Dwarf rabbit and its varieties

The dwarf rabbit is a cute decorative animal that has appeared in our country relatively recently. Over the past decade, he managed to gain great popularity, as evidenced by numerous photos on the network. Small animals are bought for beauty, as living toys for children. They differ from ordinary rabbits in size. Do not confuse decorative and dwarf rabbits. Even large animals can be decorative, but they are not always convenient to keep in the apartment.Dwarf rabbits, even adults, are tiny.

Dwarf rabbit

Description of the dwarf rabbit

Dwarf rabbits can be very different. They differ in size, length and structure of the coat, ear shape, color. A common characteristic of this species is its low weight and dimensions, which are much smaller than that of ordinary rabbits. On average, the dwarf species weighs 2-2.5 kg, rocks from 0.7 kg to 3 kg are found. The length varies between 30-35 cm, and the circumference of the breast – 20-22 cm, depending on the breed.

There are species with straight and drooping ears. The latter are called rams rabbits. On average, the ears of miniature rabbits are 5-6 cm long, in sheep they are longer and can reach 20 cm. Accordingly, the weight of such rabbits is greater, about 2.5-3 kg. The length of the dwarf rabbit’s fur is divided into:

• Shorthair (hair length 15-20 mm)
• Medium-haired (hair length 20-40 mm)
• Long-haired (hair length more than 50 mm)

The structure of the coat is different. Satin and Angora fur, as well as plush wool of Rex breed, are especially appreciated. The average life span of a pet is 5-7 years. Proper care and maintenance of a dwarf rabbit can extend it for 2-3 years. Long-livers record holders live in the homes of their owners for 10-12 years. Castrated animals live longer.

Dwarf rabbit breeds

Domestic dwarf rabbits first appeared in the 19th century, presumably in Central Europe. Then they began to breed in the UK, where they were called Polish rabbits. From there, miniature animals spread to Holland, Germany and other countries. At first, dwarf breeds played not only a decorative role, they were bred for fluffy fur. Now these rabbits are exceptionally cute pets that look great live and in the photo.

Germelin

The tiny Germelin is one of the oldest breeds that appeared at the beginning of the last century. His large brothers were used to obtain ermine-like fur. These are small animals with absolutely white hair. A dwarf rabbit weighs about 1.25 kg, its ears are 5-6 cm long. The eyes of a rabbit can be red or blue. The nature of this breed is not simple, it is difficult to educate. Therefore, it is recommended that Germelin be brought up by experienced rabbitry owners. The animals have a life expectancy of 6-7 years.

Colored dwarf rabbits

Colored dwarf rabbit is the most common breed. She was bred in the Netherlands, is in a kinship with the Hermeline. The main feature of this variety is the variety of coat colors. The animals are black, gray, purple, spotted, red and even Siamese. The list of colors of dwarf rabbits is constantly updated, as pets are very popular. Dutch colored dwarf rabbits weigh between 0.7 kg and 1.5 kg. Their ears are erect, small, 4-6 cm long. During the period of sexual activity, males and females are aggressive. Therefore, rabbits are recommended to be neutered if their breeding is not planned.

Dwarf Rexes

The Rex breed is appreciated for its calm disposition and a special type of coat. It is short and fluffy, reminiscent of plush or fur of a real chinchilla.A large variety is grown on an industrial scale, dwarf Rexes are exclusively decorative animals. They weigh about 1.5 kg, have short pointed ears, an elongated muzzle with almost no antennae. Miniature Rex never shows aggression, it is phlegmatic, ideal for children. He lives at home for about 7 years, if he is provided with proper care and feeding.

Dutch dwarf rabbits

The Dutch dwarf rabbit is considered the smallest breed in the world, it maximum weight 1.1 kg. Sometimes these animals are called minors. The head is round and wide. The eyes are large and expressive, the color is in harmony with the color. The rabbit is torch-eared, each ear has a rounded tip, length – 5-7 cm. Colors are different, 22 colors are officially recognized. The classic color is black and white with dark circles around the eye. The fur is short, fluffy and very soft.

