What many see as an adorable Easter bunny is actually a bunny. About 500 people in Tyrol breed the cute long ears. In search of a very special long-eared dog, the “Krone” visited an award-winning breeder and found out why he owes his passion to a sheep.
Is it the white man poking his nose through the barn gate or the lop-eared young ram? Is he perhaps sitting on his hind legs in the shade of the parasol, brushing his gray fur? The Easter Bunny is definitely hiding somewhere in Heinrich Nössing’s garden – among 130 long-eared ears there must be the right one. Strictly speaking, however, it is rabbits that Nössing breeds in Arzl near Innsbruck.
“These are three weeks old.” The 58-year-old opens the door of a stable and five pairs of ears wiggle. The mother and her cubs curiously stretch their snub noses at the visitors. In another barn, a mother rabbit is just pulling off her soft belly fur. It cushions and insulates a nest with it. Nössing carefully sticks his fingers in the hay until he finally holds a newborn baby in his hand. It’s not even 24 hours old.
The boys need a lot of care
A lot of idealism, time and love for animals goes into the work of rabbit breeders. The offspring of Easter bunnies must be nurtured and cared for: “In the beginning they suffer from teething problems. You need to be careful.” After all, the cute rodents should shine at exhibitions. In November, Nössing’s long ears should cut a good figure at the Tyrolean State Show. To do this, he teaches them to sit up straight.
It pays off: the breeder has been club, state and even national champion. Numerous awards adorn the walls of his house.
For lack of sheep there was the first rabbit
De Arzler sells his animals to other breeders – also abroad. Raising rabbits will not make you rich. “If it goes well, you’ll get out right away,” explains his friend and president of the breeding association, Rudi Kainz. In addition to his work, Heinrich Nössing spends three hours a day with his darlings. The “old hand” knows each of his 130 animals very well. He started breeding as a boy 48 years ago – and the plan was actually different: “I went with Grandpa and Dad to buy a sheep. But they didn’t have any.” Instead there was a rabbit – and the passion was born.
You can see from his protégés that Heinrich Nössing puts his heart and soul into it. They especially enjoy the exercise in the garden. If a hopper jumps over the fence, that’s no problem: “Then I put water and food on the ground. If he’s hungry, he’ll come back,” laughs the breeder. The Mümmelmann will be back the next day at the latest. And who knows? – maybe he had a good reason for the trip, because the Easter eggs don’t hide on their own.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
