Trying to select a breed… Thoughts?

[Sherlock]

So, I’m getting my first house bunny (let’s be honest, I’m probably going to get two), and I’m trying to decide on a breed. (Actually, has anyone had any problems having two different breeds? I haven’t read anything that advises against it, so I’ll probably end up with two different ones.) I’m considering the following breeds: Flemish Giant, Holland Lop, English Lop, Standard Chinchilla, Netherland Dwarf, and Lionhead.

Which of these would you recommend or advise against? Are there any that I should be considering which I’m not? I would love to hear from some people who have experience owning these breeds. Thanks!

[jayne fine]

keeping different breeds together is fine, I’ve even heard of people with dwarves and giant breeds together.

I’ve only had person experience with dutch, netherland dwarf and holland lop breeds, but I did a fair amount of research into most of the other breeds you listed when I was thinking about adding a second bun to my household (which has since been put on hold, but I do plan to add a flemmish giant eventually).

First, keep in mind that a breed is a general tempernment. If you buy well socialized bunnies, all will make good pets. If you buy from a back yard breeder/ meat breeder you’ll probably have to do some more work yourself. Your best bet for knowing the temperament of your individual rabbit would be to adopt an older (1yr+) bunny from a rescue or person rehoming their rabbit. I got my first bun on craigslist at 1.5yrs and I’m really glad I made that choice- I ended up with exactly the personality I wanted and she came litter box trained. It made adjusting to having a rabbit much easier. Babies are a cr*pshoot as to personality, the cuddly baby you get is unlikely to be 100% the same as an adult. Plus, all will go through a hormonal stage during which they may become aggressive or territorial and develop some bad bathroom habbits- IMO both males and females should be spayed anyways (females for health reasons and males for cleanliness; and if you plan to keep rabbits together you should only keep altered buns together)

I have a holland lop right now, she’s my first bunny. IMO they’re a great first rabbit- small enough that they don’t take up too much room and are easy to move/handle while not being too small and fragile for my taste but naturally friendly towards people, super outgoing. Lionheads, to my knowledge, tend to follow along those lines. Both seem to be good beginner rabbits. Keep in mind lionheads will need to be groomed more than any of your other choices, especially during the time their coats blow out. Do not underestimate how much a rabbit sheds. It can be quite unpleasant.

I was debating between an english lop and a flemmish giant to bond with my current bun and in my research the most helpful thing I found was the description of english lops as cats and flemmish giants as dogs. E lops seem to be a more independent breed that likes to explore more than sit and get petted, while flemmies are much more laid back. Both are giant breeds that will need larger accomidations, so keep that in mind. Elops also need regular ear cleaning. I think chinchillas are similar to the flemmish.

Personally I’ve found netherland dwarves to be pretty jumpy little things. They like to run and therefore often need more space than large breeds and even well socialized ones seem not to be a big fan or sitting and being petted. Additionally, because they’re so small I would be worried that they’d be hurt by other animals in the house more easily than other breeds (cats especially will be more likely to see them as prey because of their size). I would say they and the flemmish are at the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of energy and fear.

I would highly suggest that if you choose a more common breed (holland lop, chinchilla, dwarf, lionhead) you look in shelters first. the less common ones don’t often show up in shelters where I am in the US but may be more common in the UK/Europe if thats where you are. If you choose to get from a breeder I would suggest one that socializes their rabbits; also see what’s available in you area, for example I’ve found that if I wanted to get a flemmish or an Elop it would be a minimum 5 hour round trip drive for me, that might influence your decision.

Like I said before though, don’t get crazy hung up on breed because its not 100% a predictor of what the rabbit will be like. I would suggest making a list of rabbit rescues in your area and looking at their rabbits. Wait until one or two really catch your eye and you can find the perfect match.

[cinnybun2015]

Like Jayne Fine said, holland lop rabbits are generally very calm, mellow, and loveable. They are also small. Flemish giants are large, but many people love the personality that giant breeds often have. Really, it’s up to you. I believe that any of those breeds that you said are great as pets.

