History of the Silver Grey rabbit

Rabbits were thought to have been brought to England by the Normans, but this could be a mistake as there is no mention of the rabbit in the Doomsday Book written in 1086. In fact there is no written record until 1176 in a report about the Scilly Isles.

Recent reports suggest the Crusaders brought them to Britain in the late 12th Century. It is possible these imports were from domesticated stock kept in monasteries by monks who could eat the unborn or newly born babies during Lent. Some of these imports were kept in walled gardens. Being totally safe from wild predators and under the control and selection of man, many mutations or sports cropped up. Some gardens could have been stocked with these various sports from the original imports.

Being diggers many rabbits escaped from these gardens into the countryside and flourished. This was probably the case in Lincolnshire where a greyish black rabbit with white hairs made its appearance. These rabbits were called Lincolnshire Millers or Sprigs by the locals, and were greatly sort out and prized by the poachers, furriers, and farmers of the time.

Over the years, fanciers have turned this dull coloured greyish rabbit, into the exhibition Silver Grey with the jet-black coat, which shows off the broad even silvering to perfection. The Silver today is one of the finest and best condition rabbits on the judging table.