Rabbit Breeds:
The breed is the breed of the rabbit ( for example, Angora, Dutch, Flemish Giant, Holland Lop, Mini Lop, Mini Rex, Mixed, Polish, etc.).
Dutch:
Dutch - This breed is colored similarly in front & back, with a broad band of white "painted" around the middle. It is no wonder that this small to medium breed is such an extremely popular rabbit that is ideal for the beginner or for any young rabbit owner. Ideal weight: 4.5 lbs. Varieties: Black, Blue (shown) , Chocolate, Gray, Steel, & Tortoise. Fur Type: Normal.
Polish:
Polish - This rabbit has erect ears and a small body, weighing between 2-4 lbs, ideal weight is 2.5 lbs, very quiet. The Polish is also available in a number of lovely colors (chocolate shown at left). The Black color is the best typed, typically. Probably one of THE best rabbits for young children and as a starter show rabbit breed. Ideal Weight: 2-4 lbs. Varieties: Black, Blue, Chocolate, Blue-Eyed White, Ruby-Eyed White, & Broken Group. Fur Type: Normal.
English Angora - These beautiful rabbits are easily recognizable by their long, fuzzy coats. Compared to some other types of rabbit, the Angora is more difficult to take care of, but if you devote the necessary time & patience to brush, clean, & clip him, you will be rewarded by the beauty of this prized & unusual pet. Ideal Weight: 6 lbs. Varieties: Agouti, Pointed White, Self, Shaded, Solid, Ticked. Fur Type: Angora or Woolly.
Lop:
Lop - The hallmark of lop rabbits is their long, soft, drooping or "lop" ears, which in some lop breeds are enormous in relation to body size. You might also want to consider the pint-sized lop rabbit known as the Holland Lop (shown left). These cute little characters average around 3 lbs. in weight.
Silver Gray- The Silver Gray is a very old breed that was originally cropped for its valuable fur. It has been bred for exhibition since about 1860. These beautiful rabbits are the choice of quite a few hobbyists. Adult members of the breed average in weight between 4 & 7 lbs. Silvers are very attractive.
Netherland Dwarf:
Netherland Dwarf - The Netherland Dwarf, as the name suggests, is the smallest recognized breed of rabbit. These rabbits, often simply called dwarf rabbits, are a favorite of many in the fancy. They come in a beautiful variety of colors & are known for their even dispositions. They are short & compact. Ideal Weight: 2 lbs. Fur Type: Normal.
Chinchilla - There are 3 recognized breeds of Chinchillas: the Giant, American, & Standard. Their attractive coats & larger size entice both fanciers & farmers. The Standard Chinchilla has been described as the fur rabbit for excellence. There can be little wonder that the Chin became so popular. Hardy outside breed.
English Spot - This rabbit comes to modern-day fanciers from a long line of British-bred bunnies, with earliest references from the mid-19th century. In a faultless specimen, the spots are distinct, seperate from each other, & gracefully sweeping. These marks have to be in the right position & of a specific shape also. Ideal Weight: 6.5 lbs. Varieties: Black, Blue, Chocolate, Gold, Gray, Lilac, & Tortoise. Fur Type: Normal.
Havana - A furry Dutch rabbit, once dubbed the beaver, the Havana has been a well-known European breed since the turn of the century, exhibited widely in France, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, & England. The fur is approximately an inch in length & comes in black & blue, in addition to Havana chocolate. Havanas make a pretty good small meat rabbit for home use. Ideal Weight: 5.5 lbs. Varieties: Black, Blue, Chocolate, & Broken.
Flemish Giant:
Flemish Giant - This is a long & powerful rabbit whose body is notably square & wide. Color, which is always uniform, can be nearly any solid color (sandy shown left). The coat on the Flemish is strikingly full & bright, & always of one length. Exhibition does are usually between 12 & 14 pounds. Ideal Weight: 15 lbs. Varieties: Black, Blue, Fawn, Light Gray, Sandy, Steel Gray, & White. Fur Type: Normal. Side photo took 1st in 2011 Bedford Co. fair rabbit photo contest.
Californian:
Californian - This is a pure white rabbit with colored Himalayan markings on the body (shown left). Like any good Californian beach bum, this rabbit is well proportioned & invitingly shaped. As the name suggests, this is a true "Made in the USA" breed. A Mr. West bred it in California. It has extremely coarse guard hairs. Ideal Weight: 9 lbs. Varieties: One. Fur Type: Normal, all white except for black nose, ears, & feet. Market: Number 2 meat rabbit.
Rex:
Rex - Differing from the normal-furred rabbits, the Rex varieties exhibit a short, plushlike, soft, velvety coat achieved by guard hairs of equal length to the undercoat fur. Among the many Rex colors are amber, black, black otter, californian, chocolate, lilac, opal, otters (blue otter mini shown left), lynx, red, sable, seal, blue, castor, chinchilla, & others. Fur Type: Rex or short & plushlike, similar to a velour.
Lionhead:
Lionhead - The Lionhead is the new star of the rabbit world (shown left). It is very easily kept & is very adaptable to almost any situation. It is little wonder that the breed has become so popular. Of course, as with any new trend, there will always be those who exploit the situation. So, don't allow your heart to rule your head.
Tan - The Tan is a very old breed with a base color & rich tan-colored markings. Tans are exceptionally easy rabbits to keep. They require no special food, housing, or special treatment. Added to their general nature, this makes them an ideal pet. They are not only easy to keep, but very adaptable as well. Ideal Weight: 5 lbs. Varieties: Black, Blue, Chocolate, & Lilac. Fur Type: Normal but with great sheen, similar to Havanas.
Thrianta - The Thrianta is considered a fancy breed by the American Rabbit Breeders Assoc. It has beautiful dense, soft & close coat that feels as if it should be in a fur section. It is a firm, cobby, robust, mid-sized rabbit that is probably best kept outdoors to allow an ample dose of fresh air to work on the coat.
Hotot:
Hotot - (Dwarf Hotot shown left) Here is a snow-white rabbit that has no color in its coat, but it has black eye circles. These resemble fine glasses, which can be considered distinctive or comical depending on your point of view. Its dense, soft, silky fur is said to gleam like frost.
Satin:
Satin - The Satins are extremely popular & come in a wide range of colors! They are not only found in the medium-weight class, but in the small-weight class also, as Mini Satins. Their fur consists of a small-diameter hair shaft & a more transparent hair shell than is displayed by normal fur. Satin fur is about an inch long, like normal fur. Market: An excellent meat rabbit, with pelt potential. An extremely popular rabbit at shows.