
Dwarf Rabbit Breeds
Little cuddly balls of fur, with snuffly noses.. this description is reserved only for dwarf rabbits, perhaps the most appealing of all rabbit sub-species. Scroll below for a listing of the various dwarf breeds, that are popular pets and show animals.
Rave Uno
Last Updated: Feb 22, 2018
Rabbits with their cute sniffling noses and oh-so soft fur make great companions, to amuse, to train and to cuddle and snuggle up to. Rabbits as a species, also require less maintenance and grooming and their antics are highly amusing, from hopping around to chasing after nothing. One popular domestic rabbit breed is the dwarf rabbit.
As their name suggests, dwarf rabbits are compact and very small in size as compared to other rabbit breeds. The normal weight expected from this breed should not exceed 3.5 or 4 pounds. They also have a distinctive low or close-to-the-ground carriage and arch. Caring is also easier, as their compact size allows them to be kept indoors or out, with smaller hutches and they also consume less food. There are various dwarf rabbit breeds, some so small, they can fit in the palm of your hand and some with upright or floppy ears. Below, some of the breeds are listed, along with their physical and behavioral characteristics.
Different Dwarf Rabbit Breeds
Dwarf Lop
Weight: 1.6 kg - 2.5 kg
Colors: Black, white, blue, sable, seal point, fawn, agouti
Key Features:
Netherland Dwarf
Weight: 500 g to 1.6 kg
Colors: Blue, black, chocolate, sable point, fawn, blue-eyed white, Himalayan, chestnut, tortoiseshell, to name a few
Key Features:
American Dwarf Hotot
Weight: 2½ - 3 lbs
Colors: Pure snow white, with black rings close to the eye
Key Features:
American Polish Rabbit
Weight: 2½-3½ lbs
Colors: Ruby eyed white, blue eyed white, black, blue, chocolate and broken pattern
Key Features:
Holland Lop
Weight: 3 - 4 lbs
Colors: Agouti, black tortoiseshell, broken black, broken orange, chocolate, blue eyed white and ruby eyed white
Key Features:
Britannia Petite
Weight: 2¼ lbs
Colors: Black, chestnut agouti, sable marten, ruby eyed white and black otter
Key Features:
There is no good or bad breed of rabbit, so assigning names and reputations like difficult or mean to a rabbit breed is unfair to both the breeders and the rabbit itself. Poor training or mishandling can make a nervous and timid animal, bite or nip or act out. With children, it is best to supervise their handling and behavior around the rabbit, at least for some time. Any one of the above dwarf rabbit breeds make companionable and very loving pets, with minimal grooming and looking after.
As their name suggests, dwarf rabbits are compact and very small in size as compared to other rabbit breeds. The normal weight expected from this breed should not exceed 3.5 or 4 pounds. They also have a distinctive low or close-to-the-ground carriage and arch. Caring is also easier, as their compact size allows them to be kept indoors or out, with smaller hutches and they also consume less food. There are various dwarf rabbit breeds, some so small, they can fit in the palm of your hand and some with upright or floppy ears. Below, some of the breeds are listed, along with their physical and behavioral characteristics.
Different Dwarf Rabbit Breeds
Dwarf Lop
Weight: 1.6 kg - 2.5 kg
Colors: Black, white, blue, sable, seal point, fawn, agouti
Key Features:
- Long, plush, droopy ears
- Small and compact build
- Thick dense short haired coat
Netherland Dwarf
Weight: 500 g to 1.6 kg
Colors: Blue, black, chocolate, sable point, fawn, blue-eyed white, Himalayan, chestnut, tortoiseshell, to name a few
Key Features:
- Smallest domestic rabbit breed
- Perked up, alert ears, located high on the head
- Short haired, thin coat
- Large eyes in relation to bodies with short, oval faces
American Dwarf Hotot
Weight: 2½ - 3 lbs
Colors: Pure snow white, with black rings close to the eye
Key Features:
- Small but stocky build
- Round and broad head type with no visible neck area
- Short alert ears with bright, round eyes with black eyebands
- Very soft but thick fur that falls back into place if touched
American Polish Rabbit
Weight: 2½-3½ lbs
Colors: Ruby eyed white, blue eyed white, black, blue, chocolate and broken pattern
Key Features:
- Short but narrow ears, that touch each other to the tip
- Very big and bright eyes that dominate the face
- Small head with cheeks
Holland Lop
Weight: 3 - 4 lbs
Colors: Agouti, black tortoiseshell, broken black, broken orange, chocolate, blue eyed white and ruby eyed white
Key Features:
- Short, round and stocky bodies with a large head
- Long floppy, lop ears
- Very round and chubby faces with typical bunny noses
- Fur is thick and dense but short haired
Britannia Petite
Weight: 2¼ lbs
Colors: Black, chestnut agouti, sable marten, ruby eyed white and black otter
Key Features:
- Arched profile, with non existent neck
- The body tapers from shoulders to the hips, which are narrow
- Wedge-shaped small head with small but upright, nearly joined together ears in a stiff stance
- Bold round eyes in the middle of the face
There is no good or bad breed of rabbit, so assigning names and reputations like difficult or mean to a rabbit breed is unfair to both the breeders and the rabbit itself. Poor training or mishandling can make a nervous and timid animal, bite or nip or act out. With children, it is best to supervise their handling and behavior around the rabbit, at least for some time. Any one of the above dwarf rabbit breeds make companionable and very loving pets, with minimal grooming and looking after.