These used to be called “Heavyweight Chinchilla” and are larger than the standard Chinchilla, but otherwise identical. This breed was brought about by breeding the standard Chinchilla to produce a larger size. They were introduced to the US in 1919.

The American Chinchillas are bred for meat and fur, but some are shown and can be a hearty pet. Unlike the other breeds, American Chinchillas do not require regular grooming. These are stocky rabbits with a curved back starting at the nape of the neck to their rump. Their weight ranges from 9-12 lbs, and like other rabbit breeds, the Does will weigh at the top of scale and males at the bottom. The average litter size for a Doe is 7-10 kittens per litter.