Mutt-bunny or Marburger?

[Cottontail]

I love my Tilly; but I always assumed that she was our lovely mutt-bunny.  Recently I have discovered a breed that I was not aware of, and she seems to be a dead-ringer for it!  The fee de marbourg, or marburger, is apparently a European recognized breed offshooting from the Havana.  It’s standard is 4-7lbs (Tilly is about 5), short lilac fur that has fly-back (like Tilly), upright ears (again), and can look chubbier than they actually are (see Tilly’s lovely dewlap).  They are not a truly recognized breed, but have been around for about 100 years now, since originally bred in Germany.  I’m am confident now that this is what Tilly is.
Here’s a picture of one (not my Tilly):

My Tilly when we first brought her home:

A Marburger buck lounging (not mine):

My Tilly lounging (excuse the poor lighting):

[Hazel]

From what I can tell, Tilly looks exactly like a Marburger! Of course there’s no way to be sure, but she fits the bill. They’re beautiful!

[Cottontail]

She’s our little snuggle-bunny, whether she’s a marburger or not; but I was surprised this breed existed for some reason. It shouldn’t surprise me too much, as I am clearly not a bunny expert! Still, She’s a perfect match from what I can see. Has anyone else heard of this breed?

[JackRabbit]

That first pic look just like Tilly!

[Sindri]

I haven’t heard of that breed but they do look alike.

[jerseygirl]

I’ve never heard of it either CT. It might be worth doing an internet search if anyone in your area working on this breed or into showing them.
Regardless if mutt or marburger, Tilly is gorgeous!

[Bam]

I’ve not heard of Marburger either, but there are lots of breeds that I’ve never heard of. I googled it and the likeness to Tilly is indeed striking.

I know you don’t care about breed because she’s Tilly no matter what, but still a nice surprise =) Do we have to address her with some sort of title before her name now? Like Lady Tilly Marburger? =)

[Cottontail]

I’m sure she could never be a show bunny, since somebody chewed the tips of her ears, and I believe show bunnies are supposed to be “intact?” But that’s fine; we think she’s gorgeous anyway.

I kind of like the idea of Marburger or “de Marbourg” being part of her title… How’s “Lady Tilly, the grand duchess de Marbourg” sound?

[Sindri]

I like the name Lady Tilly Marbourg!

Was that bunny you were considering that breed?

[jerseygirl]

How’s “Lady Tilly, the grand duchess de Marbourg” sound?

:thumbs up:

I’m sure she could never be a show bunny, since somebody chewed the tips of her ears, and I believe show bunnies are supposed to be “intact?”

Oh no, I wasn’t suggesting you show her.
I just mean if some one in your area does show the breed then there are bound to be ones that end up in the pet market. I was thinking this could have been the case for Tilly?

[Cottontail]

Jersey – you may be right, but I doubt I’ll ever really know. She was actually bought up in Maryland, by someone that gave her as an unexpected gift to a friend and her kids, when Tilly was about 8 weeks old. They took care of her best they knew how, but they didn’t know anything about bunnies past that they ate bunny chow from the grocery store and they lived in cages. She did get some exercise but not much attention… they didn’t even know that bunnies like to play so the only real toys she had were ones she stole from the dog or the brass bell in her cage. :\ My little Tilly is much more spoiled now, though she still is highly addicted to head-rubs and snuggles.

Sind – The other bunny doesn’t look like her; but I haven’t figured out his breed yet (not that the breed really matters). I haven’t gotten to meet him face-to-face yet, but may meet him soon if we can arrange a time and he hasn’t found a home with someone else yet. I’m trying not to jump the gun on getting another bunny after losing Pete, but I still feel Tilly needs a cuddle-buddy and I still feel like there is a big part of our family missing; so we’ll see how it goes.

[jerseygirl]

It’s amazing she’s such a social bunny, given her history.

[Cottontail]

I realize that it’s not the case, most times; but I honestly believe that part of the reason she craves attention, love and snacks so much is that she was unwittingly deprived of them for the first year of her life by her first family. They meant well, but they were ignorant of what it meant to live with a bunny instead of just owning one.

My husband and I joke that she is the best souvenir that we’ve ever picked up travelling.

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