Rabbit Breeding

There are a number of wild rabbit species in the United States and some are faring far worse than others. One of the most endangered is the Pygmy rabbit. Once upon a time an abundance of these tiny creatures (on average they weigh under a pound) lived in the Great Basin of the United States, but now they have all but disappeared.

Unique and Intelligent but Running out of Food.

The Pygmy rabbit has a couple of traits that set them apart from other wild rabbits in America such as the cottontail or the jack rabbit other than being the smallest. They are the only species who dig and live in burrows and they have been observed to be very vocal, giving out what seem to be alarm calls to one another.

90% of the Pygmy rabbit’s diet consists of sagebrush leaves and they use the bushes as cover from predators. The destruction of large tracts of sagebrush is what most animal conservationists blame for the Pygmy rabbits decline.

Trying to Restore a Wild Species in Captivity

The Oregon Zoo has for the past several years been the home of a program that is trying to breed Pygmy rabbits in captivity, in the hop that they can eventually be returned to the wild. They have had some successes and a number of pygmy rabbits have been returned to the wild in Central Washington. The programs funding may be cut at the end of the year however, and some zoo personnel fear that should that happen there are still far from enough pygmy rabbits back out among the remaining sagebrushes for their species to survive,

In the late 1970s one Bonnie Seeley, a rabbit breeder from New Jersey, set about trying to breed a long haired wooly rabbit that was easier to groom than other long haired breeds. The result was the Jersey Wooly, a small rabbit, usually between 3 and 4 pounds that has an abundance of fur and a surprisingly docile temperament. In 1988 the first Jersey Woolies were accepted by ABRA as a recognized show breed and have gone on to be one of the more popular bunny breeds seen at shows all over the country.

Grooming and Care of the Wooly Coat – Although they are easier to care for than other long haired breeds – an abundance of guard hairs, which do not tangle, being the reason – the average Jersey Wooly still needs a good brushing at least three or four times a week to keep their coat matt free and silky. The wool of the Jersey Wooly can be collected and used much as that of an angora rabbit is, the Jersey Wooly is after all the result of crossing a Netherland Dwarf and a French Angora. Babies under 6 months often require more grooming as they still have a more cotton like coat.

A Coat of Many Colors – The Jersey Wooly can be found in a wide range of colors and coat patterns and the majority of them are accepted by ABRA for show. The average Jersey wooly will live 5-7 years but 7-10 and beyond if spayed or neutered at an early age. The Jersey Wooly has become a popular choice with pet owners as it is usually as friendly as it is small.

Enderby Island is the northern most island of the group known as the Auckland Islands, which lie about 150 miles away from New Zealand. They were first discovered in 1806 and quickly became a popular destination for whalers and seal hunters. A number of shipwrecks occurred, and in response a number of pigs, cattle and rabbits were introduced to the island to provide a source of food for these lost sailors until they could be rescued.

The Rabbits of Enderby

Rabbits were introduced to the island in 1836 by the crew of the H.M.S Victoria. There is no official records of what breed these rabbits were, some believe either British Silver Greys or French Argente de Champagne but no one knows for sure.

The rabbits thrived on Enderby Island in isolation for almost 130 years. The most commonly seen Enderby rabbit is silverish grey and black in color, but others sre cream and beige, perhaps the result of a recessive gene. The average weight of an adult Enderby Rabit is about four and a half pounds.

Saving and Reviving a Breed

In the 1980’s, the government of New Zealand decided that all of the Auckland Isles, including Enderby, should be returned to their “natural” state, which would involve the destruction of all the mammals who had been introduced to the islands by the Victorians.

A group of conservationists were allowed to remove up to 50 of the rabbits before the cull began. They only managed to catch 49 in the short time they were allowed to try to trap and save the rabbits, but they did bring all of them back to the mainland and set up a very successful breeding program.

Two years ago, the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand decided that the stock was now large enough that Enderby Rabbits could now be offered for sale to private individuals, and a number have now been exported to the US, where enthusiastic breeders are trying to establish them as a mainstream breed.

Dutch Rabbits – One of the Rabbit Fancier’s Greatest Challenges

One of the most popular shows breeds in the world these days is the Dutch rabbit.

They are characterized by their very distinctive markings. This makes them extremely challenging to breed for show purposes, as for Dutch rabbits to show successfully their markings must be in a very specific pattern.

The Dutch rabbit is most popularly said to have originated, as its name suggests, in Holland. They first appeared in England in 1864 and had become very popular by the turn of the century. Read more…

Cute, Cuddly and Economical

The Mini Rex is now the most shown breed in the world, and one of the most popular with pet owners. Yet they have only actually been around since the mid eighties, when Mona Berryhill, a breeder from Texas, successfully bred a Dwarf Rex to a Lynx Rex.
So what is it about these little guys that make them so very popular?
The Mini Rex is of course very small, averaging three to four pounds in weight. Their fur is extremely luxurious but not so long that they require constant grooming. Read more…

Mini Lop Rabbits – Adorable Imports with a Mysterious Past

Among the smallest of the rabbit breeds, the Mini Lop is popular throughout the world as both a pet and a breeding rabbit.

Mini Lops were originally bred from a rarer German lop called the “Kleine Widder” and an unknown form of smaller rabbit, quite which one is however unclear, although some breeders believe it was a small chinchilla, not another rabbit at all.

They were first recognized as a breed in American in 1982, but in the English competitions they have yet to be accepted to a show category.

The average Mini Lop weighs between five and six pounds and has a broad chest and thick, short legs. Their characteristic floppy ears hang well below their face. Read more…

The Lionhead Lop- Cute and Cuddly Newcomer

The Lionhead Lop, bred from a Holland Lop and a Lionhead Rabbit, is a relative newcomer on the scene, first appearing in America in 1999.

Just like its bigger cousin, the Lionhead Lop has a characteristic mane that surrounds its tiny face. As the average Lionhead Lop weighs only 3 pounds they are hardly the fierce some creatures their name might suggest. Read more…

The Netherland Dwarf Rabbit – Feisty Bunny in a Tiny Body

The Netherland Dwarf Rabbit is another tiny, cute breed that is incredibly popular with breeders and pet owners alike. The average Netherland Dwarf tips the scales at a diminutive two pounds, making it one of the smallest breeds in the world.

Just Like the Bunny in the Commercials

The Netherland Dwarf is usually a furry bundle of energy. They hate to be cooped up for long periods of time and love to run around and play with small toys. If their owner doesn’t give them their own, they have a habit of making them, out of mattresses, clothing and any papers they might find (lock up your important documents!).

They do get a rather bad rap, as many people describe them as being bad tempered, Read more…