43 Rabbit Breeds To Keep As Pets

Rabbits come in many different breeds, all with different colors, sizes, shapes, and coat types. The subtler differences between rabbit breeds are mostly of interest to those who show their bunnies, while the average owner is focused mainly on the size and type of coat. Keep in mind that a rabbit purchased from a pet store is not necessarily purebred; it may not meet ideal breed standards. Yet this in no way reflects on their quality as a pet and should not deter you from adopting the rabbit that you like.

Rabbits can vary in size from the smaller dwarf breeds weighing less than 2.5 pounds to some of the giant breeds, weighing in at a whopping 20 pounds or more. Coats can vary in color, from whites to browns, grays, and black. Fur varies in texture and ranges from short to long. Note that the longer coated breeds require daily grooming, so they are a little more time-consuming than the shorter hair breeds.

Pet Rabbit Breeds: An Alphabetical List

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Alaskan
Ailura / Wikimedia Commons / CC By 3.0
Based on its name, you might think the Alaska rabbit originated in the state of Alaska, but the jet-black breed is in fact native to Germany, where it was created primarily as a fur rabbit (non-pet), although the attractive-looking Alaska rabbit can make a fine pet. Though it was at one time recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, the breed is no longer recognized by ARBA. The Alaska is recognized by the British Rabbit Council in the United Kingdom.
6 to 8.5 poundsBlackThick coatOriginated in Germany
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American
Jorja M. Vornheder / Getty Images
The American rabbit is a very rare breed. This large rabbit weighs about 12 pounds and comes in two solid colors (blue and white). The American is known for its sweet temperament and beautiful fur. The American Livestock Breed Conservancy lists the American as a critical breed.
9 to 12 poundsBlue, whiteMedium build, narrow head
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American Chinchilla
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The history of the American Chinchilla dates back to the New York State Fair in 1919, where a British exhibitor sold two Chinchilla rabbits to two U.S. rabbit breeders, who went on to breed them up in size. Gentle and hardy, the American Chinchilla is the rarest of the Chinchilla rabbit breeds.
9 to 12 poundsChinchilla coloredDense, fine hair that is smooth and glossy (1.25 inch-long coat)Relatively round body
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American Sable
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The medium-sized American Sable rabbit has a uniquely colored brown coat that resembles the color of a mink and features various shades from light to dark, with dark sepia color on the face, ears, feet, and tail. Rare today, the American Sable breed was created in the 1920s using different types of chinchilla rabbits.
7 to 10 poundsSepia brownMedium build with soft, dense, fine coat with coarse guard hairs
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Angora
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Angora rabbits are known for their profuse, silky wool coats, known as Angora wool. The luxurious coat requires considerable care, including frequent brushing to prevent or remove mats, as well as plucking, shearing, or clipping the coat every few months. There are several Angora rabbit breeds, including the English Angora, French Angora, Giant Angora, and Satin Angora.
Variety of sizes and colorsHigh maintenanceEnglish angora: 5 to 7 pounds, long silky hairFrench angora: 7.5 to 10.5 poundsGiant Angora: 8.5+ pounds, soft fine undercoat (wool), straight stiff guard hairs, and a wavy fluff with a guard tip in betweenSatin Angora: 6.5 to 9.5 pounds, very fine wool
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Argente Rabbits
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Argente rabbits hail from France and are known for their dense, glossy silky coats that come in a variety of beautiful colors. There are several Argente rabbit breeds, which range in size, including Argente Brun (silver-brown), Argente Bleu (silver-blue), Champagne d’Argent (silver rabbit of Champagne), Argente Noir (born black, but transform to a silvery slate-blue color), Crème d’Argent (creamy-white color with a bright orange undercolor) and Argente St. Hubert (silver).
5 to 12 poundsVarious shades, including black, blue, slate, silver, brown, or creamy white
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Belgian Hare
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According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, the Belgian Hare is one of the oldest rabbit breeds in the United States, dating back to the 1880s in America, though the breed was developed much earlier in Belgium. With its long, slender body, arched back, and rounded hindquarters, the Belgian Hare looks much like a wild hare. The breed is extremely rare.
6 to 9.5 poundsReddish tan or chestnut with slate blue under-coloring; slender build, fairly stiff coatSlender build
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Blanc de Hotot (White Hotot)
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The Blanc de Hotot (White Hotot) is a solid white rabbit with black “eyeliner” markings ringing its dark eyes. The Blanc de Hotot was developed in France in the early 19th century. The Blanc de Hotot rabbit was used to develop the Dwarf Hotot, which has similar markings but is much smaller.
8 to 11 poundsWhite with black eye ringWell rounded body
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Britannia Petite
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Weighing in at a maximum of 2.5 pounds, the Britannia Petite is a very tiny rabbit, and in fact, is one of the smallest rabbit breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. In the United Kingdom, the Britannia Petite is known as the Polish. Energetic and high-strung, the Britannia Petite can be difficult to handle.
Less than 2.5 poundsRuby-eyed white, black otter, black, chestnut agoutiSlender, fine-boned build with a sleek, silky coatOne of the smallest breeds of rabbits
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Californian
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The Californian rabbit is one of the most popular breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. As its name suggests, the breed was created in Southern California in the 1920s. The Californian rabbit has a white body with Himalayan coloring (darker points of color on the extremities, including the nose, ears, feet, and tail. They always have pink eyes.
