bunny survey

[mahsmaj]

I have one of the albino ones. I have no idea what the real breed name is but it is HUGE now! Its really nice and likes to be held and petted but when your trying to put him down he wiggles around and gets scared.

 

[SunAngel]

I have had Lionheads, Dwarfs and Lops on and off since my kids were very little. I too believe children of all ages will benefit from being around animals. We have all gotten various scratches from one pet or another. I get my worst ones from my chickens.

Ironically, when my daughter was 3 she got scratched really bad and bitten by our tomcat, who was freaked by another cat on the other side of the glass door. She went to pick him up before we could stop her and the cat reacted without thinking. She is 17 now and still has scars on her forearm from that...should noone own cats unless they are over 20 yrs old and don't have kids???

I am sure you are responsible enough to teach your daughter how to hold the bunny and supervise interaction time til she is old enough to know how to handle it alone. Most parents wouldn't let their young kids get into pet cages alone anyways.

I say go for it, most rabbits are very docile and won't scratch unless held up high and get scared. Just put it on the ground and let your daughter sit down beside it to pet it. Rabbits are friendlier than Guinea Pigs and Hamsters are too skittish and bite Hard!

I am partial to the Lionheads though and hope to get another one in the near future. My daughter wants a Flemmish Giant, lol.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[redhen]

Flemish Giant. I've had several differant breeds, and the flemish is by far the sweetest/calmest breed. IMO

 

[coffeemama]

I think a little Holland lop or mini rex can be an excellent pet for a respectable child this age. I raise mini rex but we chose a Holland lop for our 3.5 yo daughter. Whatever breed you choose, make sure it has been handled and is not wild. This may leave a bad taste in your daughter's mouth right away, and she may not be interested in the bunny after that.

 

[coffeemama]

Quote:
I agree that Flemish giants can be very calm, but they are very large for a girl this little IMO. I do <3 them though

 

[dixiechick]

my kids have dwarf newfoundlands...they are sweet bunnies...bunnies can be house-trained too..to go in a litter box. Ours are outside though.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

I have personally found that rabbits are more of a look at pet than a play with pet. That being said, I am currently "raising" a mini rex rabbit kit that my 7 year old DD's breeding pair just had for my nearly 4 year old DD to have for 4-H next year as a cloverbud. My kids all have animals. I am hoping that by handling this little guy alot from day one, he will be really gentle and easy going.

 

[geebs]

A truley safe fuzzy rabbit... I would recommend Gund...

 

[redhen]

Quote:
I agree that Flemish giants can be very calm, but they are very large for a girl this little IMO. I do <3 them though

ooh yeah..woops! Very true..they are a bit big for a wee one!

 

[Southernbelle]

I didn't read the whole thread, but my kids love our Holland Lops. I raise them and ours are the sweetest, most laid-back rabbits. I have a wire corral I set on the grass for the bunnies to play and the kids get right in there with them. My youngest DD (at 2 years old) was able to pick them up and snuggle them, even hold them upside down (like a baby). The rabbits are very calm and gentle.

Another laid-back breed that I love are English Angoras, but they're A LOT of work and I never considered them as a pet for my kids, since I'm the one doing all the work with them!

One of the breeds I think is awful for kids is Netherland Dwarfs - way to skittish. My New Zealand Whites are too big and rowdy for the kids to handle, either.

You'd probably have to look at a lot of bunnies to find a gentle, calm one for your DD to play with. Hold out for that really special rabbit and don't get discouraged!