If you think there is nothing cuter than a fluffy rabbit, wait until you get a look at these dwarf breed bunnies. Not only are they adorable, but each one has its own characteristics, personality, and style.
Below, we have found the top 12 dwarf rabbit breeds. We will talk about each one to give you a better understanding of these miniature thumpers. Plus, we will also include pictures for your ooh and ahh pleasure. Keep reading for all the mini-size fun.
The 12 Dwarf Rabbit Breeds
Mini bunnies have become more and more popular for their adorable stature and pet-friendly ability. Rabbit breeds range from large to dwarf, and researchers believe it is the deactivation of the HMGA2 gene that causes certain bunnies to remain mini.
Dwarfism can occur naturally in rabbits as it can in humans, yet when these tiny-sized animals became in-demand, breeds went to work making these pint-sized pets a breed of their own. Typically, a dwarf rabbit will not get any bigger than 5 pounds with the majority of them staying in the 2.5-pound range.
As mentioned, these little furballs can make great pets. Like any animal, though, each one has their own personality and different breeds share different traits and characteristics. So, without further ado, let’s look at the different dwarf breeds:
1. Holland Lop
The Holland Lop is one of several lop breeds. The term “lop” refers to their ears that flop over. The Holland Lop was created by a man named Adrian De Cock in (you guessed it) Holland in the 1940’s by cross-breeding the English lop, French Lop, and the Netherland dwarf. This cutie features soft and thick fur in many different colors. Their coats can also be tricolored or bicolored. They have small, compact bodies with semi-long lopped ears. They will grow to anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds and have a noticeably flat head.
2. Mini Lop Rabbit
Although fairly new to the scene, this tiny bunny is one of the most popular breeds. Unsure of their origins, this dwarf rabbit may come from either a French or Flemish background. You can spot this breed by their larger sized head and muscular body. Besides the muscles, they also have short and round frames with a thick coat of medium length fur.
This bunny will weigh between 5.5 and 7.5 pounds. Their ears are lopped with rounded tips. While the ears are long, they are not the longest. You will also find their fur to be many colors including tri or bicolored. This fur ball also has a life expectancy of 5 to 7 years.
3. Lionhead Rabbit
As their name suggests, this dwarf breed is known for its beautiful mane of fur. Not only that, but their ears can grow to 7 centimeters, although they are sometimes lost in all the fur. To keep things interesting, you can also find this rabbit with shorter, erect ears, as well.
This is a larger dwarf breed that can weigh up to 5 pounds. That being said, they can appear larger due to all their fur. We also want to point out that many Lionheads lose much of their “mane” once they reach adulthood. This is an English and Belgium breed that has a coat that can consist of many colors. They also have wide-set eyes and an elongated snout.
4. Mini English Angora Rabbit
This little pet was originally known for its sweater making ability. Not all Angora rabbits are dwarf, and their regular size counterparts are anything but “regular” size. This bunny is known for its extremely soft and fluffy coat; which was once used to make sweaters.
This breed has a tiny stature, but they require a lot of grooming to take care of their fur, which is prone to knotting and matting quickly if it is not brushed regularly. They can also develop skin irritation and other hygiene issues, as well.
5. Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit
This dwarf rabbit is one of the rarest mini-bunnies in the world. In fact, there are no purebred Columbia Basin Pygmies left, but the breed does continue with crossbred rabbits. Not only is this a very rare species, but it is also one of the smallest. Adults weigh in at a bite-size 1 pound.
Not only can you spot this rabbit for its mouse-like appearance, but they usually have a short gray coat and smaller perked ears. What’s more, this particular bunny is not fond of breeding which is one reason they almost went extinct in the 1990s.
6. Britannia Petite Rabbit
As you most likely guessed, this next tiny tot has English ancestors. This is a dwarf breed with a lot of energy, so they will need a lot of exercise and a large space to jump about in if you are keeping them as a pet. Their most noticeable feature is their arched back and pulled in stomach which gives them a lean look.
The Britannia also has short, erect ears and slightly protruding eyes. They have a wedge-shaped head, short, soft fur, and tiny paws. You can usually find them in white or gray, but their coat can be other colors, too.
7. Miniature Cashmere Lop Rabbit
Known for their long, super soft coat, the mini Cashmere Lop features long ears, a stocky body, and a wide head that looks curved when looking at it from the side. Their bigger cousin, the Cashmere Lop, is one of the most popular breeds of rabbits around.
Originating in England, this tiny bunny’s fur coat can come in many different colors and patterns. Like some of their longer furred pals, this rabbit requires a lot of grooming to avoid tangles and mats. They can also have some health issues related to furballs if they are not taken care of properly.
8. Dwarf Hotot
This is one of the most affectionate mini rabbits, and they are known for their tiny appearance and soft fur. Bred in France in 1902, you will be able to spot this bunny by its beautiful white fur and dark eyes. Due to the contrast between the colors, it makes their eyes appear bigger.
Another feature of the Dwarf Hotot is their ears, which lay on the back of their head and will easily perk up. Also, they have quite an appetite for small animals. They will become overweight if they are not watched carefully, though, and provided with enough exercise.
9. American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit
This fuzzy lop has a full coat of soft fur, although it is not as soft as the Angora breed. In fact, the coat has a “fuzzy” stringy appearance at times. They have a stocky body with long ears and small eyes. They are also thought to be related to the Holland Lop.
The American Fuzzy bunny has a round head and flat face. Their fur is so thick you usually cannot see their neck or ears, as well. The color of their fur can vary and be either tri or bicolored.
10. Dutch Dwarf Rabbit
This itty-bitty bunny is one of the smallest breeds of dwarf rabbits weighing in at only 1-2 pounds as adults. They are, however, one of the strongest rabbits based on their size. This bunny is muscular and compact with large heads for their size. This breed comes from the Netherlands, as the name indicates.
Great as a lap pet, Dutch Dwarves have short and soft fur. Their ears are small and stand erect, plus they have a flexible body and are very, very quick. This bunny requires exercise and a lot of love if you wish to keep them as a pet.
11. Jersey Wooly Rabbit
The Jersey Wooly rabbit was bred in the 1970s in New Jersey. This breed has short erect ears with a soft coat, and interestingly enough, it does not kick. They make great pets as they will sit on your lap, plus they are very affectionate.
With a muscular and compact body, adults can grow over 3 pounds. They have a square head and a calm disposition. They are a great starter pet for those who have never cared for rabbits, as they do not require much extra work outside the norm. They also have a life expectancy of 6 to 9 years.
12. Mini Satin Rabbit
This is another mini rabbit breed that comes from the United States. They are popular due to their fur coat which resembles satin. Unfortunately, the recessive gene that causes this fur has made this bunny rare and not easily found.
Besides their fur, the Mini Satin has short hair, medium length ears that are prone to stick up, and a lean-to-muscular frame. They also have narrow heads and can come in a variety of colors. Although they are rare, they make great pets with laid-back personalities.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed the information above about the different kinds of dwarf rabbits. Although they are super cute with their tiny stature, they are also all different and possess different traits. Each one has their own will and personality, as well. If you are hoping to add one of these little furballs to your family, we are happy to know the information we provided was a help.
You May Also Be Interested In:
Featured Image Credit: WBes, Shutterstock
