7 Best Pet Rabbit Breeds (with Pitures)

Did you know that there are over 300 pet rabbit breeds worldwide? That’s an enormous number! Choosing from 300 varieties is overwhelming, as rabbits have different personalities and features.

But don’t worry, we’ve made things easy for you! Knowing the best pet rabbit breeds can help you figure out the rabbit that’s perfect for you.

Is it the easy-going Holland Lop? Or the inquisitive Jersey Wooly? How about the intelligent Lionheads? In this article, you’ll know every bit of the 7 Best Pet Rabbit Breeds.

Read along!

1. Holland Lop

The Holland Lop is a popular pet rabbit breed because of its pleasant personality and adorable size. Being the smallest rabbit breed at 2-4 pounds, the Holland Lop fits well in all homes. The Holland Lop originated in the Netherlands during the 1950s. Fun fact, the breed was created unintentionally.

It started when a breeder named Adrian de Cock wanted to cross a French Lop and a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit to make ‘the ultimate rabbit.’ But because the breeds were dissimilar, the cross resulted in a different species that Adriann was not looking for.

Holland Lops are very easy to take care of. They have a wonderful temperament that pet owners adore! Holland Lops are very easy-going and friendly. They love attention and love playing around.

Holland Lops also love being outdoors and playing with toys. While they are happy with staying active, Holland Lops also enjoy quiet alone time like sitting around the corner and watching your favorite tv show with you.

Holland Lops are known for their charming loppy ears. However, their ears appear different until they are about 2 months old. This breed resembles a cat, with color variations classified into two: one color and broken color.

The known health issues of Holland Lops include malocclusion, otitis media, and ear mites. Malocclusion is the result of overgrown teeth that have been misaligned. Otitis media is due to unsanitary ear canals, which make bacteria spread from the ears to the respiratory tract.

Ear mites are rabbit health issues that cause frequent shaking and scratching of the head. Regular vet checkups can prevent Holland Lops from acquiring health problems.

 

2. Dwarf Hotot

Dwarf Hotots are among the best pet rabbit breeds that are unique-looking, with captivating eyes and appealing dense fur. These rabbits are small and compact, perfect for new pet owners with limited space.

Dwarf Hotots have relatively short necks and an adorable round head. Their eyes stand out, with a black outline resembling an eyeliner.

Dwarf Hotots are one of the most recent breeds accepted by the ARBA. During the start of the 20th century, two breeders used a White Hotot and the Netherland Dwarf Rabbit to create the friendly Dwarf Hotot.

Keeping a Dwarf Hotot’s coat soft and clean is easy. This breed has short and shiny thick fur that needs minimal grooming. Because of the characteristics of their hair, Dwarf Hotots are among the easiest breeds to maintain.

Dwarf Hotots are extremely friendly. They love being with people and other pets. The best thing is they aren’t territorial and hostile! But of course, like any other animal, they can get aversive when they don’t feel best.

Dwarf Hotots are very energetic. They love being outside their cage to play and run around.

Dwarf Hotots are intelligent too. Teaching them tricks and having them follow routines is ideal for this breed. You might find them not following on the first tries, but with repetition and patience, they’ll warm up and follow you.

It’s helpful to know that these rabbits love chewing on wires, wood, and strings. Before letting them free in your home, make sure to keep everything away from rabbit reach! [read more about Dwarf Hotots]

 

3. Netherland Dwarf Rabbit

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits, also referred to as the “gem of the fancy,”  are from Holland, like the Dwarf Hotot. This breed has a distinctive look with a tiny body, large head, and short upright ears.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits are timid and well-mannered. While you can not dictate the individual personality of rabbits, this breed is known to get spunky and skittish at times. If you’re planning to get a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit, it’s best to ask the breeder or store owner about the particular rabbit’s personality.

The Netherland Dwarf Rabbit is also playful and lively. This breed’s temperament is close to the wild side, but as you get to know each other, Netherland Dwarfs have a wonderful and enormous personality!

Like any other pet, Netherland Dwarfs will enjoy being by your side for cuddles and snuggles. However, they might get so active that they might not like a child around, so it’s best to be wary. Besides human interaction, Netherland Dwarf Rabbits will enjoy another pet’s company, regardless of gender.

This breed does not require high maintenance when it comes to grooming. Netherland Dwarfs have short to medium fur lengths that they can clean independently. You can give them a hand by brushing and removing excess fur regularly.

 

4. Jersey Wooly

Another playful and fun rabbit is the Jersey Wooly. This breed is among the best pet rabbit breeds because of its docile personality that always enjoys human interaction, attention, and company.

An adult Jersey Wooly’s average weight is 3 pounds. Jersey Woolies have compact and semi-arched bodies with long bushy fur. This breed’s square head is the reason for its nickname “Mug Head.” Jersey Woolies are also known as the “no-kick” breed because they are very kind and gentle.

