Most Popular Rabbit Breeds

Coat & grooming — Short, dense rollback fur in many colours and patterns

Suits — Indoor homes, gentle owners, pairs or bonded companions with slow introductions

Coat & grooming — Short, soft fur in many colours including self, shaded and broken patterns

Suits — Quiet indoor homes, experienced handlers, supervised families

Coat & grooming — Mane of wool around head; body coat short or slightly longer depending on type

Suits — Indoor pet homes, gentle grooming routines, attentive owners

Coat & grooming — Short rex fur with guard hairs the same length as undercoat, creating a springy, velvety texture in many colours including castor, black, blue and broken patterns. Grooming is minimal: weekly brushing and more during moults. Avoid over-bathing, which strips natural oils from rex coats.

Suits — Well suited to indoor homes with space for exercise, gentle handling and hay-based feeding. Mini Rex rabbits often tolerate petting when socialised early and pair well with neutered companions after careful bonding. They suit owners committed to litter training, daily enrichment and annual veterinary checks rather than hutch-only keeping.

Coat & grooming — Short, glossy rollback fur in sandy, black, blue, fawn, light grey and steel colours. The dense coat needs weekly brushing and thorough checks during moults because large rabbits ingest substantial fur when grooming. Skin folds and dewlaps should stay clean and dry.

Suits — Suits experienced rabbit owners with space for a very large enclosure and floor exercise. Flemish Giants often tolerate handling well and can suit families with older children who understand gentle interaction. They need reinforced housing, soft flooring to protect feet and careful weight management throughout life.

Coat & grooming — Long, fine wool with minimal guard hairs, covering the entire body including face furnishings and ear tufts ('furnishings'). Wool grows continuously and mats without daily combing. Harvest wool every three to four months by shearing or plucking during moult. Never allow wet, tangled coats to persist.

Suits — Best for dedicated owners who enjoy fibre arts and daily grooming routines. English Angoras suit calm indoor homes away from extreme heat. They need patient handling, cool ventilation in summer and owners willing to commit substantial time to coat care and wool block prevention.

Coat & grooming — Dense wool on body with guard hairs giving texture; face and ears remain comparatively clean without heavy furnishings. Wool grows continuously and requires grooming several times weekly minimum, with shearing every three to four months. Colours include white, black, blue, chocolate and broken patterns.

Suits — Suits fibre enthusiasts and indoor owners committed to regular grooming schedules. French Angoras tolerate handling when accustomed early and fit homes with space for exercise and cool summer conditions. They are not low-maintenance pets despite the cleaner face compared with English Angoras.

Coat & grooming — Short, white rollback fur with dark Himalayan-style points in black or chocolate. The practical coat needs weekly brushing and more during moults. Point colour darkens in cooler environments because temperature affects pigment expression on extremities.

Suits — Suits owners wanting a calm, medium-sized rabbit for showing, breeding or companion keeping with adequate space. Californians tolerate handling when socialised and fit homes with good ventilation, soft flooring and measured feeding to prevent obesity.

Coat & grooming — Short, flyback fur in white, red, black or broken patterns depending on variety. Grooming is straightforward: weekly brush, nail trims and moult management. White New Zealands show pink eyes as a breed characteristic in that variety.

Suits — Suitable for owners wanting a large, calm rabbit with straightforward coat care. New Zealands fit indoor homes with exercise space and tolerate handling when socialised from youth. They suit first-time rabbit owners who research proper diet and housing before committing.

Coat & grooming — Short, glossy flyback fur with sharp colour demarcation between white and coloured sections. Accepted colours include black, blue, chocolate, grey and tortoiseshell. Weekly grooming maintains shine; markings are judged precisely in show standards.

Suits — Excellent for indoor companion homes with daily interaction and space to run. Dutch rabbits are active and curious, suiting owners who provide enrichment and gentle handling. They often enjoy human company and can bond with neutered partners when introduced carefully.

Coat & grooming — Short coat divided into clearly defined colour sections — typically orange and another colour in Japanese type, or bands in Magpie type. Markings require no special grooming beyond weekly brushing, though show preparation emphasises clean, sharp colour edges.

Suits — Suits owners who appreciate an active, interactive rabbit with striking appearance. Harlequins need space to run, mental stimulation and consistent handling. They fit indoor homes with enrichment and suit families teaching children respectful rabbit interaction on the floor.

Coat & grooming — Medium-length fur with white or silver tipping on dark base hairs, creating a frosted appearance. When stroked from tail to head, fur stands erect — a breed hallmark. Groom weekly and thoroughly during moults to prevent fur block. Only black Silver Fox is recognised in current ARBA standards.

Suits — Ideal for owners seeking a large, calm rabbit with unusual coat character. Silver Fox rabbits suit indoor homes with soft flooring and owners who enjoy grooming. Their docile nature helps therapy and companion roles when socialised consistently.

Coat & grooming — Medium-length wool with softer texture than larger angora breeds, forming a mane-like frill around the head. Wool mats without weekly combing. Colours span agouti, broken, self and shaded varieties. Trim wool around the hindquarters if soiling occurs.

Suits — Popular with families wanting a small, fluffy indoor rabbit willing to sit quietly when handled gently. Jersey Woolies suit owners who accept grooming duties and provide calm environments. They are not appropriate for rough handling or homes unwilling to manage wool block risk.

Coat & grooming — Short, fine flyback fur in black, blue, chocolate, white and broken patterns. The delicate coat needs gentle weekly grooming. White varieties may show ruby eyes. Fine bone structure requires careful handling to avoid fractures.

Suits — Best for adult owners or families with older children who understand fragile handling. Polish rabbits suit calm indoor homes with secure, low-level exercise areas. They are display rabbits and companions rather than rough children's pets.

Coat & grooming — Short, rollback fur with strict marking requirements: butterfly marking across the face, dark ears, spine stripe and side markings on white base. Weekly grooming maintains presentation; markings are genetic and judged precisely in show standards.

Suits — Suits experienced rabbit owners with space for an active, large rabbit. Checkered Giants need roomy floor pens, soft footing and owners appreciating an athletic rather than lap-rabbit temperament. They fit indoor homes with several hours daily exercise.

Coat & grooming — Wool coat similar to French Angora but shorter, with lop ears hanging beside the head. Colours include agouti, pointed white, self and broken patterns. Comb several times weekly to prevent mats, especially behind ears and under the chin where wool collects moisture.

Suits — Popular with families wanting a floppy-eared, fluffy rabbit with playful energy. American Fuzzy Lops suit indoor homes with grooming commitment and gentle handling. They enjoy toys and interaction but need wool block prevention through consistent coat care.

Coat & grooming — Short, tight flyback fur in black, blue, chocolate or lilac base with sharply defined tan markings on muzzle, chest, inside legs and tail underside. The glossy coat needs minimal grooming — weekly brush and show preparation polishing. Marking edges must remain clean for exhibition.

Suits — Suits experienced rabbit enthusiasts appreciating an active, alert breed rather than a cuddly lap rabbit. Tans fit indoor homes with enrichment for running and jumping. They respond to patient handling but retain lively show-ring temperament.