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Breeds of Rabbits
This is the second page of our long list of breeds of rabbits and their short breed descriptions. This table of contents page links to history, breed information, pictures for each breed, and our other rabbit breed description and information pages.
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You'll find breed descriptions in alpha order from G through N below. If the rabbit breed title is a link, you can follow it to its full breed description page.
If the breed is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, our All Rabbit Breeds page may offer links to the National club, where you might find even more info, including breeder lists.
Skip G to N, and learn about breed descriptions from A to F Skip G to N, and learn about breed descriptions from O to Z
Our Rabbit Breeds page lists all the known breeds of rabbits, to help you find the breed you're looking for.
Enjoy these various breeds of rabbits from G to N!
Gabali Gabali rabbits are native to Egypt and the Sinai. These are wild agouti in color (though with low rufus factor) and weigh on average 3.3 kg (7.26 pounds). They are very well adapted to the heat and harsh forage of their desert habitat, and additionally are known for large litter sizes of up to 12 kits.
Geant Hongrois (Hungarian Giant) The Hungarian Giant dates to 1920 or before, crossing native Hungarian breeds of rabbits with both the French Lop and The Flemish Giant. Weights reach up to 7 kg (15 1/2 pounds). Does are capable of bearing and rearing large litters of up to 16 kits.
Giant Blanc du Bouscat The Giant White of Bouscat dates to 1906 in the Bouscat suburb of Bordelaise. The breed has silky, frosty fur which is a little longer than usual normal fur. They weigh up to 6 kg (13 1/4 pounds).
Giant Papillon Giant Papillons and Checkered Giants have the same genetic background. This breed has been selected for a grouping of up to 8 side spots, instead of a few larger spots. They weigh over 6 kg (13.5 pounds).
Giza White Giza White rabbits are native to Egypt and selected for albinism. Average litter size is 7, however does do not always lactate well. They weigh on average around 2.75 kg (6 pounds).
Goat Some breeds of rabbits are unusual, and the Goat Rabbit is one of these. It is the color of a rare French goat, hence the name. They have been known in France since the 1800’s, probably beginning with otter-patterned sports in native farm rabbits, which were bred together. No concerted efforts to preserve or recognize them was ever made until 2000. Goat rabbits weigh around 3.5 kg (7 3/4 pounds).
Golden Glavcot These are golden brown agouti rabbits weighing around 2.26-2.72 kg (5-6 pounds). Long extinct, this English breed was reconstituted in the 1960’s, and is still very rare.
Gotland Rabbit The Swedish Gotland rabbit is no doubt the melting pot of many breeds of rabbits living in Sweden since the 14th Century AD. In those days, they ran free on the farms and in the barnyards, where the children of the farmers looked after them. Gotlands come in a rainbow of colors and patterns, and weigh around 3-4 kg (6 1/2 - 9 pounds). They are not a show animal.
Grey Pearl of Halle The Grey Pearl of Halle hails from Belgium. This is a small rabbit weighing around 2-2.5 kg (up to 5 1/2 pounds). It is light gray, almost lilac in color, with additional silvering.
Harlequin (Japanese) The Harlequin can be traced to Japan prior to 1875, and subsequently to France as early as 1890. Japan specialized in various patterns of the black-and-red harlequin, including tri-colors, while the harlequins in the late 1890s were banded. They are currently bred in a ‘checker’ (barred) or a banded pattern, with alternating colors on head, ears and body bands (pictured). Harlequins weigh up to 9 1/2 pounds (4.32 kg).
Havana The Havana had its beginnings in Holland (not Cuba) in 1898, and was initially brown and white. They were so named because the rabbits had the color of a ‘Havana cigar.’ Today they come in black, blue and chocolate, and weigh up to 6 1/2 pounds (3 kg).
Hermelin (German Polish) Hermelin means Ermine in German, and is the name of the Polish breed in Germany. They come in REW and BEW. Their pelts enjoyed a market as faux ermine for a time, hence the name Hermelin. The Hermelin weighs up to 1.5 kg (3.3 pounds).
