Rabbit Breeds
Keep in mind that while choosing a rabbit, breed should not restrict your choices. Don't have your mind set on getting a lop breed if you run into a rex or dutch rabbit that you just fall in love with. Rabbits are very individual creatures with all very different personalities despite their breed. Keep this in mind when choosing a rabbit.
*There are 48 rabbit breeds. This page will include only the more commonly owned and popular breeds.* See this link to view other breeds: https://www.arba.net/breeds.htm
*There are 48 rabbit breeds. This page will include only the more commonly owned and popular breeds.* See this link to view other breeds: https://www.arba.net/breeds.htm
Lops
Lop rabbits come in all different shapes and sizes. Lop-eared rabbits are known for their long, floppy ears that stay downward (like a cockerspaniel's). Lops are known to have even tepraments and most lop breeds are good for first-time rabbit owners. Some health issues are more common amoungst lops than other types of rabbits. These health issues include: conjuctivitis (pink eye), ear infections, and dental problems.
American Fuzzy Lop
Physical Description: American fuzzy lops have short ears and long, fuzy hair all over. They have what we would call a "compact" build with a small head and small, round body.
Temperament: American Fuzzy Lops have a wide variety of temperaments- males are typically more calm and females more on the shy side
Size (in lbs): (Dwarf) 3-4 lbs full grown
Lifespan: 10-12 yrs
Grooming: Difficult (coat mats easily and is long and course- must be brushed regularly to avoid mats and hairballs)
Temperament: American Fuzzy Lops have a wide variety of temperaments- males are typically more calm and females more on the shy side
Size (in lbs): (Dwarf) 3-4 lbs full grown
Lifespan: 10-12 yrs
Grooming: Difficult (coat mats easily and is long and course- must be brushed regularly to avoid mats and hairballs)
English Lop
Physical Description: English Lops are known for their extremely long ears. English Lops are the largest of the lop breeds. They have long ears and long, round noses (as opposed to most other lop breeds who have sort of "smushed in" muzzles.) Also opposed to other lop breeds, English Lops are longer and more slender than their relatives. English Lops are not a very active breed, so they are prone to becoming overweight.Their diets should be carefully monitered.
Temperament: English lops are an overall sweet breed, but due to size, they are not good for children or first-time owners.
Size: about 11 pounds full grown
Lifespan: 5-7 years +
Grooming: Medium (english lops have short hair which is easy to groom but since their ears are so long, they often become dirty so they need to be cleaned with a damp cloth often to avoid bacterial growth).
Temperament: English lops are an overall sweet breed, but due to size, they are not good for children or first-time owners.
Size: about 11 pounds full grown
Lifespan: 5-7 years +
Grooming: Medium (english lops have short hair which is easy to groom but since their ears are so long, they often become dirty so they need to be cleaned with a damp cloth often to avoid bacterial growth).
French Lop
Physical Description: These rabbits have very dense bones and are the "giants" of the lop breeds. They have broad, wide, and muscular builds.
Temperament: known to be very calm and sweet but some detection of agression has been reported- french lops are good around children.
Size: No maximium weight has been confirmed, but usually grow 11 pounds or more
Lifespan: 5-7 yrs +
Grooming: Easy (soft, dense coats, should be brushed often during shedding to avoid hairballs)
Temperament: known to be very calm and sweet but some detection of agression has been reported- french lops are good around children.
Size: No maximium weight has been confirmed, but usually grow 11 pounds or more
Lifespan: 5-7 yrs +
Grooming: Easy (soft, dense coats, should be brushed often during shedding to avoid hairballs)
Holland Lop
Physical Description: Holland Lops are the smallest of the lop breeds. They have tiny, compact bodies and round faces. Their ears are fairly short and their fur is soft and dense.
Temperament: Holland lops have pretty even temperaments but (females in particular) can be a little fiesty and are known to nip when they are scared or nervous.
Size: 3-5 lbs full grown
Lifespan: 7-12 years
Grooming: Easy (Holland lops have medium-length hair but it is soft and dense and does not tangle very easily. A daily brushing and brushing twice a day during a molt would be beneficial.
Temperament: Holland lops have pretty even temperaments but (females in particular) can be a little fiesty and are known to nip when they are scared or nervous.
