The domestication of rabbits began around 2000 years ago.It could be argued whether the Romans introduced rabbits to England.Records show that during the Norman Conquest, colonies were established for food.

By the 17th century rabbit keeping was quite common.They were kept in enclosed warren's rabbit pits or early hutch systems.

The cottage economey increased the keeping of rabbits on a small scale.

The wild population became a problem and the ground act of 1880 was introduced.Giving the right of land owners to shoot rabbits on their property.

Rabbits are adaptable;they can live in tropical or antartic conditions,living on exceptionally varied diets.
People have used this to their advantage.To produce large fast growing animals that can produce meat relatively quickly with little out lay.

By the 18th century selective breeding was common practice.
Rabbits were not only used for meat but also wool and fur production.

The first specialists clubs began to exhibit selectively breed rabbits around 1840.

In England the central governing body for rabbit keeping is the BRITISH RABBIT COUNCIL,(BRC).
This was formed in 1934 by the amalgamation of two large rabbit clubs.

The keeping of rabbits as pets became popular in Victorian times .And today they are the 3rd most popular pet.