Rabbit Breeds Directory
Discover the wonderful world of rabbit breeds! From tiny Netherland Dwarfs to giant Flemish Giants, there’s a perfect bunny for every home. Learn about their unique characteristics, temperaments, and care requirements.
Browse by Size:
🐇 Small Breeds (Under 5 lbs / 2.3 kg)
Perfect for apartments and smaller living spaces. These petite bunnies are full of personality!
Netherland Dwarf
Weight: 2-2.5 lbs (0.9-1.1 kg)
Personality: Energetic, playful, sometimes shy
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Care Level: Moderate
Description: One of the smallest rabbit breeds, the Netherland Dwarf has a compact body, short ears, and large eyes. They come in a variety of colors and are known for their baby-like appearance throughout their lives.
Best For: Experienced owners who want a small, indoor companion.
Polish Rabbit
Weight: 2.5-3.5 lbs (1.1-1.6 kg)
Personality: Gentle, friendly, calm
Lifespan: 8-10 years
Care Level: Easy
Description: Despite the name, the Polish rabbit originated in England. These rabbits have a compact, well-rounded body with short, erect ears. They’re known for being docile and make excellent pets for families.
Best For: First-time rabbit owners and families with children.
Holland Lop
Weight: 2-4 lbs (0.9-1.8 kg)
Personality: Affectionate, playful, social
Lifespan: 7-10 years
Care Level: Easy
Description: Holland Lops are one of the most popular rabbit breeds, known for their adorable floppy ears and compact size. They have a muscular build and come in many color varieties.
Best For: Families, seniors, and anyone looking for a loving companion.
🐰 Medium Breeds (5-10 lbs / 2.3-4.5 kg)
The perfect middle ground – not too small, not too large. These breeds are ideal for most households.
Mini Lop
Weight: 4.5-6 lbs (2-2.7 kg)
Personality: Sweet, curious, intelligent
Lifespan: 7-14 years
Care Level: Easy
Description: Mini Lops are medium-sized rabbits with distinctive drooping ears. They’re muscular and compact with a thick, soft coat. Known for their friendly demeanor, they enjoy human interaction.
Best For: Families with children and first-time rabbit owners.
Rex Rabbit
Weight: 7.5-10.5 lbs (3.4-4.8 kg)
Personality: Calm, intelligent, affectionate
Lifespan: 8-11 years
Care Level: Easy
Description: Famous for their velvety, plush fur that stands upright, Rex rabbits have a unique coat texture. They’re known as the “Velveteen Rabbit” and come in many beautiful colors.
Best For: Those who want a cuddly, low-maintenance rabbit.
Dutch Rabbit
Weight: 4-5.5 lbs (1.8-2.5 kg)
Personality: Friendly, energetic, social
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Care Level: Easy
Description: Easily recognizable by their distinctive color pattern (colored head, ears, and rear with a white saddle), Dutch rabbits are one of the oldest domestic rabbit breeds and remain very popular.
Best For: Active families and children.
Lionhead Rabbit
Weight: 2.5-3.75 lbs (1.1-1.7 kg)
Personality: Playful, friendly, energetic
Lifespan: 7-10 years
Care Level: Moderate (requires grooming)
Description: Named for the fluffy mane of hair around their head resembling a lion’s mane. They’re relatively new as a recognized breed and have become increasingly popular.
Best For: Owners willing to maintain regular grooming.
🐇 Large Breeds (10-15 lbs / 4.5-6.8 kg)
Big bunnies with big hearts! These breeds need more space but are often gentle giants.
French Lop
Weight: 10-15 lbs (4.5-6.8 kg)
Personality: Gentle, calm, friendly
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Care Level: Moderate
Description: One of the largest lop-eared breeds, French Lops are known for their massive ears and muscular build. Despite their size, they’re incredibly gentle and make wonderful companions.
Best For: Families with space for a larger rabbit.
