What kind of bunny?

[#1BunnyLover]

I need some help figuring out which bunny is best. Tips will be greatly appreciated

-The most essential characteristic of my dream bunny would be a lay-in-your-lap bunny. I don’t want a lop because you have to clean their ears alot so they don’t get dirty.

 

-I want a playful bunny, but I don’t want it to be too energetic because I only have after school to play with it each day.

So, what breed would be a mixture of both that would be great for me. I know every bunny’s different, but in general…

THANK YOU!

[littlemissflip]

I’ve had two Holland lops, and I’ve never had to clean their ears… they clean their own ears just fine…

In terms of breed-specific personalities, I don’t know how much it’s possible to generalize. But if you have specific traits you’re hoping for, I’d suggest getting an adult rabbit whose personality is fairly established. I’ve heard bunny personalities can change a lot from babyhood to adulthood.

[Sarita]

It looks like you got a cute little Dutch bunny. Dutch bunnies are very smart rabbits.

She is going to need more playtime than 2 hours a day though. You probably aren’t going to find a lay in your lap bunny either, but I bet your little Dutch bunny will enjoy you sitting down on the ground with her so she can get used to you.

[#1BunnyLover]

Okay, thanks. Also, someone told me about a mini rex. I’ve researched them, but I can’t really find any specifics. Anyone have info?

[KytKattin]

Keep in mind that bunnies are rarely ever bred for personality. They are typically bred for color, size, meat, fur, etc. So unlike dogs, you will find that you can’t generalize personality based on breed (not that you should do that with dogs, but temperament is something considered when people breed dogs, not rabbits).

While you don’t need to “play” with her for 6 hours every day, she does need at least that much time out of her cage and let run around. Of course this can vary based on how big her cage is. If it is super tiny, even 12 hours of free roam is not going to be enough.

[#1BunnyLover]

Her cage is HUGE. It’s almost a complete storage room in our basement, so she can run around all day.

[Monkeybun]

A storage room? So she won’t be able to interact with the family ona regular basis?

Is there any natural light int here at all?

How about dampness? Insects? Etc… all concerns with basement rooms. I would suggest putting her cage upstairs, where she can see and hear you all day long.

[#1BunnyLover]

No, no, no, EVERYTHING is perfect down there. It’s actually an unfinished bathroom. We spend most of our time downstairs anyway. We actually have an extra livng room, kitchen, and bedroom downstairs. Besides that’s my only option because I can’t put her in my room, and she can’t have free range unfortunately because one, we have a “hunting” cat and two aussies, two she loves to chew things, three, she won’t use her litter box anywhere besides her playpen.

[Monkeybun]

Oh, gotcha I was a bit worried I’ve seen far too many animals kept in cold damp dark rooms Sorry!

Well, if it is nice and cozy and has her slaves around, sounds good then

[KytKattin]

Is she spayed? That might be part of her problem with not using her litterbox.

[#1BunnyLover]

No, she’s spayed. Okay. back to the main subject does any one know about mini rexes? Thanks!

[Stickerbunny]

I have a mini rex and she’s very hands off and skittish. She is also hyper and loves to run around and runs REALLY FAST. But that doesn’t mean the breed is like her. No breed of rabbit is going to be this personality, or that. It is individual bunnies you need to look for. Go to a shelter, find an adult that fits the personality you want and bring it home is the best way if you want a specific personality.

[KytKattin]

Are you adding another bunny in addition to the one you have? You might want to let her pick out her new friend by taking her to a shelter and letting her choose her new friend. Though even if you plan on having the two live completely separate, just bringing a new bunny into the home might cause both to completely lose any good litter habits.
I agree with Stickerbunny though, there is just no breed that acts a certain way. I had a mini (haha) rex that is the meanest rabbit. She likes to charge, and box like a kangaroo. And she was raised in a loving home. She just likes to be possessive of everything despite being spayed. A shelter would be the best place to look for the right personality.

