All pet rabbits are of the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) species, although there are many different pet rabbit breeds with a wide range of colours, shapes and sizes. There are over 50 generally recognised pet rabbit breeds, a selection of which are listed below.
Lop Rabbits
The lop rabbit breed has long floppy ears. The biggest Lop rabbits, such as the French Lop can grow very big, up to nearly 7 kg. The English Lop is not quite as big, but has very long ears, up to 50 cm long. There are smaller breeds of Lop rabbit, such as the Dwarf Lop and Mini Lop. They are a good looking, gentle and friendly pet rabbit breed, and come in many colours.
Dutch Rabbits
The Dutch rabbit breed has very distinctive colour markings. The front of the Dutch rabbit’s head, front section of the body and part of the back feet are white, while the sides of the head, ears, and rear half of the body are coloured. The coloured parts are usually the same colour as each other, with black or blue being the most common. They are also friendly as pet rabbits, and can grow up to 2.5 kg.
English Rabbits
English rabbits, also known as English Spot rabbits, are easy to recognise with their distinctive markings. Mostly white, they have a butterfly marking on the nose, colouring around the eyes and along the spine, and coloured spots down each side. These are gentle and friendly, but very active rabbits that need lots of exercise, and grow up to 3.6 kg.
Angora Rabbits
Angora rabbits have a very long, soft coat (or wool) and require more care than most other pet rabbit breeds, with brushing, cleaning and trimming required regularly. There are various types of Angora, and they can grow up to between 2.5 kg to nearly 4 kg.
Pet Rabbits
The breeds listed above are some of the more common pet rabbit breeds, but there are many breeds and mixes that make great pet rabbits, either as house rabbits or outdoor rabbits.
This is very useful information, but is there a type of rabbit, a particular breed, that make better house rabbits than others?
Thanks for your question Sophie.
There isn’t one particular breed of rabbit that makes the best house rabbit. Any rabbit could be a good house rabbit, however larger breeds of rabbit are often more docile but they also have shorter life expectancies than small or miniature rabbit breeds.
Long haired rabbits need a lot of time and effort to keep their coats healthy.
I would recommend neutering any house rabbit (male or female) otherwise toilet training might become impossible as the rabbit reaches maturity.
I have a 13 week old male lionhead rabbit. I don’t think I can get him neutered. Will this affect his behaviour later on?
Thank you
Yes, it may affect his behaviour. Rabbits become mature around 4-6 months old, and if they are not neutered can become more territorial and even aggressive towards both animals and people in some cases. You may find that he starts to spray urine on things, possibly including yourself or other people. This is to mark the things or people as belonging to him, and can be fairly unpleasant behaviour! He may also show increased chewing and digging of furniture, carpets etc.. Chewing and digging are normal things for rabbits to do, and can usually be dealt with by providing lots of toys to chew and play with instead of furniture, but unneutered rabbits will probably do this a lot more than neutered rabbits.
Rabbits that are neutered are also easier to litter train than rabbits that have not been neutered. If your rabbit is litter trained as a young rabbit, he may forget this training and stop using the litter box as he becomes mature.
There is also a risk of testicular cancer in male rabbits that have not been neutered, although the risk is lower than the risk of unneutered female rabbits developing cancer of the ovaries or uterus (Approx 50%-80% of unneutered females develop cancer by age 5).
Finally, neutering a rabbit prevents unwanted babies, although obviously this only applies if a male and female rabbit meet.
I strongly recommend neutering your rabbit as it will increase his life expectancy and keep him a more calm, cuddly and happy pet bunny.
Hi, I am thinking of getting a house rabbit, I would like to get it as a baby.
I would like to get a bunny that will stay quite small and is short haired and a house rabbit any ideas of what breed to get ?
Hi Megan
Here is a list of some rabbit breeds sorted by size at petpeoplesplace.com. Breeds referred to as “mini” are usually the smallest, such as a mini lop rabbit.
There isn’t one particular breed of rabbit that makes a better house rabbit than any other breed. Any breed of rabbit can be a house rabbit. Smaller breeds can be less docile than bigger breeds. The best house rabbits are those that get plenty of time and attention from their owners, which brings out their personality.
Good luck with your bunny!
Richard
Thank you very much Richard that has helped me out , I would be able to look after the bunny and give it alot of love since i have wanted a bunny form some time now but i just think house rabbits are better because they get more attention being inside and with me
You’re welcome. I agree with you that it is easier to give a rabbit more of your time and attention if it is in the house.
Hi,
We have a one and a half year old lionheaded bunny. Is it too late to get him neutered? Because finding it hard to toilet train. If we can get him neutered will it be easier to toilet train at this age? Will this cause him any discomfort at this age?
Thanks
Hi Vicki
No it’s not too late to have your rabbit neutered at his age. When a rabbit gets above about 2 years old, the risks involved in surgery increase, but surgery is still possible if a very through health check is done first.
Richard