Himalayan The Himalayan is apparently native to both the northern and southern foothills of the Himalayan Mountains, and has been around for over 150 years as a domestic rabbit. It is long and snaky in body, white, with black at the points. The eyes are red. They are small, weighing up to 4 1/2 pounds (2 kg) according to standards in the USA and UK.
Hulstlander The Hulstlander is a very small Blue-Eyed White rabbit with roots in the Netherland Dwarf and the small White Vienna. It is registered in the Netherlands.
Ibicenco The Ibicenco is a local Spanish farm rabbit found mainly on Ibiza Island off the coast of Spain. It is a mottled, multi-colored rabbit weighing around 2.2 kg (5 pounds). This is one of several breeds of rabbits that are endangered.
Isabella The Swedes recognize a blue tortoiseshell variety of the Beige Rabbit (UK), and call it the Isabella Rabbit. The Isabella weighs 6 1/2 pounds.
Jamora The Jamora is a German wooled creation that looks quite a bit like Jersey Woolies, except that the Jamora standard calls for wool in an ideal harlequin pattern. The wool is silky, medium-fine, and doesn’t tend to matting or felting. It weighs up to 2.5 kg (5 1/2 pounds).
Japanese Jumbo White Japanese Jumbo Whites are red-eyed-white rabbits which enjoy protected status by the Japanese Agriculture Association. They are a mixture of New Zealand Whites and Flemish Giants. They were present in huge numbers in Japan between 1905 and 1945. Post WWII, uses of rabbits changed from meat to research and pets, and numbers of Jumbo Whites dwindled.
Jersey Wooly Jersey Woolies are the result of putting wool on a pet-sized rabbit. They have been recognized by the ARBA since 1988, and have become extremely popular, as their wool coats are indeed fairly easy to care for. Jersey Woolies weigh up to 3 1/2 pounds (1.59 kg).
Kabyle The original Kabyle rabbit is native to Algeria, however believed to be extinct. The current rabbit known as Kabyle is a combination of the original Kabyle, plus the New Zealand White, Californian and Burgundy Fawn breeds of rabbits which were brought to Algeria in order to develop a commercial rabbit meat industry. Kabyles are small to medium sized, heat-resistant, come in many colors and patterns, and are bred in commercial and family farms.
Kanel The Kanel is a chocolate tortoiseshell rabbit recently developed in Denmark. The result of crossing Thuringers and Havanas, it was first shown in 2003.
Klein Lotharinger (Dutch Papillon) Klein Lotharingers are smaller Dutch versions of the Giant Papillon, achieved by crossing the Giant Papillon with Netherland Dwarfs (!!) and English Spots. It weighs around 3 kg (6.6 pounds) and is a popular breed.
Large Himalayan (Russe) The Large Himalayan is the result of a five year breeding program to selectively breed Himalayan rabbits to a very large size. This was accomplished over several years using only Himalayan rabbits. In France, Large Himalayans, or Grand Russe as they are called, weigh up to 5.5 kg (12 pounds), but are not snaky in type.
Large Silver Efforts to develop the Large Silver rabbit began in 1890, and continued through the efforts of several successive breeders. The breed is elongated and not heavily silvered. It weighs up to 6 kg (13.25 pounds), and can be found in 5 varieties: black, blue, Havana, brown and yellow.
Lilac The first Lilac rabbit is thought to have been produced in 1913 in England, however various breeders began raising them nearly simultaneously. There were 3 British strains and a Dutch one, which finally merged in the early 1920's. Lilacs are lilac in color - that distinctive pinkish dove gray which is a dilute of the chocolate gene. In the UK they weigh up to 3.17 kg (7 pounds). In the USA they weigh up to 7 1/2 pounds.
Lionhead The Lionhead rabbit is the result of a dominant mutation (sport) in Belgian fur rabbits (not angora). Miniaturizing occurred through crosses to the Netherland Dwarf. This is a fairly short-furred rabbit, with the exception of a 'mane' of long wool around the face and neck. They do look like little lions. They come in many colors, and may weigh up to 1.7 kg (3 3/4 pounds). Lionheads are recognized in the UK, however not yet in the USA.
