Rabbits are cute and cuddly and make a great addition to any family. In fact, many people are now thinking about having a rabbit as their next pet.
Furthermore, there is a large opportunity to breed certain types of rabbits.
How many breeds of rabbits are there?
Rabbits can be found in over 70 countries around the world and together, there are 305 rabbit breeds.
Popular and Common Types of Rabbits
American Rabbit
If you’re looking for a nice, standard rabbit, then American Rabbits will check all the boxes. They are medium to large-sized, weighing between 10 and 12 pounds, and have fur that is either white or grey in color.
American Rabbits are very easygoing and because of their serene temperament, are sometimes described as being lazy. While they do like to exercise, they are definitely not as energetic as many other rabbit breeds.
Belgian Hare Rabbit
Even though Belgian Hare Rabbits only weigh 6 to 9 pounds, their stature makes them seem like a much larger rabbit. Strong and muscular, their fur is usually a dark brown with undertones of rusty red.
Belgian Hare Rabbits are very curious and like to be active. They need a lot of space to run and exercise; furthermore, they are quite smart and can even be taught tricks.
Unfortunately, these are not the best rabbits for children as they can startle easily and their behavior has been known to be unpredictable.
Blanc de Hotot
The word blanc is French for white, and that is exactly what these cute rabbits are. Blanc de Hotot rabbits are medium to large-sized, weighing between 8 and 11 pounds, and their short fur doesn’t require much maintenance.
One thing to be aware of is that Blanc de Hotot rabbits need to be socialized right away or else they will become too timid. Be sure to be calm and gentle with them, and because of this, they are not best for loud homes with small children or other pets.
Californian Rabbit
While most California Rabbits are all-white in color, some will have patches of black, particularly around the ears and face. They are medium in size, weighing between 8 and 10 pounds.
The hair on California Rabbits is quite dense and come spring they shed a lot, so be sure to routinely groom them.
At first, California Rabbits can be quite shy, although once they get to know a human, they do become cuddlier. They are not recommended for small children but are fine with older children that are quieter.
Checkered Giant
While they aren’t as large as other ‘giant’ breeds, Checkered Giant Rabbits still grow to be 11 to 13 pounds. They have white fur with patches of black on their backs, faces, and ears.
Checkered Giant Rabbits need a large cage or enclosure, due to their size. Furthermore, they need plenty of time to exercise outside their cage, again because they are so large.
Checkered Giant Rabbits are gentle in nature but are still quite active. While they make great pets, there are cuddlier breeds to consider if you are particularly looking for this quality.
Dutch Rabbit
Bold, contrasting black and white colors is what sets Dutch Rabbits apart from other breeds. Their ears and the sides of their faces are black, as are their backsides, while their bellies and front paws are white.
Dutch Rabbits are calm and gentle and perfect if you are looking for a social pet. Furthermore, their tranquil demeaner allows them to be held and pet by children.
The one thing to consider with Dutch Rabbits is that because they are very social, they don’t do well if they are left in their cages for a long time. If everyone in the household is busy working or at school all day, this may not be the best breed.
English Lop
Cute, cuddly, and intelligent, English Lop Rabbits are a great pet to have. They weigh between 9 and 10 pounds and their short fur has intricate patterns that come in a wide array of colors.
English Lop Rabbits like to cuddle but they also like to play. They need enough space to run around and if you put a bit of time into them, you can actually teach them some fun tricks.
While English Lop Rabbits are fairly healthy, their long ears do need extra care. They are prone to wax buildup so their ears need to be cleaned regularly.
English Spot
With black spots on their ears and around their eyes, in contrast to an otherwise white body, English Spot Rabbits are quite distinguishable. They are primarily bred as show animals and as a result, they are easy to handle.
English Spot Rabbits are calm and while they do need to exercise, they are not as active as other rabbit breeds. As a result, they make excellent indoor pets.
Flemish Giant
Yes, Flemish Giant Rabbits are incredibly large, weighing between 9 and 15 pounds, although it’s not unusual for some of this breed to top 20 pounds. Their fur comes in a variety of colors, although it is always a solid color.
Flemish Giant Rabbits are incredibly sweet and calm. They are great with both people and other animals, so if you have other pets, this is a good breed to consider.
