My rabbit hobby started in 1972, on a farm in Ohio, with rabbits of mixed breeding, intended for our home meat production.
Shortly after, I saw an ad for the American Rabbit Breeders Association, and sent for a small informational booklet. In it, I learned of a whole new world. A world of many breeds, many sizes, many colors, and the most beautiful rabbit I had ever seen - an Angora.
An Angora trio was ordered, and the meat rabbits were phased out. My life was changed forever. It now included rabbit shows, rabbit clubs, and happy times with many new friends. I developed an appreciation for fiber, received a spinning wheel as a gift from my mom, and learned to spin.
Harry, an "American" Angora, in 1972
Those first Angoras were "Americans". After discovering my mistake of starting with an unrecognized breed, I quickly purchased new stock, pure English Angoras, and began breeding to the ARBA Standard of Perfection.
During the years since this beginning, much time has been devoted to serving local, state, and national rabbit clubs, in many officer and committee positions. While living in Ohio, my English Angoras won many Best of Breeds. To the best of anyone's knowledge and memory, my ruby-eyed white doe, Jennifer, was the first Angora to win Best In Show in an all-breed, ARBA sanctioned show. This was in 1981. Then followed several other Best In Shows. This was before it was common for English Angoras to do so. Even two ARBA Convention Best of Breeds, and one Best Opposite Sex, were added to the list, with ruby-eyed white doe, Gardenia, in 1981, chocolate tortoiseshell buck, Randy, in 1984, and chocolate buck, Milky Way, in 1985. (Milky Way was owned by the Hartsough Family at the time of winning.)
Candy with Jennifer & Gardenia in 1981
There are always new challenges and new things to learn with rabbits. I became interested in color genetics, and began a collection of most of the color genetic information available at that time. My notes started the process of writing a booklet for the benefit of other rabbit breeders. Since then, I have made several updates, and the booklet continues to be a guide for many, on rabbit color genetics. (click here for info. on the booklet)
In 1987, we moved to Indiana, and a new Angora phase began for me.
After moving to Indiana, I quickly discovered that there was only one show within, what I considered to be, reasonable driving distance. I would not be able to keep up my pedigrees of Grand Champions. I needed a new focus for my Angora hobby. Because of my interest in genetics, and the desire of many people for a blue-eyed white English Angora, I decided to "make" them, by crossing to a blue-eyed white Netherland Dwarf.
My herd today is very small - less than 10 breeding rabbits, plus whatever young ones. I don't breed a lot, but try to focus on care and quality. There are a few more shows in the area now, but I have lost interest in showing. My goal now is to breed blue-eyed white English Angoras that are competitive on the show table, so others can do the winning with my stock. I also breed for the best spinning wool, for my own use, and to sell as raw wool, yarn, or garments. Animals from some of the top national breeders, have been brought into the herd, to upgrade the quality from that first Angora/Dwarf cross in 1987. The Grand Champions on the pedigrees of my rabbits now, are from the hard work of others.
Please refer to "BEW English Angoras" for history and breeding details on this rare and beautiful variety.
Diane, Blue-eyed white
The demand for BEW is far above the supply. But I usually have more Vienna marked bunnies than I need. A pair of these will produce BEW. It just takes a little longer. Any Angora baby is adorable, but the white markings make them especially appealing for pets. Please refer to "My English Angora Rabbits" for information on availability.
Typical white blaze pattern of Vienna marked bunnies, about 3 weeks old.
Since moving to Indiana, and giving up showing, I have a lot more time for spinning my favorite fiber, Angora. I now consider myself to be an active, professional spinner. I'm a member of the Ohio River Valley Fiber Arts Guild, and on a contest team called the Hoosier Spin Sisters and Brothers. There is a combined web site for the two groups. I enjoy demonstrating spinning at craft shows, festivals, and other events. Our contest team regularily participates in the Sheep to Shawl Contest at the Indiana State Fair, and the Llama to Luxury Contest at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY.
Hoosier Spin Sisters & Brothers
John, Jerilyn, Mark, Jenny, Carol, and Candy