Blue of Ham

The Blue of Ham, also known as the Blue of Hem or Bleu de Ham, is a rare breed of domestic rabbit that originated in the Belgian village of Ham-sur-Heure.[1] Developed as a meat and fur breed[2] in 1897 by Ulysses Horemans (who introduced the breed to St. Petersburg in 1902), the once-popular Blue of Ham became rare following World War II. In 1967, a breeder named Delbusaye recreated the Blue of Ham using the Vienna breed, the Blue of Sint-Niklaas, and the Flemish Giant. Three years later, a standard for the new Blue of Ham was established, and in 1977 the breed was accepted again for exhibition.[2] Today, the Blue of Ham is considered very rare.[1]

This rabbit has a "long, dense, silky and lustrous" coat that is slate blue with a blue sub-color, extending as deep as possible. (The color is not as dark as the blue color variety of the Vienna breed.) The eyes are blue-grey and the ears are erect and well furred. The Blue of Ham weighs 9.9–13.2 pounds (4.5–6 kg) and is said to be "very sociable".[1]