It’s love at first sight for some. How can anybody not fall in love with the cuddly bundle of fur that hops around and stares at you with eyes that could melt your heart?fo We are talking wabbits here. Like good old Elmer Fudd exclaimed. While some make instinctive decisions, the discerning pet parent will spend all the time in the world researching and try to make an informed decision about bringing home bunnies as pets. Either ways, the good news is that the number of pet owners opting for rabbits is on the rise each passing day. And we couldn’t be happier. It would be safe to say that rabbits are among the most misunderstood pets ever. For the uninitiated, they appear to be a laidback and easy going pet that comes with minimal upkeep. Just feed them some hay and carrots and they will be fine. Others find these cutesy critters to be pesky. Too much time to spend in the upkeep and not to forget the horrible stench that their urine leaves. And then there’s the third kind of rabbit owner who signs up for it without having the slightest idea of what they are getting into. The truth is that rabbits are one of the best choices for a house pet. They are extremely social and love to spend time with their owners. However, like any other pet they come with a bunch of responsibilities. More importantly, there are hundreds of rabbit breeds to pick from. Dwarves, minis, lop and giants, how do you ensure that you make the right choice? This is a complete guide to the most common and popular rabbit breeds in the world now. To make things easier, we have separated the bunnies according to their physical traits. So, if you find yourself on the fence about which rabbit breed to choose, just bookmark this page and flick through it to get comprehensive information about rabbit breeds. Dwarf Rabbit BreedsThere’s something inherently cool and attractive about a ball of fur that can fit right into your palm. Therein lies the appeal of a dwarf rabbit breed. These tiny fur balls are loved by adults and kids alike. The fact that they rarely weigh more 4 lbs. in weight is an additional reason for their popularity. Dwarf rabbit breeds are compact, extremely cute and easy to care for. Also, they happen to be the third most popular pet sold in the US. That’s a tall order. Dwarf rabbits require less space as compared to a medium or a gigantic lagomorph. The small size also translates into lesser food consumption. If you were looking for a rabbit on a budget, then the dwarf fits right into your scheme of things. But it’s not all about physical traits only. Dwarf rabbits are a bundle of energy and have a bunch of funny antics up their sleeve. At times you will find them chasing nothing. They might just hop their way to every nook and corner of your home during playtime. And they love to be cuddled too. They take less time to groom and will rarely chew through your expensive rug or exotic hardwood furniture. They are easier than other rabbit breeds to litter train. The presence of a dwarfing gene is what separates these tiny rabbits from other breeds. Today, we take a look at the three most popular dwarf rabbit breeds in the world. Netherland Dwarf RabbitThe Netherland dwarf with its perpetual baby-face and shy demeanour is a rage among homeowners looking for a cuddly bunny companion. Their slightly docile temperament makes them excellent pets for households with children in them. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, these bunnies are easy to socialize as well.
The Dwarf HototThe Hotot, pronounced Hoe-Toe is quite a charmer with an unmistakeable appearance. These bunnies are white from head to toe barring a band of brown or chocolate fur around their eyes which give them a very unique appearance. Hotots are playful and love being petted. Their small size and easy temperament make them excellent household pets even for first time rabbit parents. Having said that, hotot dwarfs have very distinct personalities. Don’t be surprised at all if your hotot is a bundle of energy that loves to hop around home.
Lionhead Dwarf RabbitThe Lionhead Dwarf Rabbit is a recent addition to the list of officially recognized rabbit breeds by the ARBA. It gained recognition only in 2014 in the US but was already recognized as an official breed in 2002 in the UK. With a thick and bushy mane that has remote similarities to the mane of a lion, the lionhead dwarf is a fancy breed and hence requires additional attention and care. However, their popularity continues to rise due to their cute appearance and sprightly personalities.
Mini Rabbit BreedsTime and again, we get mails from enthusiastic pet parents who are clueless about the difference between a dwarf rabbit breed and a mini rabbit breed. Well, you are not alone. That’s a very genuine concern indeed. Both these breeds are small and have many overlapping similarities which adds to the confusion. We figured that it was time to clear the air. All dwarf rabbit breeds have a dwarfing gene present in them which causes their stunted growth. Mini rabbit breeds on the other hand, do not have the dwarfing gene in them. And despite their name, they may not necessarily be the smallest rabbit breed. For example, you have the mini lop which happens to be the second smallest non-dwarf rabbit breed. They can grow up to 5.5 pounds in weight. On the other hand, the Holland lop, which has the dwarfing gene does not grow beyond 4 lbs. in weight. Mini rabbit breeds generally are smaller versions of large rabbit breeds. Here are some of the popular mini rabbit breeds in the US.
