At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives 7-9 lb (about 3-4 kg); the German standard gives 3.25-4 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, glossy normal fur
A medium, erect-eared rabbit wearing a short coat of deep, shiny black. The goal is an even black all over, and the whole look is built around that single rich colour.132
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Rabbits keep themselves clean, so routine care is mostly regular hands-on checks of coat, nails and teeth.4
Home where they are happiest
Needs a secure living area of at least 3m x 2m x 1m so it can hop, play, stretch, hide and exercise, with toys and foraging opportunities for enrichment.4
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Hay should form the foundation of the diet, as constant chewing keeps the teeth worn down, with fresh leafy greens and a measured amount of pellets alongside. Carrots are best kept as an occasional treat.4
Company who they like around
A social animal that should live with at least one other rabbit; a neutered male and female pair is often the easiest match.4
The story where it all began
German breeders around 1900 set out to produce a rabbit whose fur would pass for that of a fox, crossing Havanas, Dutch, Himalayans and Champagne d'Argents among others. The fox-like coat never materialised, but a striking solid black rabbit did, and it was first exhibited in 1907. It reached North America in the 1970s and remains recognised in Britain today.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed was meant to imitate fox fur for the fur trade; the breeders missed that target and got a jet-black rabbit instead.1
- 2
Its name nods to the black Alaska fox that the breeders were trying to copy.2
- 3
It was first shown at an exhibition in 1907.1
- 4
Canadian breeder Bert Reurs brought the Alaska to North America in the 1970s.1
Recognised by the official bits
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised, classed as a Normal Fur breed; the Alaska Rabbit Club is the BRC specialty club.1
- ARBA
- Not currently recognised; it was in the ARBA standards after reaching North America in the 1970s but was dropped in 1981.1
- German standard
- A widespread breed often seen at German shows; standard weight 3.25-4 kg.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Alaska Rabbit. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily while moultingevery week
- Nail trimevery 6 weeks
- Teeth checkTeeth never stop growingevery week
- Fresh hayUnlimited hay every dayevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Bottom checkCheck the fur around the tail stays clean, especially in summerevery day
- Free roamAt least 4 hours of running space a dayevery day
- VaccinationsSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Alaska rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, breeders, parent breeds, history, recognition
- Alaska (Kaninchenrasse) - Wikipedia (German) de.wikipedia.orgused for German standard weight, Alaska fox model, breeding history
- List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight, origin, coat and ear type, BRC/ARBA recognition
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for general rabbit care: diet, companionship, space, enrichment
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.