8 to 12 poundsWhite, with black nose, ears, feet, tailRounded body, medium build, and a short smooth coat
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Checkered Giant
Francis Apesteguy / Contributor / Getty Images
A rabbit breed with a long history in the United States, the Checkered Giant was first recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1919. True to its name, the Checkered Giant is a large rabbit that weighs at least 11 pounds or more and has distinctive checkered markings on its white body. The breed is known as “the Rabbit Beautiful.” The Checkered Giant is an active rabbit that needs a lot of space to run.
More than 11 poundsWhite with black or blue markings (along spine, body spots, cheek spots, colored ears, eye circles, and butterfly mark on nose)Long, hare-like body
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Chinchilla
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The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes three Chinchilla breeds: the American Chinchilla, the Standard Chinchilla, and the Giant Chinchilla. All Chinchilla rabbit breeds have soft coats with unique silver coloring that resembles the chinchilla, a small rodent native to South America that is also kept as a pet. The color is a blend of grays, with dark slate blue at the base, darker blue at the top edge, and shades of light gray in between.
5.5 to 6.5 poundsChinchilla grey coloredFine bonedBlack at birth with white hairs start showing at about 2 months
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Cinnamon
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The Cinnamon rabbit is so named due to its lustrous short red coat. The breed was created in the 1970s from a cross between a Chinchilla doe and the New Zealand buck. One of the bucks from the litter was then bred with a Checkered Giant/Californian doe, resulting in some red babies. Cinnamon rabbits are medium-sized and make sweet and affectionate pets.
8.5 to 11 poundsRust or cinnamon color with grey ticking on back and grey on the belly. Rust-colored spots inside hind legs as well as butterfly mark on nose and eye rings
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Continental
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Sometimes referred to as Contis or Continental Giants, the Continental rabbit is likely related to the Flemish Giant. They come in white and colored varieties, and are a large breed, weighing up to 16 pounds. The Continental rabbit is recognized by the British Rabbit Council, but it is not recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
12.4 pounds and upWhite, black, grey, chestnut, and varying shadesLive only 5 to 7 years
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Creme d’Argent
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Argente rabbits hail from France and are known for their dense, glossy silky coats that come in a variety of beautiful colors. One of four Argente rabbit breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, the Crème d’Argent is known for its creamy-white coat with a bright orange undercolor. This rare breed only exists in the United States and the United Kingdom.
8 to 11 poundsCreamy white with orange undercoatButterfly marking on nose
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Dutch
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With its characteristic bi-colored markings, the Dutch rabbit is one of the most familiar rabbits, ranking in the top 10 of the most popular rabbit breeds. The breed is small, ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 pounds. Despite its name, the Dutch rabbit in fact originated in England, and it’s one of the oldest breeds of rabbit, dating back to the 1850s. The Dutch rabbit is friendly and active, making it a popular pet.
3.5 to 5.5 poundsWhite with black, blue, or brown; chocolate; steel; tortoiseThe front of the face, body, and the back feet are white; the rest is colored
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Dward Hotot
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The Dwarf Hotot rabbit is a unique-looking breed, all white with black “eyeliner” markings ringing its dark eyes. It’s related to the larger Blanc de Hotot (White Hotot), from which the Dwarf Hotot acquired its good looks. The Dwarf Hotot is very small, weighing in at less than 3 pounds. Friendly, curious, and active, the Dwarf Hotot is best as an only pet.
Less than 3 poundsWhite with black eye ringsRounded body
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English Lop
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Famous for its extremely long ears (the longest of all rabbits), the English Lop is likely the first lop-eared rabbit breed, meaning all other lop-eared rabbit breeds can trace their ancestry back to the English Lop. English Lops have been known since the early 1800s and were extremely popular pets during the reign of Queen Victoria. Absolutely adorable, the English Lop is a calm and friendly pet.
More than 9 poundsAgouti, broken, shaded, ticked, or wide-band color groupsVery long lop ears
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English Spot
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The attractively speckled English Spot traces its history back to England in the 1800s. The breed arrived in the United States just before the turn of the 20th century, where they were warmly received. The English Spot has characteristic markings on its white body, including a butterfly mark on the nose, eye circles, cheek spots, spine markings (herringbones), colored ears, and a chain of spots along the body.
5 to 8 poundsWhite with black, blue, chocolate, gold, grey, lilac, or tortoiseLong arched body like a hare
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Flemish Giant (Patagonian)
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Named for its believed place of origin of Flanders, Belgium, the Flemish Giant rabbit has been known in Europe since the 17th century. The breed has no maximum weight, but some Flemish Giants can weigh 20 pounds or more. It was brought to the United States in the 1890s, where its large size proved helpful in increasing the weight of rabbits bred for meat. Nicknamed “the Gentle Giant” due to its extremely sweet temperament, the Flemish Giant is an exceptional pet.
Usually 10 to 20 pounds
Black, blue, fawn, light grey, sandy, steel grey, white
Long with a heavy build (but shouldn’t be fat)
One of the largest breeds of rabbits
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Florida White
