Harlequin rabbit

Japanese Harlequins are generally orange and either black, blue, chocolate, or lilac, while Magpie Harlequins are white (instead of orange) and either black, blue, chocolate, or lilac.

A "perfect" Harlequin will be split between the two colors on the head, ears, feet, and body.

The current American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) Standard of Perfection calls for a 3 part frontal alternation.

The chest and front legs split into two colors, which alternate with the face and match the ears.

White eye rings, undersides/bellies, bottom of cheeks and feet are permitted in Japanese Harlequins.

When showing, the Japanese and Magpies are shown as two different groups, (and four different classes: senior bucks, senior does, junior bucks, junior does) then the best and best opposite of those groups are shown against each other for best and best opposite of breed.

The origins in the Dutch breed may cause white spotting in the Japanese varieties, which is a disqualification.

Harlequins are nicknamed “the clown of the rabbits” and “the royal jester” because of the color separations and markings.