Only in the USA, the American Rabbit Breed Association (ARBA) has listed at least 50+ domestic rabbit breeds. The number is a lot higher considering the whole world. There are 350+ pet rabbit breeds are available in the world.
No doubt, all the rabbits are adorable and cute. But all of the rabbit breeds are not perfect as a pet, especially for the first-time owner. A few of them can adopt with the family and kids easily.
As a new rabbit parent, you should go for the easy-to-adopt bunny. You know, bunny needs extra care and the vet bill is high. So, you should know the ins and outs of the particular rabbit breed before adopting or buying.
What Should You Consider Before Adopting a Rabbit for the First Time?
I was very excited when I adopted my first bunny. adopting a new bunny or pet is really an adventure. But as a beginner, you should consider some crucial points. Otherwise, you will be in great trouble.
Expense
Expense is the first concern. Sad but true, most of us don’t know the maintenance cost of the bunny. people think bunny doesn’t need extra care or vet consultation.
But it is completely wrong indeed. yes, you don’t need to take care of the dog but rabbits demand special care.
So, you should consider the expense before adopting a bunny. as a beginner, I don’t recommend you to adopt a designated or special breed like the Lionhead rabbit.
You should adopt a regular breed. Believe me, all the bunnies are beautiful.
Habitat
Bunny needs spacious space. I always recommend using a wooden hutch. Keeping a bunny in a tiny wire cage is nothing but torture.
If you can not afford a wooden hutch or spacious wire cage, please don’t go for adopting a bunny.
Food
Hay is the main food for the bunny. You should provide hay more than 80% of their total meal. 10% of their meal should be pellet food and the rest is water.
These are the very basic for adopting a bunny. Let’s talk about beginner-friendly rabbit breeds. You can adopt any breed from the list. I hope you will not regret adopting a bunny from my list.
Beginner Friendly Rabbit Breed
Harlequins
Harlequins is one of the most children friendly and extrovert bunny breed in the world. They are adorable and love to get curdle from their parents.
Harlequins is originated in France. In 1887, this Harlequins breed was first exhibited in Paris. Then the breed was spread out in the USA.
You will find two types of Harlequins rabbit: Magpie and Japanese.
Magpie Harlequins comes in Black and a combination of white, blue, and chocolate.
Japanese Harlequins are most attractive. They come with a combination of fawn or orange and black, blue and chocolate.
Adult Harlequins are attractive in looking and their maximum weight is 9.5 pounds.
- Common Name: Harlequins
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Size: Medium
- Weight: 6 pounds to 9.5 pounds
- Life Span: 4 to 8 years
- Appearance: Medium-sized body structure with a big head. Split body color. Unique color appearance.
- Temperament: Children friendly. Very calm, cute, and adorable. Love the company of Children and adult.
- Grooming: No extra hassle in grooming. Need extra open space for running and playing.
Mini Rex
Mini Rex is one of the most popular rabbit breeds for the first time rabbit owner. Rex is very Children and family-friendly. If you are looking for a compact and nice-looking adorable pet for your bunny, you could consider the Mini Rex.
Originated in France, in 1900, Mini Rex has become one of the most popular small rabbit breeds all over the world.
Mini Rex comes in a wide variety of colors. American Rabbit Breeders Association has already listed 20 different colors of Rex breed. So, they are amazing.
Mini Rex is very friendly. You will not face any hassle with the Rex. The food habit is normal. Like all other rabbits, Hay is the main food for the Rex. Their immune system is incredible. So, your vet cost will be reasonable.
- Common Name: Mini Rex
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Size: Compact
- Weight: 3.5- 4.5 Pounds
- Life Span: 7-10 years
- Appearance: Combination of black, blue, blue-eyed white, broken group, opal, otter, red, chocolate, Himalayan, lilac, lynx.
- Temperament: Very friendly, calm, and active
- Grooming: Less expensive to handling
Polish
Polish rabbits are not the police! Just kidding! Although it is originated in England, it is known as a Polish rabbit. Polish rabbits are compact. This is a dwarf breed.
Polish is the cross of Dutch and Himalayan breed. ARBA (American Rabbit Breed Association) has identified six verities of the Polish rabbit so far. They are
- Ruby-Eyed White (REW)
- Blue-Eyed White (BEW)
- Broken pattern
- Black
- Blue
- Chocolate
Polish rabbits are easy to maintain and a better choice for the first time bunny owner. This is a child friendly and cuddles bunny. You will not need special habitat or accommodation for the Polish rabbits.
- Common Name: Polish Rabbit
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Size: Dwarf rabbit
- Weight: 2.5-3.5 Pounds
- Life Span: 5-6 years
- Appearance: compact and comes with six different color
- Temperament: Calm, friendly, and attraction lover
- Grooming: No need for an extra level of maintenance. Regular feed like hay, pellets, and water is enough for the Polish rabbit.
Related: Already have a rabbit and confused about which nail clippers will be best? read this guide to get the perfect nail clipper for your bunny.
Mini Lop
Although Mini Lop is not a genuine dwarf, it is one of the most popular small rabbit breeds in the world. Mini Lop comes with verities of color and a very cute appearance. Their lop ears and adorable heads attract the rabbit lover.
Originated in Germany, in 1980, the American Rabbit Society accept the breed finally. Mini lop is the result of a cross between German Lop and Chinchilla Rabbit.
Mini Lop is one of the best rabbit breeds for the first time bunny owner. If you are especially looking for a family and children friendly bunny, you could consider the Mini Lop.
