There are many breeds of rabbits and one cute and fluffy option is the Jersey Wooly rabbit. In this article, we’ll highlight its many qualities so you can decide if it is the right option for your home.
Jersey Wooly rabbit: Created in the 1980s by breeding two different types of rabbits, the Jersey Wooly rabbit is known for its wool fur, petite size, and cuddly disposition. It can come in a myriad of colors and has little ears that stick right up. Jersey Wooly rabbits are small but they make for excellent pets. They are also a good pick if you are interested in entering a rabbit exposition.
What is a Jersey Wooly rabbit?
The Jersey Wooly rabbit is a small, domestic animal. It is quite small, usually only weighing 3 pounds, and has a compact body.
The rabbit is especially known for its unique wool fur, hence the name.
Jersey Wooly Rabbit History and Origin
Overall, the Jersey Wooly rabbit is a relatively new breed. It was first created in 1984 by Bonnie Seeley. She lived in New Jersey, in the United States, which is partly where the name comes from.
The Jersey Wooly rabbit was created to be a domestic, exhibited rabbit. It is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and is a frequent contender at many shows.
Like most new breeds, the Jersey Wooly rabbit is a cross-breed from two other breeds. Its parentage includes the French Angora and the Netherland Dwarf.
Characteristics of Jersey Wooly Rabbit
Size, weight, shape
While you can certainly find very large rabbits, the Jersey Wooly is at the other end of the spectrum. It only weighs between 2 ½ and 3 ½ pounds, making it quite tiny. You could even place it in the palms of your hands.
Everything about the Jersey Wooly rabbit is small. Its body is quite compact and its legs are appropriately proportioned.
As for its head, Jersey Wooly rabbits have ears that stick straight up and for show length, can be no more than 3 inches tall. The rest of its head has a bit of a squarish look to it.
If you look at a Jersey Wooly rabbit, you will notice that it has a bit of a squashed-in look to it, particularly around the nose. This has led to the nickname “Mug Head.”
Colors
Unlike other breeds of rabbits, there are many different color groups the Jersey Wooly rabbits can present. According to the ARBA standards, there are six recognized color groups.
These include Agouti, Broken, Self, Shaded, Tan Pattern, and AOV. Essentially, Jersey Wooly rabbits can end up being almost any color and with any type of pattern.
Coat
Jersey Wooly rabbits have fur that is long; however, you do not have to do a lot to keep it in pristine condition. Instead, simply give your rabbit a good brushing once a week.
During the spring, when rabbits start to shed, you should brush two or three times a week as the fur can be ingested, leading to major health issues.
Lifespan
Usually, with smaller species of animals, their lifespan is shorter. However, Jersey Wooly rabbits often live between 8 and 10 years.
This is just under the average for most rabbits, which is a good sign. Obviously, the better you take care of your rabbit, the longer it should live.
The lifespan of a rabbit is often lengthened through spaying or neutering. The old adage about rabbits holds true and unless you want a litter of rabbits running around, you should spay and neuter your pet rabbits if you plan on having multiple animals.
Behavior
You should treat Jersey Wooly rabbits like other breeds. They require a fair bit of exercise although due to their small size they don’t need a lot of room for this.
Many owners raise Jersey Wooly rabbits for exhibition purposes. They are intelligent rabbits and you can start training them at an early age to be ready to show off all their amazing abilities.
If you are deciding on getting a Jersey Wooly rabbit, it is recommended to purchase at least two. They are very social and can become depressed if they are on their own.
Temperament
Jersey Wooly rabbits are incredibly playful. They will happily play with toys around the house and are quite entertaining to watch.
Once these little rabbits have had their excitement, they will then look for a cuddle. Jersey Wooly rabbits are affectionate and make for great lap animals, especially as their size won’t weigh you down.
Unlike other breeds, Jersey Wooly rabbits are not prone to kicking, which means they are a good pet if you have children in the house. The only consideration with small children is that they should be taught how to properly handle the rabbits as they are so small.
Jersey Wooly Rabbit Care
When introducing your new Jersey Wooly rabbit to your home, you should create the ideal environment for it to thrive. This will include an area for your rabbit to sleep in as well as a place to run around and exercise.
Due to their small size, these rabbits should stay indoors as outside can be too cold for their little bodies. You can choose to keep them in a cage or train them to be in the home.
Rabbits are capable of litter training, so if you go this route, be sure to set everything up. You can use a cat litter box as long as the sides aren’t too high so that your rabbit can easily hop over it.
Place the litter box in a corner and introduce your rabbit to the area. It’s best to keep your rabbit in a small space at first so they know where the litter box is.
As for a cage, make sure the bottom does not have exposed wire. This is too harsh on the small paws of a Jersey Wooly rabbit so instead, cover it with a towel or extra straw.
One last setup is all about exercise. If there is enough space in your home for your rabbit, you can let it roam free. If not, then you should set up a fenced area outside for it to move around.
Finally, make sure you feed your Jersey Wooly rabbit a balanced diet. 70 to 80 percent of its diet should be good-quality hay. It should have a continuous supply of hay, so be sure to always keep its hay area filled.
In addition to hay, 20 percent should be special rabbit pellets. These will have all the nutrients your rabbit needs to stay healthy.
As for the last bit of food, you can feed your rabbit fresh vegetables and the occasional fruit. Chop up pieces of carrots, kale, and even apples, as a way to bond with your new pet.
Jersey Wooly Rabbit Health
The major issue to contend with for Jersey Wooly rabbits is dental disease. These rabbits have long jaws and small heads, which can lead to misalignment.
Essentially, the teeth may not match up with each other. The problem arises because rabbits have teeth that don’t stop growing.
If these teeth aren’t able to grind against each other, especially when they are eating, the teeth can keep growing.
If you notice your rabbit’s teeth becoming longer or your rabbit has a loss of appetite or digestive issues, you should visit your veterinarian right away.
We mentioned earlier that you should brush your Jersey Wooly rabbit at least once a week. While other rabbits are extremely susceptible to wool block, this is less of a concern with this breed.
The wool block is when rabbits groom themselves and the fur mattes in their stomach, which can lead to serious issues. Although this isn’t a major concern, you should still brush your Jersey Wooly rabbit more in the spring when it starts to molt.
Jersey Wooly Rabbit Uses
Pets
Jersey Wooly rabbits are a domestic breed. They are too small and delicate to be kept outside and therefore should be housed inside where it is warm and comfortable.
They are affectionate animals and are great if you have children. Furthermore, they make for great companion animals for the elderly as they are quite easy to care for.
Exhibitions
One of the most popular reasons for rabbit exhibitions is the Jersey Wooly rabbit. There are strict standards for this breed, so if you are interested in entering a competition, be sure to contact the ARBA.
Where to Get Jersey Wooly Rabbit Breed
There are many Jersey Wooly rabbit breeders throughout the United States. It should be fairly easy to find one close to you.
As for price, you can expect to pay between $30 and $50 for a rabbit. This is the average cost of other breeds.
The one exception for the price is if you purchase an adult Jersey Wooly that is guaranteed to be show-quality. In this case, you can expect to pay upwards of $100.
Conclusion
Jersey Wooly rabbits are cute, cuddly, small, and affectionate. They are a great choice if you want a domestic rabbit.
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