Rabbits
Rabbit Breeds That Will Always Stay Small
Aug
As a lifelong animal lover and proud owner of a rabbit named Murray, I know firsthand how important it is to find the perfect pet that fits your lifestyle. Rabbits come in all shapes and sizes, but if you’re like me, you might have a soft spot for those little bunnies that stay small no matter how much they grow.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most charming rabbit breeds that will always stay small, offering a glimpse into their unique personalities and traits. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of which petite breed might be the perfect fit for your home. Whether you’re looking for a rabbit that’s easy to manage in a cosy space or simply want a companion that will stay tiny and cute, this guide is for you.
American Fuzzy Lop
Popular for its flat bulldog-like face, the American Fuzzy Lop is bred in varying colours. It is loved because of its long fur and lightweight body.
Due to its thick fur, it needs special grooming to remain untangled.
Britannia Petite
The Britannia Petite is known for its narrow head and arched body, which resembles that of a tiny hare. This little breed only weighs around 1kg and has short fur.
If you are a new rabbit owner, this might not be the best breed for you as they tend to nip and be a bit whimsical.
Columbia Basin Pygmy
The Columbia Basin Pygmy is not just the smallest rabbit breed on Earth; it is also one of the rarest. Once it matures, its weight only reaches up to half a kilogram.
Decades ago, it was thought that this breed has become extinct. Fortunately, some were found in the early 2000’s. In an effort to save the breed, a breeding program was setup in which Idaho Pygmy rabbits were crossed with Columbia Basin bunnies.
Holland Lop
The Holland Lop is a small rabbit breed known for its compact size and distinctive floppy ears that hang down beside its head.
With a stocky body and a friendly, playful personality, it is a popular choice for families and pet enthusiasts. Its gentle temperament and manageable size make it an ideal companion for both children and adults.
Jersey Wooly
The Jersey Wooly is popular for its compact physique and dense, fluffy coat. It only weighs around 1.5kg.
Their woolly fur can easily become matted and tangled if not groomed regularly. To keep their coat in good condition, it is important to brush them several times a week to prevent matting and reduce shedding.
Lionhead
Originating in Belgium, the Lionhead only weighs around 1.5kg. As the name suggests, it looks like a small lion because of the thick fur around its neck.
Over time, the Lionhead has been extremely popular among breeders because of their affectionate personality and super fluffy coat.
Miniature Cashmere Lop
Since the introduction of the large Cashmere Lop in the 1980s, the Miniature Cashmere Lop has also gained a substantial following.
Though this small bunny makes a great family pet, it requires a lot of grooming due to its long, fluffy coat.
Mini Lop
The Mini Lop is a highly popular pet in Australia. Known for its adorable lop ears and soft fur, this breed is easy to handle and makes a great companion for families and individuals.
Mini Lops are energetic and social, enjoying interaction with their owners and adapting well to various living environments.
Mini Plush Lop
The Mini Plush Lop is a relatively new rabbit breed, developed to combine the best traits of several breeds. With its signature lop ears and plush fur, the Mini Plush Lop requires minimal grooming compared to other long-haired breeds.
It is a small, manageable breed that thrives in a loving, interactive environment, forming strong bonds with its owners.
Netherland Dwarf
The Netherland Dwarf is one of the most adorable small rabbit breeds in the world. It can be easily distinguished because of its tiny size, short neck and tiny upright ears.
Despite their small size, they have a bold and confident temperament, often displaying a strong bond with their owners. But if you decide to raise one as a pet, be aware of their tendency to nip.
Ummm English angora species can grow HUGE! I had one named sora and at about 3 months old he was bigger than my cousins 2 year old black rabbit. Not a species that should be on here really. Mine hopped over my 2 foot tall fence and they need a lot of space and cleaning them is a blimmin difficult task.
thank you for telling me i was going to get one
.I agree 100%!!! I found one that had been “dropped off” in my front yard and I named her Phred. She was bigger than my 2 small dogs and when she stretched out beside my shepard/husky mix dog she was almost as long as he was. Grooming is the worst too. If they were not groomed from day one you may as well be prepared for lots of vet visits and bills.. Phred would have to be put under just to groom her she hated it so much.
Yes so true! I was literally thinking the same!
We have a mini satin and she weighs a whopping 2 lbs 8 oz! You pick her up and she’s just fur, ears, and a fuzzy tail.
We have a mini satin and she weighs a whopping 2 lbs 8 oz! You pick her up and she’s just fur, ears, and a fuzzy tail.
where is polish Rabbit Breed
they are just a little bit bigger than Netherland Dwarfs
Is it possible to buy Columbia Basin Pygmy rabbits?
Sorry, they are very fragile wild rabbits on our endangered list. They are native to the Columbia Basin only. They wouldn’t make good pets, they have no ability or history of domestication.
We have a lion head dwarf … he has such a unique personality, is very lovable , was easy to train .. even though he was a rescue 4 months ago . He has proven to be a positive emotional support to our son … wish we would of thought of getting a rabbit years ago ! What a wonderful pet this little guy has turned out to be .
Amazing that these rabbits exist as I’ve never seen them in pet stores or in animal shows on television. My wife happened on a picture of one, I think it was an English Angora, and it was one of the most fascinating and adorable rabbits I’ve ever seen. Years ago, I had a typical size black and white rabbit and it was more intelligent and possessive creatures we’ve ever had. Even brighter than our dogs which were terrified of him. He dominated our entire back yard and an amazing architect (digging dirt from a tunnel and then moving all of it into his domed dog house).
Anyway I’d like to know more about these tiny rabbits. How long do they live, temperatures for each species and if you have any videos and photos, that would be terrific.
Thank you for the information and a spark that has us interested in these adorable little animals.
Respectfully
the bunny are so cute
God stuff. Loce you lots and thank you for the wonderful article. Huge lover of God’s rabbits!!!!! God bless. What a heavenly rabbitry God has in heaven.
What a lovely comment ❤️
Angora rabbits can grow very big, they aren’t small rabbits, the picture you showed of the angora rabbit is a bunny.
My family n I are interested in adopting a Mini Lop or Mini Cashmere Lop. We don’t know much but that they irresistibly adorable.
What are the rabbits called at the very top? The three tan bunnies together in the first picture? I found an abandoned bunny and I’ve been caring for her and loving her so much. I’m curious what kind she is. She looks similar in color and size to those three at the top.
I was looking for a bun that would be smaller than the one I have. But reading I have found that maybe my bun is on the small size. She’s 4 lbs. Interesting that some small buns are 4 lbs. max! I believe my bun is a mix and was a rescue. Would love to have one that is 2 lbs max. but will need to be a rescue. I will not pay for a bunny from a breeder.
Thanks for this article. I’m considering a bunny. I had several rabbits as a child and have never outgrown my love for them. But I want an indoor, potty-trained, sweet bun that loves to be held and cuddled and won’t get much more than 3-4 lbs. From your article above I’m thinking maybe the Jersey Wooly. But I have so many more questions. Could you do a chart that shows all the mini bunnies that fit my above wants, plus things like: medical issues, special feed, grooming needed, max. size inches, max size weight, colors available, keep indoors?, like cuddles, hrs per wk. grooming, temperament, intelligent?, etc. That would be a great help for all of us considering getting a small, mini, dwarf rabbit. Thanks again!