Jersey Woolies are highly sociable animals. They love being close to other pets and rabbits. If you leave a Jersey Wooly alone, it might not tolerate human interaction eventually. Hence, keeping Woolies along with other household pets and humans would be best for them.

This breed enjoys chewing and nibbling on things. You can give them mentally stimulating rabbit toys from your local pet store, and they’ll surely love it!

Other than playing, Jersey Woolies love being carried and petted. But of course, like any other animal, they might not be in the mood to socialize. Respecting their own space and quiet time is always best.

Allowing Jersey Woolies to unwind and play outside helps them exercise and release their energy. However, always be wary of your pet’s surroundings. Keep an eye on predators and other hazards that may harm your Jersey Wooly.

 

5. American Rabbit

The American Rabbit is one of the best pet rabbit breeds for older children, senior citizens, and families who love a calm and sweet rabbit. Despite having large bodies, the American Rabbit is easy to groom and maintain because of its short fur.

The American Rabbit is a medium-sized rabbit with an arched body. Female American Rabbits are bigger than males. American Rabbits are calm and docile. They are known to be easy-going and easy to train. However, if these rabbits grow without interaction, they might be aggressive towards humans.

Some smaller American Rabbits may get nervous with humans and bite, which is why the breed is not recommended for families with younger children.

But because American Rabbits are naturally gentle, the good news is you can make them comfortable with you through socializing! As the American Rabbit gets to know you deeper, you can build an unmatched bond.

Young American Rabbits are full of energy. They love hopping around and playing with other rabbits. Meanwhile, adult American Rabbits are more relaxed. You’ll likely find them in one corner, just watching or chewing on a toy.

One of the health concerns of American Rabbits is having overgrown teeth. Because rabbits’ teeth grow continuously, they tend to suffer from gigantic teeth that lead to malocclusion.

Having a diet with enough hay or grass can balance malocclusion in rabbits, as chewing fiber-rich food can compensate for their growing teeth. It’s also great to have regular dental checkups to prevent any dental issues.

 

6. Standard Chinchilla

Standard Chinchilla Rabbits have unique dense fur. They are smaller than the other Chinchilla rabbits and look like any other domesticated rabbit. These medium-sized rabbits are often described as fat and heavy and can weigh up to 13 pounds!

Standard Chinchillas’ color looks like salt and pepper, according to some breeders. This is because they have a grayish or black coat on their back which fades towards their bellies.

The personality of Standard Chinchilla is amiable and compassionate. This rabbit breed has a balanced temperament, being not hyperactive and energetic relative to other breeds. Because they are well-behaved, this breed is best for seniors and families with younger children.

Owners who love to be clingy with their pets will surely enjoy Standard Chinchillas. This breed will not show any untoward reactions once touched or carried. Hence, this is definitely one of the best pet rabbit breeds out there, especially for newbies!

Unlike Chinchilla’s wild counterparts, Standard Chinchillas have fewer health issues. They can live up to 12 years, depending on their health and the care they receive. To ensure they live optimally, Standard Chinchillas need to be checked and screened for illnesses by a vet annually.

 

7. Lionhead Rabbits

Lionhead Rabbits stand out from other rabbits because of their distinctive mane that encircles their heads, often called “skirts.” These cute and energetic furry rabbits are exceptionally brilliant too!

Lionheads are said to originate from the combination of the Swiss Fox rabbit and Belgian Dwarfs in the 1960s. As breeders crossed other types of rabbits, a rabbit with a shaggy mane came about. That is the Lionhead Rabbit that we know today.

This breed has a bold and broad mane that hides their neck. Some may have a flat head which may be pronounced for other Lionheads. Lionheads can have either a single mane or double manes. As they age, their mane falls off, making their hair look sparse. Because of the characteristics of their fur, Lionheads need lots of grooming.

Feeding Lionheads is similar to feeding other breeds. Like any other rabbit, Lionheads need lots of hay in their diet. Hay should comprise not less than 70% of their daily intake.

Other than hay, Lionheads need fresh water every day. They also love to munch on green vegetables like cilantro, celery, and Romaine lettuce. Besides vegetables, Lionheads will be happy to eat fruits like bananas, cherries, and apples as well.

Lionheads love getting attention from you. Because of their lively and outgoing personality, this delightful breed is obsessed with playing around. Teaching Lionheads a few tricks is fairly easy, too! Because they are intellectual rabbits, they can respond to your commands when trained.

Summary

Rabbits are unique animals, and none of them is like the other. With the number of breeds there are in the world, we hope that our list of the best pet rabbit breeds has helped you narrow down your options. Good luck on your new journey as a pet owner. Build a bond your rabbit will treasure forever!