Harlequin (US)
The Harlequin in United States registry language is an ARBA-recognized rabbit breed defined by color alternation across the face, ears, feet, and body. American descriptions often divide the breed into Japanese and magpie groups. Japanese animals use orange or fawn with black, blue, chocolate, or lilac; magpie animals use white with one of those darker colors. Unlike a rabbit that merely has a broken coat, a Harlequin should show purposeful alternation and body markings with a clear visual rhythm.
Show selection in the United States gives serious weight to pattern placement as well as type and condition. A breeder may keep otherwise healthy youngsters out of a show program if the face split is blurred, the ears do not alternate, or body bars and bands are poorly placed. For pet buyers, the label should not be confused with any striped rabbit of uncertain ancestry. A true Harlequin is a medium breed with a specific standard, not just a color description.
Colors: Agouti, Albino, Black, Blue, Broken, Charlie, Chestnut, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Cream, Fawn, Harlequin, Himalayan, Lilac, Lynx, Magpie, Marten, Opal, Orange, Otter, Pointed White, Red, Sable, Seal, Squirrel, Tortoise, Tri-Color, Vienna Marked, White