Furthermore, Flemish Giant Rabbits are very intelligent and you can train them to do plenty of tricks.
French Angora
What makes French Angora Rabbits quickly stand out from other breeds is their coat. Long and thick, it has even been described as wool-like.
Because of their long fur, French Angora Rabbits need routine maintenance. They need to be brushed every day so that they don’t over-groom themselves. If rabbits are left to self-groom themselves, they can end up ingesting too much of their own fur, leading to digestive problems.
French Angora Rabbits are very social and playful. They need plenty of exercise and can be sweet pets.
Harlequin
A mixture of colors can be found on Harlequin Rabbits and their hair, either in bands or bars, and the colors really range in hues. They are mid-sized rabbits, weighing between 6.5 and 9.5 pounds.
Harlequin Rabbits are very playful and need ample exercise time that includes an open space for plenty of running. They love toys and are very curious, so you can even try an obstacle course.
Because of their playful nature, Harlequin Rabbits are well suited with children.
Holland Lop
With long, floppy ears, the Holland Lop is one of the most adorable varieties of rabbits. It has medium-length fur that can either be in a solid color or a bit muddled.
While Holland Lop rabbits are quite small, weighing between 2 and 4 pounds, they are very energetic. However, while they are friendly in nature, they aren’t lap pets and won’t relax if being picked up or held.
Thus, while children will love the energy this breed brings, they may be disappointed in having a pet that doesn’t want to cuddle.
Lionhead Rabbit
One of the most distinguishable breeds of rabbits, Lionhead Rabbits have a mane of long hair that frames their face and flows down onto their chest. While this is amazing to look at, the extra hair does require extra maintenance. If not regularly brushed, Lionhead Rabbits can have hair that is tangled and matted.
Lionhead Rabbits love to be picked up and therefore are great with children. They are also energetic and love to play.
Netherland Dwarf Rabbit
As their name suggests, Netherland Dwarf Rabbits are incredibly small, weighing just 1 to 2.5 pounds. They have cute, small ears and because their face is so small, their eyes look almost cartoonishly large.
Netherland Dwarf Rabbits are fairly friendly but their small size means they are shy and can be skittish around sudden movements. They are not ideal if you have small children or other pets, as these movements can quickly overwhelm them.
These rabbits like to move and be active, so make sure there is time for regular exercise.
Tan
There are many breed standards when it comes to classifying rabbits, and Tan Rabbits are one of the few who have a fully arched body. Basically, Tan Rabbits have an arch from their shoulders to hips that is perfectly proportioned.
Tan Rabbits are small in size, weighing between 4 and 6 pounds. They are very energetic and need plenty of time to exercise.
While Tan Rabbits are energetic, they aren’t considered lap animals, and therefore aren’t best for children looking to cuddle their new pet. Instead, they are good with adults who are at home enough during the day for ample time outside their cage.
Other Types of Rabbits
- Velveteen Lop
- English Angora
- New Zealand
- American Fuzzy Lop
- Giant Papillon
- Lilac
- Beveren
- Chinchilla (Giant)
- Himalayan
- Continental Giant
- Palominos
- Satin
- Mini Rex
- Silver Marten
- Argente Crème
- Argente Brun
- Dwarf Lop (Mini Lop in USA)
- Rex (Standard)
- Dwarf Hotot
- Satin Angora
- Argente de Champagne
- Chinchilla (Standard)
- Cinnamon
- Giant Angora
- Rhinelander
- American Sable
- Havana
- French Lop
- Polish Rabbit
- Thrianta
- Jersey Wooly
- Silver
- Florida White
- Chinchilla (American)
- Silver Fox
- Britannia Petite
What is the most common rabbit?
Despite the hundreds of breeds of rabbits, there are a few that are more popular than others.
These include Lionhead Rabbits, Mini Lop Rabbits, Rex Rabbits, Netherland Dwarf Rabbits, and Polish Rabbits
Conclusion
If you are looking for a pet rabbit, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the amount of different species to choose from.
Whether you have older children or younger, there is a breed with the right temperament. From small breeds to large sized rabbits, you are bound to find a cute and cuddly rabbit for your family.
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