#1 Lionhead Rabbit
Take one look at these gorgeous rabbits with large furry manes (hence the name), and fall in love with them.
They are a popular bunny to keep as a pet due to the intense cuteness and are a popular rabbit [1] to be entered into shows.
Lionhead rabbits are lively and friendly animals and like to be around other bunnies (and other pets). They are good-natured but can scare easily.
While they look lovely, they may not be the best pet if small children are around [2].
Lionhead Rabbit FAQs
- Temperament: Calm & friendly
- Lifespan: 4-7 years
- Size and weight: Small: ~3½ pounds
- Cost of owning: ~$750 annually
Don’t forget to check these cute Lion head rabbit names:
#2 Flemish Giant
As the name would suggest, one of the oldest bunny breeds in existence, these rabbits are massive! [3]
If you are the kind of person who goes big or goes home, this is the bunny for you.
They are friendly and easy-going, and excellent for most types of homes.
They are intelligent animals trained to do tricks and are often entered into rabbit shows. Watch out when handling them. Their kick can be powerful.
Flemish Giant FAQs
Temperament: Calm & friendly
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Giant: ~13+ pounds
Cost of owning: ~$1,000 annually
#3 Holland Lop
The Holland Lop bunny was created in the Netherlands and was explicitly designed to be small.
It is hard to describe this rabbit without using the word stout, which may be down to the fur.
The fur is dense, and the ears hang downward, giving this rabbit a stocky look. Despite that, Holland Lops are very sweet and do very well around children.
Holland bunny is one of the most popular rabbit breeds to have as a pet.
Holland Lop FAQs
Temperament: Very sweet
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Small: ~4 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
#4 Continental Giant
These. Bunnies. Are. Giant! Continental Giants [4] were once bred for meat, but, thankfully, these furry little friends are now bred as pets.
The name is given to a collection of rabbits rather than a specific type.
Spanish Giants, German Giants, etc., are all Continental Giants.
These bunnies range from 16-25 pounds, making them among the biggest bunnies to have ever lived. Great around adults and kids, these friendly giants are perfect as pets.
Continental Giants FAQs
Temperament: Calm & friendly
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Giant: ~17+ pounds
Cost of owning: ~$1,500 annually
#5 Netherland Dwarf
Netherland Dwarf rabbits [5] are one of the most miniature rabbits out there.
They are popular rabbits as a pet or for exhibitions.
The bunnies can be aggressive if not given enough exercise and attention, which is easily remedied.
They can have a stubborn nature, making them cuter and making them unsuitable for children.
These rabbits are excellent pets with big, cute heads and rounded bodies if you know what you are doing.
Their small ears and innocent looks have these bunnies looking like baby rabbits for most of their lives.
Netherland Dwarf Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Friendly (occasionally aggressive)
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Small: ~2 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
#6 Dutch Rabbit
There is no doubt about it; Dutch Rabbits [6] are cute. Their base color is white, with a second color to accompany it.
The black and white bunnies look incredibly endearing.
They are curious and good-natured, with erect ears that give the impression that they are constantly on the hunt for something.
They have full cheeks, which bring a cheekiness to their look. They love attention and cuddles.
Dutch Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Calm & gentle
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Size and weight: Small: ~4 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
Related: What do dutch rabbits eat?
#7 English Lop
If you see an English Lop rabbit laying on the ground with its big ears flopped on the floor, you cannot help but think that this is a lazy rabbit, and, you know what, you would be right.
English Lops have a reputation for being lazy and friendly rabbits.
Their large ears give them superior hearing and help to regulate their body temperature. They are very popular as house pets and beg to be petted.
They are great with children due to their calm and laid-back nature.
English Lop Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Lazy & friendly
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Large: ~9.5+ pounds
Cost of owning: ~$750 annually
#8 French Lop
Look at how cute these bunnies are! They may be cute, but they are certainly not small.
These bunnies weigh in at over eleven pounds. Being a lop, the ears hang down instead of sticking straight up.
