BREEDS OF RABBITS BEST SUITED AS PETS

BARBI BROWN'S BUNNIES ARE GLAD YOU STOPPED BY .  

Here is some information we hope will be helpful in deciding which breed of rabbit is best for you and your family.

We welcome your questions and comments and hope to continuing adding information useful to all rabbit lovers . You may reach us via E-Mail at rabit3bs@aol.com

There are many other breeds that we hope to feature soon.  In the meantime, check out the American Rabbit Breeders site for listing of Specialty Clubs and more. More links at bottom of page.

NETHERLAND DWARF:

ORIGIN:

A commonly accepted version of the Dwarf's origin is that it is the result of the accidental crossing of a Polish rabbit (the white dwarf is still called a "Pol" in Holland) with a small wild rabbit in the Netherlands. The Dwarf had been popular for some years before British fanciers brought them to England in about 1948. The breed was accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1969.

Probably the most popular of the dwarf breeds, the Netherland's ideal weight is 2 pounds although they are seen as small as 1-1/2 pounds and as large as 3 pounds.

Available in more than 25 different colors.

MINI REX: (My personal favorite)

Known affectionately as the "Original Velveteen Rabbit" because of it's wonderful plush velvety fur and cuddly nature.

ORIGIN:

The term "REX" refers to one holding the station in life of regent or king of a country. The short furred rabbits were originally propagated by King Albert of Belgium.

The MINIREX is a fairly new breed developed from crossing a standard size Rex rabbit with a Netherland dwarf. The MINI REX was accepted for exhibition by the American Rabbit Breeder's Association in 1988

The MINI REX makes an excellent child's pet with a consistently good disposition and ideal adult weight of only 4 to 4-1/2 pounds.

Also available in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

STANDARD REX

The Standard Rex is the larger and original version of the Mini Rex described above.  They typically weigh 8 to 9 pounds with the same sweet disposition on a larger scale. This large Rex has lost ground in popularity to the Mini Rex as people tend to seek smaller rabbits for pets.  ALso available in many colors.

This is Cranberry, a Red Standard Rex

HOLLAND LOP:   

Developed by Mr. Adrian De Cock of the Netherlands. In 1949 he tried to produce a miniature French Lop by crossing a French Lop with a dwarf and that offspring was bred to an English Lop.

Later breedings brought another dwarf into the line ultimately resulting in a new breed presented in the U.S. in 1976 and accepted for exhibition by the Amerian Rabbit Breeder's Association in 1980.

Holland Lops are the smallest of the Lops and are often confused with Mini Lops which are actually larger than the Holland Lop. The ideal weight for a Holland is 3 pounds although many get up to 4-1/2 pounds. The Mini Lop is 5 to 6-1/2 pounds.

Holland Lops are very popular as a child's pet because of the gentle nature and small size. Many colors available.

FRENCH LOP:

ORIGIN:                            

The French Lop is believed to have been developed from a cross of the English Lop and Flemish Giant rabbits. The breed has been known as the French Lop since the mid 1800's .

The largest of the lop eared rabbits, these "gentle giants" are wonderful pets. They are easy going and quite tolerant of toddlers tugs and hugs. Their large size, usually 10 to 12 pounds, discourages children from carrying them around which reduces the number of scratches.

VELVETEEN LOP                                

Still not recognized for show in the U.S. this is a fabulous pet.  It is a combination of two favorites, the Mini Rex and the Lop.  More precisely, the English Lop and Mini Rex.  They have the velvet fur and size of the Mini Rex with the look of the English Lop.  Adult weight is about 5 pounds.  The personality is exceptionally sweet and loves attention and cuddles.    

FLEMISH GIANTS

This is a very old breed which originated in Flanders hundreds of years ago.

Once you have owned a Flemish Giant you will never want anything else!  These gentle giants are docile and very affectionate.  They do require more cage space and a solid floor for part of their cage but also make great house and yard pets.  They come when called and love children.  They are more expensive to raise and therefore are more expensive to buy but well worth the price!  At 14 to 21 pounds they are as big as a small dog or big cat.  If want something to hug and love.   These guys are it!

           Dutch

THis is one of my son's favorite breeds.  Their distinctive patterns of white in the front and colored on the back half makes them easily identifiable.  3-1/2 to 5-1/2 pounds adult weight makes them an ideal house pet.

THRIANTA  (pronounced tree-an-ta)

The newest breed to be recognized in the U.S. has proven to be a fabulous pet.  These guys are looking for attention from the minute their eyes open.  4 to 6 pounds adult weight.  They remind me of red Teddy Bears. Not readily available yet in all parts of the country but well worth looking for.   We have babies available all year.

There are so many breeds available but the ones above are the most popular as pets. 

Don't overlook the rarer breeds either.  They are typically larger breeds but most are very gentle and make great pets.   The American Livestock Conservancy has listed many breeds of livestock that are in danger of extinction or on the "watch" list.  It includes 16 breeds of rabbits. Of the rare breeds listed we raise Lilacs,  Harlequin,  Beverens and American Sables.