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Although the Florida White rabbit was initially bred in the 1960s for use as a laboratory rabbit, today this smaller rabbit breed is a popular pet and competitive show rabbit. As its name suggests, the Florida White is always pure white with red eyes. The breed has a maximum weight of 6 pounds.
4 to 6 poundsPure whiteRounded body
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French Lop
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The French Lop is most likely descended from the English Lop and the Giant Papillon rabbit, which was a large spotted rabbit that’s generally considered to be extinct today. The French Lop is a massive, heavy-boned rabbit that has no upper weight limit. Like the English Lop, the French Lop has low-set droopy ears, although they are not as long as the English Lop’s ears. The French Lop is gentle and laid-back, with a sweet personality.
10 pounds and overAgouti, broken, self, shaded, ticked, or wide-band groupsMuscular, heavy build
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Giant Papillon
The Giant Papillon rabbit was a large, spotted rabbit breed that is now considered extinct. However, some people consider the Giant Papillon to be virtually identical to another breed, the German Giant Spotted, so the technicality of its state of extinction is sometimes debated. The Giant Papillon was also related to and extremely similar to the Checked Giant rabbit.
13 to 14 poundsWhite with markings; similar to English Spot, except for patches on sides instead of spotsPossibly extinct
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Harlequin
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The Harlequin rabbit is a French breed that’s been around since the 1880s. Harlequin rabbits are bi-colored (two different colors) in different color combinations. Japanese Harlequins may be orange or fawn combined with black, blue, chocolate, or lilac. Magpie Harlequins are white combined with black, blue, chocolate, or lilac. The pattern is unique, with alternating patches of color. For instance, an ideally patterned Harlequins will have half the face white while the other half of the face is black, then the pattern is flipped so the ear on the white side of the face is black while the ear on the black side of the face is white.
6.5 to 9.5 poundsBlack, blue, chocolate, lilac combined with white, orange, or fawn
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Havana
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The Havana rabbit is known as the “Mink of the Rabbit Fancy” due to its soft, luxurious, mink-like coat. This small rabbit has a compact body shape. Despite its name, the breed originated in Holland. The name Havana referred to the similarity between the color of Havana cigars and the rabbit’s fur (at first, all Havana rabbits were chocolate-colored). Havanas were brought to the United States in the early 1900s; they were recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1916.
4.5 to 6.5 poundsChocolate, black, blue, broken, and lilacCompact, rounded body
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Himalayan
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The Himalayan rabbit is a striking rabbit with pointed coloration like a Siamese or Himalayan cat, consisting of a solid white body with darker “points” of color on the extremities (the nose, ears, feet, lower legs, and tail. Points may be black, blue, chocolate, or lilac. Affectionately called “Himmies,” the Himalayan rabbit is also known for its unique, cylindrical body shape. The Himalayan is one of the oldest rabbit breeds, but its origins are debated. These small, sweet rabbits are laid-back and easy to handle.
2.5 to 4.5 poundsWhite body with darker markings on the extremities in black, blue, chocolate, or lilac
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Holland Lop
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The diminutive Holland Lop is a dwarf rabbit breed with lop ears. It has a large head relative to its body, and small dropped ears. The Holland Lop is in the top five most popular breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. It is docile and easier to handle than some of the larger lop breeds of rabbits.
Less than 4 poundsAgouti, broken, pointed white, self, shaded, ticked, or wide-band color groupsMuscular build, lop ears
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Jersey Woolly
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The Jersey Woolly is a relatively new breed of rabbit that was recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1988. This dwarf breed has a woolen coat that is easier to care for than some other wool-coated rabbit breeds. The friendly Jersey Woolly is one of the most popular breeds on the rabbit show circuit.
Less than 3.5 poundsWide variety of colors, long wooly coat
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Lilac
The Lilac rabbit is a standout among rabbits thanks to its trademark pinkish dove-gray-colored soft fur. The breed was created in two places simultaneously in the early 20th century—in England and the Netherlands. Lilac-colored rabbits from both countries were imported to the United States in the 1920s. Today, the Lilac rabbit is a very rare, but treasured breed.
5.5 to 8 poundsLilac colorationCompact body and dense coat
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Mini Lop
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The Mini Lop is a small, lopped-eared rabbit breed. Its body is compact and stocky, and its head is the size of a softball. At 4.5 to 6.5 pounds, Mini Lop is larger than the Holland Lop but smaller than both the English Lop and French Lop.
4.5 to 6.5 poundsAgouti, broken, pointed white, self, shaded, ticked, or wide-band color groupsMuscular and compact
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Mini Rex
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A relatively new breed of rabbit recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1988, the Mini Rex is a smaller version of the Rex rabbit, which is famous for its velvety, plush, soft fur. Rex rabbits have a maximum weight of 10.5 pounds, but Mini Rex rabbits are 4.5 pounds maximum. It has a compact, rounded body and is sweet, friendly, and calm.
3 to 4.5 poundsBlack, blue, broken group, castor, chinchilla, chocolate, lilac, lynx, opal, red, seal tortoise, whiteCompact, rounded body
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Netherland Dwarf
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Weighing less than 2.5 pounds, the Netherland Dwarf is one of the smallest breeds of rabbit. The Netherland Dwarf comes in 25 different colors, including black, blue, chinchilla, chestnut, chocolate, fawn, Himalayan, lilac, orange, steel, tortoiseshell, blue-eyed white, and ruby-eyed white. Some can be timid, so gentle handling is recommended.