Japanese dwarf rabbits

Japanese dwarf rabbit is a rare breed with an original color. His coat is dyed in three colors – white, dark gray (black) and yellow. In this case, the spots on one side should be dark, and on the other yellow. The border between the flowers runs strictly along the midline of the back. Individuals whose ear on the yellow side is dark and on the dark side is yellow are greatly appreciated. It is not easy to get such colors when breeding, because it is difficult to find a kennel of real “Japanese”.Not every advertisement with a photo “Selling a Japanese dwarf rabbit” is true. Most often there are specimens with various color defects.

Fox dwarf rabbit

Fox decorative dwarf rabbits belong to long-haired breeds. The length of the outer hair in them ranges from 4 cm to 7 cm. Wool tightly covers the entire body. The body of the animals is stocky with a short neck, a wide head with a shortened muzzle. Ears 5-7 cm long, paws short, small tail. The fox dwarf rabbit weighs from 0.8 kg to 1.5 kg, some specimens grow to 2.5 kg.

Angora dwarf rabbit

Angora miniature rabbits are beautiful animals with long fluffy hair, which in the photo resemble huge balls. There are two varieties of breed. The first is rabbits with very long and thin fur, which resembles cotton wool. Hair can reach 20 centimeters. The second – animals with smooth hair, about 5-7 cm long. Colors, in most cases, are white. But recently, colored Angora rabbits have been appearing more and more often. To make Angora dwarf rabbits look beautiful, they need constant care. Wool should be combed once every 3-5 days, and every day during molting.

Lop-eared rabbits of sheep

Lop-eared dwarf rabbits or rams are larger than other species. Their average weight is 2.5-3 kg.Ears can reach 20 cm, they hang from two sides, giving the animals a cute and pretty look. Ears do not begin to hang immediately, but in about 1-1.5 months. Therefore, when buying, you should be very careful. There are several breeds of lop-eared rabbits:

• English
• German
• French
• Dutch
• Minilop

The breeds come in different colors – gray, white, black, red. These types of dwarf rabbits are united by lop-eared and relatively large sizes.

Content of dwarf rabbits

The content of dwarf rabbits at home is becoming increasingly popular. Caring for them is simple, and the animals take up very little space. Before you buy a dwarf rabbit, you should take care of the following things:

• Purchase a cage with a size of at least 40 × 70 cm, or an aviary 1 × 1 m
• Make a small tray for toilet or buy a cat
• Equip feeders and drinking bowls in a cage or aviary
• Create a bedding, straw or sawdust is suitable for this
• Think out a place for walking, remove from the room wires, small objects
• If you instill a rabbit, you can walk with him on the street, for this you need a leash with harness

Rabbits are clean animals, the cage and aviary should be cleaned at least once a week. The litter is completely changed or only the top layer is removed.If there is a tray in the rabbit house, it needs to be changed 2-3 times a week, and the litter can be cleaned every 2 weeks. In the room where the pet is walking, all small items should be cleaned. The cage is placed away from the window and heating devices. Fluffy animals do not like overheating and drafts.

If you plan to keep a dwarf rabbit in an aviary, equip it in a corner, away from windows and doors. It’s good to put a manger for hay, feeders, a tray, ladders, a wheel there. With the aviary keeping the rabbit, you can not let go for a walk around the room. Some owners put cages on the street or on the balcony. It is important that direct sunlight does not fall on them, otherwise the animal will overheat. On the street you can only keep a pet in the warm time of pride. Proper care of dwarf rabbits significantly increases their lifespan. Therefore, do not ignore even the simplest rules.

Feeding the dwarf rabbits

We talked about how to care for the dwarf rabbit. Now let’s talk about feeding. What can dwarf rabbits eat? These are herbivorous animals, because the basis of the diet is hay or fresh grass. They should always be in a cage or aviary. The stomach of dwarf breeds is small, they eat often (almost all the time), in small portions. Hay can be bought at a pet store or harvest it yourself. When collecting herbs, it is important to ensure that they are not poisonous (buttercups, bleached, euphorbia, lilies of the valley, dope, etc.).

