WeLoveRabbits.com

According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), 47 rabbit breeds are “recognized” in the U.S. today, with official acceptance of a new breed taking years of development and three years of evaluation.

Purebred rabbits, like dogs or cats, can cost hundreds of dollars; the rabbits sold in pet stores are often the “culled” rejects from breeders, but are nonetheless still great pet material; however, many people choose to feel like they’re helping bunny overpopulation and giving otherwise neglected and abused creatures a second chance by adopting from shelters. Shelter rabbits are sometimes free; “fostered” rabbits will generally require that you pay a spay or neuter fee of around $100. (It’s nice to give shelters or rescuers a donation to help defray costs; most animal rescuers are volunteers).

Rabbit breeds come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, ear carriage, and colors. Rabbit breeds cannot be identified by color alone since the same color may be available in many different breeds including the “spotted” (known as “broken,” “a white body broken up by colored spots or blotches”) varieties, very small breeds, small breeds, medium to large breeds, and giant breeds. Clues to rabbit breeds can be found through “ear carriage,” how the ears stand, and by size, although that really cannot be ascertained until the rabbit has acquired its full size – at least 6 months for the smaller breeds, and 9 months for larger.

There are five lopeared breeds: American Fuzzy Lop, Holland Lop, Mini Lop, English Lop and French Lop. All other breeds have upright ears. Determining the difference in the lopeared breeds will depend mostly upon the mature, adult weight (size) and in the case of the American Fuzzy Lop, the fur or wool, as well. English Lop has the longest of the lopeared breeds, with extremely long ears (minimum 21 inches!) that literally drag on the ground. “Lops,” often referred to as “floppy-eared” by owners, may have one or both “helicopter ears” that stand out horizontally from the head, or pitch forward, or appear only as “lazy-eared.”

The Very Small breeds range in mature weights from 2-4 lbs., the most frequently most popular of the breeds listed below that are found in pet stores would be the Holland Lop and the Netherland Dwarf.

In the Medium to Large size breeds, you’ll find the “typical” rabbit image often associated with the “Cadbury Egg Bunny” image – the albino New Zealand White rabbit. Medium-to-Large Breeds, 5 – 12 lbs., are said to be not commonly found in pet stores, but often available from shelters, the Humane Society, and sometimes purchased from breeders as “pets.” The most popular in this range would most likely be the aforementioned New Zealand White, Californian, and Rex meat (yes, afraid so!) breeds and a wide variety of “mixed breeds.”

Just as every “Netherlands Dwarf” is NOT always “mean,” every rabbit with long hair is NOT an Angora, because there are other long-haired breeds, such as the Jersey Wooly and the American Lop, there are exceptions to every rule.

One thing remains constant: just like any other pet, a rabbit – regardless of breed – lives as it is treated. A rabbit that is handled gently and carefully will be a happy rabbit and a joy to handle. A rabbit that is treated roughly will be a frightened rabbit and will respond in kind. The breed of the rabbit bears little influence on how it develops. –D. Wanda Twellman)

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