Less than 2.5 poundsSelf-group, shaded group, agouti group, tan pattern group, fawn, Himalayan, orange, steel, tortoiseshellEars seem too short for head
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New Zealand
Srkzin Szucs Linda / EyeEm
Don’t be fooled by the New Zealand rabbit’s name—this breed was born and bred in the United States. The New Zealand was recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1916. The medium to large breed comes in five color varieties: white, red, black, blue, and broken (any color mixed with white). New Zealand rabbits are affectionate and docile pets.
9 to 12 poundsBlack, red, whiteLong, muscular body
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Palomino
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The Palomino rabbit is named for its golden coat, which is reminiscent of that of the famous Palomino horse. The Palomino rabbit is an American creation, developed in Washington state in the 1940s and 1950s. The breed was first called “Tawnies,” then “Washingtonian” but the breed name was changed to Palomino and officially recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1957. Palomino rabbits are sweet and friendly pets.
Less than 9.5 poundsGolden, lynxLarge, upright ears
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Polish
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Despite its name, the Polish rabbit is believed to have originated in Great Britain, although no one knows for sure. It is a very old breed, being mentioned in texts from 1860. Weighing less than 3.5 pounds, the Polish is a very small rabbit, but it’s not a dwarf breed. The Polish rabbit is a calm and friendly pet.
Less than 3.5 poundsBlack, blue, chocolate, blue-eyed white, ruby-eyed whiteVery short ears
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Rex
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Known as the “King of the Rabbits,” the Rex rabbit is prized for its velvety, plush, soft fur, which is short and dense, lending it a unique feel. The luxurious coat comes in 16 color varieties. The Rex rabbit originated in France in the early 20th century. Rex rabbits are playful and affectionate.
7.5 to 10.5 lbsBlack, black otter, blue, broken group, Californian, castor, chinchilla, chocolate, lilac, lynx, opal, red, sable, seal, white
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Rhinelander
The Rhinelander rabbit comes from Germany, where it was developed in the early 20th century. It is what is known as an “arched rabbit,” which means its body type and posture are similar to a wild rabbit, appearing alert and ready to flee, with its belly pulled high from the ground. The is white with colored ears, eye circles, and spots in orange and black, or fawn and blue.
6.5 to 10 poundsWhite with markings in black and orange or fawn and blue: six to eight round markings on each side of the back part of the body, as well as a spine marking, butterfly mark on the nose, eye circles, colored ears, and round cheek spots
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Satin
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The Satin rabbit is directly related to the Havana rabbit. A gene mutation occurred in a litter of Havana rabbits that caused the babies to have coats with a lustrous sheen like satin. Satin rabbits come in 11 beautiful colors. Satins are sweet, calm, and friendly pets.
8.5 to 11 poundsBlack, blue, broken group, Californian, chinchilla, chocolate, copper, red, Siamese, whiteErect, full ears
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Silver
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The Silver rabbit is so named for its distinctively colored coat, which consists of white hairs mixed into one of three colors (black, brown, or fawn), resulting in a beautiful silver-tinged hue. The Silver rabbit is believed to be the oldest breed of domesticated rabbit, with written records tracing the breed back to at least the 1500s. The Silver rabbit is friendly, active, and affectionate.
4 to 7 poundsBlack, brown, fawn with silver or white guard hairs
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Silver Fox
The Silver Fox was developed in the United States and in fact, it was the third American-bred rabbit breed. Although it was first called the American Heavyweight Silver, the name was later changed to American Silver Fox and then shortened to simply Silver Fox. The breed sports a dense, jet-black coat with a silvering effect that is similar to that of the silver Artic fox. Considered a heritage breed by the Livestock Conservancy, the Silver Fox is extremely rare today.
9 to 12 poundsJet black with silveringBorn solid black; silvering begins developing by 4 weeks of age
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Silver Marten
The Silver Marten was created accidentally when Chinchilla rabbit breeders introduced black and tan rabbits into Chinchilla breeds to improve the breed. Sometime late, unexpected black and silver rabbits began showing up in Chinchilla litters and a new breed was born. Today, the term silver marten is also used to describe the color black and silver—a color that appears in some other rabbit breeds, including the Netherland Dwarf, Mini Rex, and Mini Satin.
6 to 9.5 poundsBlack, blue, chocolate, sable with silver-tipped guard hairs
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Standard Chinchilla
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The Standard Chinchilla is one of three Chinchilla rabbit breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (the other two are the American Chinchilla and the Giant Chinchilla). All Chinchilla rabbit breeds have soft coats with unique silver coloring that resembles the chinchilla, a small rodent native to South America that is also kept as a pet. The color is a blend of grays, with dark slate blue at the base, darker blue at the top edge, and shades of light gray in between.
5 to 7.5 poundsChinchilla colorationRounded body
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Tan
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Tan rabbits appeared naturally in wild rabbit colonies in England, and people were obsessed. The uniquely colored rabbits were captured and domesticated in the late 19th century. Tan rabbits are bi-colored: red-orange markings with dark shading of another color (black, blue, chocolate, or lilac) on the back, sides, and head. The Tan rabbit is a full-arched breed, harkening to its wild ancestors. Tan rabbits are lively and friendly pets.
4 to 6 poundsBlack, blue, chocolate, or lilacTan markings include eye circles, nostrils, jowls, ears, backs of legs, toes, chest, belly, tail, and neck collar

