Rabbits are increasingly popular pets. Small fur balls with a plush look, they often have an assertive character that clashes and makes them very endearing. However, these fragile animals are not games for children but rather full-fledged life companions. They thus have specific needs in terms of food (fresh plants, hay at will, no mixture of seeds or sugary foods) and a living environment (living in an exclusive cage is not recommended). As with any pet, it is advisable to be well informed before considering an adoption. If you are ready to take the plunge, you will find that there is a wide variety of rabbit breeds. Here are some elements to guide your choice.

The most common rabbits found in pet stores are dwarf or toy rabbits. A dwarf rabbit weighs, in adulthood, around 1,5 or 2 kg. There are a multitude of coat types (short hair, angora hair, lion’s head, etc.) and coats (black, white, fawn, black and tan, agouti, etc.). These rabbits were selected to keep a smaller build than conventional rabbit breeds.

This selection is even more extensive in toy rabbits. These are recognizable by their hooked muzzle, with a very small skull, and an adult weight of around 1kg. The selection on the size is accompanied in particular by modifications of the skeleton and in particular of the skull. This predisposes these rabbits in particular to dental problems and in particular to malocclusions. This means that the teeth are not facing each other the way they should. They do not wear out properly and therefore have anarchic growth.

This is because rabbit teeth are constantly growing throughout their life. If the wear is abnormal, the tooth may be deviated, injure the tongue or cheeks or see its root sink into the jaw bone. In some cases, this can lead to dental abscesses or even cause chronic rhinitis with a rabbit rubbing its nose, sneezing, with purulent nasal discharge. These little rabbits therefore have a size suitable for home life but require regular monitoring to control the growth of teeth, in particular.

Ram rabbits are recognizable by their atypical ear form. They indeed have long floppy ears, carried vertically on each side of the head, the opening against the cheek. They are usually massive rabbits, with a very short neck.

There are many breeds attached to this type. In France, the oldest breed is a so-called giant breed: the French Aries. Its adult weight ideally exceeds 5,5 kg. Crosses were made to obtain smaller sizes such as the Little Ram with an adult weight of around 3 kg. Varieties of dwarf rams have also been selected, with different coat textures such as:

• the Dwarf Angora Aries;
• the Dwarf Aries Rex;
• the Dwarf Aries Satin.

The long floppy ears of these rabbits give them a very endearing physique. They nevertheless predispose them to otitis externa. These ear canal infections are very rare in rabbits with erect ears. In Aries, earwax is difficult to evacuate because of the fold at the base of the ear which closes the base of the duct. This therefore promotes maceration and the proliferation of germs in the duct. Signs of otitis should therefore be looked for particularly in rabbits (itching in one or both ears, head shaking, head tilted, etc.). Local care including ear washings can be performed.

In contrast to the dwarf breeds, which are very widespread, there are breeds of giant rabbits. The most famous in France is the Giant of Flanders. This rabbit with a fur reminiscent of wild rabbits weighs over 7 kg and its erect ears are 20 cm long. Other large breeds exist such as:

• the French Giant Butterfly;
• the White Giant of Bouscat.

These impressive-looking rabbits thrive outdoors or roam free in the house but obviously do not lend themselves well to a life in a cage.

Certain rabbit breeds have been selected on the basis of the quality of their coat. We thus obtain rabbits of standard size (between 3 and 4,5 kg) with hair of particular quality. The most famous of these is the Angora rabbit.

The hair of these rabbits grows longer and faster than in conventional rabbits. They are therefore extremely long and very soft. They are used for making textiles, after harvesting by combing. Another long haired rabbit is the Fox. In this breed, the hair is not uniformly long but only in certain areas. This gives it a really typical appearance and makes it popular, especially in Germany and Switzerland.

On the contrary, Rex rabbits were bred to have a shorter coat than the rest of the rabbits. With an upright coat and a dense undercoat, Rex rabbits exhibit unique velvety-touch fur.

Finally, Satins rabbits have an impressive luster coat, offering an extremely soft touch and reflections reminiscent of satin. All of these breeds have been crossed to create new varieties, dwarfs or rams, for example. Not very widespread in France, they require, for breeds with very long hair, a considerable maintenance in order to avoid in particular digestive obstructions by hairballs.

In conclusion, there is a great diversity of rabbit breeds. They differ mainly by their size and their physical appearance. This conditions the living conditions and the maintenance that the rabbit will require after adoption. It is therefore strongly recommended to inquire beforehand and think about the personal investment that we are ready to provide for the good of the rabbit. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact a veterinarian specializing in new pets or a breeder specializing in a particular breed.