Different Types of Rabbits by Fur Type:
Which coat type is right for you?

Let’s look at different types of rabbits by evaluating their fur types - or wool in some cases.  Because, there are so many rabbits to choose from, and they're all so different!

Different Types of Rabbits: Breeds with Normal Fur

Normal rabbit fur is the fur on every rabbit that isn’t rex, satin or wool. This amounts to 38 breeds that have normal fur.  Fur length can run from 7/8 to 1 1/2 inches.  Each breed standard indicates an ideal length for that breed.

Every hair follicle, counting guard hairs and undercoat, contains roughly 14 hairs.

English Spot

Because of differences in all these various breeds, some normal coats behave in a different manner than other normal coats.  Breeders talk about fly-back fur, or roll-back fur, and different densities and textures create the fly-back, roll-back or other coat behavior. 

The coats are all classified as normal fur, but for more information, please see the individual standards of perfection - or national club websites at All Rabbit Breeds for the breeds in which you’re interested.

Here's a list of breeds in the United States with normal fur:

French Lop with normal fur.

Young Thrianta Rabbit with its fiery orange coat of normal fur.

Normal-furred Champagne d'Argent rabbit at a rabbit show.

Different Types of Rabbits: Those with Rex Fur

If a hair follicle of a normally furred rabbit contains about 14 hairs, a rex hair follicle might contain up to 50 hairs each.  Rex fur is 1/2 inch to 7/8 inch in length.  Rex in the UK have the shorter fur, which is amazingly even in length.  The ideal length in the US is specified at 5/8 inch.  It’s very dense, and plush to the touch.  The fur stands straight up, with guard hairs being the same length, ideally, as the undercoat. 

Mini Rex

At one time years ago, breeders were trying to add a "rexed" variety to every breed imaginable.  Breeders finally created a separate breed altogether and called it Castorrex - "king of beavers," referring to the variety of rex that today we call castor ("in color like a beaver").  This name was quickly shortened to simply Rex (King), when other varieties were created.

Rex rabbits can now be found in two sizes: Standard (7 1/2 - 10 1/2 pounds), and Mini-Rex, which weigh in at up to 4 1/2 pounds.  Density of fur in Mini-Rex has been inferior to standard Rex, however with Mini-Rex becoming one of the all-time most popular breeds, the fur quality has taken huge leaps forward.

Pet a rex - the rex fur should be so dense and upright as to resist the pressure of your hand.  It's hard keeping one's hands off them! 

• Mini Rex
• Rex
  

Littermates - young Black and Blue Otter Rabbits.

Interested in Other Rabbit Breeds?

-- Are you trying to decide which breed is best for you?

-- Do you see a bunny available, but haven't heard of that kind before?

-- Are you curious about the different types of rabbits?

We have an e-book for that! It's titled Domestic Rabbit Breeds. Find it, and our other e-books, at World of Raising Rabbits.
Click Here to Purchase Domestic Rabbit Breeds!

Different Types of Rabbits: Those with Satinized Fur

Satin fur is of a standard length, however the hair shaft is narrower in diameter, and somewhat transparent.  The combination of these two factors deepens the intensity of the color, and creates a translucent quality to the hair shaft.

Mini Satin

Satin rabbits have an unmistakable, almost shocking, sheen and luster that is very attractive.  Satins now come in a mini-size, and angora breeders have created a satinized angora breed (satin angoras). (Garments from this wool must be amazing!)

• Satin Angora (see below)
• Mini Satin
• Satin

Broken red Satin from Sarah's Rabbits. I almost think I need one!

Different Types of Rabbits: Those with Wool

The ideal length of angora rabbit wool on the standard-sized angora breeds is generally 4-5 inches.  The smaller ‘wooly’ breeds have wool that is a bit shorter, logically.  Angora rabbit wool is soft, light-weight and very warm when spun and knitted into garments. 

Black Lionhead Rabbit.

Black French Angora - normal-furred only around the face.

English Angora Rabbit.

Jersey Wooly, stunningly groomed for a rabbit show.

Lionheads have a mane of wool around the head and neck, and often a skirt of wool along the lower parts of their sides and hindquarters. 

Chestnut Agouti Satin Angora. This is the beautiful result of adding the satin sheen to angora wool!

All angora breeds require time for grooming, English Angoras most of all, unless the animal has inherited a non-matting gene that minimizes both molting and matting.  Some lines of angoras shed and some don’t so much.  The wool on animals that shed can be plucked.  Angoras that don’t tend to shed can be sheared. 

• American Fuzzy Lop
• English Angora
• French Angora
• Satin Angora
• Giant Angora
• Jersey Wooly
• Lionhead

Which of these different types of rabbits most interests you?

Which of these different types of rabbits most interests you?

Go to All Rabbit Breeds to learn more about a particular breed of rabbit. 

Our Domestic Rabbit Breeds e-book allows you to have ALL this information at your fingertips!

Raising rabbits? Consider a membership to the American Rabbit Breeders Association