Rabbit Owners - Which Breed is best for a pet?
- Thread starter steffpeck
- Start date
- Mar 27, 2009
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Those are kind of vague requirements. What size are you looking for? How much grooming do you want to do? What about shedding? Activity level? Temperament?
IMHO, dutch bunnies are awesome pets. Pretty and usually docile, not very big, but not too tiny as to be delicate.
Flemish giants hands down
I love my flemmies.
Quote:
In the house? Are you kidding?
I like the mini Rex breeds....not too big and so sweet and beautiful. So incredibly soft with their short, silky coats. I know a gal that had a lavender Rex for 11 years as a house pet and it died unexplicably. We gave her another lavender Rex, which they had for 4 years. She said the rabbit was just like one of the dogs and would lay on top of the kids while they played video games, layed on the couch and watched TV with the family, etc.
Gotta mind your electric chords, though....bunnies like to chew these and can go to the great rabbitry in the sky for their bad habits!
Here's a link to different breeds that may help you with an idea of breed characteristics:
http://www.arba.net/Breeds.htm
In the house? Are you kidding?
I like the mini Rex breeds....not too big and so sweet and beautiful. So incredibly soft with their short, silky coats. I know a gal that had a lavender Rex for 11 years as a house pet and it died unexplicably. We gave her another lavender Rex, which they had for 4 years. She said the rabbit was just like one of the dogs and would lay on top of the kids while they played video games, layed on the couch and watched TV with the family, etc.
Gotta mind your electric chords, though....bunnies like to chew these and can go to the great rabbitry in the sky for their bad habits!
Here's a link to different breeds that may help you with an idea of breed characteristics:
http://www.arba.net/Breeds.htm
Quote:
In the house? Are you kidding?
I like the mini Rex breeds....not too big and so sweet and beautiful. So incredibly soft with their short, silky coats. I know a gal that had a lavender Rex for 11 years as a house pet and it died unexplicably. We gave her another lavender Rex, which they had for 4 years. She said the rabbit was just like one of the dogs and would lay on top of the kids while they played video games, layed on the couch and watched TV with the family, etc.
Gotta mind your electric chords, though....bunnies like to chew these and can go to the great rabbitry in the sky for their bad habits!
Here's a link to different breeds that may help you with an idea of breed characteristics:
http://www.arba.net/Breeds.htm
Where else would you keep flemmies? If you're going to keep them outside might as well not have them imo. They're much happier laying by your feet in the house than outside in a cage.
In the house? Are you kidding?
I like the mini Rex breeds....not too big and so sweet and beautiful. So incredibly soft with their short, silky coats. I know a gal that had a lavender Rex for 11 years as a house pet and it died unexplicably. We gave her another lavender Rex, which they had for 4 years. She said the rabbit was just like one of the dogs and would lay on top of the kids while they played video games, layed on the couch and watched TV with the family, etc.
Gotta mind your electric chords, though....bunnies like to chew these and can go to the great rabbitry in the sky for their bad habits!
Here's a link to different breeds that may help you with an idea of breed characteristics:
http://www.arba.net/Breeds.htm
Where else would you keep flemmies? If you're going to keep them outside might as well not have them imo. They're much happier laying by your feet in the house than outside in a cage.
Just like all animals, there are personality differences between members of the same breed. You should look at each rabbit and evaluate it on a case by case basis.
But.......generally speaking.......... I do second the idea of a dutch rabbit. They are easily found and are a pretty good breed to have for a pet. I have found those are easily litter boxed trained and are a nice size.
I would stay away from the Netherland Dwarf. There are some really sweet rabbits that are ND, but I have met more that are cranky than not.
Flemish are great, I have owned several, but be ready for their size!
Mini-rex or rex as mentioned are nice too. I have though had a couple cranky rexs before.
Holland Lops are mostly okay, I think the lops are pretty docile, I raise English Lops right now and am hooked, although they are hard to find and again are large.
I find as in the NDs, that Polish can be cranky.
English Spots have a reputation in the show world as being a bit aggressive.
If you like hair, Jersey Woolies are nice, as are fuzzy lops.
Californians are nice if you don't mind pink eyes. Beverens are okay, harlequins are nice, creme d' argent are nice, silver fox, tans.
I used to do Animal Assisted Therapy and I used a mini-rex, and an English Lop, and also a Belgian Hare.
So many breeds, so many choices.
But.......generally speaking.......... I do second the idea of a dutch rabbit. They are easily found and are a pretty good breed to have for a pet. I have found those are easily litter boxed trained and are a nice size.