Small Rabbit BreedsRabbit breeders never classify any breed as ‘small’. It’s a word used more commonly by rabbit parents and owners and may generally include both mini rabbit breeds as well as dwarf breeds. If you are a first time rabbit owner, then any rabbit that is small in size can be a good pick for your home. Since we have spoken in detail about both minis as well as dwarfs, we will take a look at some of the lesser known but equally popular small rabbit breeds. We will also briefly touch upon the never ending debate about which is the smallest rabbit breed in the world. Here’s our pick of some of the best small rabbits for your home.
The Smallest Rabbit BreedWhich is the smallest rabbit breed in the world? This question is often met with fervent responses from rabbit parents who are largely divided into two groups. The first group believes that the Netherland Dwarf is the smallest rabbit breed whereas the other one bats for the Britannia Petite. So which one is it really? Well, turns out that neither of these two are the smallest rabbit breed. But if you are looking for one that is domesticated, then either of these two breeds is your best bet. On the other hand, if you are just looking for information, then the smallest breed is called the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit. This rabbit breed originated in the Columbia basin area of Washington State and was largely isolated until only 14 individuals remained in the wild. A captive breeding program was then initiated and the numbers have since risen to 76. Since we have already spoken in detail about the Netherland dwarf, let’s take a look at the other two in this list. Britannia Petite: The Britannia Petite also called as the Polish Rabbit is one of the smallest non-dwarfed rabbit breeds in the world. It weighs up to 2 ½ lbs. when fully grown and despite the pocket-sized appearance, can be quite a livewire. New rabbit parents be warned that it will take a certain amount of time, perseverance and patience to train a Britannia Petite. Even when trained, it is not the best choice for a pet if you are looking for a laidback bunny. Instead, these bunnies love attention and have a very inquisitive nature. If you have a household with children for example, then you’d be better off picking one of the other smaller rabbit breeds mentioned here instead of the Britannia petite. Appearance wise, a Britannia Petite is a cute little ball of fur. They have elongated bodies with short and upright ears. The coat is dense and has a shiny, silky texture. One of the most appealing aspects about them is their extremely compact size. Britannia petite is available in a whole range of colors. Large Rabbit BreedsA lot of first time rabbit owners are on the fence about opting for large rabbit breeds because of the additional room that they require to be housed as well as the added expense for the copious amount of food these bunnies consume. But if you are looking for a cuddly, laidback companion in the world of lagomorphs, then there’s no better choice than a large rabbit breed. These big guys are social, friendly and relaxed. Before you raise eyebrows and say that there are no guarantees when it comes to personality or behavioural traits in rabbits, we strongly believe that the larger rabbit breeds are less likely to hop to your ceiling and clamber over the furniture. We love large rabbits. There’s only one thing better than a bunny. Its having more bunny to play with and cuddle. And depending on which large breed you pick, you can have as much as 20 pounds of bunny with some of the larger breeds. Here are some of the more popular large rabbit breeds in case you are looking for some help in selecting one.
