Blanc De Blouscat Rabbit: Pictures, Care Guide, Lifespan & Traits

You may not have heard of the Blanc de Blouscat Rabbit, but it’s quite a popular breed in its native land of France. The breed is rare in the United Kingdom, the United States, and even in its French home. We consider it a shame since it is a friendly lagomorph that makes an excellent pet. It’s a large bunny compared to many recognized breeds, although it is a sweetheart you’ll enjoy knowing.

Like many modern-day breeds, the Blanc de Blouscat is a mix of other rabbits, with the Flemish Giant, French Angora, and the Crème d’Argent part of its ancestry. That accounts for its gorgeous coat and size. As its name suggests, it is a white rabbit. It was initially bred for meat and fur despite its heritage.

Blanc De Blouscat Characteristics

How Much Do These Rabbits Cost?

The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) doesn’t recognize the Blanc de Blouscat, although the British Rabbit Council (BRC) does. However, given its scarcity overseas, you’ll likely find it challenging to locate a breeder, let alone buy one. The price you’ll pay will also depend on whether the animal is show quality or not, as well as its lineage.

Purebred rabbits without a pedigree run around $25–$50. Just because it can’t compete in the ring doesn’t mean it won’t make a delightful pet. We mentioned the rarity of this breed. That means you’ll likely pay quite a bit more for a pet-quality animal. We suggest starting with rescue organizations. Many charge more if a rabbit has been spayed or neutered. These pets may run over $100 to cover the cost.

If you find a rabbit overseas, you must comply with your state’s regulations for importing the animal.¹ No requirements exist at the federal level with the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS). Of course, going this route will cost more with the added red tape. It’s worth noting that the Crème d’Argent is rare,² making finding a bunny stateside even more difficult.

After all, a breeder may be more likely to raise the purebred and ARBA-recognized rabbit than take their chances on one without this formal recognition. Nonetheless, a show-quality animal will probably cost several hundred dollars.

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Blanc De Blouscat Rabbit

The breeding stock of the Blanc de Blouscat includes animals known for their docile nature. That trait comes through with these rabbits, too. That’s part of what makes them such great pets. They tick off many boxes we like to see pet bunnies.

Do These Rabbits Make Good Pets? 👪

The Blanc de Blouscat is like the Goldilocks of rabbits. It’s big enough to handle playtime with the kids, yet it’s gentle enough to tolerate the attention. These animals don’t always like being handled. Their size also makes it difficult for a youngster to pick up the bunny.

Does This Rabbit Get Along With Other Pets?

Again, size makes a difference with the Blanc de Blouscat. It’s big enough to take care of itself. However, we recommend supervising any contact with other pets in your home, particularly large dogs. A breed with a high prey drive will make things problematic if the lagomorph gets startled and runs away. Early socialization is the best plan for ensuring all your pets get along.

Things to Know When Owning a Blanc De Blouscat Rabbit:

Owning a rabbit of any breed includes different challenges than having a dog or cat. You’ll need a cage or dedicated play area. You must also rabbit-proof the space if you opt for the latter. Bunnies need daily care just like any other pet. That includes routine maintenance, grooming, and playtime to ensure a good quality of life for your rabbit.

Food & Diet Requirements 🥕

The best diet for a Blanc de Blouscat includes timothy hay as its main source of fuel. It will provide the necessary fiber for proper digestion and help keep your rabbit’s teeth in check. Remember that they grow during the entire animal’s life. You can also offer your pet a commercial pellet diet to ensure it gets adequate amounts of vitamins A, D, and E, which its food must provide.³

Rabbits can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. You can give it to your bunny as a treat to supplement its diet.

Habitat & Hutch Requirements 🏠

The Blanc de Blouscat is a good-sized rabbit. Therefore, a large cage is imperative for its good health. You should house your pet in one that is no less than 3 feet long to give it enough room to stretch and play. It should also be at least 2 feet high so that your bunny can easily move around. Place the cage out of any drafts and away from heating/cooling registers.

