Decorative rabbits are becoming more and more popular as pets. These fluffy lumps are touching with their touching and charming appearance.
Appointment of decorative rabbits
The name itself contains the purpose of these cute animals. They are not raised for production needs - meat or fur - but are pets. Quite often, it is families with children that give birth to decorative rabbits, since it is impossible to pass by such a cute in a pet store. In addition, they have a calm disposition, are not as active as cats and do not make as much noise as dogs. This variety of rabbits differs from dwarf ones in that it does not have specific size standards.
Decorative species are characterized by different breeds, parameters and shades of wool.
Species, their names and descriptions
About two hundred breeds of decorative rabbits have been bred, each of which has its own characteristics.
Dwarf Dutch is one of the most popular domesticated species. The ancestors were wild rabbits of standard sizes. Representatives of this breed are characterized by their small size, weighing about 2 kg. The ears are slightly pointed, erect, up to 8 cm long. The head is rounded, the muzzle has a slightly flattened shape. The eyes are large and expressive. Animals of this species are classified as having medium wool, its color can be gray, black and white or grayish blue.
A characteristic feature of this breed is the correspondence of the main color to the color of the eyes.
Ears, part of the muzzle and hind legs are always the same color, everything else is white. Rabbits are quite curious, intelligent and have an active temperament. With good care, the lifespan is about seven years.
The Fold Dutch is also a very popular dwarf species. Animals weigh no more than 2 kg. A distinctive feature of this breed of rabbits is the drooping ears, which are located on the sides of the muzzle. They can grow up to 25 cm. The forehead is rather wide, and the nose is small, slightly pointed. Medium-length wool can be of different colors: black, brown or gray, and also combine a couple of shades like spots and stripes. The fold-eared Dutch people are docile, they very rarely show aggression towards a person. With proper care, they can live up to 10 years.
The dwarf ram was bred relatively recently, but has already gained great popularity. The animals are very similar to the representatives of the previous breed, only their ears are slightly longer, the face is larger and the physique is stronger. They differ from the Dutch in that the ears drop already at the age of three months. A massive forehead and large eyes resemble a ram's head.
Rabbits' fur can be either long or short, which is another distinctive feature of rams.
There is also an undercoat under the soft pile. The feet are of medium thickness. The color can also be varied: it varies from monochromatic to variegated with different shades. Representatives of this species are characterized by a calm, benevolent character and mobility.
The dwarf butterfly differs from other decorative varieties of rabbits in almost all respects. The body is stocky, somewhat cylindrical, the head is large. Animals have a pointed muzzle. They weigh up to 1.8 kg, the wool is of medium length, but dense and shiny (this is a necessary indicator of the standard). The ears of rabbits are small, about 9 cm, erect with a slight deviation to the sides. The eyes are bordered by a black line, the same goes along the entire spine.
The species acquired its name due to the presence of dark spots on the muzzle covered with white wool. They are placed in proportion to each other and look like patterned wings of butterflies.
Breast, belly and legs should be free of any spots. The variety differs in some difficulty in care, therefore, experts do not advise people with no experience to choose such animals as pets.
The miniature hare has a light color with dark spots and red eyes. These rabbits weigh about two kilograms. The coat is medium, rather soft. Animals have erect ears of small size on a small head. The body is medium-sized, neat, slightly elongated. Newborn rabbits are always white in color, but after a few weeks spots begin to appear and the shade changes. The breed is quite unpretentious, therefore popular.
Rex belongs to the dwarf species. Animals have dark brown hair, which can give off a burgundy or copper tint. In its structure, it is very soft, plush, similar to the fur of a chinchilla. The length of the villi is short, this breed is one of the shortest among the small rabbits. The ears are not very long, slightly rounded, the muzzle is graceful, rounded. Paws and tail are short. An adult rabbit can weigh up to 1.5 kg. The Rex have a stocky constitution, they are built in proportion. A distinctive feature of this breed is its wavy, short mustache.
In addition to the standard brown color, there are also white and black rabbits with spots of different shades.
Representatives of this breed have a friendly and gentle disposition. They are also undemanding in care.
Short-haired rabbits , which are also called colored dwarfs, are miniature in size. They can be of a wide variety of colors, there are about 50 shades. The weight of adults does not exceed 1.2 kg, although the physique is quite strong, cylindrical in shape, with powerful, squat legs. Their neck is short. Rabbits of this breed are well suited for children, because they are very friendly and love to communicate, but during puberty, males may show aggression. A fairly popular variety of the colored dwarf is the white Oto, with a dark spot around the eye.
Hermelines or Polish rabbits are similar in appearance to a stuffed animal. They are the smallest of the decorative rabbits. They are snow-white in color and have reddish or blue eyes. The size of the rabbit is miniature, weight is about 1-1.5 kg. Their body is firmly folded, the head is round with a short muzzle. The nose is flat, resembling a button, the ears are short and thin. The coat is dense, the villi are up to 2 mm in length. This breed is characterized by a relatively long life - up to 12 years. It differs in that it does not tolerate high temperatures.
Males and females have quite different personalities: girls are more active and stubborn, and boys are lazy but gentle.
They need attention, without it, the crumbs become apathetic, they can get sick. For those who do not have enough free time for a pet, this type is not suitable.
Miniature Angora charms with its appearance. The breed is distinguished by the presence of long wool of a delicate beige color and tiny ears, about 7 cm. Due to the fluffy coat, it is impossible to see the rabbit's physique. The head is round, the neck hardly stands out. They weigh about 1.7 kg, and have a small, rounded muzzle.
