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,

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.

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.

Coloring and Those All Important Markings

A Dutch rabbit usually has a short, rounded appearance, and a rounded head. The average Dutch rabbit weighs in somewhere around three to five pounds, making them one of the smaller rabbit breeds.

Their fur is usually “flyback” meaning that when they are stroked the wrong way the fur quickly returns to a flat state without matting or tangling.

Dutch rabbits come in a number of base colors, including blue, black, yellow and gray. Whatever the color however, the markings for the show Dutch however are uniform, and basically form bands of white around the blaze (nose) saddle (mid body) and stops (feet.)

Keeping your Dutch Rabbit Happy and Healthy

Dutch rabbits have good temperaments and can also make great pets. They can be housed in a medium sized enclosure, but they do love to run and play so a run or pen should be available to them to ensure they stay happy and healthy.

The Dutch rabbit requires very little grooming, they basically take care of themselves. An occasional going over with a soft brush should keep the Dutch’s coat in great shape.

If the Dutch white markings get stained by food or excrement, they can usually be cleaned up with a baby wipe or wet cloth. Some breeders use hydrogen peroxide to bleach out tougher stains on the coat, but do not recommend new owners to do, and consult a professional pet groomer instead.

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. They do not eat very much food, about as much as can fit into a tuna can per day. Because of their size they can live indoors without taking up too much space, and are usually smart enough to be litter trained.

Great with Kids and Clever Too

The Mini Rex is a very popular breed with children, who tend to love them for their cuddliness, as the Mini Rex is normally a very affectionate animal. They are fairly hardy little souls, and usually live to at least six or seven years of age. They can thrive outdoors, as long as their hutch is well insulated and protected from the elements.

Watch Their Feet

The only problem that Mini Rex Owners have reported is that the breed seems particularly prone to developing sore hocks (lesions and sores on the bottoms of their feet.) Some Mini Rex breeders recommend keeping the feet wrapped or having the bunny wear protective “footies” when active.

The Rapid Rise of the Mini Rex Bunny

The Mini Rex now comes in a wide variety of colors, most of which have now been accepted by ARBA as show worthy. The first Mini Rex shown in America, by Ms. Berryhill, was a castor (a dark gray/brown) color, and it was that particular rabbit who went before the ABRA selection committee in 1986 and impressed the judges enough that the Mini Rex became an officially recognized breed a mere two years after it was created.

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.

The Mini Lop is bred in a rainbow of color combinations but not all of them are acceptable in the competitive rabbit. Blue Seal, Chocolate and Seal Point Mini Lops are all extremely attractive but their hues are not yet considered show worthy.

Great for Kids and Grown Ups Too

The Mini Lop is an especially popular pet with young children. They are not as delicate as some small breeds, and enjoy being handled. They are fairly intelligent and can be litter trained successfully.

Those who own them feel that the Mini Lop appreciates affection and attention and is more like a small pet dog than a rabbit. They like to play with all kinds of toys, and will even chase a soccer ball around if they have a companion to interact with.

Love to be Out and About

Although they can be comfortably housed in a smaller cage, the Mini Lop will not appreciate being shut up for long periods of time, and thrives on exercise and play time.

They require grooming at least once a week, but their coat is not as difficult to maintain as longer haired breeds such as Angoras.

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.

Floppy Ears and Chubby Cheeks

The Lionhead Lop most obvious difference to its’ larger cousin is that its ears flop, unlike the Lionhead’s whose ears stay straight and tall at all times. The two share the fluffy mane, but Lops have a tendency to malt more often, and their mane needs careful grooming to prevent matting.

The mane itself can extend a full three inches from the rabbit’s crown. The Lionhead Lop has a wider face than most rabbits, with rather chubby, furry cheeks. They really have no unusual dietary needs, and due to their petite size can be kept in fairly small quarters.

Loving and Loyal Companions

The Lionhead Lop enjoys a reputation as a very affectionate breed. Many of the Lionhead Lops who are kept as house rabbits act more like lap dogs, quite happy to snuggle and play with humans and other animals alike.

They display a good deal of intelligence and are easy to housetrain. Of course, because of their delicate stature they need to be handled with care and might not be suitable pets for very small children.

Because they are such a new breed, there is not yet a set standard for an ideal Lionhead Lop rabbit, due in most part that most of the world’s show organizations have yet to recognize them in any official category.

As breeders are still experimenting with different gene and color combinations the Lion head Lop remains a “work in progress.”

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, but if they are handled properly from an early age they bite and scratch no more than other breeds. It may be a good idea when purchasing a Netherland Dwarf to go for a slightly older animal, around five months, so you have a better idea of its temperament.

Stubby Ears and Chunky Bodies

The Netherland Dwarf is a stout looking creature, with short, stubby ears. A show Netherland will be disqualified if its ears measure over two and a half inches. Their small ears also mean they cannot regulate heat as well as bigger eared bunnies, so they need to be kept cool at all times. They come in a vast array of colors, more than any other breed.

Harder to Breed, But Worth the Effort

The Netherland Dwarf is a notoriously difficult rabbit to breed successfully. From small sized litters (averaging one to four) half can be born with two dwarfing genes, which is invariably fatal. The Netherland also sometimes carries the “Max Factor Gene” which causes kits to be born with mutated or missing limbs and misaligned teeth. For a breeder, finding good specimens to breed can be a hard task, but most who make the effort usually find its well worth it.