English Lop
Weight: 9-11 lbs (4-5 kg)
Personality: Docile, friendly, lazy
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Care Level: Moderate to High
Description: Famous for having the longest ears of any rabbit breed (up to 32 inches!), English Lops are one of the oldest domestic rabbit breeds. Their ears require special care to prevent injuries.
Best For: Experienced owners who can provide ear care.
Californian Rabbit
Weight: 8-12 lbs (3.6-5.4 kg)
Personality: Calm, docile, gentle
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Care Level: Easy
Description: White rabbits with distinctive dark markings on their ears, nose, feet, and tail (similar to a Himalayan cat). They’re hardy and easy to care for.
Best For: Beginners wanting a larger rabbit.
🦘 Giant Breeds (Over 15 lbs / 6.8 kg)
These massive bunnies are as gentle as they are impressive. They require significant space and resources.
Flemish Giant
Weight: 15-22+ lbs (6.8-10+ kg)
Personality: Gentle, docile, patient
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Care Level: High
Description: The largest rabbit breed in the world! Flemish Giants can weigh over 20 pounds and measure over 2 feet long. Despite their imposing size, they’re known as “Gentle Giants” and are incredibly calm.
Best For: Experienced owners with plenty of space and resources.
Continental Giant
Weight: 16-25+ lbs (7.3-11.3+ kg)
Personality: Friendly, intelligent, lazy
Lifespan: 4-7 years
Care Level: High
Description: Similar to the Flemish Giant but can grow even larger. They’re the result of selective breeding for size and come in various colors. Very friendly and dog-like in personality.
Best For: Dedicated owners with large living spaces.
Giant Chinchilla
Weight: 12-16 lbs (5.4-7.3 kg)
Personality: Gentle, docile, calm
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Care Level: Moderate
Description: Named for their soft, dense, chinchilla-like fur. They have a well-rounded body and a beautiful salt-and-pepper coat. They’re gentle giants that make excellent pets.
Best For: Families with space for a larger rabbit.
🤔 How to Choose the Right Breed
Consider Your Living Space
- Apartment/Small Space: Small to medium breeds (Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop, Mini Lop)
- House with Yard: Medium to large breeds (Rex, French Lop, Californian)
- Large Property: Giant breeds (Flemish Giant, Continental Giant)
Think About Your Experience Level
- Beginners: Polish, Mini Lop, Rex, Dutch
- Intermediate: Netherland Dwarf, Lionhead, French Lop
- Experienced: English Lop, Giant breeds
Consider Your Family Situation
- Families with Young Children: Larger, calmer breeds (Rex, French Lop, Flemish Giant)
- Singles/Couples: Any breed that matches your lifestyle
- Seniors: Calm, low-maintenance breeds (Polish, Rex, Dutch)
Grooming Requirements
- Low Grooming: Rex, Dutch, Polish (short, easy-care coats)
- Moderate Grooming: Most standard breeds
- High Grooming: Lionhead, Angora breeds (require regular brushing)
📌 Important Things to Remember
🏥 All Rabbits Need Veterinary Care
Regardless of breed, all rabbits need regular check-ups with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian, spaying/neutering, and proper medical attention when needed.
🥕 Diet is Universal
All rabbits need the same basic diet: unlimited hay, fresh vegetables, limited pellets, and plenty of fresh water. The amount varies by size, not breed.
🏠 Space Matters
Larger breeds need proportionally more space. A good rule of thumb: the rabbit’s enclosure should be at least 4 times the rabbit’s length and allow them to stand fully upright.
💰 Cost Considerations
Larger rabbits cost more to care for (more food, larger enclosures, higher vet bills). Budget accordingly before choosing a giant breed.
❤️ Individual Personality Varies
While breeds have general temperament tendencies, each rabbit is an individual. Spend time with a rabbit before adopting to ensure a good personality match.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Bunny?
Explore our comprehensive care guides and learn everything you need to know about rabbit ownership.