The Thrianta rabbit is one of the newest breeds to be officially recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), added along with the Mini Satin on 1 February 2006. Known as the "Fire of the Fancy," it has a brilliant red-orange coat and brown eyes. The Thrianta is a medium-sized rabbit, ranging from four to six pounds (1.8 to 2.7 kg) and ideally under five pounds (2.3 kg).
The Thrianta traces its history back to the Netherlands in 1938, when Mr. H. Andreae, a school teacher, began developing the breed as a tribute to Holland's royal house, the House of Orange. Bred from Black Tan, English Spot, and Havana rabbits, the Thrianta was accepted in the Netherlands in 1940, but the original standards, stipulating a hint of tan coloring under the orange top coat, made the breed difficult to maintain. World War II also took a toll on the Thrianta population, as the Netherlands were invaded by German forces just days after the breed's first official recognition. By 1966, Thriantas were no longer listed in the Dutch standards.
The Thrianta began to see a resurgence in popularity in the 1970s, when it became accepted into the British Rabbit Council standards and a special club dedicated to the breed was formed in Holland. American rabbit breeders began bringing Thriantas into the United States in 1996. In 2006, it became the 46th rabbit breed to be accepted by ARBA, and the first since 1988. Judith Oldenburg-Graf of Iowa, the first to import the breed into the United States, also became the first to hold an ARBA Certificate of Development for the breed.
The Thrianta has become a popular show rabbit in recent years, in part due to the unique color of its coat, which makes it stand out from all other rabbits. Thriantas make good pets as well as show animals. They are not only attractive, but also gentle, friendly, and inquisitive.