I would stay away from the Netherland Dwarf. There are some really sweet rabbits that are ND, but I have met more that are cranky than not.
Flemish are great, I have owned several, but be ready for their size!
Mini-rex or rex as mentioned are nice too. I have though had a couple cranky rexs before.
Holland Lops are mostly okay, I think the lops are pretty docile, I raise English Lops right now and am hooked, although they are hard to find and again are large.
I find as in the NDs, that Polish can be cranky.
English Spots have a reputation in the show world as being a bit aggressive.
If you like hair, Jersey Woolies are nice, as are fuzzy lops.
Californians are nice if you don't mind pink eyes. Beverens are okay, harlequins are nice, creme d' argent are nice, silver fox, tans.
I used to do Animal Assisted Therapy and I used a mini-rex, and an English Lop, and also a Belgian Hare.
So many breeds, so many choices.
- Thread starter
- #9
How much do the Jersey Woolies or Lionheads shed? What about the mini-rex so they shed much? I found a mini-rex at our IFA yesterday (at least that is what they thought she was) and she was the sweetest thing, I held her the whole time we were in the store. I would have brought her home but we were heading out for the day and she would have been in the car all day, not good, and DH was hesitant. I think I have talked him into it now, but want to make sure I pick the right breed. I have 3 kids ranging in age from almost 3 - 10 and would like something on the smaller side, something that likes to be held and cuddled with. Thanks for all the help. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!!
- Mar 27, 2009
- 974
- 1
- 141
Finding a rabbit that really likes being held and cuddled could be a challenge, especially with the smaller breeds. Generally speaking, rabbits aren't cuddly and the smaller ones especially tend to be hyper, and they aren't always the greatest choice as a pet for young children.
Having said that, the following breeds might be worth looking into. I also recommend you take the time to find a good breeder, not a pet store rabbit. You can find pictures of all 47 ARBA-recognized breeds here, and in most cases clicking on their picture will take you to that breeds' club webpage. http://www.arba.net/Breeds.htm
As a general experience, bucks tend to be more docile than does, but not always. If this is strictly a pet you might look into getting it spayed or neutered.
American Fuzzy Lop: Generally gentle, but a wool breed. Will shed (a lot) and need frequent brushing.
Dutch: Slightly larger, 'sturdy' rabbit. Very common. Most of the ones I've known have been gentle.
Havana: Similar to Dutch from what I've seen. They may also shed less than Dutch.
Himalayan: Himis are considered THE starter rabbit for youth showmen. They are tolerant and docile, and are often called 'velcro bunnies' because they'll just cling to you and chill out. A lot of people don't like them because of the pink eyes, but if you can get past that they are commonly considered the gentlest breed.
Holland Lop: Roughly the same size as a Fuzzy Lop, slightly less shedding, more hyperactive in my experience.
Mini Lop: Slightly larger, generally very gentle. Sheds. A lot.
Mini Rex: Usually good buns. Good lines are important due to the prevalence of sore hocks in the breed, where there isn't enough fur covering the bottom of the feet which sometimes leads to open ulcers.
Polish: Netherland Dwarf size without as much attitude.
Having said that, the following breeds might be worth looking into. I also recommend you take the time to find a good breeder, not a pet store rabbit. You can find pictures of all 47 ARBA-recognized breeds here, and in most cases clicking on their picture will take you to that breeds' club webpage. http://www.arba.net/Breeds.htm
As a general experience, bucks tend to be more docile than does, but not always. If this is strictly a pet you might look into getting it spayed or neutered.
American Fuzzy Lop: Generally gentle, but a wool breed. Will shed (a lot) and need frequent brushing.
Dutch: Slightly larger, 'sturdy' rabbit. Very common. Most of the ones I've known have been gentle.
Havana: Similar to Dutch from what I've seen. They may also shed less than Dutch.
Himalayan: Himis are considered THE starter rabbit for youth showmen. They are tolerant and docile, and are often called 'velcro bunnies' because they'll just cling to you and chill out. A lot of people don't like them because of the pink eyes, but if you can get past that they are commonly considered the gentlest breed.
Holland Lop: Roughly the same size as a Fuzzy Lop, slightly less shedding, more hyperactive in my experience.
Mini Lop: Slightly larger, generally very gentle. Sheds. A lot.
Mini Rex: Usually good buns. Good lines are important due to the prevalence of sore hocks in the breed, where there isn't enough fur covering the bottom of the feet which sometimes leads to open ulcers.
Polish: Netherland Dwarf size without as much attitude.
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