Alaskan

Based on its name, you might think the Alaska rabbit originated in the state of Alaska, but the jet-black breed is in fact native to Germany, where it was created primarily as a fur rabbit (non-pet), although the attractive-looking Alaska rabbit can make a fine pet. Though it was at one time recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, the breed is no longer recognized by ARBA. The Alaska is recognized by the British Rabbit Council in the United Kingdom.

Ailura / Wikimedia Commons / CC By 3.0

6 to 8.5 poundsBlackThick coatOriginated in Germany

American

The American rabbit is a very rare breed. This large rabbit weighs about 12 pounds and comes in two solid colors (blue and white). The American is known for its sweet temperament and beautiful fur. The American Livestock Breed Conservancy lists the American as a critical breed.

Jorja M. Vornheder / Getty Images

9 to 12 poundsBlue, whiteMedium build, narrow head

American Chinchilla

The history of the American Chinchilla dates back to the New York State Fair in 1919, where a British exhibitor sold two Chinchilla rabbits to two U.S. rabbit breeders, who went on to breed them up in size. Gentle and hardy, the American Chinchilla is the rarest of the Chinchilla rabbit breeds.

Melanie Dawn Harter / Getty Images

9 to 12 poundsChinchilla coloredDense, fine hair that is smooth and glossy (1.25 inch-long coat)Relatively round body

American Sable

The medium-sized American Sable rabbit has a uniquely colored brown coat that resembles the color of a mink and features various shades from light to dark, with dark sepia color on the face, ears, feet, and tail. Rare today, the American Sable breed was created in the 1920s using different types of chinchilla rabbits.

John Morrison / Getty Images

7 to 10 poundsSepia brownMedium build with soft, dense, fine coat with coarse guard hairs

Angora

Angora rabbits are known for their profuse, silky wool coats, known as Angora wool. The luxurious coat requires considerable care, including frequent brushing to prevent or remove mats, as well as plucking, shearing, or clipping the coat every few months. There are several Angora rabbit breeds, including the English Angora, French Angora, Giant Angora, and Satin Angora.

PeterTG / Getty Images

Variety of sizes and colorsHigh maintenanceEnglish angora: 5 to 7 pounds, long silky hairFrench angora: 7.5 to 10.5 poundsGiant Angora: 8.5+ pounds, soft fine undercoat (wool), straight stiff guard hairs, and a wavy fluff with a guard tip in betweenSatin Angora: 6.5 to 9.5 pounds, very fine wool

Argente Rabbits

Argente rabbits hail from France and are known for their dense, glossy silky coats that come in a variety of beautiful colors. There are several Argente rabbit breeds, which range in size, including Argente Brun (silver-brown), Argente Bleu (silver-blue), Champagne d’Argent (silver rabbit of Champagne), Argente Noir (born black, but transform to a silvery slate-blue color), Crème d’Argent (creamy-white color with a bright orange undercolor) and Argente St. Hubert (silver).

GlobalP / Getty Images

5 to 12 poundsVarious shades, including black, blue, slate, silver, brown, or creamy white

Belgian Hare

According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, the Belgian Hare is one of the oldest rabbit breeds in the United States, dating back to the 1880s in America, though the breed was developed much earlier in Belgium. With its long, slender body, arched back, and rounded hindquarters, the Belgian Hare looks much like a wild hare. The breed is extremely rare.

Life On White / Getty Images

6 to 9.5 poundsReddish tan or chestnut with slate blue under-coloring; slender build, fairly stiff coatSlender build

Blanc de Hotot (White Hotot)

The Blanc de Hotot (White Hotot) is a solid white rabbit with black “eyeliner” markings ringing its dark eyes. The Blanc de Hotot was developed in France in the early 19th century. The Blanc de Hotot rabbit was used to develop the Dwarf Hotot, which has similar markings but is much smaller.

8 to 11 poundsWhite with black eye ringWell rounded body

Britannia Petite

Weighing in at a maximum of 2.5 pounds, the Britannia Petite is a very tiny rabbit, and in fact, is one of the smallest rabbit breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. In the United Kingdom, the Britannia Petite is known as the Polish. Energetic and high-strung, the Britannia Petite can be difficult to handle.

Naruden / Getty Images

Less than 2.5 poundsRuby-eyed white, black otter, black, chestnut agoutiSlender, fine-boned build with a sleek, silky coatOne of the smallest breeds of rabbits

Californian

The Californian rabbit is one of the most popular breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. As its name suggests, the breed was created in Southern California in the 1920s. The Californian rabbit has a white body with Himalayan coloring (darker points of color on the extremities, including the nose, ears, feet, and tail. They always have pink eyes.

Maksim Shchur / Getty Images

8 to 12 poundsWhite, with black nose, ears, feet, tailRounded body, medium build, and a short smooth coat

Checkered Giant

A rabbit breed with a long history in the United States, the Checkered Giant was first recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1919. True to its name, the Checkered Giant is a large rabbit that weighs at least 11 pounds or more and has distinctive checkered markings on its white body. The breed is known as “the Rabbit Beautiful.” The Checkered Giant is an active rabbit that needs a lot of space to run.

Francis Apesteguy / Contributor / Getty Images

More than 11 poundsWhite with black or blue markings (along spine, body spots, cheek spots, colored ears, eye circles, and butterfly mark on nose)Long, hare-like body

Chinchilla

The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes three Chinchilla breeds: the American Chinchilla, the Standard Chinchilla, and the Giant Chinchilla. All Chinchilla rabbit breeds have soft coats with unique silver coloring that resembles the chinchilla, a small rodent native to South America that is also kept as a pet. The color is a blend of grays, with dark slate blue at the base, darker blue at the top edge, and shades of light gray in between.

coramueller / Getty Images

5.5 to 6.5 poundsChinchilla grey coloredFine bonedBlack at birth with white hairs start showing at about 2 months

Cinnamon

The Cinnamon rabbit is so named due to its lustrous short red coat. The breed was created in the 1970s from a cross between a Chinchilla doe and the New Zealand buck. One of the bucks from the litter was then bred with a Checkered Giant/Californian doe, resulting in some red babies. Cinnamon rabbits are medium-sized and make sweet and affectionate pets.

8.5 to 11 poundsRust or cinnamon color with grey ticking on back and grey on the belly. Rust-colored spots inside hind legs as well as butterfly mark on nose and eye rings

Continental

Sometimes referred to as Contis or Continental Giants, the Continental rabbit is likely related to the Flemish Giant. They come in white and colored varieties, and are a large breed, weighing up to 16 pounds. The Continental rabbit is recognized by the British Rabbit Council, but it is not recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.

