Are there rabbits that keep small without end? What makes a dwarf rabbit breed completely different? Is caring for a small rabbit tougher than a normal-sized rabbit?
Sure, there are rabbit breeds that keep small without end. Not all of them are dwarf rabbit breeds however they’re nonetheless tiny bundles of affection, so we’ve included them. Many of those breeds have been a results of the breeding craze of the 80s, the place breeders throughout America have been attempting for smaller variations of common present breeds.
At this time, we’re going to have a look at a number of the smallest rabbit breeds. You’ll be taught a bit about them and the way proudly owning a small or dwarf rabbit differs from a regular-sized rabbit. Let’s get into it.
Dwarf Rabbits Vs. Small Rabbit Breeds– What’s the Distinction?
The dwarf gene in rabbits is similar to the gene present in people. It’s merely a mutated gene that causes dwarfism. Some people carry it with out displaying the traits. Others show the gene on prime of carrying it.
Right here’s how one can inform the distinction between a small rabbit and a dwarf rabbit:
- A dwarf rabbit weighs below 4 lbs and never solely carries the dwarf genes but additionally shows the traits like shorter snout or ears, smaller ft, extra compact physique, and so on.
- Smaller rabbits weigh wherever from 2-5 lbs. They might or could not carry the gene however don’t show any dwarf traits.
Which Rabbit Breeds Carry the Dwarf Gene?
- Netherland Dwarf (duh)
- Dwarf Hotot
- Holland Lop
- Jersey Wooly
- Mini Rex
- American Fuzzy Lop
- Lionhead
10 Smallest Rabbit Breeds
The world’s smallest rabbit is the Columbian Basin Pygmy Rabbit, a tiny Canadian rabbit breed that weighs lower than a pound. It’s a wild rabbit breed that almost went extinct, however due to breeding applications, it’s making a comeback.
Whereas there are not any home breeds as small as that, there are fairly a number of small rabbit breeds that weigh virtually nothing. Listed below are the world’s smallest home rabbit breeds.
1. Netherland Dwarf
The Netherland Dwarf is what most individuals image when they give thought to a dwarf rabbit breed. And technically, they’re not incorrect. Nearly each dwarf breed can hint its lineage again to a Netherland Dwarf.
These buns are fairly small, often weighing below 2 lbs, and have a lot smaller options than the common rabbits. These are the trademark dwarf traits, together with quick ears, a brief snout, and small ft. They’re playful and energetic buns that stay as much as 12 years.
2. Polish Rabbit/ Britannia Petite
Enjoyable truth: The Polish Rabbit isn’t from Poland in any respect. In actual fact, they’re a small rabbit breed from England, the place they’re extra generally known as the Britannia Petite. These rabbits weigh as much as 2.5 lbs and have compact our bodies. They’re mild, pleasant, and affectionate, and stay as much as 10 years.
The Britannia Petite just isn’t a dwarf rabbit breed, that means these rabbits don’t carry or show the dwarf gene. Their ancestry is considerably in query, however most imagine them to be a results of breeding Dutch and Himalayan rabbits.
3. Dwarf Hotot
The Dwarf Hotot (pronounced Oh-Toe) is a dwarf rabbit breed identified finest for its eyeliner-like markings. They’ve a fancy breeding historical past. However briefly, they have been created to have the trademark look of the Blanc de Hotot, however within the measurement of a Netherland Dwarf.
They weigh between 2-4 lbs and stay a relatively lengthy lifetime of 12 years. These rabbits are additionally curious and energetic. Their smooth coat solely is available in white with their envy-worthy eye markings.
4. Jersey Wooly
The Jersey Wooly is certainly one of many breeds that got here to be throughout the 80s craze for smaller rabbit breeds. They have been bred for exhibiting functions, particularly for an angora-like coat with fewer grooming necessities.
These rabbits weigh as much as 3.5 lbs (which might be ⅓ fur) and show the dwarf-like traits of a dwarf rabbit breed. They stay as much as 10 years and have a really laid-back character.
5. Dwarf Angora
The Dwarf Angora is the smallest of all of the Angora rabbit breeds. Clearly, it’s a dwarf rabbit breed, gaining the gene from its ancestor, the Netherland Dwarf. This breed additionally shows the trademark coat of the French and English Angora breeds however solely weighs 3.5 lbs.
