buck or doe as a pet?

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This topic has 8sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 9 months ago by Elrohwen.

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- 07/31/2011 at 12:27 PM
  piperknitsRN
  Participant
  312 posts
  Just out of curiosity I am wondering if people here have strong opinions on whether they prefer does or bucks as pets. I have heard that bucks tend to be more “cuddly” and friendly to humans, whereas does tend to be uh… a little more independent. I’ve had a doe and a buck (both spayed and neutered) but the buck was elderly and didn’t live very long once I adopted him; but he did seem friendly and would come up to you for pets and so forth, whereas my doe, Flip flop, was not into the whole cuddle-bug scene and preferred interaction on her terms (though she was not aggressive or territorial–she really had a spunky personality and I loved her for it). She was friendly in her own way, just not a big cuddler. Just the same, Olive will tolerate pets to the head on her own terms, but not overtly solicit attention most of the time. But I would still consider her friendly and non-aggressive. I know it boils down to individual personality, but just curious if people have a preference and why.
  
  If you respond, please let me know your rabbit’s age and breed, whether or not spaying or neutering (if done) has made a difference, and why you have a preference (or don’t).
- 07/31/2011 at 12:41 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I don’t think sex matters. I’ve had both males and females be very affectionate and both males and females be very independent.
  
  I think initially before I really got to know rabbits and I only had a neutered male who while not affectionate was very fun and friendly that males must be more social. But then I’ve had many females that have been very friendly and had nice personalities as well.
  
  In my experience, neither male nor female have fell into those generalities and the same with breeds.
  
  Currently I have 6 rabbits:
  Mango – 9 years old neutered male – rescue so I’m guessing he was about 6 months when he was neutered – very crabby little rabbit (Dutch);
  Toffiee – 9 year old spayed female – I’m guessing she was about a year old when I rescued her – she’s a mix – agouti colored;
  Peaches & Peppermint – male/female spayed/neutered, about 8 years old – scared of any and everything – they were outdoor strays that some person captured;
  Bogie – about 8 years old – he’s some kind of mix and neutered – very easy going if you don’t touch him;
  Bobby – best guess 2 1/2 – neutered male netherland dwarf – he was neutered about a year ago and the vet’s best guess is that he was a few years old – someone dumped him in his cage in front of a guinea pig rescue – he had severe dental problems and was not eating. He’s a bit of an independent boy with a grumpy streak.
- 07/31/2011 at 1:16 PM
  LoveChaCha
  Participant
  6634 posts
  Chacha – 1 year, 8 months, spayed lady bun. Very independant, but demanding if she wants something (food or pets), curious to new people (yet standoffish), sweet.
- 07/31/2011 at 1:22 PM
  piperknitsRN
  Participant
  312 posts
  Olive doesn’t solicit petting but tolerates it. She’s not spayed yet… but she seems along the lines of your bunny, personality-wise.
- 07/31/2011 at 1:25 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17105 posts
  I just have boys, so I don’t have anything to compare them to. They have different personalities though. Leopold is standoff-ish, aloof, bratty, and demanding when he wants something. Wooly is hyper, sweet, but a little more skittish around new things/people. You can pet them both and Wooly is easier to handle.
- 07/31/2011 at 1:27 PM
  Monkeybun
  Participant
  10479 posts
  Monkey – 2yr old spayed lady, very opinionated, No-Touchy bun. She’s hilarious
  
  Smudge – 2ish spayed lady bun, sweet, snuggles, gives kisses… My Love Bug.
  
  Moose – 2yr old neutered boy bun, likes to make messes, gets into trouble, no snuggles but will accept pets
  
  Squirrel – 4 month old un-altered boy bun, loves pets, loves attention, binkies whenever we go near him. Silly little sweetheart.
  
  So really, it’s half and half for me. One boy is super snuggles, one girl is super snuggles. It just depends on the bun itself, not the gender.
- 07/31/2011 at 1:49 PM
  Stickerbunny
  Participant
  4128 posts
  Powder – Male, unaltered, unknown age (probably 4ish?) rescue, unknown breed but been told he looks like a NZ. Super friendly, will sit for hours if I would pet him that long but my arm gets tired! Doesn’t really like to snuggle but will tolerate it and has gotten used to being picked up so just gives me the “Oh come on mom, not again” look and doesn’t fight me. Likes to lay in bed with me and get attention when I am trying to sleep. lol
  
  Stickers – Female, spayed. About 8 months old, rescue mini rex. Skittish, independent, but a sweety all the same. I’ve worked on bribing her when I come in the room so now she runs over to me all excited to see what I have. She’ll tolerate pets if she feels like it, but is just as likely to run away if you go to pet her. She likes to crawl all over you if you lay in the floor. Hates being picked up (I have to clip her nails today for the first time, ack that is gonna be fun!). No kisses and no snuggles for her.
  
  Stickers was mistreated and neglected in her first home, she came to us with sticker glue matting her beautiful soft fur. She was some childs pet that got thrown out when they realized bunnies really aren’t the best pet for a little kid. So her being scared I think mainly comes from that.
- 07/31/2011 at 2:39 PM
  piperknitsRN
  Participant
  312 posts
  Stickerbunny: I have to get my bunny used to being handled for nail trims, too. The first time I did it she was just ten weeks old–had been clipped at the breeders but not short enough. She sat on my lap and I had no problems. Today I tried to get her used to it again by wrapping her in a towel (which she succeeded in freeing herself from several times) and boy, was she unhappy with me when we were done with fake toenail trimming. I got an indignant “thump” and a bunny pellet (poo) flicked my way for good measure. Still, I have to get her used to it, though my feeling is she simply doesn’t like to be picked up and I should just limit the picking up to when I absolutely have to. Anything else just p*sses her off, it seems, rather than deepening our bond, which is fairly hands off at this point, and probably always will be.
- 08/01/2011 at 7:48 AM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  I do think male and female rabbits have different personalities, but I don’t think it relates to affection.
  
  I have a 4 year old female and she is very affectionate – hates to be picked up, but otherwise loves to be petted and fussed over. She is bossy with our other rabbit, very brave, and knows how to get her way. In general I think girls tend to have more “diva” personalities which can make them trouble makers, but can also make them very affectionate.
  
  My boy is 2 and hates to be petted or touched. He’s very laid back and doesn’t get into any trouble, which is nice, but he isn’t affectionate either.
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