The Biggest Rabbit BreedOnce again, we have a tie for the top spot for the biggest rabbit breed in the world. ARBA recognizes the Flemish giant as the biggest rabbit breed whereas the current world record for the largest rabbit breed is held by Darius, a four feet four inch continental giant rabbit. What’s ironical is that continental giants are believed to have descended from Flemish Giants whereas the origin of the Flemish Giant remains unknown. While some believe that the Flemish descended from the Argentinian Pentagonian rabbit, others say that their origins can be traced back to stone rabbits. Appearance: A full grown Flemish giant can weigh up to 14 lbs. There are reports of them growing much bigger though. They have an arched body with upright ears that can be as big as 8 inches. They have short and dense coats and are available in a whole range of colors. Temperament: The Flemish giant is right called the ‘Gentle Giant’. These large lagomorphs have a very sweet temperament which makes them a great choice even for first time rabbit owners and households with children. The only caveat is that kids will find it impossible to lift these bunnies like they usually would lift up dwarf rabbits. The giant enjoys their playtime and rabbit-safe toys will help their personalities to develop. Another perk of the Flemish giant is that they mingle well with other animals in the house. Care: The Flemish giant will need a living space large enough that allows them to stretch out as well as move around. Multi-level hutches are a strict no-no for these large lagomorphs because there is a risk that the ramp may give away under their weight. Giants have very similar dietary requirements like other rabbits and are susceptible to the same health conditions as others. You’d have to keep an eye out for hairballs, myxomatosis, ear mites and dental problems. But surely, the Flemish and Continental giants aren’t alone in the big rabbit universe, are they? There are more large bunnies out there. Let’s take a look at some of the other giant rabbit breeds.
The Best Rabbit Breeds For PetsHaving mentioned the ‘cuddle’ factor, different rabbit owners have different expectations when it comes to pets. Some prefer a rabbit that can live without the extra attention, while others want a pet that they can constantly pet and cuddle in their laps. So here are the best pet rabbit breeds according to their temperament for a change. Gentle and Laidback rabbit breeds: While most large sized bunnies are gentle and laidback, you can always end up with an individual that’s the opposite. The same stands true with dwarves and mini rabbits. While most of them are pretty active, there’s always the possibility that you get an individual rabbit that likes to kick back their legs and rest. But, if the temperament is a priority, then a mini lop, a Holland lop, Rex, a Flemish giant and a Himalayan are your best bet. These breeds are quite commonly found in homes with seniors, singles and children. Children friendly rabbit breeds: Rabbits are an excellent choice for a child’s first pet. They are not as high-maintenance as a dog nor as independent as felines. But they need enough attention to teach your children the fundamentals of pet care and management. As is the case with any other pet, some breeds of rabbits are child-friendlier. They are gentle, easier to tame and love being around children during playtime. They also do well despite the constant petting that children can subject them to. The Dutch, the chinchilla, the Himalayan, California white, Havana and the Japanese harlequin are some of the popular child friendly rabbit breeds. Best pet rabbit breeds for outdoor living: While it cannot be denied that domesticated rabbits are gentle and delicate creatures, they can also be quite resilient and hardy. With the right care and the right living space, they can enjoy a healthy and active life in an outdoor hutch. Provide them with the protection they need against extreme weather conditions and predators and they might even enjoy the outdoor hutch more than indoor living. Some rabbit breeds are known to be a better bet than others for outdoor living. Some of these are the Belgian hare, Californian, the New Zealand and Flemish giant. Most breeders say that the breeds that were originally bred for meat are your best choices for an outdoor bunny. Angora Rabbit BreedsWinter is just about peeping over the horizon and it’s time for those luxuriously warm sweaters to come out from the wardrobe. How about an angora wool sweater this year? Angora Wool is an incredibly soft woollen fiber that is softer than cashmere. It is only 11 microns in diameter and it trades for almost $37 for two pounds of fiber. The fiber is sourced from the domesticated Angora rabbit which is touted to have originated in Ankara, Turkey. The rabbit was bred for centuries in Europe for their wool and was introduced to the United States in 1920. Since then, Angora rabbits have made their way into homes in the US as pets. These delicate and docile animals love to live both indoors and outdoors. There are four Angora Rabbit breeds that are recognized by the ARBA, although there are five of them in all.
The other breed of Angora rabbit that is mostly bred in commercial Angora farms is the German Angora. A German angora has been selectively bred to avoid the shedding process. So, the rabbit never sheds its fur unless you shear it for wool. It looks very similar to the English Angora but is noticeably bigger in size. It can grow up to 12 lbs. Angoras are rarely bred for meat and hence can appeal to a lot of farmers. We think we have managed to sum up just about all the important domesticated rabbit breeds on the basis of their size as well as other characteristics. If you have anything to add to this, then feel free to drop us a line. We would love to hear your thoughts. Until then, happy rabbitting! Images source: Bigstock.com The post The Complete Guide to Rabbit Breeds appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger The Complete Guide to Rabbit Breeds
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