Svetlana Lavereva / Getty Images

12.4 pounds and upWhite, black, grey, chestnut, and varying shadesLive only 5 to 7 years

Creme d’Argent

Argente rabbits hail from France and are known for their dense, glossy silky coats that come in a variety of beautiful colors. One of four Argente rabbit breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, the Crème d’Argent is known for its creamy-white coat with a bright orange undercolor. This rare breed only exists in the United States and the United Kingdom.

8 to 11 poundsCreamy white with orange undercoatButterfly marking on nose

Dutch

With its characteristic bi-colored markings, the Dutch rabbit is one of the most familiar rabbits, ranking in the top 10 of the most popular rabbit breeds. The breed is small, ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 pounds. Despite its name, the Dutch rabbit in fact originated in England, and it’s one of the oldest breeds of rabbit, dating back to the 1850s. The Dutch rabbit is friendly and active, making it a popular pet.

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3.5 to 5.5 poundsWhite with black, blue, or brown; chocolate; steel; tortoiseThe front of the face, body, and the back feet are white; the rest is colored

Dward Hotot

The Dwarf Hotot rabbit is a unique-looking breed, all white with black “eyeliner” markings ringing its dark eyes. It’s related to the larger Blanc de Hotot (White Hotot), from which the Dwarf Hotot acquired its good looks. The Dwarf Hotot is very small, weighing in at less than 3 pounds. Friendly, curious, and active, the Dwarf Hotot is best as an only pet.

Less than 3 poundsWhite with black eye ringsRounded body

English Lop

Famous for its extremely long ears (the longest of all rabbits), the English Lop is likely the first lop-eared rabbit breed, meaning all other lop-eared rabbit breeds can trace their ancestry back to the English Lop. English Lops have been known since the early 1800s and were extremely popular pets during the reign of Queen Victoria. Absolutely adorable, the English Lop is a calm and friendly pet.

More than 9 poundsAgouti, broken, shaded, ticked, or wide-band color groupsVery long lop ears

English Spot

The attractively speckled English Spot traces its history back to England in the 1800s. The breed arrived in the United States just before the turn of the 20th century, where they were warmly received. The English Spot has characteristic markings on its white body, including a butterfly mark on the nose, eye circles, cheek spots, spine markings (herringbones), colored ears, and a chain of spots along the body.

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5 to 8 poundsWhite with black, blue, chocolate, gold, grey, lilac, or tortoiseLong arched body like a hare

Flemish Giant (Patagonian)

Named for its believed place of origin of Flanders, Belgium, the Flemish Giant rabbit has been known in Europe since the 17th century. The breed has no maximum weight, but some Flemish Giants can weigh 20 pounds or more. It was brought to the United States in the 1890s, where its large size proved helpful in increasing the weight of rabbits bred for meat. Nicknamed “the Gentle Giant” due to its extremely sweet temperament, the Flemish Giant is an exceptional pet.

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Usually 10 to 20 pounds
Black, blue, fawn, light grey, sandy, steel grey, white
Long with a heavy build (but shouldn’t be fat)
One of the largest breeds of rabbits

Florida White

Although the Florida White rabbit was initially bred in the 1960s for use as a laboratory rabbit, today this smaller rabbit breed is a popular pet and competitive show rabbit. As its name suggests, the Florida White is always pure white with red eyes. The breed has a maximum weight of 6 pounds.

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4 to 6 poundsPure whiteRounded body

French Lop

The French Lop is most likely descended from the English Lop and the Giant Papillon rabbit, which was a large spotted rabbit that’s generally considered to be extinct today. The French Lop is a massive, heavy-boned rabbit that has no upper weight limit. Like the English Lop, the French Lop has low-set droopy ears, although they are not as long as the English Lop’s ears. The French Lop is gentle and laid-back, with a sweet personality.

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10 pounds and overAgouti, broken, self, shaded, ticked, or wide-band groupsMuscular, heavy build

Giant Papillon

The Giant Papillon rabbit was a large, spotted rabbit breed that is now considered extinct. However, some people consider the Giant Papillon to be virtually identical to another breed, the German Giant Spotted, so the technicality of its state of extinction is sometimes debated. The Giant Papillon was also related to and extremely similar to the Checked Giant rabbit.

13 to 14 poundsWhite with markings; similar to English Spot, except for patches on sides instead of spotsPossibly extinct

Harlequin

The Harlequin rabbit is a French breed that’s been around since the 1880s. Harlequin rabbits are bi-colored (two different colors) in different color combinations. Japanese Harlequins may be orange or fawn combined with black, blue, chocolate, or lilac. Magpie Harlequins are white combined with black, blue, chocolate, or lilac. The pattern is unique, with alternating patches of color. For instance, an ideally patterned Harlequins will have half the face white while the other half of the face is black, then the pattern is flipped so the ear on the white side of the face is black while the ear on the black side of the face is white.

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6.5 to 9.5 poundsBlack, blue, chocolate, lilac combined with white, orange, or fawn

Havana

The Havana rabbit is known as the “Mink of the Rabbit Fancy” due to its soft, luxurious, mink-like coat. This small rabbit has a compact body shape. Despite its name, the breed originated in Holland. The name Havana referred to the similarity between the color of Havana cigars and the rabbit’s fur (at first, all Havana rabbits were chocolate-colored). Havanas were brought to the United States in the early 1900s; they were recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1916.

