Rabbit Breeds

Rabbits come in an array of breeds with different colors, sizes, shapes and coat types. The subtle differences between breeds will be of most interest to those who show their bunnies. The average owner would probably be interested mainly in size and coat type. Keep in mind that a pet store rabbit is not necessarily pure bred or at the very least may not meet the ideal breed standards. This in no way reflects on their quality as a pet, though! This guide is just meant to help potential owners sort through the sometimes confusing array of breeds. Rabbits vary in size from the smaller dwarf breeds (at under 2.5 lbs) to some of the giant breeds (sizes up to 16 pounds). Owners also need to be aware that the longer coated breeds need daily grooming.Alaskan6-8.5 lbs (2.7-3.9 kg)BlackThick coat.Originated in GermanyAmerican9-12 lbs (4.1-5.5 kg)Blue, whiteMedium build, narrow head.American Checkered Giant11 lbs or greater (5 kg)White with black or blue markings (along spine, body spots, cheek spots, colored ears, eye circles and butterfly mark on nose).American Chinchilla9-12 lbs (4.1-5.5 kg)ChinchillaDense, fine hair that is smooth and glossy (1 1/4 inch long coat).Relatively round body.American Fuzzy Lop3.5-4 lbs (1.6-1.8 kg)Variety of coat colorsCompact muscular body, dense, coarse coat, and of course, ears folded over to slightly below the jaw.American Sable7-10 lbs (3.2-4.5 kg)Sepia brownMedium build with soft, dense fine coat with coarse guard hairs.AngoraVariety of sizes and colorsEnglish angora: 5-7 lbs (2.3-3.2 kgs), long silky hair.French angora: 7.5-10.5 lbs (3.4-4.8 kg)Giant Angora: 8.5 lbs (3.9 kg) and up, soft fine undercoat (wool), straight stiff guard hairs, and a wavy fluff with a guard tip inbetween.Satin Angora: 6.5-9.5 lbs (3-4.3 kg), very fine wool.Argentes5-8 lbs (2.3-3.6 kg)Black, blue, brown, or creamy white.Belgian Hare6-9.5 lbs (2.7-4.3 kg)Reddish tan or chestnut with slate blue undercoloring. Slender build, fairly stiff coat.Britannia PetiteUnder 2.5 lbs (1.1kg)Ruby eyed white, black otter, black, chestnut agouti.Slender, fine boned build with a sleek, silky coat.Californian8-12 lbs (3.6-4.5 kg)White, with black nose, ears, feet and tail.Rounded body, medium build, and short smooth coat.Champagne d'Argent9-12 lbs (4.1-5.5 kg)Bluish white with black hairs interspersed and slate blue undercolor.Plump body. Black at birth; white hairs start showing at about 2 months.Checkered GiantOver 11 lbs (5 kg)White with black or blue markings (along spine, body spots, cheek spots, colored ears, eye circles and butterfly mark on nose).Long, hare-like body.Chinchilla5.5-6.5 lbs (2.5-3.1 kg)ChinchillaFine boned.Cinnamon8.5-11 lbs (3.9-5 kg)Rust or cinnamon color with grey ticking on back and grey on belly. Rust colored spots inside hind legs as well as butterfly mark on nose and eye rings.Creme d'Argent8-11 lbs (3.6-5 kg)Creamy white with orange undercoat, and butterfly marking on nose.Dutch3.5-5.5 lbs (1.6-2.5 kg)White with black, blue or brown, chocolate, steel or tortoise.The front of the face, body, and the back feet are white; the rest is colored.Dwarf HototUnder 3 lbs (1.4 kg)White with black eye rings. Rounded body.English LopOver 9 lbs (4.1 kg)Agouti, broken, self, shaded, ticked or wide band color groups. Very long lop ears.English Spot5-8 lbs (2.3-3.6 kg)White with black, blue, chocolate, gold, grey, lilac or tortoise. Marking include butterfly mark on nose, colored ears, eye rings, spine marking (which is herringboned) and a spot on the cheek and a chain of spots along the body. Long arched body (like a hare).Flemish Giant (Patagonian)13 lbs (5.9 kg) and overBlack, blue, fawn, light grey, sandy, steel grey, white. Long rabbit, heavy build (but shouldn't be fat).Florida White4-6 lbs (1.8-2.7 kg)Pure white. Rounded body.French Lop10 lbs (4.5 kg) and over.Agouti, broken, self, shaded, ticked or wide band groups.Muscular heavy build.