[tobyluv]

Mixed breed rabbits are great too, and sometimes healthier, since they haven’t been overbred, which can lead to genetic problems. Some rescues have pairs of rabbits that are already bonded, plus the rabbits in rescues will have been spayed or neutered. All of that saves you the time and frustration of bonding, plus the money you will spend if you take the rabbits to a private vet for surgery. And when someone adopts, it allows the rescue to have space to take in more unwanted rabbits.

[mcb100]

I have a mini lop and a lionhead. I think each bunny has their own individual personality too. My mini lop is more outgoing than the lionhead, and he gets into everything. He’s very friendly but mini lops get very big, and I feel like (of course this mainly depends on the personality too) they can be a bit more difficult. He was bold growing up, he has settled down more now that he’s fixed but he was a handful. This might be a personal thing and not a breed thing, but he does not like to be held. Even as a baby, the mini lop never liked being held. We can pet him and stuff and show him affection but he has no interest in being picked up (even the proper way). He kicks. And I can hold  him properly with his feet secured, but he just doesn’t like it. I love him so much, but if one of my rabbits passed away I think I would go with a different breed than a mini lop, like a Holland lop, or something smaller.
My lionhead is perfect. Lionheads are easier to hold/pick up I think, and they can be more sweet/shy. I’ve heard the same thing about Holland lops. Honestly, I think the best pairing is a girl and a boy–they tend to bond easier (mine are very close). Also, if you end up getting two, I think it helps to get ones that are around the same age. I don’t know if I’d throw a baby in with an adult rabbit.

Also, I do not know if this is 100% true or not, but I think certain breeds have different/longer lifespans. I’ve heard mini lops can live as long as 12-18 years if cared for properly, but I think lionheads have a life expectancy of around 8-10 years.

[Vienna Blue in France]

I’d like to throw in the VIENNA BLUE breed as an option (hence the login name!). I believe it’s called America Blue in the US due to a change of names during the WW. (The size and beautiful colour and meat on it means it’s generally not bred to be a cute pet… if you get my drift).

I’ve had mine nearly 2 years now and she’s loving and friendly and gentle and never nipped once.

However, as an extra thought for you, the bigger you get, the higher any barrier will have to be or bigger the cage (or adapted sideboard which mine is!)
I’ve no idea how long her life expectancy is – (although I hadn’t counted on her living for 12 years (!!), I would have got another dog !! LOL)

They are also – obviously – much heavier ! Mine weighs in at 6kg, which means a LOT of muscle power in her back legs!!

But getting a bonded adult pair from a rescue just ticks all the boxes !

[BB & Tiny]

Yes you could look at rabbits who need a home vs a breed.

[LBJ10]

Different breeds definitely have their stereotypes. Not all bunnies are going to “act like their breed” though. That’s why I like the idea of adopting. You can meet the bunny as an adult and get a real feel for their personality. That is something I regret with my buns, but it all turned out for the best (Wooly was sort of adopted, but he was still very young).

Leopold is a Holland. They are known to be laid back and mellow. Leopold is pretty easy going, but he also likes to get into trouble. He can also be very pushy.

Wooly is a Jersey wooly. They are know for being affectionate. Wooly only wants something to do with me if I have treats. LOL He has quite the little bunnitude, but he is also gentle. He knows not to bite down hard when he tells me he has had enough grooming, for example.

Not sure if that helps.

[Eepster]

You have listed many very different breeds. Each comes with tendencies and challenges.

For example you listed both lionhead and flemish giant. The lionhead will require extra grooming, due to its long fur. Where as the flemmie will take more room, eat and poop more, etc, due to its size. One isn’t inherently better than the other, but one maybe a better fit for you.

Rabbits aren’t as heavily inbreed as dogs are, so there is less worry about breed related health concerns. Not that there are none, just fewer and less of a big deal.