Size: 3-5 lbs full grown
Lifespan: 7-12 years
Grooming: Easy (Holland lops have medium-length hair but it is soft and dense and does not tangle very easily. A daily brushing and brushing twice a day during a molt would be beneficial.
Mini Lop
Physical Description: Mini lops are probably the most popular of the lop breeds. Mini lops have muscular builds, full cheeks, and their noses protrude slightly more than that of the Holland lop. Their ears are also longer than Holland lops'.
Temperament: Mini lops have very even temperaments, are playful, and entergetic. They are good around children but should not be aroud very young childeren (like most other breeds) because they will nip when threatened.
Size: 6-8 lbs
Lifespan: 9-12 yrs
Grooming: Easy (medium length, dense, soft coat. Brush during shedding)
Temperament: Mini lops have very even temperaments, are playful, and entergetic. They are good around children but should not be aroud very young childeren (like most other breeds) because they will nip when threatened.
Size: 6-8 lbs
Lifespan: 9-12 yrs
Grooming: Easy (medium length, dense, soft coat. Brush during shedding)
Dwarfs
Dwarf rabbits are prone to dental issues due to their small, compact head shapes. Dwarfs are not suitable for children due to small size and high energy.
Netherland Dwarf
Physical Description: Netherland Dwarfs are a small, compact breed. They have very rounded features and tiny, pointed ears.
Temperament: Netherlands are active, mischievous, and timid. Theyv are known to be a little nippy and sometimes agressive. They are not good for small children.
Size: 11/2 - 3 lbs
Lifespan: 10-12 yrs
Grooming: Easy (with fairly short, soft hair, they are easy to groom. They should be brushed well during molting season)
*Health: Netherland Dwarfs are prone to a fatal dental disease that is often inherited from the rabbit's parents.
Temperament: Netherlands are active, mischievous, and timid. Theyv are known to be a little nippy and sometimes agressive. They are not good for small children.
Size: 11/2 - 3 lbs
Lifespan: 10-12 yrs
Grooming: Easy (with fairly short, soft hair, they are easy to groom. They should be brushed well during molting season)
*Health: Netherland Dwarfs are prone to a fatal dental disease that is often inherited from the rabbit's parents.
Polish Dwarf
Physical Description: Polish Dwarfs and Netherland Dwarfs are easily confused. Polish dwarfs typically have shorter ears and a slight curve in the forehead.
Temperament: Polish Dwarfs are said to be very playful and energetic and are even said to be high-strung. They are not good pets for children as they are very small and easily dropped.
Size: under 3 lbs full grown
Lifespan: 10-12 yrs
Grooming: Easy (brush during molting)
Temperament: Polish Dwarfs are said to be very playful and energetic and are even said to be high-strung. They are not good pets for children as they are very small and easily dropped.
Size: under 3 lbs full grown
Lifespan: 10-12 yrs
Grooming: Easy (brush during molting)
Standard Breeds
Dutch
Physical Description: Dutch rabbits have lean, muscular builds and powerful hind legs. Their ears stand straight up. They are one of the most popular rabbit breeds kept as pets. All dutch rabbits come in this color pattern but may be chocolate and white, blue and white, black and white, and sometimes other rare variations.
Temperament: Dutches are known to be energetic, athletic, and playful. They are good for older children and are eager to learn tricks and agility courses. They are a very socialable breed for the most part.
Size: about 5-7 lbs full grown
Lifespan: 8-12 yrs
Grooming: Easy (with a slick, short coat, Dutch rabbits are easy to groom- require daily brushing during a shed.)
*Health: Prone to sore hocks (blistering of the feet)
Temperament: Dutches are known to be energetic, athletic, and playful. They are good for older children and are eager to learn tricks and agility courses. They are a very socialable breed for the most part.
Size: about 5-7 lbs full grown
Lifespan: 8-12 yrs
Grooming: Easy (with a slick, short coat, Dutch rabbits are easy to groom- require daily brushing during a shed.)
*Health: Prone to sore hocks (blistering of the feet)
Rex
Physical Description: Rexes are lean, muscular rabbits with very large ears and short, velvety-looking fur.
Temperament: Calm and good-natured, they are good with children and other pets. They can also be very mischievous and playful.
