From the tan website, it is a great description. I am really enjoying them. They are not a big rabbit, but they are not a "dwarf" breed.
No greater challenge can be had than working with the "Aristocrat of the Fancy." For exquisite, beautiful color and pattern, he has no superior. The contrast of the rich, fiery tan with bright lustrous body color charms the eye of the beholder. He is a very friendly little fellow.
The does mother litters of satisfactory size. A large number of offspring in each litter of Tans of fine breeding can and will compete very well on the show table. Tans do not produce "mismarked offspring," meaning all rabbits in a litter will be marked in a manner that makes them show quality.
The Tan possesses a neat, compact, well-knit body. Head, ears and limbs balance with the body length and bone structure. The coat should possess a sheen designed to enhance the color and pattern.
The Tan is a hardy little rabbit and does well indoors and out. They require no special feeding and are not heavy consumers, which is a desired factor in today's high cost of feed.
Tans do not have an ideal weight, but tend to be around 4.5 when fully grown. Mature bucks and does may be cooped in 24“ x 24” cages and do quite well. The does and litters need a 30” x 30” or 30” x 36” cage. The ideal daily feeding ration is 3 to 3-1/2 ounces of pellets.
Although the Tan type is not that of a meat animal, the Tan produces a fleshy carcass of 2 - 2-1/2 lbs weight in a very short time. The pelts are most attractive and the black Tan is the only pelt that retains its black color and luster. Other black pelts turn a deep sepia or brown after death.
The Tan rabbit falls into the medium class of fancy breeds, maturing between 4 - 6 pounds at six months of age. They are shown in four classes: senior bucks, senior does, and junior bucks and junior does. They are considered juniors up to the age of six months.
The Four Varieties
The Tan rabbit comes in four varieties (colors): black, blue, chocolate and lilac. Most breeds are shown by variety in alphabetical order. Tans, however, are different. They are shown from lightest to darkest. Lilacs are shown first, then blues, followed by chocolates and finally blacks.