We recommend putting a litter box in the cage. It’s a smart breed that you can train to use one. That’ll make maintenance easier for you, too. Even though the Blanc de Blouscat is a domesticated animal, it still has the instincts of a prey species. Therefore, you should also put a hiding place in your pet’s cage or hutch. It’ll also help keep your rabbit warm if you house it outside.

Of course, an outdoor hutch must be predator-proof. While you can put a bunny in a wooden cage, the area it comes in contact with should not use this material. A rabbit will chew it.

Exercise & Sleeping Needs 🐇

Daily playtime is essential for your pet’s physical and mental well-being. After all, lagomorphs can also become obese. Interaction with your rabbit will provide vital mental stimulation for this intelligent animal. It’ll make maintenance like cage cleaning easier if your bunny is used to you being around and handling it regularly.

You can let your rabbit play in a pen, either inside or outside. Make sure it’s secure so that your pet won’t escape. You can also let it out in a bunny-proof room. These animals don’t know the difference between what they should or shouldn’t chew. Make it easy with some toys or tasty treats.

Rabbits sleep around 12 hours a day.⁴ They may sleep lightly most of the time to stay alert for signs of danger. They may also keep their eyes open while they snooze for the same reason. Lagomorphs are crepuscular or nocturnal in the wild. The cover of the night gives them extra protection against predators. It’s an instinctive behavior that you likely won’t change.

Training 🥎

Litter box training is probably high on your list of things to teach your bunny. Luckily, they prefer a clean place to sleep, so it falls in line with their instincts. The Blanc de Blouscat is a smart animal. You may have some luck with a few tricks. Of course, treats are a powerful motivator, especially if you limit them to training aids.

Grooming ✂️

You can brush your rabbit’s coat to keep it free of mats. The French Angora in the breed makes it necessary. Giving your pet unlimited amounts of hay will keep its teeth trim so that you don’t have to get them trimmed by a vet. The same applies to letting your pet out to play and the condition of its nails. Running on rough surfaces will act like an emery board or file.

Lifespan and Health Conditions 🏥

A captive rabbit lives longer than a wild one, which is lucky to live through its first year. The average age for a domesticated bunny is about 9 years. The Blanc de Blouscat often exceeds it, providing it has received proper care. A clean cage is also essential to reduce the risk of disease and parasites.

Male vs. Female

The differences between a male and female rabbit come to light when you consider the behavior of the respective sexes. Intact males can become territorial and even aggressive. It doesn’t benefit the animal to get it neutered. However, it’ll be a better pet. We also recommend spaying females. It can reduce the risk of cancers associated with the reproductive organs.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Blanc De Blouscat Rabbit

1. The Blanc de Blouscat Rabbit Is Only White

It’s the reason enthusiasts selectively bred this animal to be what it is. If a seller tries to get you to buy one that isn’t, it’s a different breed.

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2. The History of the Blanc de Blouscat Rabbit Goes Back to 1906

Selective breeding introduced this animal to French enthusiasts. It soon made its way to the United Kingdom, where it also endeared itself to pet owners.

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3. The Success of the Rabbit Comes From Two Factors

Probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of rabbits is how often they breed. That fact puts the survival odds in their favor with lots of offspring. The other thing to consider is the animal’s generalized diet. It’s an herbivore that eats mainly plant material. However, it also consumes fruits, nuts, seeds, and bark.

Final Thoughts

The Blanc de Blouscat Rabbit is a beautiful animal with a striking pure white coat and red eyes. These traits probably played a significant role in it becoming a beloved pet and show animal. That’s a great thing for enthusiasts who have had the fortunate opportunity to own one. Perhaps its scarcity adds to its allure. Consider yourself lucky if you can find a Blanc de Blouscat Rabbit to own.

Related Reads:

• Brazilian Rabbit: Facts, Care, Diet, Pictures & More
• Fauve De Bourgogne Rabbit Pictures, Care Guide, Lifespan & Traits
• Golden Glavcot Rabbit: Info, Care, Diet, Pictures & More

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Featured Image Credit: Géant blanc du Bouscat femelle (Lionel Allorge, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 3.0 Unported)