Size: 8-10 lbs
Lifespan: 6-8 years
Grooming: Very easy (daily brushing during sheds or wipe down with damp cloth)
*Health: Prone to sore hocks
Temperament: Calm and good-natured, they are good with children and other pets. They can also be very mischievous and playful.
Size: 8-10 lbs
Lifespan: 6-8 years
Grooming: Very easy (daily brushing during sheds or wipe down with damp cloth)
*Health: Prone to sore hocks
Mini Rex
Physical Description: Mini Rexes hold a very similar physical resemblence to their original breed the Standard Rex, but typically their ears are slightly more rounded. They still hold the same velvety texture in their fur.
Temperament: Said to be more lively than the Standard Rex, but still easy-going and kind-natured. Mini rexes are not as good with children as they were more lively and entergetic, and also quite a small breed.
Size: 3-5 lbs
Lifespan: 8-10 yrs
Grooming: Easy (daily brushing during sheds)
Temperament: Said to be more lively than the Standard Rex, but still easy-going and kind-natured. Mini rexes are not as good with children as they were more lively and entergetic, and also quite a small breed.
Size: 3-5 lbs
Lifespan: 8-10 yrs
Grooming: Easy (daily brushing during sheds)
New Zealand
Physical Description: New Zealands are typically raised for meat- they are a muscular breed with large hind quarters and very large ears. They have long muzzles and big cheeks. Despite common belief, New Zealands are very good pets and come in many different colors (not just the typical albino). The sad truth about albino New Zealands it that people are rather "turned off" by their ruby eyes, even though inside, these are very sweet, lovable rabbits.
Temperament: sweet, gentle, and playful. Good with older kids.
Size: 9-12 lbs
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Grooming: Easy (daily brushing during shed)
Temperament: sweet, gentle, and playful. Good with older kids.
Size: 9-12 lbs
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Grooming: Easy (daily brushing during shed)
Lionhead
Physical Description: Lionheads are small, compact rabbits. Most lionheads have a mane, but some lack one, and some have what is called a double mane.
Temperament: Easy-going and normally kind-natured- instances of agression, but not many
Size: 3-5 lbs
Lifespan: 7-12 yrs
Grooming: Medium (manes sometimes mat making grooming difficult especially for double-maned rabbits. Should be combed every day and twice a day during sheds)
Temperament: Easy-going and normally kind-natured- instances of agression, but not many
Size: 3-5 lbs
Lifespan: 7-12 yrs
Grooming: Medium (manes sometimes mat making grooming difficult especially for double-maned rabbits. Should be combed every day and twice a day during sheds)
Giants
Giant breeds are known for their gentle, calm, and kind natures. Giants are, however, more expensive to care for due to their large size and do best as free-ranging rabbits in smaller houses or apartments (or free-ranging in a single room). Some giants can get as large as a beagle.
Flemish Giant
Physical Description: (Can you spot the rabbit in this photo?!) Flemish giants (as you can see) are very, very large rabbits. They are the largest rabbit breed in the world. They have a muscular, atheltic build and strong back legs. They have huge, pointy ears and large back feet. They have broad, wide heads and big cheeks. Females typically outweigh the males.
Temperament: Calm and docile; not as active as smaller breeds. These are good rabbits for kids as they are too big to pick up, making them less likely to become agressive. They generally get along well with other pets in the household as well.
Size: 13-20lbs+
Lifespan: 5-10 yrs
Grooming: Medium (daily brushing + brush twice daily during shed)
*Health: tend to become obese due to lack of excersize; make sure you're feeding a proper diet + excersizing well.
Temperament: Calm and docile; not as active as smaller breeds. These are good rabbits for kids as they are too big to pick up, making them less likely to become agressive. They generally get along well with other pets in the household as well.
Size: 13-20lbs+
Lifespan: 5-10 yrs
Grooming: Medium (daily brushing + brush twice daily during shed)
*Health: tend to become obese due to lack of excersize; make sure you're feeding a proper diet + excersizing well.
Checkered Giant
Physical Description: Checkered giants have very lean, muscular, athletic builds.
Temperament: calm and gentle
Size: about 12 lbs
Lifespan: 6-9 years
Grooming: Easy (coat is short and easy to care for. Quick brushing during sheds)
Temperament: calm and gentle
Size: about 12 lbs
Lifespan: 6-9 years
Grooming: Easy (coat is short and easy to care for. Quick brushing during sheds)