Rabbit Hutches are obviously required for Rabbits as they make excellent pets for a number of reasons. Alongside being smaller than cats or dogs, rabbits are also extremely cuddly and cute. Their friendly and domesticated nature means that rabbits are always ready to spend time with the people they love. They are also very intelligent, and can even be trained to use litter trays.
But, considering that there are over 300 breeds of rabbits – out of which 49 have been officially recognized by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) – how do you decide which breed is the best choice for you? In this blog, we will discuss the most common rabbit breeds and the reasons that make them so popular.
The Holland Lop is a smaller version of the French Lop, and was first bred in the Netherlands. The cute, floppy ears framing over the head, when combined with a friendly demeanor, add up to a rabbit breed that is hard to say no to.
The Holland Lop can be found in 30 different colors, and is, unsurprisingly, the number one pick on our list of the most common rabbit breeds.
The Flemish Giant is called that for a reason: at approximately 15 lbs, it is one of the largest rabbit breeds going around.
They have been around for a long time, and are known for their relaxed, laid-back personalities. Their friendly and inviting personality is another reason that these gentle giants make excellent pets. However, keep in mind that this breed is vulnerable to laziness, and may need a bit of extra encouragement to exercise.
The Flemish Giant also makes a great show-rabbit.
Despite their small size, the Lionhead’s magnificent mane makes them hard to miss. This breed was officially recognized as recently as 2014, but their lovable personality and eye-catching personality has made them highly popular even within this short timeframe. This is a small breed, and usually does not grow beyond 4 lbs.
Though playful and energetic. The Lionhead will not mind resting by your side as you watch TV or read a book. However, their adventurous nature means they have a tendency for boredom, and love to exercise or play with toys outside their hutch.
The sweetness and intelligence of the French Lop makes them extremely desirable to rabbit enthusiasts. This breed can be found in medium or large sizes, and have a box-sized head and lovely lopped ears. Their coat is warm and dense, and demands regular and proper grooming.
Since they can weigh as heavy as 14 lbs, they are not the best pet choice for families with toddlers or young children. That said, the French Lop is very sociable, and will love to hang around the older members of their owner family.
The English Angora’s fluffy coat is its most distinct trait. Arguably the oldest domesticated rabbit breed, an adult English Angora weighs around 8 lbs.
While this breed has a lot of ‘good pet’ traits – intelligence, calmness, and sociability, to name a few – they need an immense amount of grooming. In fact, you have to groom these bunnies every day to prevent them from ingesting too much fur and falling ill.
On the flipside, their glorious coats also make them excellent show-rabbits.
When choosing a pet rabbit, the first thing to consider is the reason behind getting a rabbit. For instance, are you looking for a companion rabbit, or do you want a show-rabbit. Some breeds are bred solely for the meat, while others are intended to be show-quality. A show-quality rabbit breed is one that is recognized by the ARBA, but that is not the only factor involved. If you are only looking for a pet rabbit, you should go for a medium or small breed.
Speaking of breed size, it is going to be one of the most important factors in your decision. There is no point in bringing a large rabbit breed home if you do not have the kind of room that they will need. Rabbits enjoy roaming around and, if you live in an apartment, a miniature breed is your best bet.
Bunnies are very delicate and fragile, and can get spooked out without much encouragement. Also, they like moving around on their own, and do not particularly enjoy being carried. For this reason, young kids do not make the best pet rabbit owners. So, if you do have young children in your house, you must, from the get-go, stress that you are the primary owner of the rabbit. Make sure that the interaction between your children and the rabbit is always supervised by an adult.
Besides, you need to watch out for allergic reactions. To test for this, have your family members and relatives spend time around rabbits and see if any of you develop any allergic signs or symptoms.
The rabbit’s personality is another crucial aspect to consider. Some rabbits are affectionate and sociable, while others may be shy and reserved. The environmental stimuli that they are exposed to plays a major role in shaping and defining their personalities.
Remember that, out in the wild, rabbits are seen as prey. For this reason, they are always watching out for potential predators (including humans) and can therefore be jumpy at first. So, if a rabbit comes across as ‘mean’ or ‘rude’, it simply means that they do not trust you yet.
To sum up, rabbits are small, pretty, intelligent, sociable, and friendly. They offer pretty much everything that one would want in a pet. While a large number of rabbit breeds are kept as pets. The ones discussed in this blog are among the most popular. When choosing a pet rabbit, you should consider factors like purpose, personality, size, and the presence of young children in the family.