[bmt87]

i agree with @kykattin. i have a friend with a holland lop that really is the meanest thing ever…but my Lola loves to just come over and lick you or just be held like a baby. I guess it’s almost just hit or miss and the luck of the draw as far as personality goes. I got lucky…my friend…not so much.

[Sarita]

So are you looking for a playmate for your current rabbit?

[#1BunnyLover]

No, just thinking about my next. It’s probably not going to be a dutch though. My cousin had one before me and it acted like mine, antisocial and boring. But, I’m goin to keep mine as long as it’s alive!

[Sarita]

Can you explain what you mean by antisocial and boring?

In my experience all rabbits are different. I’ve had quite a few Dutch rabbits and I would never describe any of them as antisocial and boring – they’ve all been extremely different as far as behavior – personality is unique to the rabbit not to the breed. I’ve appreciated all of their personalities and just accepted them for what they were. One was very vocal and opinionated, my pair was very shy and quiet and timid.

I’ve had quite a few rexes – standard and mini and frankly, they have all had different personalities as well. My male Standard Rex was very shy and gentle, my female Standard was very vocal and full of personailty and I had a foster that was a mini rex and she was very assertive.

[Monkeybun]

My dutch boy is the opposite of antisocial and boring. Sure, he gets scared by a paper bag, but he’s perfectly willing to climb all over you and tickle your ears with his whiskers, and run off binkying across the living room floor.

Don’t judge just by breed, I suggest going to shelters and meeting with all kinds of bunnies, and bringing home the one you find that suits your desires, and those of your current bunny’s desires too.

[#1BunnyLover]

Okay, thanks. That;s all I need.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Rabbits live 8-10 years, so you have a while before you need to think about your next rabbit.

You could spend some time learning how to bond with your own though- http://language.rabbitspeak.com/ is a great website on how to really understand your bun My bet is shes not just “antisocial and boring”.

[BinkyBunny]

I know you said that “That’s all I need”, so I don’t want to belabor the point. But if for whatever reason you are dreaming of a new bunny until your commitment to your new bunny is over, we may be able to help you find a way to bond with your current challenging bunny. I know it can be hard if your bunny doesn’t seem to have the qualities that make you feel closer. That’s not abnormal. I currently have a very opinionated bunny who if I didn’t approach her in certain way, would be completely anti-social. I have found ways to connect and now find her one of the most charming intelligent bunnies I have ever had the pleasure of being “owned” by.  

She is extremely smart!! Can learn clicker type training in just a few minutes of training over a few days. Many people who haven’t been discouraged by their “anti-social” bunny have been blown away by some other wonderful behaviors  -  like displays of intelligence and responsiveness in other positive ways. So if part of your pining over future bunnies has to do with any disappointment in your current bunny, don’t feel bad. We can probably help you with that.  I’m apologize though if that is not the case. I just wanted to make sure to address that just in case. 

[Elrohwen]

I just wanted to jump in and agree with BinkyBunny. Since you’ll have your current rabbit for a while, I think it’s important to try to bond with her.

My boy is very lazy, so not a lot of running around and doing silly things. He’s also fairly antisocial and doesn’t enjoy being petted very much. Since I started clicker training him he completely came out of his shell. He’s still not super active, and he won’t flatten out for pets, but he does spend time every night sitting on my lap while I give him some pellets. I’ve even trained him to let me hug him while he’s on my lap and he sits quietly while I do it, then gets a treat. Often the aloof and quiet bunnies just need you to connect with them in a new way and their personalities really blossom.

[LoveChaCha]

People often stereotype certain breeds, but it isn’t until they actually get to know when is when they realize that the stereotypes are not all true. Dwarf rabbits are stereotyped as very high strung, and hyper. My dwarf girl is very much demanding, very laid back, and funny. She isn’t very hyper. She will only let me approach her on her own terms (when she is sitting and glaring at me for pets), likes flopping, and begging for treats.

All rabbits are different. I think all owners should go into rabbit parenting with an open mind, because you never know what you are going to get

[#1BunnyLover]

Well, shes still young so her attitude changes everyday. lol

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