I am a 4-H member, and need to choose which breed I want to raise. I just want to know the general personalities of these rabbits, and whether or not you recommend any of them. Any experience or information will help. Thanks!
1. American
2. American Fuzzy Lop
3. American Sable
4. Blanc de Hotot
5. Californian
6. Champagne d’Argent
7. Checkered Giant
8. Cinnamon
9. Creme d’Argent
10. Dutch
11. English Lop
12. English Spot
13. Flemish Giant
14, Giant Chinchilla
15. Harlequin
16. Havana
17. Himalayan
18. Holland Lop
19. Jersey Wooly
20. Lilac
21. Lionhead (I’m aware it’s not accepted by ARBA)
22. Mini Lop
23. Mini Rex
24. Netherland Dwarf
25. New Zealand
26. Palomino
27. Polish
28. Rex
29. Rhinelander
30. Satin
31. Satin Angora
32. Silver
33. Silver Fox
34. Silver Marten
35. Standard Chinchilla
36. Tan
37. Thrianta
With most rabbits, it really depends on the particular rabbit rather than the breed. I will tell you about the breeds that I have raised/come in contact with.
5. Californian – This is a good 4H breed to get into because you can use them for both show and meat. When looking into Californians, make sure you find ones that have been handled since they were little if you are just planning on showing and not doing meat pens.
10. Dutch – They are really common and make really good house pets. They tend to be very nice, but I have met some that are a bit snippy so make sure to find a good breeder to buy from.
11. English Lop – I have personally owned a few of these. They are very gentle and kind, but may not be good for a first time rabbit owner because of thier ears. You have to be careful that those long ears don’t get caught on anything or don’t get too cut up by their back nails.
13. Flemish Giant – My personal favorite!! I love Giants! Right now I have 7 of them, and I think they are the greatest! Their personalities are more like a dog’s than a rabbit’s. The down side is that they require lots of food and space, but I don’t let that get in my way of loving them.
17. Himalayan – The only Himis that I have known have been very nice and very soft! I love to pet them and cuddle them. IF you can get past thier long and lanky bodies, they are very nice pets.
19. Jersey Wooly – Not only are they adorable, but they are very nice. My first show rabbit was a Jersey Wooly, who is now my showmanship rabbit. They do require a bit of brushing when they molt, but they are very sweet.
20. Lilac – I have only seen a couple, and they were Juniors. There aren’t many around where I live, but the ones that I saw seemed nice and friendly.
21. Lionhead – Like the Jersey Wooly, I am sure they are nice, but I would not suggest getting them. From someone with experience, I would stay away from lionheads. Unless you are very good with genetics, they are hard to breed and get right. Plus, until they get recognized, you will have to show them as a mixed breed, which leaves you unable to win any of the bigger prizes.
24. Netherland Dwarf – I have met a couple nice Dwarfs, but unless you find a very good breeder who handles them on a daily basis, they tend to bite a lot.
25. New Zealand – Same as the Californian. If you don’t plan on breeding for meat, make sure you find some that have been handled, but they are usually nice.
27. Polish – Same with the Netherland Dwarf, they tend to bite. My best friend shows these and, once you get them out of their cage they are usually good, but they attack you every time you reach in, even if you are just feeding them.
35. Standard Chinchilla – My BF also raises these. This is a very good breed for people who are just starting in rabbits. They only come in one color and they don’t really have a size limit (Just smaller than the Americans & Giants). They are usually very nice and they love attention.
37. Thrianta – I have only seen 2 because this is a very new breed, but the ones that I saw were nice and fairly calm.
If you have any other questions are picking a rabbit breed, feel free to email me at Goatgurl335@comcast.net.
powered by Yahoo Answers
One Response to “Can you desribe the personalities of these rabbit breeds?”
Leave a Reply
Looking for a good book on raising rabbits? Get How to Train & Care for Your Rabbit today and maximize your enjoyment of this hobby.
August 8th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
With most rabbits, it really depends on the particular rabbit rather than the breed. I will tell you about the breeds that I have raised/come in contact with.
5. Californian – This is a good 4H breed to get into because you can use them for both show and meat. When looking into Californians, make sure you find ones that have been handled since they were little if you are just planning on showing and not doing meat pens.
10. Dutch – They are really common and make really good house pets. They tend to be very nice, but I have met some that are a bit snippy so make sure to find a good breeder to buy from.
11. English Lop – I have personally owned a few of these. They are very gentle and kind, but may not be good for a first time rabbit owner because of thier ears. You have to be careful that those long ears don’t get caught on anything or don’t get too cut up by their back nails.
13. Flemish Giant – My personal favorite!! I love Giants! Right now I have 7 of them, and I think they are the greatest! Their personalities are more like a dog’s than a rabbit’s. The down side is that they require lots of food and space, but I don’t let that get in my way of loving them.
17. Himalayan – The only Himis that I have known have been very nice and very soft! I love to pet them and cuddle them. IF you can get past thier long and lanky bodies, they are very nice pets.
19. Jersey Wooly – Not only are they adorable, but they are very nice. My first show rabbit was a Jersey Wooly, who is now my showmanship rabbit. They do require a bit of brushing when they molt, but they are very sweet.
20. Lilac – I have only seen a couple, and they were Juniors. There aren’t many around where I live, but the ones that I saw seemed nice and friendly.
21. Lionhead – Like the Jersey Wooly, I am sure they are nice, but I would not suggest getting them. From someone with experience, I would stay away from lionheads. Unless you are very good with genetics, they are hard to breed and get right. Plus, until they get recognized, you will have to show them as a mixed breed, which leaves you unable to win any of the bigger prizes.
24. Netherland Dwarf – I have met a couple nice Dwarfs, but unless you find a very good breeder who handles them on a daily basis, they tend to bite a lot.
25. New Zealand – Same as the Californian. If you don’t plan on breeding for meat, make sure you find some that have been handled, but they are usually nice.
27. Polish – Same with the Netherland Dwarf, they tend to bite. My best friend shows these and, once you get them out of their cage they are usually good, but they attack you every time you reach in, even if you are just feeding them.
35. Standard Chinchilla – My BF also raises these. This is a very good breed for people who are just starting in rabbits. They only come in one color and they don’t really have a size limit (Just smaller than the Americans & Giants). They are usually very nice and they love attention.
37. Thrianta – I have only seen 2 because this is a very new breed, but the ones that I saw were nice and fairly calm.
If you have any other questions are picking a rabbit breed, feel free to email me at Goatgurl335@comcast.net.
References :
ARBA/4H Breeder