Pet rabbit breeds include a variety of sizes and types of rabbits. Some are short-haired, others long-haired. Pet rabbit breeds can range in size from dwarf varieties that weigh only a few pounds to rabbits weighing 15 pounds or even more. There are currently almost fifty different pet rabbit breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). A few of the most popular pet rabbit breeds are smaller rabbits, and include Dutch, Holland Lop, Netherland Dwarf, and Mini Rex breeds.
Dutch rabbits are short-haired and usually range in size from around 3.5 to about 5.5 pounds. This pet rabbit breed usually has white fur on the front of its face, as well as on the body and the back feet. The rest of the rabbit is colored, often black or brown, although a variety of coat colors can be found among this pet rabbit breed. Dutch rabbits are often described as having relaxed, easy going temperaments.
Holland Lop rabbits have distinctive floppy ears. This pet rabbit breed tends to be muscular and compact, with broad shoulders and hindquarters and a very short neck. Holland Lops usually weigh less than four pounds, with the average weight being about 3 pounds. Some popular colors of Holland Lops include pointed white and agouti, although many other colors are available.
Netherland Dwarf rabbits are one of the smallest pet rabbit breeds, usually weighing in at only one to three pounds. They have very small bodies in relation to their heads, and their eyes usually appear disproportionately large for their small bodies. By contrast, their ears are very small and sit high on their heads. This pet rabbit breed can be found in a wide array of colors, including black, blue, tortoiseshell, and fawn. Netherland Dwarf rabbits tend to be very energetic and curious, and are often known to get into trouble while exploring their surroundings. Because of their very small size, these can be fragile animals and are not usually a good pet rabbit breed for families with young children.
Mini Rex rabbits, as the name implies, are another of the small pet rabbit breeds. They usually weigh around 3 to 4.5 pounds and have very soft, distinctive coats. These rabbits have very short guard hairs that stick out to the same length as their down hairs, and therefore have a short but very thick coat. Mini Rex rabbits also have whiskers that are naturally curly. They come in a variety of colors, including white, chinchilla, and chocolate. Mini Rex are one of the easiest dwarf pet rabbit breeds to raise for breeding, and generally have playful dispositions.
Popular as family pets, there are many different pet rabbit breeds from which to choose. Be sure to consider the amount of time you have to devote to grooming, as well as the size and general disposition you want when selecting a pet rabbit breed.
