The Dutch is one of the oldest breeds of rabbit in the world. The distinctive white markings first appeared pre-1700, and at first were fairly primitive, appearing in rabbits in Belgium and France.
The Belgian breed was known as the Brabançon, and was a meat rabbit weighing around 7-9lbs. By 1830, consignments of these meat rabbits were regularly sent from Ostend in Belgium to London, where they were referred to as 'Dutch', and a few enterprising English breeders aimed to improve the white pattern into the Dutch we know today. This was achieved by the late 1890's, and in 1902 the United Kingdom Dutch Rabbit Club (UKDRC) was formed.
A small breed, weighing around 5lbs/2.26kg, they are still a very popular pet and show breed today. In Britain the only recognised colours are Black, Blue, Brown-Grey, Chocolate, Pale Grey (extinct), Steel Grey, Tortoiseshell, and Yellow.
The Tri-Colour Dutch has a slightly different history. While it is a recognised as a colour variety of 'normal' Dutch rabbits in Europe, it is considered a completely separate breed in the UK, and not recognised at all in the USA.
The breed first arrived in Britain in the 1960's, but the UKDRC regarded it as a cross-breed and refused to accept it as a true Dutch. This situation has persisted to the present day and looks unlikely to change.
The breed has always been a rare breed, catered for by the Rare Varieties Rabbit Club. Their striking colour and pattern makes them popular as pets, plus they are generally healthy and robust – a trait they share with normal Dutch - regularly reaching ten or more years of age.