A Bit of History: Angora SOP 1934-1939 and 1939-1944

Due to human COVID-19 and rabbit RHD viruses, there won't be shows for quite a while.   There isn't much current activities to report, we'll start a series to go into the past history.    Today we'll start with Angora Standard of Perfection (SOP). 

This is the earliest standard on file at the ARBA office, I received it over 20 years ago from Dick Gehr who was kind enough to make copies from the ARBA Archive.    During 1934 to 1939, there was only one Angora breed that was called "Angora Woolers".  No photo published.  Colors accepted were White, Black, Blue and Fawn.   

In the 1939-1944 SOP, a photo was added.    Though there was still only one Angora breed, there were sub categories of English-Type and French-Type.  The above is the description of the English-Type, continued in the next page.


 

This is the second page of the 1929-1944 SOP that continued with the English-Type Angora Woolers then moved to French-Type.    You may notice that the English-Type still accepted White, Black, Blue and Fawn but the French-Type only accepted White.  Though there was a photo, it was not specified whether the rabbit was an English-Type or a French-Type wooler.  

The very top of this third page in the1939-1944 SOP shows the disqualification of the French-Type Angora Woolers.  In this standard, French-Type at senior age would be disqualified for no ear tufts, and the ideal wool was to be fine, silky and wavy.   The main difference between the English-Type and French-Type seemed to be the body type rather than the wool texture.  The interesting part is that there is no disqualification listed for English-Type.   

Also noted is that the ARBA name was yet to be used during 1939-1944 SOP.  At the time, the organization is referred to as "A.R.&C.B.A."   I'd guess the acronym stands for American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association. 

  Disregard the rest of lower part of the page unless you are also interested in Champagne de Argents.