Lionhead History

Chronological History of the Lionhead Rabbit


The Lionhead appears in varying forms on the Continent as a pet rabbit. It has only recently been standardised in the U.S. The origin of the Lionhead remains vague.  Most agree that there must be a dash of Angora or Swiss Fox, but after so many years we are left with supposition rather than certainty.
To read the current standard please visit the Lionhead Standard page.

1995 Derek Medlock and Joyce Taylor were in Bruges for a rabbit show. A friend was collecting 12 Lionheads and Derek and Joyce, (having already been introduced to the Lionhead at the Cambridge show by Mary Page) went with him. When they arrived there were 21 rabbits and Joyce said that she would like the ones that their friend did not want. She was given the choice of colour and chose Sooty Fawn, the rest as they say, is history.

1998 In July of this year the Lionhead was first discussed at a Breeds Standards Committee meeting.

1999 A proposed standard was put to the Breed Standards Committee and agreed provisionally. Mr and Mrs Gaunt were to be secretaries of the Lionhead Club under the umbrella of the Rare Varieties Club. Clarinette Stud were Best Unstandardised with a Harlequin buck at Bradford

2000 The Working Standard was agreed by the Breed Standards Committee with the ring size to be 'C'. First Presentation of the Harlequin Lionhead at Bradford Championship show. (You may be interested to know that the Judge was Mrs. Pam Honour, she was obviously impressed as she is now breeding and showing Lionheads). Clarinette Stud went Best Unstandardised with a Blue Lionhead.
London Championship show - 1st presentation by Dee Millen of Agouti, Chin, Opal, Magpie and in partnership with Carmill Stud - Red Eyed White.

2001 The 2nd Presentation of the Harlequin Lionhead at Bradford Championship Show.
1st Presentation of the Blue Lionhead at Bradford.
2nd Presentation of Agouti, Opal, Magpie and REW, The Chinchilla had, with permission from BRC, changed homes to Sandoval Stud.

2002 Schlegel and Davies were Best Unstandardised with a Chocolate Lionhead
The third and final Presentation of the Harlequin Lionhead. (Harley, the rabbit that won Best Unstandardised in 1999 was in this Presentation)
2nd Presentation of Blue Lionhead at Bradford
A week after Bradford the BRC Management Committee agreed to standardize the Lionhead in all recognised colours from May 1st
March 23rd - National Lionhead Rabbit Club granted official recognition as the National Club for the breed.
May 1st - STANDARDISATION AS IT IS TODAY
May 5th - First stock show at Southern Championship show at Bognor Regis.

(Apologies to anyone who has been missed out)