There are so many different rabbit breeds out there, that it can be hard to decide which one is the right fit for you. If you’re looking for a small breed of rabbit, we’ve got you covered.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss 6 of the most adorable small rabbit breeds. From the Holland Lop to the Netherland Dwarf, these rabbits are sure to win your heart.
Dwarf rabbits are one of the most popular house pets, and they’re very common.
There are several small rabbit breeds, but generally, dwarf rabbit refers to either a rabbit with the dwarfing gene or any small breed of domesticated rabbit weighing less than 4 pounds (1.8 kg).
The rabbit dwarfing gene is a recessive gene that affects the size of the rabbit. When two rabbits both carry the gene, they will produce small offspring. However, when two rabbits do not carry the gene, their offspring will be of normal size.
Holland Lop – Up to 4 lb (1.8 kg)
Originating from the Netherlands, the Holland Lop is the smallest of the lop rabbit breeds. These cute and cuddly rabbits are a very popular breed thanks to their sweet nature and good temperament. They are a favorite breed to have as a pet as they are very good with children, too. Weighing only between two to four lbs, these fluffy little bunnies have the traditional floppy ears of a lop breed and will fit well into any home.
Fortunately, the Holland Lop rabbit does not have very high care needs and is an easy-going rabbit.
The Holland Lop is a very popular breed of rabbit for a number of reasons. They do not only have a wonderful temperament but they are also a small breed and fit well into most homes.
These rabbits are normally born in kit sizes of between three and five, although kits can be as big as nine! A Holland Lop bunny will cost around $15 to $30, although if you are looking for a show-quality Holland then you may end up paying between $75 and $100, if not more. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
These lop-eared rabbits have a relatively long life expectancy and can live for between 7 and 14 years on average.
American Fuzzy Lop – 3.5 – 4.0 lb (1.6–1.8 kg)
The American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit (AFL) is a friendly and active, small rabbit breed; developed on the East coast of the United States of America in the 1980s.
This lovely little rabbit has a long woolly fur coat, a short flat muzzle like a cat, and long floppy ears. It will be playful and love to receive as much attention as possible, both human and rabbit.
An American Fuzzy Lop rabbit is a beautifully soft, long-haired breed of rabbit with a very short compact body that appears muscular.
This Fuzzy rabbit breed has a broad chest and muscular well-rounded hindquarters.
The AFL rabbit has the appearance and body type of a Holland Lop but with longer rollback fur like an Angora rabbit; woolly and super soft hair that’s not prone to matting and tangling.
This is a very friendly and sweet little rabbit. They are curious and playful and make great family pets and companions for basically any type of rabbit owner; from Seniors to Young Singles.
They are very active and energetic and like to have the opportunity to run around and keep busy. They need a fenced area to keep them safe from predators.
Lionhead Rabbit – 3.0 – 3.7 lb (1.36–1.7 kg)
The Lionhead rabbit is a small breed of rabbit that is relatively new to the United States, having only been imported in 1998. However, they haven’t gone unnoticed thanks to their fantastic coat that gives their name. These bunnies have a wool mane that makes them stand out from the crowd, while also making them look incredibly cute!
With a fantastic temperament, the Lionhead makes a wonderful pet, even for first time owners. Their coat can mean they require slightly more grooming than many other breeds, but this bunny is gentle, calm and great with children.
A small breed, the Lionhead shouldn’t weigh more than 3.5 lbs. They have a compact body type and their ears stand erect on top of their head.
The Lionhead rabbit has a soft, wool coat that, unfortunately, does require a lot of grooming. Grooming will help to prevent matting and tangling and is very important for the Lionhead to keep them in good condition.
The Lionhead rabbit has an average lifespan of between 8 and 10 years, which is longer than many breeds of rabbit.
Jersey Wooly – 2.5 – 3.5 lb (1.1–1.6 kg)
The Jersey Wooly Rabbit is a simply adorable ‘little ball of fluffy wool’ that loves cuddles. It is a dwarf breed rabbit from New Jersey, in the United States, that has a super soft woolly coat on a compact little body.
A Jersey Wooly rabbit is gentle and sweet-natured and loves to play. It was originally bred as a small fancy breed of domestic rabbit; a popular show rabbit with its petite size, beautiful long wool-type fur, and an oblong shape like the French Angora, and cute little erect ears.
Baby Jersey Wooly Rabbits are friendly, docile, and like attention so will make wonderful pet rabbits for anyone; even first-time rabbit owners.
It inherited its dwarf size and compact body shape from the Netherland Dwarf rabbit parent, and its oblong and soft angora wool coat, with long fur, from its French Angora rabbit parent.
It was named the Jersey Wooly rabbit after its place of origin and its type of woolly coat, by the rabbit breeder, Bonnie Seeley of High Bridge, New Jersey who successfully developed it.
The Life expectancy of the Jersey Wooly is around 7-10 years.
Dwarf Hotot – 2.5 – 3.5 lb (0.91–1.36 kg)
The Dwarf Hotot rabbit is, as their name suggests, a dwarf breed of rabbit, weighing no more than 3.5 lbs. Contrary to popular belief, they are actually not just the miniature version of the standard Blanc de Hotot rabbit, but still feature many of the same characteristics. These bunnies are known for their white coat and specific markings and are often seen as show rabbits.
However, the Dwarf Hotot rabbit is also popular as a pet rabbit thanks to their small size and great temperament.
The Dwarf Hotot came about after some breeding in both East and West Germany in the 1970s. Two breeders independently bred the same rabbit, but came together to cross them. They created the Dwarf Hotot by crossing the Blanc De Hotot rabbit with a Netherland Dwarf rabbit.
Elizabeth Forstinger of California is credited with bringing seven Dwarf Hotots from West Germany to the United States in 1970. She began showing them in 1980, soon after which they were accepted by the ARBA.
Make sure to keep this bunny indoors unless you can supervise them outside to keep them safe from predators and remember to socialize them properly when they are new to your home.
Netherland Dwarf – 1.1 -2.5 lb (0.50–1.13 kg)
The Netherland Dwarf rabbit is one of the smallest breeds of rabbit and is a very popular pet throughout the United States and the rest of the world. These bunnies have an excitable and energetic temperament and this combined with their compact size makes them a perfect companion to many.
While these rabbits can be shy and scared when you first bring them home and therefore may not be the pet for you if you have small children in the house, with the correct training and socialization they can grow up to live a happy life with their owners.
Netherland Dwarf rabbits are a true dwarf breed, which means they carry the dwarf gene. They are often compared to the Holland Lop as they both have compact body types but, while the Holland Lop is the smallest lop, the Netherland Dwarf is the smallest rabbit.
The Netherland Dwarf rabbit originated in Holland, hence their name, when five men worked for 30 years to create a standardized small rabbit that would be accepted and available in a variety of colors.
They began breeding all-white Hermelin rabbits with local wild rabbits as well as other domestic breeds until the Netherland Dwarf was created. The Netherland Dwarf was recognized by Holland in 1940.
The Netherland Dwarf rabbit has an average life expectancy of between 10 to 12 years.
Caring for Small Rabbit Breeds
Small rabbit breeds require the same basic care as any other domesticated rabbit. They need a clean and spacious cage, plenty of fresh hay, water, and a healthy diet of pellets and vegetables.
However, because of their small size, dwarf rabbits are more susceptible to health problems. They are also more prone to injury due to their fragile bones.
If you’re considering a small rabbit breed as a pet, be sure to do your research and choose a reputable breeder. With the proper care, these adorable little rabbits can make wonderful pets.