The history of domestic rabbits all go back to one species of rabbit. Rabbits are all descendants of the European wild rabbit. They are classified as a Lagomorpha, and not in the Rodentia (or rodent) order. Their species is better known as Leporidae, first found in America and Asia. They moved south during the time of glaciers to southern Europe and North Africa. Rabbits have found their way across the world by natural methods and by sailing vessels.
In first century B.C. the Romans described Spain as the homeland of the rabbit. They encouraged walled gardens to keep out predators and keep rabbits safe. Rabbits were on gold and silver coins in Spain. Their meat was prized, however their ability to multiply left a bit of a problem with local vegetation. Soon ferrets were used to drive the rabbits out so they could be hunted.
The walled gardens of the earlier years would be popular for centuries. England had rabbit 'warrens' until the later part of the 1800s. A typical warren would be a large amount of land - many 100 acres or more. The warrens were surrounded by a natural moat, deep trench, fence or wall to keep the rabbits in. Warrens were developed to keep rabbits in, allow for hunting, and also to raise large numbers for the fur trade.
The actual domestication of rabbits can be credited to the monks of central Europe. Within monastery walls, rabbits became tame and selective breeding took place. This process was further credited to the 600 A.D. Papal Edict of Pope Gregory the Great that declared that the rabbit was no longer considered meat, but aquatic, and could be eaten during the 40 days of Lent. Records show rabbits being exchanged by monasteries in Germany and France in 1194.
During the 16th century a monk named Atricola of Verona, Italy reported producing white, black and spotted rabbits within the monastery.
The interest in other colors began to arise. King Richard the Third imported 250 white rabbits from Europe in the mid 15th century for his castle in Wensleydale, England. The rabbits were brought there as an alternative sport for his knights, who were bored with hunting the same quarry.
The rabbits were kept in closely guarded, enclosed warrens.
A few were later released into the countryside. King Richard's white rabbits were preserved there in their semi domestication until 1840.
The Angora rabbit is believed to come from the southern Carpathian mountain region. Breeding of these rabbits is believed to have started during the 6th century. The Trelicians learned that they could harvest the rabbits' wool, and it was much softer than Angora goats, and warmer too. 'Angora' is taken from the Trellician word for 'not sharp'.
Angora rabbits had gotten King Henry VIII's (1491-1547) attention and he banned the sale of long-haired rabbits or their export to other countries.