Little Silver The Little Silver rabbit has the same genetic background as the Silver rabbit of the UK and the USA, however selectively bred to a small, cobby body type. In Germany the "Klein Silber" is recognized in 6 varieties - black, yellow, blue, brown, Havana and 'Bright,' which is a miniature Champagne d'Argent, also called Klein Silber Helle. Normal weight is 2.5 kg (5 1/2 pounds).
Lop, American Fuzzy The American Fuzzy Lop is a Holland Lop with wool. Because of the use of French Angoras to improve the fur of broken Holland Lops, long-wooled youngsters were appearing in litters across the USA. American Fuzzy Lops have been around since the late 1980's and weigh up to 4 pounds (1.82 kg).
Lop, Cashmere The Cashmere Lop is a UK breed, the result of long-wooled sports in Dwarf Lops (UK). The coat is dense, with lots of strong guard hairs which are longer than the undercoat. The coat should measure up to 2in long, without being 'wooly' or 'fluffy,' except in baby coats. It comes in many colors, and weighs up to 2.38 kg (5 1/4 pounds).
Lop, Dwarf Rex France is the country of origin for the Dwarf Rex Lop, beginning in 1998. The purpose was to create a cute little pet breed with rexed fur, that kids would love to hold and pet, and therefore take good care of. The breed is still in development. Dwarf Rex Lops should more or less match the description of Holland Lops, or Dwarf Lops as they are called in Europe, except for fur.
Lop, English English Lops are an ancient breed, possibly predating 1600 in either Patagonia or China. They made their appearance in England around the mid-1700's, and the English took it upon themselves to breed the longest-eared rabbit possible. The standard calls for at least 21 inches tip to tip (the record is 31.12 inches). English Lops come in many colors and have no maximum weight requirement.
Lop, French The French Lop was created in France by mating English Lops with large french breeds including the chunky Rouennais (now extinct). The French Lops in the USA come in various colors, and are very large and blocky. They must weigh a minimum of 11 pounds (6 kg) with no upward weight limit. Their ears are of a more balanced length than those of the English Lop.
Lop, German German Lops are a bigger version of Mini Lops, or Deutsche Klein Widder (in Germany). They weigh up to 3.85 kg (8 1/2 pounds).
Lop, Holland (‘Dwarf of Europe’ in Europe, Mini Lop in UK) Holland Lops did indeed come from Holland. They were bred to the French Lop standard, however very miniaturized. In the USA, Holland Lops weigh up to 4 pounds (1.82 kg). In the UK, the "Mini Lop" can weigh up to 1.6 kg (3 lb 8 oz). They are recognized in a plethora of colors, including brokens. Today they are the second most popular rabbit breed (after Netherland Dwarfs) worldwide.
Lop, Mini Lion Mini Lion Lops are Holland Lops (Mini Lops in the UK) with manes surrounding the head and ears. In the UK, the Mini Lion Lop weighs up to 1.6kg (3 1/2 lb). They differ from Lionhead rabbits in both type and size. Mini Lion Lops are now recognized in Scandinavian countries however not in the USA at this time.
Lop, Meissner The Meissner Lop was created in Germany. It is a silvered, lopped rabbit with an accepted weight range of 7 3/4 lb (3.5kg) to 12 lb (5.5kg), with the ideal being 10 lb (4.5kg). Silvering is smoothly distributed over the body, though the points are typically darker. Created in a silvered black in 1906, they are now recognized in all 'self' colors plus yellow.
Lop, Mini (known as Dwarf Lop in UK) The Mini Lop was created in Germany under the name Klein Widder. This is a small lopped rabbit which is larger than a Holland Lop but significantly smaller than a French Lop. The first animals were imported to the USA in the 1970's, and in America, the name was changed to Mini Lop. They are recognized in many colors, including brokens, and weigh up to 6 1/2 pounds (2.95 kg). In the UK, Dwarf Lops are limited to a maximum of 2.38 kg (5 1/4 pounds).
Lop, Miniature Cashmere (UK) The Miniature Cashmere Lop is a UK Mini Lop (Holland Lop in US) with a long strong coat. The coat is stronger and heavier than that of the American Fuzzy Lop, and should lay flat (hang from the spine). The coat is similar to the coats of UK's Cashmere Lops. Maximum weight is 1.6 kg (3 1/2 pounds).