In addition to herbs, juicy foods such as carrots, boiled potatoes, peeling cucumbers, cabbage leaves, watermelon crusts are included in the diet. Red beets are contraindicated in rabbits. Potatoes can be boiled in salted water. Rabbits can be given fruits – apples, strawberries, pears. Dried fruits are harvested for the winter, which animals eat with pleasure. It is important to know how much fruit a rabbit can give. It is best to treat him with such food 2-3 times a week, in the amount of 10-15 grams.

Also, animals need to be given grain. You can feed a special food for dwarf rabbits, consisting of various cereals, dried fruits with hay additives. If this is not possible, make a mixture of oats, wheat, corn and barley in equal parts. So that pets can sharpen their teeth at home they are given twigs, animals eat mountain ash, birch, maple, willow, oak. To prevent vitamin deficiency in winter, spruce or pine branches will come in handy.

Be sure to include mineral supplements in the diet. Calcium is very important for rabbits. With its deficiency, dangerous symptoms such as cramps, heart failure, small rabbits can even die from this. To make up for the deficiency, the animals are given bone meal, chalk or special preparations. In winter, it is best to add vitamin and mineral complexes to the diet. With a lack of vitamins in rabbits, diseases can occur, the treatment of which should be carried out after consultation with a veterinarian.

Taming and raising rabbits

Adult dwarf rabbits are pretty smart animals. Proper training and education can make them real artists. When a pet appears in the house, it must first be tamed. Do not squeeze and carry the animal on the hands. Let the baby first master the territory, get used to the new environment. To make him feel better, you need to give him something tasty. When the rabbit eats, you can pet it lightly. It is possible to educate the animal only when he feels confident in a new place.

After the little rabbit has got used to it, you can begin further taming and training. The first step is to train your pet in the tray. You do not need to put it right away. In the early days, track where the animal goes to the toilet. Then take some bedding with excrement and lay it in the tray. Put a feeder next to the tray; rabbits often eat and empty at the same time. But you need to make sure that they do not stain food.

You can accustom your little decorative rabbits to your nickname. Take a treat in your hand and call the pet by name. First, he will go on the smell of food, and then he will develop a conditioned reflex and the nickname. In the same way, rabbits are taught to jump over a hoop or other obstacles. They put a treat on one side, and an animal on the other. If the baby responds to the nickname, you can just call him.

• The puberty of the animals occurs at 6-7 months
• The hunting period must be correctly determined. Boys can become aggressive at this time, the girl bites
• They put the female to the male, and not vice versa
• If the rabbits “agreed on the characters,” they have a mating (otherwise the female will start to drive away male)
• After 2-3 incidents, the female is planted
• Repeated mating is performed in a day

The gestation period is short, small rabbits are born after a month . Before lambing, the female begins to make a nest of sawdust and her own wool, which she plucks and around the nipples. Young rabbits may not be very good mothers. Therefore, when breeding, it is better to have an experienced female, to which rabbits can be planted. If this is not the case, children will have to be fed from bottles with special mixtures. Often they just die.

Buying rabbits

You can buy animals at the pet store or find a good nursery of dwarf rabbits. They are in many cities of Russia – in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ufa, Vladimir, Yekaterinburg and other regions. There is also a delivery of dwarf rabbits to various settlements. Before deciding “I’ll take a rabbit,” you should carefully study the features of the content, choose the breed correctly, read everything about dwarf rabbits, care for them and feeding.

Some unscrupulous breeders slip under the guise of dwarf ordinary rabbits. Ask to show parents to make sure of their miniature size and distinguish from large species. It is best to buy animals in 1.5-2.5 months. Such babies are easy to care for, it is easier to distinguish the signs of the breed from them. How much the miniature rabbit costs depends on the name of the variety.