They have a broad and muscular look with short and soft fur. Although all rabbits are intelligent, these are among the most intelligent, and you can train them to perform simple tasks.
They are friendly and affectionate — a great rabbit to keep as a pet.
French Lop Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Calm & sweet
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Large: ~11+ pounds
Cost of owning: ~$750 annually
#9 Mini Rex
The Mini Rex has velvety-soft fur, which needs to be petted.
They are small and compact and come in a variety of colors.
Their fur sticks straight up instead of lying flat on the body, giving them a unique look.
The Mini Rex rabbits are generally calm and easy-going, but their temperaments can vary. They are great as pets but are more suited to those who have kept rabbits before, specifically this breed.
Mini Rex Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Easy going (sometimes aggressive)
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Small: ~5 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
#10 Polish Rabbit
Polish rabbits [7] are among the most petite bunnies that do not carry the dwarf gene.
They were bred in the 1600s and are a cross between the Dutch and Himalayan breeds; where the name, Polish bunny, comes from, nobody knows.
Polish rabbits have small bodies with big eyes, giving them a child-like look that shows intelligence and curiosity. They are great around kids and can be kept in small spaces due to their size.
Their compactness has also made them popular in the magic world. You may have seen them being pulled from a hat.
Polish Rabbit RAQs
Temperament: Timid & friendly
Lifespan: 5-6 years
Size and weight: Small: ~2 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
#11 American Rabbit
These rabbits could be classed as gentle giants (if they were a little bigger).
They are medium-sized rabbits and very sweet. They are also one of the rarest breeds out there.
They come in two colors, white and blue, with blue being one of the deepest blues in the rabbit world. You will fall in love when you see how beautiful these bunnies are.
They are rabbits who are born to be parents. They nurture their young like no other bunny out there.
American Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Sweet & docile
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Medium: ~10-12 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$600 annually
#12 Beveren Rabbit
Beveren’s are one of the oldest rabbit breeds. They have been around since bunnies were first bred for food or pets.
Over the years, they have developed into rabbits, extraordinary pets, and amazing show animals.
They like to run around when they have the chance but are also docile and friendly, making them an excellent pet for all ages of kids. They are extremely intelligent and nurturing animals.
Beveren Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Curious & friendly
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Medium: ~8-11 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
#13 Californian Rabbit
Californian Rabbits look like grumpy old men the first time you see them.
They are, in fact, friendly, nurturing, and docile. They are white and a result of breeding between Chinchillas and Himalayan.
They have red eyes and black coloring on their ears, tail, nose, and feet. This colored pointing can also come in chocolate, blue, and lilac.
They love human contact and make great pets for families. Your child will love to pet them all day.
Californian Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Friendly
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Medium: ~8-11 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$200 annually
#14 American Fuzzy Lop
It is hard to look at any small bunny and not find them cute.
With its hanging ears and fuzzy fur, this Fuzzy Lop is one of the loveliest bunnies you will find.
They have a look in their eyes that says, ‘come here and pet me,’ and you will find that look hard to resist.
When you pet them, you will feel just how soft they are. They are playful and social bunnies, making them perfect to have around kids.
Don’t forget to groom them; these bunnies love their luscious coats.
American Fuzzy Lop FAQs
Temperament: Active & friendly
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Small: ~3-4 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
#15 American Sable Rabbit
These bunnies have unique patterns and colors resulting from years of breeding, which gives them a look unlike any other rabbit. They come in sepia colors with a brown body and darker brown highlights.
They have thin and fine fur, which is silky soft but does need a little work when it comes to grooming. They are social and friendly, getting on with other bunnies, animals, and people.
Kids will love to see them bouncing and hopping around. Give them lots of space and lots of attention.
American Sable Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Energetic & friendly
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Size and weight: Medium: ~5-8 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
#16 Dwarf Hotot
These dwarf rabbits are small and cute. It is hard to find a dwarf rabbit that is not cute.
They are usually white with black or chocolate coloring around the eyes.
