What is the origin of the name 'Tan'?

The name 'Tan' comes from the English word meaning 'light brown or tan color', from which it was named.

What are the color variations of Tan?

Black

Blue

Chocolate

Lilac

There are also blue-gray and brown colors.

Tan is exclusively a short-haired breed.

What does Tan look like?

It has a body type called 'full arch'. The ears are balanced with the body, and the back line has a beautiful arch-shaped curve. The front legs are longer, and the skeletal structure is relatively firm.

The fur is a flyback that grows close to the skin, which is soft to the touch and elastic. And above all, the most distinctive feature is the strikingly clear body color. The beauty condition for Tan is having a clear two-tone body color; for example, if the boundary between the two colors is blurred or jagged, it could result in a lower evaluation at rabbit shows.

Incidentally, the boundary line as the color transition appears in various places such as behind the neck, chest, around the eyes, and on the front and back legs.

Is it true that Tan was originally a large breed of rabbit?

To answer briefly, it's true. As introduced in the basic information, the first Tan was born in the 1880s in England. At that time, Tan was much larger than it is today, though the exact size is unknown. Subsequent selective breeding has led to the fixed size we see today.

Where can you find Tan?

In Japan, the availability of Tan is limited, making it difficult to find specialized breeders. There are Tan breeders abroad, so if you have acquaintances living overseas, it might be easier to find one through this route.

How much does it cost to buy a Tan?

As Tans are rarely seen in Japan, the exact price is unknown. However, their rarity suggests that the purchase price would be high. For instance, a 'show type' rabbit that could potentially win at rabbit shows will be more expensive than a 'pet type' that would be perfectly fine as a household pet.

I want to know more about Tan's personality!

Due to the rarity of their breeding in Japan, details are unclear. However, generally, rabbits dislike being held, and males may spray urine as a courting behavior even towards their owners. Females can become aggressive during heat or when pregnant to protect their offspring. It's likely that Tans share these traits.

What diseases are Tan susceptible to?

Tan are susceptible to 'Rabbit Gastrointestinal Syndrome (RGIS)' and 'Malocclusion'.

Rabbits may accidentally swallow hair during grooming, which if passed with feces causes no issues, but if a large amount of hair clogs the digestive tract, it can lead to loss of appetite or inability to defecate.

This condition was previously known as 'Hairball Disease' due to hair being the cause, but recent studies have shown that other factors can also block the digestive tract, leading to the more general term 'Rabbit Gastrointestinal Syndrome'.

All rabbits are susceptible to this syndrome, so preventive measures include feeding them fibrous Timothy hay, ensuring exercise, avoiding dehydration by providing ample water, and grooming by the owner.

Symptoms include difficulty eating, struggling to drink water, and more. Since rabbit teeth continue growing throughout their lives, they typically gnaw on wood or fibrous food to prevent overgrowth. If the teeth are not worn down due to some reason, this can lead to malocclusion.

If malocclusion progresses, it can cause loss of appetite and diseases like nasolacrimal duct stenosis, so if you notice a change in how the rabbit eats or abnormal tooth growth, it is advised to consult a veterinarian.

What is the lifespan of Tan?

About 8 to 10 years. This is slightly longer than the average lifespan of general rabbits, which is about 6 to 8 years.