"...when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another Heaven and another Earth must pass before such a one can be again."
-William Beebe

Giant Chinchilla Rabbit

The Giant Chinchilla is of American origin, developed in 1921 by Edward H. Stahl of Holmes Park, Missouri. Stahl was one of the first men to own the sensational new breed called Chinchilla, which was created in France in 1913. Once the breed hit American shores in 1919, Stahl knew that it would take the American fur industry by storm but would be hampered by the breed’s small size. While other breeders began to breed up the weights to what would become known as the American Chinchilla, Stahl set his sights on breeding a “Giant Chinchilla.” In the basement of his home he began experimental breeding using a pure Chinchilla buck of large size, and with perfect color, to does of New Zealand Whites and several other large breeds. The offspring from the cross with the White Flemish and the American Blue does had reasonably good coloration with progress toward a larger size, and were used for continued selection. On Christmas morning, 1921, a Giant Chinchilla doe was born that he considered his ideal. He named her the “Million Dollar Princess.”

A proposed working standard was presented for the American Chinchilla Giant in 1924, but was withdrawn in favor of the American Chinchilla (Heavyweight Chinchilla). At the demand of breeders of these giants, the standard was again proposed in February 1928, and this time the standard was accepted for the Giant Chinchilla. It should be noted that Edward H. Stahl, is the first and only individual to ever make a million dollars from the sale of rabbit breeding stock and is considered the “Father of the Domestic Rabbit Industry in America.”

Giant Chinchillas are large with mature bucks weighing in at 12 to 15 pounds and does at 13 to 16 pounds. It is the only breed in America that is judged for its commercial value, with meat producing qualities given top consideration on the judging table. Because of their large size, hutches with all wooden floors and a heavy bedding of shavings and straw are required. The breed is gentle in nature. Does have large litters and are very good mothers. Youngsters grow very fast and it is easy to produce a 7 pound fryer in just 2 months.

Status: See CPL

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