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4.5 to 6.5 poundsChocolate, black, blue, broken, and lilacCompact, rounded body

Himalayan

The Himalayan rabbit is a striking rabbit with pointed coloration like a Siamese or Himalayan cat, consisting of a solid white body with darker “points” of color on the extremities (the nose, ears, feet, lower legs, and tail. Points may be black, blue, chocolate, or lilac. Affectionately called “Himmies,” the Himalayan rabbit is also known for its unique, cylindrical body shape. The Himalayan is one of the oldest rabbit breeds, but its origins are debated. These small, sweet rabbits are laid-back and easy to handle.

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2.5 to 4.5 poundsWhite body with darker markings on the extremities in black, blue, chocolate, or lilac

Holland Lop

The diminutive Holland Lop is a dwarf rabbit breed with lop ears. It has a large head relative to its body, and small dropped ears. The Holland Lop is in the top five most popular breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. It is docile and easier to handle than some of the larger lop breeds of rabbits.

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Less than 4 poundsAgouti, broken, pointed white, self, shaded, ticked, or wide-band color groupsMuscular build, lop ears

Jersey Woolly

The Jersey Woolly is a relatively new breed of rabbit that was recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1988. This dwarf breed has a woolen coat that is easier to care for than some other wool-coated rabbit breeds. The friendly Jersey Woolly is one of the most popular breeds on the rabbit show circuit.

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Less than 3.5 poundsWide variety of colors, long wooly coat

Lilac

The Lilac rabbit is a standout among rabbits thanks to its trademark pinkish dove-gray-colored soft fur. The breed was created in two places simultaneously in the early 20th century—in England and the Netherlands. Lilac-colored rabbits from both countries were imported to the United States in the 1920s. Today, the Lilac rabbit is a very rare, but treasured breed.

5.5 to 8 poundsLilac colorationCompact body and dense coat

Mini Lop

The Mini Lop is a small, lopped-eared rabbit breed. Its body is compact and stocky, and its head is the size of a softball. At 4.5 to 6.5 pounds, Mini Lop is larger than the Holland Lop but smaller than both the English Lop and French Lop.

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4.5 to 6.5 poundsAgouti, broken, pointed white, self, shaded, ticked, or wide-band color groupsMuscular and compact

Mini Rex

A relatively new breed of rabbit recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1988, the Mini Rex is a smaller version of the Rex rabbit, which is famous for its velvety, plush, soft fur. Rex rabbits have a maximum weight of 10.5 pounds, but Mini Rex rabbits are 4.5 pounds maximum. It has a compact, rounded body and is sweet, friendly, and calm.

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3 to 4.5 poundsBlack, blue, broken group, castor, chinchilla, chocolate, lilac, lynx, opal, red, seal tortoise, whiteCompact, rounded body

Netherland Dwarf

Weighing less than 2.5 pounds, the Netherland Dwarf is one of the smallest breeds of rabbit. The Netherland Dwarf comes in 25 different colors, including black, blue, chinchilla, chestnut, chocolate, fawn, Himalayan, lilac, orange, steel, tortoiseshell, blue-eyed white, and ruby-eyed white. Some can be timid, so gentle handling is recommended.

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Less than 2.5 poundsSelf-group, shaded group, agouti group, tan pattern group, fawn, Himalayan, orange, steel, tortoiseshellEars seem too short for head

New Zealand

Don’t be fooled by the New Zealand rabbit’s name—this breed was born and bred in the United States. The New Zealand was recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1916. The medium to large breed comes in five color varieties: white, red, black, blue, and broken (any color mixed with white). New Zealand rabbits are affectionate and docile pets.

Srkzin Szucs Linda / EyeEm

9 to 12 poundsBlack, red, whiteLong, muscular body

Palomino

The Palomino rabbit is named for its golden coat, which is reminiscent of that of the famous Palomino horse. The Palomino rabbit is an American creation, developed in Washington state in the 1940s and 1950s. The breed was first called “Tawnies,” then “Washingtonian” but the breed name was changed to Palomino and officially recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1957. Palomino rabbits are sweet and friendly pets.

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Less than 9.5 poundsGolden, lynxLarge, upright ears

Polish

Despite its name, the Polish rabbit is believed to have originated in Great Britain, although no one knows for sure. It is a very old breed, being mentioned in texts from 1860. Weighing less than 3.5 pounds, the Polish is a very small rabbit, but it’s not a dwarf breed. The Polish rabbit is a calm and friendly pet.

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Less than 3.5 poundsBlack, blue, chocolate, blue-eyed white, ruby-eyed whiteVery short ears

Rex

Known as the “King of the Rabbits,” the Rex rabbit is prized for its velvety, plush, soft fur, which is short and dense, lending it a unique feel. The luxurious coat comes in 16 color varieties. The Rex rabbit originated in France in the early 20th century. Rex rabbits are playful and affectionate.

7.5 to 10.5 lbsBlack, black otter, blue, broken group, Californian, castor, chinchilla, chocolate, lilac, lynx, opal, red, sable, seal, white

Rhinelander

The Rhinelander rabbit comes from Germany, where it was developed in the early 20th century. It is what is known as an “arched rabbit,” which means its body type and posture are similar to a wild rabbit, appearing alert and ready to flee, with its belly pulled high from the ground. The is white with colored ears, eye circles, and spots in orange and black, or fawn and blue.

6.5 to 10 poundsWhite with markings in black and orange or fawn and blue: six to eight round markings on each side of the back part of the body, as well as a spine marking, butterfly mark on the nose, eye circles, colored ears, and round cheek spots

Satin

The Satin rabbit is directly related to the Havana rabbit. A gene mutation occurred in a litter of Havana rabbits that caused the babies to have coats with a lustrous sheen like satin. Satin rabbits come in 11 beautiful colors. Satins are sweet, calm, and friendly pets.

