Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchter

The Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchter e.V. (ZDRK) is the umbrella organization for pedigree rabbit breeders in Germany. It represents the interests of hobby breeders, coordinates shows and exhibitions, sets breeding standards, and publishes technical guidance on husbandry, feeding, breeding, transport, and animal welfare. According to its Wikipedia entry, the ZDRK is the world's largest umbrella organization for pedigree rabbit breeders, with over 160,000 members organized in 20 regional associations (Landesverbände), nearly 5,000 local clubs, 500 district associations, and more than 600 creative groups, as well as over 600 women's groups and more than 2,600 youth groups. The association in its current form was created in 1990 through the merger of the West German Zentralverband Deutscher Kaninchenzüchter e.V. (ZDK, founded 1948) with the pedigree rabbit breeding section of the East German Verband der Kleingärtner, Siedler und Kleintierzüchter der DDR (VKSK, founded 1959). In 2006 it was renamed Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchter e.V. (ZDRK). The ZDRK recognizes a large number of rabbit breeds and color varieties; by mid-2006, 88 breeds in 370 different color varieties had been officially recognized, with the number continuing to rise. Since 1960, pedigree rabbit breeding has no longer been primarily pursued for meat production, although traditional slaughter and utilization remain common; sporting, social, and community aspects have become more prominent. The association organizes rabbit shows at local, district, regional, and federal levels, and hosts the biennial Bundes-Kaninchenschau and Bundes-Rammlerschau. It also issues recognitions for new breed developments and organizes nationwide training events on topics such as inheritance, diseases, nutrition, public relations, youth work, handicrafts, and judging. The ZDRK promotes youth work for children and young people aged six to eighteen, aiming to teach responsibility and care for animals. Handicraft groups within the association produce items from rabbit fur and Angora wool, including cushions, blankets, pictures, coats, and jackets. Around 400 specialized clubs across Germany focus on individual breeds or groups of breeds, working on breed-specific characteristics according to breed standards. The association has appointed a veterinarian as animal welfare officer and published a 2013 guideline on species-appropriate rabbit keeping and breeding. Communication is mainly through its official organs, the Kaninchenzeitung and kleintiernews, with various rabbit magazines published since 1895. The ZDRK continues to be active, with upcoming events such as the 29th Bundes-Rammlerschau in Offenburg in 2027 and the 37th Bundes-Kaninchenschau in 2025 in Karlsruhe.

The Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchter (ZDRK) in its current form emerged in 1990 from the merger of the West German Zentralverband Deutscher Kaninchenzüchter e.V. (ZDK, founded 1948) with the pedigree rabbit breeding section (Fachsparte Rassekaninchenzucht) of the Verband der Kleingärtner, Siedler und Kleintierzüchter der DDR (VKSK, founded 1959). In 2006, the organization was renamed Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchter e.V. (ZDRK). By mid-2006, the association had officially recognized 88 rabbit breeds in 370 different color varieties, with the number continuing to rise. Since 1960, pedigree rabbit breeding has no longer been primarily pursued for its economic aspect as a meat supplier. Although traditional slaughter and utilization remain common, sporting, social, and community aspects have increasingly come to the fore. Rabbit shows held at local, district, regional, and federal levels allow breeders to compare directly with one another. The ZDRK also grants recognitions for new breed developments and organizes the biennial Bundes-Kaninchenschauen and Bundes-Rammlerschauen for pedigree rabbits. In addition, the ZDRK organizes nationwide training events. In specialist lectures, knowledge is shared on topics such as inheritance problems in pedigree rabbits, their diseases or nutrition, public relations, youth work, handicrafts and creative work, special clubs, and judging courses. Youth work is also promoted by the clubs organized within the ZDRK, aiming to teach children and young people aged six to eighteen joy in animals and personal responsibility in their care through rabbit breeding. Within the handicraft groups, items are made from rabbit fur and Angora wool and other nature-related materials; cushions, blankets, pictures, coats, and jackets are produced from rabbit fur in individual or group work. Within the ZDRK there are about 400 specialized clubs active throughout Germany, as well as working groups within the regional associations that specialize in one or more breeds (for example, the Giant Club, the Hermelin Color Dwarf Club). These communities work on breed-specific characteristics of rabbits with a constant view to the breed standard. They also hold annual exhibitions to evaluate the state of breeding. The association publishes aids for beginners that also cover animal welfare aspects of keeping and breeding, including the size and design of cages. It has appointed a veterinarian as animal welfare officer. The "Guideline for the Keeping and Breeding of Pedigree Rabbits in the ZDRK. Requirements and Standards for Species-Appropriate Pedigree Rabbit Breeding" from 2013 sets out requirements for keeping, feeding, breeding, transport, care, and maintenance. Association-related information is published by the ZDRK essentially in its two official organs, Kaninchenzeitung, published by Hobby- und Kleintierzüchter Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG based in Berlin, and kleintiernews, which has appeared since March 2015 (since 1895 various rabbit magazine titles have been published during different periods). The ZDRK continues to be active, with major events such as the 37th Bundes-Kaninchenschau 2025 in Karlsruhe and the 29th Bundes-Rammlerschau 2027 in Offenburg.

• 2025

  37th Bundes-Kaninchenschau held in Karlsruhe.

• 2015

  Launch of the association organ kleintiernews in March.

• 2013

  Publication of the guideline for species-appropriate keeping and breeding of pedigree rabbits.

• 2006

  Renaming to Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchter e.V. (ZDRK).

• 1990

  Merger of the ZDK with the VKSK's pedigree rabbit breeding section to form the ZDRK in its current form.

• 1959

  Founding of the Verband der Kleingärtner, Siedler und Kleintierzüchter der DDR (VKSK), whose pedigree rabbit breeding section later merged into the ZDRK.

• 1948

  Founding of the West German Zentralverband Deutscher Kaninchenzüchter e.V. (ZDK).

• 29th Bundes-Rammlerschau scheduled for 16–17 January in Offenburg.

Umbrella association for pedigree rabbit breeders in Germany, the world's largest of its kind.

• Bundes-Kaninchenschau

  Biennial national rabbit show organized by the ZDRK.

• Bundes-Rammlerschau

  Biennial national show for male rabbits organized by the ZDRK.

• Kaninchenzeitung

  Official association magazine published by Hobby- und Kleintierzüchter Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG.

• kleintiernews

  Official association organ published since March 2015.

1. 1Start | ZDRKzdrk.de
2. 2Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchterde.wikipedia.org
3. 3Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchterwikidata.org