Small Rabbit Breeds

Here they are...

American Fuzzy Lop (Max weight: 4 pounds)
Fuzzy Lops are the result of a stray wool gene in the background of the mini lop breed. Instead of selling the ‘sports,’ breeders decided to create a new breed that was consistently wooled, or ‘fuzzy.’ This very pleasing animal will require a bit of regular grooming.

Britannia Petite (Max weight: 2 1/2 pounds)
Many small rabbit breeds originated through the Netherland Dwarf. But not this one. This tiny breed originated in the UK in the mid-1800’s. While its ancestry is English, the breed is known as the Polish breed in the UK. When finally imported to the US, the US already had a 'Polish' rabbit breed (the same rabbit but selectively bred to a different standard), so these were given a new name in the USA--Britannia Petite.

Britannia Petites are cute as buttons, but some lines tend to produce animals with ornery personalities. Certainly not every rabbit is grouchy, however you might want to do your homework and talk to a few breeders so you’ll get a pet that is easy to enjoy. With the right kind of handling, Britannia Petites can become calm.


Dutch (Max weight: 5 1/2 pounds)
This breed isn’t technically a dwarf breed, but it is a favorite among pet rabbit breeds, perhaps due to its smallish size and distinctive markings. This is another of the small rabbit breeds without a Netherland Dwarf in the background.

If you want a challenge, breed Dutch rabbits for show. It takes skill and persistence to get the markings just right. Otherwise, Dutch rabbits have great personalities and make wonderful pet rabbits.



Dwarf Hotot (Max weight: 3 pounds)
This little pure white fellow has black ‘mascara’ around the eyes. In body type they look just like Netherland Dwarfs - round and cobby. They are wonderful companions, they like attention...and don’t think it doesn’t take some careful breeding to get the width of their eye markings just right.

Himalayan (Max weight: 4 1/2 pounds)
This is an old breed, and the only rabbit breed that is long and "cylindrical." They are white, with colored points and red eyes. I see plenty of "himmies" being shown by youth breeders; I would classify them as one of the more popular small rabbit breeds.

Holland Lop (Max weight: 4 pounds)
Holland Lops are small yet massive, lopped, and a very popular breed with both young and old. You can find a Holland Lop in just about every color possible. The national Holland Lop Club has a website that is rich in educational materials. Because Holland Lops are small yet sturdy, with great personalities, they make excellent pets. And judging by the sheer quantity of holland lop rabbits at youth shows, this is one of the most popular of small rabbit breeds!

Jersey Wooly (Max weight: 3 1/2 pounds)
This is one of the three small rabbit breeds with wool. Jersey Woolies were developed in order to create a small pet rabbit with easy-to-care-for wool. It’s a little bigger than a Netherland Dwarf, and is fluffy with wool. Its little ears are erect and perky. 26 color varieties are accepted for show, and if you add broken, you can double that number.


Lionhead Rabbit (Max weight: 3 3/4 pounds)
This dwarf rabbit breed is recognized in the UK in many colors. In the USA, lionhead rabbits are not yet recognized, however breeders are working with the ARBA Standards Committee to earn this recognition. The process may take several more years, but you can still find lionhead breeders throughout the USA. That's because lionheads are quickly finding a place among the favorite pet rabbit breeds.

North American Lionhead Rabbit Club

The lionhead is the result of a recent dominant genetic mutation in a dwarf angora rabbit (in Europe) that permits long wool around the neck and shoulders only. Sometimes the youngsters start life wooly all over, but eventually the fur molts out and reverts to normal on the body, except for the "mane" around the face and sometimes a little bit of extra length around the base of the rabbit.

One thing that’s for sure. These little bunnies are sweet and adorable, and make great pets, as long as the owner is willing to do the bit of daily grooming required.

Mini Rex (Max weight: 4 1/2 pounds)
The Mini Rex is one of the small rabbit breeds that was created by using the Netherland Dwarf. Mini Rex rabbits are pint-size versions of the standard Rex rabbits, thanks to the dwarf gene. Because of the amazing rex fur, Mini Rex rabbits rank right up there with the all-time favorite small rabbit breeds.

Their fur quality has been improving every year since the development of the breed, though the standard Rex still have an edge in fur quality and density...possibly. But don’t listen to me - I’m a standard Rex breeder! I recommend you go attend a rabbit show, and feel the rex fur on both breeds, then decide for yourself, if you’ve been captivated, as I am, with the plush rex fur.

Mini Satin (Max weight: 4 3/4 pounds)
Mini Satins resulted from adding the dwarf gene to the Satin breed. Those who are fascinated with the beauty of Satin fur will love the Mini Satins. Because the hair shaft is refined and translucent, the color is powerful. The coat has a shimmer and a sheen that can be irresistible. Mini Satins are recognized in Red-eyed White, Chinchilla, Opal, Red and Siamese, with a few more varieties in development.

Netherland Dwarf (Max weight: 2 1/2 pounds)
Netherland Dwarfs, along with Britannia Petites, are the smallest of rabbits.
But while ‘Brits’ are racy and arched, everything about a Netherland Dwarf is round and compact - a big round head on a round body, with petite little ears standing perkily. They come in nearly every color imaginable, and are very popular as pet rabbits. Netherland Dwarfs have influenced many small rabbit breeds with its contribution of color genes and the dwarf gene. (See Dwarf Rabbits for the genetics behind the dwarf gene and lethal "peanuts.")

Due to their tiny size, it’s easier for a child to accidentally injure them without meaning to, simply from not knowing how best to handle the live, wiggly rabbit. It would be good to closely supervise a child with this or with any of these smaller breeds, until they are comfortable and well-versed in safe handling methods.

Polish (Max weight: 3 1/2 pounds)
Polish rabbits are only slightly heavier than Netherland Dwarfs. Their ears are a bit longer, however remaining in proportion to their bodies.

Polish rabbits are a genuine 'miniature' breed. They were said to have originated from the "common white English ‘hutch’ rabbit," which had a weight range of 3 - 10 pounds. The weight of the Polish breed was selectively bred down to a maximum of 3 1/2 pounds.

Polish rabbits were originally pure white. As folks tinkered with the breed and the genetics, Havanas and Netherland Dwarfs were used to introduce other colors. Polish rabbits are now recognized in black, blue, chocolate, red-eyed white, blue-eyed white and broken. Because of the introduction of Netherland Dwarfs to obtain certain color genes, you will find some Polish, such as the one pictured here, with Netherland Dwarf influence - round head and very round eyes. You will not find peanuts in true polish lines.

Go to Pet Rabbit Breeds
Go to Main Rabbit Breeds Page
Go from Small Rabbit Breeds to Raising Rabbits Home Page

New! Comments