At a glance the quick version
Two standards: the US (ARBA) type averages about 9 lb with a maximum of 10.5 lb (Wikipedia list: 8-10.5 lb, 3.6-4.8 kg); the UK (BRC) type is about 6 lb (2.7 kg).
Coat and looks how to spot one
dense, glossy, silky short coat, silvered brown
A neat, well-filled rabbit whose coat looks like chocolate dusted with frost: a rich brown undercolour that runs down to the skin, lighter silvered tips on top and darker brown guard hairs mixed evenly through. A slightly darker muzzle, ears and feet are wanted in the US standard. Like other Argentes, the young are born solid coloured and silver as they grow.251
Personality what they are like
A good-natured, calm rabbit that is usually easy to handle. Rabbits that are handled from an early age tend to become affectionate and playful companions, and the Argente group as a whole has a reputation as pleasant pets.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Benefits from daily exercise time outside its cage.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A short coat that needs only light brushing; keep the coat dry, as wet fur can mat.1
Home where they are happiest
A roomy, dry hutch or indoor pen sized for a medium rabbit, plus a safe area for daily exercise.1
Company who they like around
Enjoys gentle human contact and becomes friendlier with regular handling from a young age.1
The story where it all began
The Argente Brun first appeared in France in the late 19th century but had died out by the early 1900s. English breeder H.D.H. Dowle recreated it between 1939 and 1941, and the breed has been shown in the UK since. In North America a breed club formed in 2015 and ARBA accepted the breed in 2016.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed was lost once and had to be rebuilt from scratch by an English breeder around the start of the Second World War.1
- 2
Argente kits are born a solid colour and develop their silvery adult coat between about 6 weeks and 4 months of age.2
- 3
It is one of the newest ARBA breeds, accepted in 2016.1
- 4
Does are known as attentive mothers, with litters averaging about eight kits.1
Recognised by the official bits
- ARBA
- Accepted into the ARBA Standard of Perfection in 2016, after the American Argente Brun Rabbit Club was founded in 2015; adults average about 9 lb, up to 10.5 lb.1
- ARBA
- Listed among the three ARBA Argente breeds; accepted at the 92nd ARBA Convention in Portland, Oregon, presented by Charmaine Wardrop. Dense, glossy, silky coat over a deep chocolate undercolour. National club: AABRC.5
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised as a smaller UK type of about 6 lb, with a brownish-white surface and an undercolour as deep brown as possible.2
- The Livestock Conservancy
- Conservation Priority List status: Watch (the 2021 quick-reference chart listed it as Threatened).1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Argente Brun. 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.
- Argente Brun Rabbit - The Livestock Conservancy livestockconservancy.orgused for history, ARBA recognition, weight, temperament, care, conservation status
- Argenté rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for UK standard, coat description, kit colour change
- List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for US weight range and origin
- The Livestock Conservancy - Quick Reference Guide to Heritage Rabbits (2021) livestockconservancy.orgused for origin, chart status
- ARBA - Recognized Breeds arba.netused for ARBA listing and coat
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.