Hair care is needed every day: it must be carefully combed, the resulting lumps must be cut off. The breed is demanding for attention and affection. Animals have a gentle character, but they are very cowardly, afraid of strong sounds.
The lion belongs to the varieties of angora rabbits, a distinctive feature is the color of an abundant and long coat: it varies from light to dark brown tones and resembles the color of a lion. The body is firmly built, oval in shape, with squat legs and a short neck. The ears are erect, with hair at the tips, which visually makes them longer. The weight of an adult rabbit reaches 1.6 kg.
Little lions are peaceful and trusting, do not show aggression.
The lion's head also belongs to the Angora species. Rabbits have a soft, delicate beige coat. The peculiarity of the breed is in a long wool cover around the head of the animal, which is why such a name. The coat does not get tangled and does not form clumps. The body is oval, strong, legs and neck are short. Ears up to 9 cm long, sticking up, sometimes deviate slightly to the sides. The disposition of these rabbits is docile, but they are timid.
Dwarf fox or dwarf fox have short hair on the head, and the rest of the body is covered with long hair. The physique is dense, the neck is practically invisible. The head is large, with closely spaced ears up to 5.5 cm long. The rabbits weigh about 1.3 kg. The color can be different, but the most common is brownish.
Animals are quite demanding to care for. Individuals have different traits, there is no standard.
The squirrel belongs to the medium-sized species. The package is strong and proportionate. The head is not too large, with erect ears, the back is powerful. An adult rabbit weighs approximately 4 kg. The coat is medium, often blue-gray. The belly and bottom of the tail are lighter in color than all other parts. The breed is characterized by high fertility, about six young rabbits can be born at a time.
A fire or fire rabbit has an unusual coat color. It is very soft, most often black and red. The abdomen, ears and border around the eyes are always lighter than the rest of the body. The average weight is 3 kg. The ears are long, drooping, up to 10 cm long, the physique is quite strong.
How to identify a breed?
There are quite a few varieties of decorative rabbits. Often a pet is chosen without knowing the breed, but only by external data. But ultimately the question arises about the type of decorative rabbit.
To find out which breed the selected animal belongs to, you need to pay attention to several parameters:
ears - shape and size;
coloring;
wool;
the weight.
Short-haired rabbits have a dense build, short legs and the same neck. The Dutch have prominent rings around the eyes, the back of the body and the head with dark-colored ears. Angora varieties are characterized by long hair, the fur can be either shiny or fluffy, like cotton wool. Angora lions have a long pile all over their body except for the muzzle. The lion's head resembles a miniature king of beasts.
Dwarf foxes have long hair, but it is quite tough. Lop-eared ears differ in the shape of their ears: they are long and drooping downward. The dwarf butterfly stands out for its characteristic color on the muzzle. Completely white small rabbits with a large head and red or blue eyes are hermelin, and the presence of dark spots on a snow-white fur coat indicates a miniature hare. The short, plush fur is of the Rex breed.
If the wool does not stand out in anything special, you should pay close attention to the body parts: ears, head, paws. Colored dwarf rabbits have small ears and a compact body. Their fur can be of different colors. It is often very difficult to determine the breed of young rabbits, they may not meet any criteria. In this case, you need to wait a little.
The size of the body, especially the ears and head, changes markedly as they grow up. If the animal's erect ears began to tilt and become longer, most likely, the pet belongs to the lop-eared.
If you want to breed animals of a particular breed, it is better to take them from knowledgeable breeders or in special nurseries. This will ensure that you have purchased an animal of the correct variety.
Tips for choosing
Decorative rabbits are great as pets, especially for children. They are very cute and good-natured creatures, they quickly get used to people and become completely tame. The animals are also characterized by a susceptibility to learning. Rabbits are not aggressive, they can be started when there are small children in the house.
When choosing a pet, it is a mistake to rely only on your own preferences. Here you need to think carefully about the conditions of detention, the necessary care and the needs of the breed.
First of all, when choosing a rabbit, attention is paid to the state of its health.
It is necessary to carefully examine the animal, a healthy animal should not have:
no discharge from the nose or eyes;
redness, crusts, ulcers, or sores on the ears;
noticeable deflections on the back;
bald patches or stray patches of hair;
you need to choose an active animal, moderately well-fed.
The next important indicator is the conformity to the species. Any deviations may indicate difficulties with the state of health, which will further create additional difficulties for the owner. To be sure of the purity of the breed, it is best to purchase from a reliable, trusted breeder. If the choice is determined, you can take the rabbit in your arms - the animal should not be too shy or aggressive.
Too small animals should not be acquired: their immunity is not yet strong, and can often be exposed to infectious diseases.
Experienced breeders recommend taking decorative rabbits at the age of 2-4 months. Then they will become independent, switch to the diet of adults, but in this case it is worth being patient, since the baby has not yet learned to walk on the tray and has an unformed character. By showing kindness and affection, you can bring up the same traits in a pet.
Those who do not have the time or desire to devote a lot of time to the baby can purchase an already adult rabbit, adapted to the tray and accustomed to people.
Having made their choice in favor of a decorative rabbit, their owners receive a bundle of happiness as a gift. It is impossible not to fall in love with these cute animals: they have to themselves with their affectionate appearance and extreme charm.
Moments from the life of decorative rabbits are in the next video.