[vanessa]

I like the idea of adopting. I have a newzealand/california female from a meat breeder. She is super sweet and cuddly, very demanding of attention. My other female is a california/rex. ovely velvety coat, but she is the most skittish and aloof bunny ever. She must have had a difficult time at the meat breeder before I took her home. My first male, Merlin, also meat breeder bunny, new zealand red, super friendly and inquisitive. Avalon – son of Merlin and the rex bunny. Inquisitive like his dad, and loves to be petted. Lancelot – adopted from a shelter. He is a holland lop. Sweetest, most mellow bunny ever. Very curious, loves to explore, extra good with his litter box. Very calm under all his circumstances. But my goodness – lops have some genetic issues. Dental problems due to the small head, and dental issues cause tear duct issues, pain, and poor hay consuption. I take mine twice a year to have his teeth filed. Lops are also prone to deafness.
If I were looking at breeds, I would pick a breed with the least genetic problems. I would honestly treat the breed question the same as if picking a dog. Pure breeds have the most genetic health problems. Mixed breeds have the best all round characteristics.
I’d pick a mixed breed bunny from a shelter.

[LBJ10]

Leopold is deaf, but it doesn’t slow him down.

[Sherlock]

Wow, everyone is really helpful! I love hearing about all your buns, and the different experiences you’ve had with them. I definitely realize that a breed stereotype doesn’t necessarily guarantee that type of bunny – just like with dogs! And I would love to adopt from a rescue! Unfortunately, I live in a very rural area, and the shelters we do have only really specialize in dogs and horses, with the occasional cat thrown in. (Out here, rabbits are – unfortunately – considered food.) I’m hoping to find a rabbit that needs to be re-homed, or rescued from a future on a dinner table, but as I said, it’s very rural, to the extent that many people don’t have internet connections and aren’t exactly advertising their bunnies.

[tobyluv]

Since you live in a very rural area, you may have trouble finding a rabbit savvy vet close to you. Before you even get a rabbit, you may want to start calling any local vets to find out if they even see rabbits, and how qualified they are regarding rabbit care and surgery. Since you are thinking of getting 2 rabbits, they will have to be spayed and neutered before you can attempt bonding. If you don’t get them from a rescue, chances are that they won’t be spayed and neutered, so you will need a good vet for that, plus needing a good rabbit vet for them in general.

Here is one list of state by state rabbit savvy vets: http://rabbit.org/vet-listings/. If there is not one listed near you (sometimes rabbit parents have to travel a bit to get to a good vet) and you start calling around to vets in your area, here is a page on how to find a good vet:
http://rabbit.org/faq-how-to-find-a-good-rabbit-vet/

To see if there are rabbits in shelters or rescues in your area, go to http://www.petfinder.com. Put in your zip code and that you are seeking rabbits, and a list with pictures will be generated.

Also, to read about all the basics of bunny care, click on the BUNNY INFO link at the top left of the page.  A lot of people don’t realize what it takes to care for and live with rabbits, so everyone should be prepared.

[Sherlock]

I’ve already contacted a few vets to find out if they have experience with rabbits, or know of any vets who do, but I’ll definitely check out the links you listed, thanks!

I checked petfinder and a few similar sites, but to no avail.

I’ve been working my way through the Bunny Info link – it’s very helpful. In fact, this whole website has been great!

[Crysta]

I have a Dutch Dwarf named Dean right now and he is the most lovable pet I have ever owned. He’s litter box trained, friendly, adorable, and pretty low maintenance as far as rabbits go. Every day when I get home, I lay on the floor and he licks my cheek – I swear he thinks he’s a puppy!!!

My sister owns his brother, Sam (we like supernatural lol) and they used to play together when they were little. As they grew up, and we’re not neutered, they started fighting and had to be separated. Make sure that if you’re getting two males that they’re neutered and get a long otherwise you’ll end up spending double the money like we did.

[Author]

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