Lop, Mini Plush A lot of hard work has been done in the USA to put rex fur on a lopped rabbit the size of Holland Lops. Mini Plush Lops weigh 3 1/2 pounds, however are not yet recognized in the USA.
Lop, Velveteen Velveteen Lops are English Lops that have rexed fur. They are available in all the varieties seen in English Lops. Velveteens weigh up to 6 1/2 pounds (2.94 kg). Ears must be at least 14 inches long. The process of acceptance in the USA is in progress.
Lutino The Lutino rabbit is the unusual sport of a family of harlequin Netherland Dwarfs in Denmark, beginning in 1985. This is an orange rabbit with red eyes. Officially recognized in 1988, it comes in two varieties - the orange, and a blue tortoiseshell called 'Shadow.' Lutinos are currently rare.
Lutterbach Ermine Lutterbach Ermine rabbits are a white Netherland Dwarf-type rabbit carrying the heat-sensitive himalayan gene, exhibiting as white fur, red eyes, and colored or mottled ears. They are recognized in France. Despite coloration on the ears, Lutterbach Ermines are otherwise solid white, including nose, feet and tail.
Lux (Lynx) The Lux rabbit has been around since 1922. Created in Germany, it is named after its lynx coloration - lilac tipping on an agouti hair shaft with a fawn band. It looks in color like a Lynx Palomino, however is in type similar to a large Havana rabbit. It weighs up to 3.5 kg (7 pounds).
Magpie In the UK and USA, "Magpie" is a variety of the Harlequin rabbit. It is characterized by an absense of yellow pigment resulting in a black and white coloration in the harlequin pattern. See Harlequin rabbits.
Mecklenburger Scheck Recognized in Germany in 1981, the Mecklenburger Scheck has a broken coat in a "tuxedo" pattern - mostly solid, with a white neck, chest and belly, and to some extent on the legs. It is recognized in black, blue, red and tortoiseshell ("thuringer"), and weighs up to 5.5 kg (12 1/4 pounds).
Moravian White The Moravian White is a mostly white rabbit with a tiny bit of black tipping on the hair shafts. It was recognized in Czechoslovakia in 1984, and weighs up to 4 kg (9 pounds).
Moravian Blue The Moravian Blue rabbit has been known in Czechoslovakia since 1906. It is a self-blue rabbit selectively bred using Blue Vienna rabbits. Weighing up to 5.5 kg (12 1/4 pounds) today, is is frequently used to produce fryers by crossing with New Zealand Whites, Giant Chins or Champagne d'Argents.
Netherland Dwarf Netherland Dwarfs are tiny rabbits based on the German Hermelin, wild Netherland rabbits, and various domestic breeds used for the sole purpose of acquiring their color genetics. Today of all breeds of rabbits, Netherland Dwarfs are the number 1 favorite rabbit breed. They weigh 2 pounds (0.907 kg), and are recognized in more varieties and patterns than any other breed.
New Zealand Rabbit The New Zealand Rabbit is an American creation, originating in litters of New Zealand Reds as early as 1917. New Zealands are quintessential commercial meat rabbits, with the best meat-producing traits bred into the genes through 90 years of selective breeding. Bucks weigh 9-11 pounds; does weigh 10-12 pounds.
New Zealand Red Rabbit Amazingly, New Zealand Reds were the eventual result of Belgian Hares crossed with Flemish Giants and the extinct Golden Fawn. In the USA, the NZR is a variety of New Zealand and is bred to the same standard as all other varieties. In the UK, the NZR is considered a separate breed, is a smaller rabbit with a different body type than NZWs.
Nil Nil rabbits are from Malta, where they are called Tax-Xiber. This breed is a melting pot for all the local breeds of rabbits in Malta, and was officially recognized in 1985. It is a meat rabbit weighing about 3 kg (6 1/2 pounds), is acclimated to the Mediterranean heat, and tend to bear large litters.
Normand (Picard) The Normand rabbit is from Normandy, in France. The breed is a very old one, most likely derived directly from native wild European rabbits. Their color is the wild chestnut agouti, and their average weight is roughly 3 kg (7 pounds).
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