They love to interact with people, making them perfect for families, and you will find them coming up to you for cuddles.
They are also excitable and will try and jump out of their cages when they see you. This only makes them cuter. They love to play and stay active. Give them lots of toys, lots of space, and plenty of cuddles.
Dwarf Hotot FAQs
Temperament: Active & friendly
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Size and weight: Dwarf: ~3.5 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
#17 Himalayan Rabbit
Himalayan rabbits are friendly and calm. They have an amazing look, with a long, slender body and alert eyes.
Their ears stick up as if they know something that you don’t.
They have short, fine hair and are soft to touch. They love company and are great around children if exposed to them from birth. You can pick them up to love them, and they will sit and cuddle with you.
Himalayan Rabbit FAQs
Temperament: Calm & friendly
Lifespan: 7-10 years
Size and weight: Small: ~3.5 pounds
Cost of owning: ~$500 annually
#18 Mini and Dwarf Rabbits
You may think that dwarf and mini rabbits are one and the same, but they are not.
Sure, both are small, but there is a distinct difference between the two.
Dwarf rabbits have the dwarf gene, which stunts the growth of the rabbit, like the Holland Lop, while mini rabbits are smaller versions of large rabbits, like the Mini Lop.
Dwarf bunnies will always be small bunnies, but mini bunnies need not be. As they are smaller versions of large bunnies, they can be almost any size.
#19 Small Rabbits
Rabbits are not generally classed as small when we are talking about breeding. Most rabbits are referred to as mini, dwarf, large, and giant, but when it comes to finding the perfect pet, the word small can be used to help you choose.
Any rabbit which is small in size can be called small, and that encompasses mini and dwarf rabbits.
When we are talking about small rabbits, we are generally talking about rabbits that are small and take up little room. Small rabbits are an excellent choice for first-time bunny owners.
ALSO READ: Benefits of Having Pets
#20 Large and Giant Rabbits
Large rabbits are, well, giant. A large rabbit is big and requires more space than a smaller rabbit.
Larger rabbits are usually friendlier and more docile than smaller rabbits and are not as active.
They do, however, need more space than their smaller counterparts. Giant bunnies are more social than smaller bunnies and love to be stroked, though they are less likely to sit on your lap.
Giant bunnies are the largest of the large. They can weigh over fourteen pounds and are very gentle. Did the term, ‘Gentle Giant, derive from bunnies.
We do not know, but we like to think that it did. Giant bunnies are more challenging to care for and can eat a lot of food, but caring for them is very rewarding.
Which breed bunny do you have? Please let us know in the comments.
Resources
- 1. The Complete Guide to Rabbits [Internet]. www.petmd.com. Available from: https://www.petmd.com/rabbit/general-health/complete-guide-rabbits
- 2. Varga M. Rabbit Basic Science. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine [Internet]. 2014;3–108. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7158370/
- 3. Flemish Giant – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics [Internet]. www.sciencedirect.com. [cited 2022 Feb 23]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/flemish-giant
- 4. Continental Giant Rabbit – Complete Care Guide [Internet]. Available from: https://continental-giant.com/
- 5. Netherland Dwarf [Internet]. www.pdsa.org.uk. Available from: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/rabbits/netherland-dwarf
- 6. Dutch [Internet]. www.pdsa.org.uk. [cited 2022 Feb 23]. Available from: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/rabbits/dutch
- 7. History [Internet]. HOME | APRC. [cited 2022 Feb 23]. Available from: https://www.americanpolishrabbitclub.com/history
Alina Hartley is a small-town girl with a ginormous love of bearded dragons. It all started with Winchester, a baby bearded who was abandoned at the shelter by his former owners because of a birth defect that caused one front leg to be shorter than the other. Alina originally went to the shelter looking for a guinea pig, but one look at Winchester and it was love at first sight. From that day on, Alina has dedicated her life to learning everything she can about bearded dragons. She loves helping new beardie parents start their incredible journey with these magnificent reptiles.
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