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8.5 to 11 poundsBlack, blue, broken group, Californian, chinchilla, chocolate, copper, red, Siamese, whiteErect, full ears

Silver

The Silver rabbit is so named for its distinctively colored coat, which consists of white hairs mixed into one of three colors (black, brown, or fawn), resulting in a beautiful silver-tinged hue. The Silver rabbit is believed to be the oldest breed of domesticated rabbit, with written records tracing the breed back to at least the 1500s. The Silver rabbit is friendly, active, and affectionate.

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4 to 7 poundsBlack, brown, fawn with silver or white guard hairs

Silver Fox

The Silver Fox was developed in the United States and in fact, it was the third American-bred rabbit breed. Although it was first called the American Heavyweight Silver, the name was later changed to American Silver Fox and then shortened to simply Silver Fox. The breed sports a dense, jet-black coat with a silvering effect that is similar to that of the silver Artic fox. Considered a heritage breed by the Livestock Conservancy, the Silver Fox is extremely rare today.

9 to 12 poundsJet black with silveringBorn solid black; silvering begins developing by 4 weeks of age

Silver Marten

The Silver Marten was created accidentally when Chinchilla rabbit breeders introduced black and tan rabbits into Chinchilla breeds to improve the breed. Sometime late, unexpected black and silver rabbits began showing up in Chinchilla litters and a new breed was born. Today, the term silver marten is also used to describe the color black and silver—a color that appears in some other rabbit breeds, including the Netherland Dwarf, Mini Rex, and Mini Satin.

6 to 9.5 poundsBlack, blue, chocolate, sable with silver-tipped guard hairs

Standard Chinchilla

The Standard Chinchilla is one of three Chinchilla rabbit breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (the other two are the American Chinchilla and the Giant Chinchilla). All Chinchilla rabbit breeds have soft coats with unique silver coloring that resembles the chinchilla, a small rodent native to South America that is also kept as a pet. The color is a blend of grays, with dark slate blue at the base, darker blue at the top edge, and shades of light gray in between.

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5 to 7.5 poundsChinchilla colorationRounded body

Tan

Tan rabbits appeared naturally in wild rabbit colonies in England, and people were obsessed. The uniquely colored rabbits were captured and domesticated in the late 19th century. Tan rabbits are bi-colored: red-orange markings with dark shading of another color (black, blue, chocolate, or lilac) on the back, sides, and head. The Tan rabbit is a full-arched breed, harkening to its wild ancestors. Tan rabbits are lively and friendly pets.

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4 to 6 poundsBlack, blue, chocolate, or lilacTan markings include eye circles, nostrils, jowls, ears, backs of legs, toes, chest, belly, tail, and neck collar

Pet Rabbit Breed Sizes

While the breed of a rabbit, in most cases, has little impact on its quality as a pet, you may be interested in the size of the rabbit when it is adult or full-grown. Here are the breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, grouped by size:

Small Sized Rabbit Breeds - 2 to 6 pounds

American Fuzzy LopBritannia PetiteDutchDwarf HototFlorida WhiteHavanaHimalayanHolland LopJersey WollyMini LopMini RexNetherland DwarfPolishSilverTan

Medium Sized Rabbit Breeds - 6 to 9 pounds

American SableBelgian HareEnglish AngoraEnglish SpotFrench AngoraHarlequinLilacRexRhinelanderSatin AngoraSilver MartenStandard Chinchilla

Large Sized Rabbit Breeds - 9 to 11 pounds

AmericanAmerican ChinchillaBeverenCalifornianChampagne d’ArgentCinnamonCreme d’ArgentEnglish LopGiant AngoraHototNew ZealandPalominoSatinSilver Fox

Giant Sized Rabbit Breeds - 11 pounds and more

Checkered GiantContinental Giant (Conti)Flemish Giant (Patagonian)French LopGiant Chinchilla
How many rabbit breeds are there?
According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, there are 50 recognized unique rabbit breeds.
What breeds of rabbit stay small?
All the dwarf, mini, petite, and pygmy breeds; American fuzzy lops, Holland lops, Dutch, and Himalayans; Jersey woolys, and lionheads.
How do you identify rabbit breeds?
There are a number of online apps to help you identify your rabbit’s breed. Or, the breed can be determined by your rabbit’s size and weight, fur type, body shape, ear type, and color and markings.

According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, there are 50 recognized unique rabbit breeds.

All the dwarf, mini, petite, and pygmy breeds; American fuzzy lops, Holland lops, Dutch, and Himalayans; Jersey woolys, and lionheads.

There are a number of online apps to help you identify your rabbit’s breed. Or, the breed can be determined by your rabbit’s size and weight, fur type, body shape, ear type, and color and markings.

Pet Rabbit Breeds: An Alphabetical List#

Alaskan#

American#

American Chinchilla#

American Sable#

Angora#

Argente Rabbits#

Belgian Hare#

Blanc de Hotot (White Hotot)#

Britannia Petite#

Californian#

Checkered Giant#

Chinchilla#

Cinnamon#

Continental#

Creme d’Argent#

Dutch#

Dward Hotot#

English Lop#

English Spot#

Flemish Giant (Patagonian)#

Florida White#

French Lop#

Giant Papillon#

Harlequin#

Havana#

Himalayan#

Holland Lop#

Jersey Woolly#

Lilac#

Mini Lop#

Mini Rex#

Netherland Dwarf#

New Zealand#

Palomino#

Polish#

Rex#

Rhinelander#

Satin#

Silver#

Silver Fox#

Silver Marten#

Standard Chinchilla#

Tan#

Pet Rabbit Breed Sizes#