Dwarf Angoras are fairly high-maintenance the place grooming is anxious. However they make up for it with their charming character and lengthy lifespan of 10 years.
6. Lionhead
Lionheads are dwarf rabbits, though their origin continues to be unknown. What we do know is that they arrive from Belgium. It’s thought that they arrive from a cross between a Swiss Fox rabbit and a Netherland Dwarf.
These rabbits are smaller, weighing a most of 3.75 lbs. Their funky hairdo comes from a mutated gene, generally known as the mane gene, which isn’t all that completely different from Angora’s “woolly” gene, simply not as distinguished.
7. Mini Rex
The Mini Rex is a dwarf breed and an aptly-named smaller model of the Rex rabbit breed. These buns are identical to their greater counterparts, with the identical character and that famously quick velvet-like coat.
Their measurement, in fact, is the one exception, weighing in at a most of 4.5 lbs. Mini Rexs have a reasonably common lifespan for a rabbit, at 10 years. If concerning the Rex breed and are skilled with smaller rabbit breeds, this playful breed will likely be an ideal match.
8. American Fuzzy Lop
The American Fuzzy Lop is likely one of the smallest lop breeds. It’s a dwarf breed that originated within the Nineteen Eighties (like many dwarf breeds) as a cross between the Holland Lop and French Angora.
These little guys weigh 3-4 lbs and have a shorter lifespan for a dwarf rabbit breed, at 5-8 years. Their coat is very similar to the Angora’s, though it’s shorter and (fortunately) wants much less grooming.
9. Mini Satin
The Mini Satin was bred for one goal– to be a smaller model of the common Satin Rabbit. And the breeders achieved that aim throughout the dwarf breed development of the 80s. These stunning buns weigh 3-5 lbs and have a satin-smooth coat that requires little upkeep.
Mini Satins additionally don’t have the longest of lifespans, however their outgoing and quirky character makes up for it. Some homeowners say that Mini Satins might be vocal when excited and never as a result of they’re in ache. (That is virtually unprecedented in different rabbit breeds.)
10. Holland Lop
Holland Lops are dwarf rabbits first bred within the Netherlands throughout the 60 and first proven within the 70s. This breed is the muse of the American Fuzzy Lop, and its ancestry lies with the Netherland Dwarf and English Lop.
The typical weight for Holland Lops is 2-4 lbs, which makes them the smallest lop breed. They’ve the standard lop ears, though they’re a lot shorter than the common lop rabbit. However, true to each mother or father breeds, these rabbits are energetic, curious, and love consideration.
How Proudly owning a Small Rabbit Breed is Completely different From Proudly owning an Common-sized Rabbit Breed
You might not assume so, however having a small rabbit is way completely different from a big rabbit breed and even average-sized rabbit. Let’s discuss why.
Behaviour Variations Between Bigger and Smaller Rabbit Breeds
The rule of thumb with most animals is the smaller they’re, the extra aggressive they’ll be. However this isn’t the case with rabbits.
In actuality, the breed doesn’t matter. Each rabbit has a distinct character. Some are outgoing, and a few are extra introverted and like to not be bothered.
Do Dwarf Rabbit Breeds Reside Longer Than Regular-sized Rabbits?
Some dwarf breeds have an extended lifespan than the common rabbit. However others have a shorter lifespan than regular-sized rabbits.
Lifespan could be very breed-specific and shouldn’t be categorized by measurement alone.
Are Smaller Rabbits More durable to Look after?
Briefly, no. Smaller rabbits require the identical quantity of cleansing, feeding, and different on a regular basis care. Nevertheless, smaller rabbits are much more delicate than bigger rabbits. So, they require extra care when dealing with, and so they don’t tolerate stress or sickness, as nicely. So in that respect, they’re much tougher to look after.
Additionally, as a result of they’re smaller, there are much more locations they will get into, which suggests doubling and typically tripling your common rabbit-proofing efforts.
Are Smaller Rabbits Good for Children?
Completely not. In my view, rabbits are not appropriate pets for younger kids in any respect however dwarf rabbit breeds are the least appropriate. As a result of they’re smaller, they’re extra fragile and might’t come again from accidents like a much bigger rabbit may.
