Are you considering a rabbit as a pet but don’t know what breed to get? There are over 40 breeds of rabbits recognized by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Asscociation). Many of these rabbits make good pets, but which ones are best rabbits breeds for beginners? Check out my list below of the best rabbit breeds for beginners.
- Indy rests during his first day with me
By the way, rabbits may be cute, but before buying one, be sure to research them. It will make things less stressful for both you and your rabbit.
1. Dutch
- Dutch Rabbit
Color: Black with a broad white stripe around their middle. They can be brown, chocolate, goldern, gray, or another darker color with white in the middle.
Size: Dutch rabbits are usually 4-5 lbs when full grown. Most small rabbits are nervous, but Dutch rabbits are as calm as larger rabbits.
Personality: Dutch rabbits are very laid-back and friendly. Most are calm and enjoy having human interaction. All rabbits like to run freely in a room (with your supervision, of course), but Dutch rabbits love to cuddle as well.
2. English Rabbits
- Baby Indy, the English Spot Mix
Color: White with a black/brown/golden/gray dorsal stripe, “moustdache”, and other various stripes. Most often, they have black markings. I had an English Spot/Hymalayan rabbit mix, and he had gray markings,
Size: 5-8 lbs, the average for rabbits
Personality: English rabbits can be very active, but when they do cuddle with you, they are friendly. My English rabbit mix, Indy, was as affectionate as a nice dog. If you said, “Indy, give me kisses.” He would lick you over and over again. He loved to lick people and cuddle with them. At times, he would be active and run all around our living room. Other times, you could find him cuddled up in someone’s arms. Indy was really curious and adventurous–he enjoyed new things and was quite brave. Indy’s favorite thing to do? Lay on his back in your arms while you petted him.
3. Mini Lops and Holland Lops
- Holland Lop
Color: Any color at all. Lop rabbits have ears that flop down like a basset hound’s ears.
Weight: Mini lops are 5-7 lbs in general; Holland lops at 3-5 lbs.
Personality: Mini lop and Holland lop rabbits tend to be fun-loving and sweet rabbits. Holland lops tend to be a little more active than mini lops. Holland lops are very playful and especially love supervised freedom in a rabbit-proof room. Mini lops are very calm–I’ve known them to allow you to put them on their backs when you hold them. Mini lops’ body type makes them a little more broad, which is a good cuddling size.
4. Himalayan
- Himalayan Rabbit
Color: Himalayan rabbits closely resemble a Siamese cat’s markings. Himalayan rabbits have a black or gray nose, ears, feet, and tail. These rabbits have red or pink eyes, much like albino animals do.
Weight: 4-6 pounds
Personality: Himalayan rabbits have a streched out body type, which makes it look like they are laying down. Their laid-back body type is a reflection of their calm, loving, and relaxed personalities. Himalayan rabbits are often the couch potatoes of the rabbit world. This doesn’t mean they don’t need as much exercise, but rather they are the perfect companions for people who just want a bunny to snuggle with.
5. Mini Rex
Color: Mini rex rabbits can be any color. The unique thing about Mini rex rabbits is that they have no course outer coat–only the soft undercoat remains, making rex rabbits particularly soft.
Weight: Mini rex rabbits weight 4-5 lbs.
Personality: Mini rex rabbits are curious and can be cuddly or active. Some of them are active a lot of times, some of them are relaxed a lot, and some are in between. Mini rex rabbits are very friendly.
The rabbit personalities described above are based on my experience with a variety of different rabbits within the breed. Your rabbit could act differently than what I’ve described. Rabbits are individuals, and each one has their own personality.
