The Rabbit of Cluj: a new phenotype obtained, maintained and improved in Cluj-Napoca (Transylvania), Romania.

Beside the Transylvanian Giant Rabbit a new rabbit breed, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) is currently in forming in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania, Romania. According to the Standards 2003 for the judgment of the exhibition rabbit acknowledged by European Association, regarding the body weight, the Rabbit of Cluj fits in the medium size breeds, with a minimum of 3.50 kg and a maximum of 5.50 kg limit. Yet, there is no other breed that rake together the Chinchilla color pattern with a New Zealand White show phenotype. Because for commercial meat production, the New Zealand White appears to be the principal breed, the genetic improvement of the Rabbit of Cluj will follow the same means of the commercial rabbits (prolificacy, milk yield, maternal instinct, weaned kits, number of valorified young's/doe, growth rate, forage capitalization, slaughter indicators, advantageousness). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]