Breed selection

[Sonn]

Not sure if anyone remembers the post I made a few days ago but I am planning for a bunny or a bonded pair (not for around 5-6 months). I will be getting it/them from a breeder friend of mine (I would adopt but there is no where to adopt where I live). I don’t know if anyone can help me with this but these are the breeds that she has that have current litters that I will be picking from and would like to know if any of them are a good “starter” breed for someone who has never owned a rabbit. Looking for input if some are not good for a beginner I will not be meeting them and meet with the groups that are good for beginners eventually I will be taking home the rabbit(s) that pick me.

 

Breeds

American Fuzzy Lop

Mini Rex

Dutch

Havana

Himalayan

Holland Lop

and Mini Lop

 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Here’s a list of animal rescues in Kentucky-not sure if any are close enough for you; I’d definitely recommend adopting over buying for sure!!
http://www.kentuckyliving.com/showcase/creature_animalrescue.html

I don’t know if there is a good ‘starter’ breed but for sure for your first I’d steer clear of any high maintenance ones like lionheads or angoras’-lots of work. If you want lots of rabbitude and cuteness Dutch is the way. I am partial to lops (but don’t have one) they are just adorable. Mini-rexes and rexes have the softest fur. No idea about the other breeds though.

[Hannah]

Firstly, YOU HAVE A TOTAKEKE ICON! You win.

Secondly, a lot of the rumors/myths surrounding breeds aren’t true– lops aren’t necessarily docile, dwarves aren’t always skittish, etc. Rabbit personalities are very independant of breed.

However, as someone who started with a mini rex knowing NOTHING about bunnies, I’m throwing in my vote for a rexy. They’re known to be relatively outgoing and playful, but more importantly they’re also a pretty *healthy* breed. From what I’ve heard they have less digestive problems than other rabbits, and my rexes are testimony to that. They’re total food stealers (my second rex, Humphrey, once stood up on his hind feet, reached into a bowl of fruit salad my mom was having, and walked away with an entire slice of grapefruit, and ate it on the spot. He bites popsicles and granola bars and tries to steal dinner, too– including things like pasta and chicken. Miraculously, he has never had any stomach problems at all. Now, granted, MOST rabbits can’t do what Humphrey does and live, but I still do believe that rexes have easier to manage digestive systems than other bunnies.)

However, I don’t know how well your breeder friend as his rexes standardized, but I wouldn’t let the “mini” fool you– Monty, our first rex, is only about 4 or 5 pounds, but Humphrey is 7, which looks HUGE to most people who don’t know rabbits. Most people tell me Humphrey is the biggest bunny they’ve ever seen, and I inform them that he’s a pretty small medium sized bunny, and that there are 12-18lb rabbits. So mini rexes aren’t itty bitty like dwarf rabbits.

Nonethless, they’re the softest gosh darn things in the whole world, and very smart, playful bunnies, so I think they’re a pretty good choice for a beginner.

[Sarita]

http://www.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi

I hope this link works – I went on Petfinders and did a search for rabbits that need homes in Kentucky.  Don’t know if any of these shelters or humane societies are near you though.

 

[Beka27]

i would absolutely suggest you adopt.  even if oyu have to drive a bit (1-3 hours is not unreasonable) it is worth it to save one or two lives.  you could adopt an already bonded pair, or if you are still planning on waiting, get in touch with a rescue or two, do the application process and tell them what you’re looking for.

[kralspace]

choose this one! look at the ears!

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10970427

[COOKIE'N FLUFF MOMMA]

yes, do adopt if you can. Getting one that is already altered and litter trained is awesome! But, if you really want to buy from your friend i would suggest a lop bunny. My first bunny was a mini-lop when i was younger. They seem really friendly and fun. But, of course, like all animals they have their own personality. I just would’nt suggest a long haired bunny for the 1st time owner.

[MarkBun]

Although not always correct, usually the larger the breed, the more docile the bun. If you don’t have any preferences, I’d go for the Holland Lop.

I’m a dutch boy myself so eventhough they’re more tempermental, I’s gotta love them.

Oh, and as everyone else has said, PLEASE try to adopt.

[kittsbuns]

All my bunnies are rescue’s a Holland Lop, Netherland Darwf, American Fuzzy Lop all are great breeds check them out on kittis bunnies.

[bunnytowne]

actually I didn’t find lionheads to be much work.  they don’t tangle like angora’s and I run a brush thru mine once a week. well I can get away with that  but since I luv to brush them I do it twice a day for baby and 1 a day for cotton when he is shedding.

[Princess*Smudge]

I have an American Fuzzy Lop myself, I love her to death! Grooming is a major factor with her so I guess that’s something to keep in mind. But if you don’t mind brushing than it’s not a problem. I know it’s hard when there aren’t alot of rescues around you, we only have the SPCA that I know of where I live but try if you can, even if you would prefer a younger bun many rescues have buns of all ages!

[Sonn]

Well just found out an hour ago that I will be traveling to Ohio in a month or two to stay for a couple of days. My dad lives 5 hours away and there is a shelter right beside of his house ( this is where my dad gets his ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, dogs,and reptiles) (lol can you tell where I get my love of animals) that gets rabbit frequently and told me on my way home I could come by and look at their rabbits. Would a rabbit be ok to travel 5 hours? And the woman I spoke to on the phone told me that the breeds they get the most are obviously a lot of mixed breeds, Mini Lops, American Fuzzy Lops, Mini Rex, and Holland Lops in the smallish breed area but also some huge rabbits.

And I won’t be buying from my friend she is getting out of the breeding realm and this is her last bunch of litters since not many people want them around here anymore (they tend to think catching baby one’s are better) so I will be getting the first pick if I go that way.

