royal, Sapphire, Saxe, Sky, Steel, Teal, Turquoise, Ultramarine, Wedgwood.
Azul (Spanish & Portuguese), Bleu (French), Modrý (Czech).
*In addition to various qualities such as color and coat, the 'natural' pose is one that has been refined through selective breeding. To assist in achieving the correct pose, place a solid wooden block behind the rabbit, then gently press a hand against the chest and guide the rabbit backwards. Simultaneously stroke or groom the back/top coat.
This technique helps the rabbit to sit up slightly and compress the body. For further refinement, slide a finger under the chin and gently lift to extend the front legs and square the chest more effectively.