But if the rabbit(s) will be ok for 5 hours I will be more than willing to adopt.

Ok now lol I don’t mind the grooming I have 8 dogs 4 which have to be groomed everyday.

HJSoulma: I am more than aware of how huge a rabbit can be lol my breeder friend also has pet only rabbits I thought one was a dog but he is an 18 pound Flemish Giant who has free run of her entire house. He is huge but a big baby.

 

 

oh and I love this forum lol everyone is so helpful and doesn’t tell me off if I have a question lol

[Sarita]

Yes, 5 hours should be fine as long as you make a few stops to check on the bunny, but it should not be a problem. I’ve had friends travel from Texas to Pennsylvania with their 5 bunnies when they moved.

You will just want an adequate sized carrier so bunny can stretch out and some fresh towels in case bunny soils the towels and plenty of hay.

I also help transport rabbits on the rabbitwise bunderground and we have transported rabbits all over the US so as long as you have all you need when you start out your bunny should be fine.

[Sonn]

Posted By Sarita on 06/12/2008 12:48 PM
Yes, 5 hours should be fine as long as you make a few stops to check on the bunny, but it should not be a problem. I’ve had friends travel from Texas to Pennsylvania with their 5 bunnies when they moved.

You will just want an adequate sized carrier so bunny can stretch out and some fresh towels in case bunny soils the towels and plenty of hay.

I also help transport rabbits on the rabbitwise bunderground and we have transported rabbits all over the US so as long as you have all you need when you start out your bunny should be fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome. I have several carriers laying around for taking different animals to the vet or on trips a few that haven’t even been used yet I will probably use one of my smaller unused dog carriers it isn’t tiny but it’s not huge either it is big enough to fit one of my medium (25-35 lbs) dogs in. And stopping is not a problem lol I make frequent stops there and back since I hate sitting in one spot for very long.

 

But for the time being I am focusing on finding good places around here for hay and pellets and such, finishing off the little details on the cage and blocking off the bunny room so that my dogs can’t get in there during the day. The rabbit(s) will only be in the actual cage during the night since one of  my dog kennels in the same room as the bunny room so even though she won’t be able to get to the bunny side I still want the security to know that if she does of a night she won’t be able to reach the actual cage.

 

[Beka27]

oh that sounds great! i’d go ahead and begin the adoption application process now. if they can send you info about the bunnies they have, maybe they can work on some bonding before then if they have time.

[Sonn]

Posted By Beka27 on 06/12/2008 1:26 PM
oh that sounds great! i’d go ahead and begin the adoption application process now. if they can send you info about the bunnies they have, maybe they can work on some bonding before then if they have time.

 

 

Ohhh never thought of that lol I will have to wait until tomorrow to call them they are closed now.

 

[Hannah]

That’s an excellent idea, and I agree that the bunny should be fine as long as you do stops to check on them. I would recommend bringing some healthy treats like parsley, rosemary and mint along– rabbits get stressed while traveling and may not be interested in food, but you might be able to coax them to eat something like that. It’s important to keep their digestive systems moving.

Also, the shelter is perfect, because you can allow a bunny to pick you! When I was getting my second bun, Humphrey, I thought I was actually going to take home a different one, but when I met Humphrey I knew he had to be mine. n___n

Good luck!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

And maybe some relaxing music like symphony music! I’m hopefully doing a long roadtrip soon with the bunnies to get a bunny, and I was thinking they dont’ really like my music LOL but they seem to like classical symphony type stuff. You could download some of those ‘relaxing nature sounds’ cd’s too. Ok, now I know what I’m doing tonight!!

[Sonn]

I called the shelter today and spoke to the same woman. She told me that when they have more than one bunny in at  a time they immedialtely start trying to bond pairs (if they are not already bonded).

Right now they have 3 bonded pairs of Holland Lops all who are between 2 and 5 months old, a mini rex boy who is 4 months old but he will not be up for adoption for a little while due to his health, and a pair of American Fuzzy Lops that they are currently trying to bond.

So I asked if she could keep a pair of the Holland Lops and if the American Fuzzy Lops around in case I have a connection with one of those two if not then I will look around at the others they have their when I get there.

She told me she would put my name on their cage as a possible adoptee and if I wanted her to get them anything special to let me know. So I sent some money to my dad for him to go buy them some Oxbow food, some cat toy balls, and he is going to clips some apple twigs off of his apple tree for them

If I don’t adopt either of those two my dad will be taking the Holland Lops and my Grandma (she lives with my dad so I don’t worry about if she can take care of them) wants the American Fuzzy Lops bonded or not

[Beka27]

WOW! that’s great! so from one or two rescued buns to a possible SIX! i can’t wait to hear how it all goes.

[Hannah]

A family rabbit rescuing adventure! That’s amazing. You’re going to have to post so many pictures…

[Sonn]

Lol I know pictures are a must. Trying to buy a new camera right now since my puppy decided my 3 day old $400 camera would be a tasty snack lol. May have to resort to borrowing my dad’s camera.

[Hannah]

;___; Oh no! I recently had to replace a brand new camera, too. ><;; *sigh* Hope your puppy was okay.

[Sonn]

Yep puppy is fine took him to the vet and the only thing that was wrong is he had one chipped tooth that had to be removed.

[Hannah]

That’s good to hear. My mom’s bunny (originally mine before she stole him) is a big belonging-destroyer, and he’s chewed through a number of plugged in cords, but somehow hasn’t been electrocuted. XD Animals need to learn to eat less stupid things.

[Author]

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