Mini Lop is very adorable, cute, and affectionate. Their personality is great. Your kids will learn patience from the Mini Lop.
Not only the children, but Mini Lop is also an awesome rabbit breed for the seniors. If you are a lonely person and looking for a true companion, you could adopt Mini Lop.
The care Mini lop is not very expensive like the dog and cat. Like all the other rabbit breeds, Hay is the main food for the mini lop. Apart from the Hay, you need to provide the pellet and water to your Mini lop.
They need open space for running and playing. So, you could consider a large rabbit hutch as their dwelling.
- Common Name: Mini Lop
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Size: Dwarf rabbit
- Weight: 4.5-6 Pounds
- Life Span: 5-10 years
- Appearance: Dwarf breed. Lop ear and fluffy body structure
- Temperament: Friendly, Active, and adorable
- Grooming: Need regular care. Not very expensive to maintain. Good fit for the first time bunny owner.
Holland Lop
Holland Lop is a pure dwarf breed. That means a full-grown Holland lop will be 4 pounds in weight. Holland Lop is children and family-friendly rabbit breeds. They are cute and fluffy.
Holland Lop is one of the most affectionate, adorable, and popular rabbit breeds for the first time bunny owner all over the world.
Originated in the Netherlands, the ARBA recognized the Holland lop in 1976. Since then, the popularity of Holland lop has been increasing.
A full-grown Holland lop is short in appearance. You will find the different colors of Holland Lop.
The maintenance of Holland lop is not very expensive and complex. Even your kids can take care of the bunny.
If you have not enough open space in your house, you could use an indoor rabbit cage. But you have to allow at least 4 hours of free-roaming of the Holland lop.
- Common Name: Holland Lop
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Size: Dwarf rabbit
- Weight: 2-4 Pounds
- Life Span: 7-14 years
- Appearance: Genuine Dwarf breed. Lop ear and fluffy Head.
- Temperament: Friendly, Curious, and calm
- Grooming: Need regular care. Perfect for the beginner rabbit parents.
Himalayan
Himalayan is one of the known oldest rabbit breeds in the world. It is one of the calmest rabbit breeds in the world. Since they are very calm, Himalayan is perfect for the beginner rabbit owner.
The origin of the Himalayan breeds in the Himalayan mountain. The American Rabbit Breed Association recognized the Himalayan breed in 1900. Since then, Himalayan has become one of the most popular rabbit breeds in the USA.
White is the dominant color for the Himalayan rabbit breed. But the other color like black, blue, lilac and chocolate are present. So, Himalayan is a combination of white and other colors.
Himalayan is one of the easy to maintain rabbit breed. That is why as a beginner rabbit owner, you could consider this breed. You will need less maintenance than the designated rabbit breeds.
Himalayan is very calm. You can easily litter train the bunny. overall the maintenance is very easy.
- Common Name: Himalayan
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus L.
- Size: Small in appearance
- Weight: 2.5 – 5 Pounds
- Life Span: 5-8 Years
- Appearance: Small in appearance. Fluffy and adorable.
- Temperament: Calm, Friendly, and Patient
- Grooming: Need regular care. The maintenance is not very expensive.
American Chinchilla
American Chinchilla is a commercial rabbit breed. This American Chinchilla is large in shape and famous for its meat and coat.
But as a domestic breed, you could consider the American Chinchilla. They are easy to maintain. You don’t need to take special care as the dog and cat.
Most importantly, American Chinchilla can endure the extreme temperature. That is why it is perfect for the indoor and outdoor.
Different color of American Chinchilla breeds is available. But the ARBA considers only the dark blue shed as the American Chinchilla.
- Common Name: American Chinchilla Rabbit
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Size: Large
- Weight: 9-12 Pounds
- Life Span: 5-8 Years
- Appearance: Large and attractive in looking.
- Temperament: Calm, Friendly, and adorable
- Grooming: Need less care and maintenance than other breeds
English Lop
English Lop is another outstanding domestic rabbit breed for the first-time bunny owner. English Lop is popular for its long, fluffy ear and large body.
They are wonderful indeed. You will be surprised by their behavior and personalities. English lop is great for making your kids responsible.
The origin of English Lop is uncertain. Although many of the researchers claim that the English lops are based in Africa, there is no strong evidence behind the findings.
Anyway, you don’t need special care like the other designated rabbit breeds. English Lops can take care of themselves.
- Common Name: English Lop
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Size: Medium in Size
- Weight: 9-10 Pounds
- Life Span: 5-7 Years
- Temperament: Active, Curious, Friendly, and adorable
- Grooming: Need less care and maintenance than other breeds
Lionhead
Lionhead rabbit is one of the most popular rabbit breeds in the world. They are compact and comes with a distinctive woolly mane. With proper care and handle Lionhead rabbit could be the great companion of your kids.
Before adopting a Lionhead rabbit, you should consider some points. Handling a Lionhead rabbit is a bit expensive. As a first-time rabbit owner, Lionhead is not the perfect choice. Since Lionhead is very popular all over the USA and other countries, I just want to clear the fact of the Lionhead bunny.
Lionhead is an active rabbit breed. They need at least 4 hours of playing time in an open area. It could be your home or in the grassy field. For the open space, you could use the playpen.
You can litter train the Lionhead bunny by following the expert advice.
- Common Name: Lionhead rabbit
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Size: 7 to 10 inches
- Weight: 2.5 to 3.75 Pounds
- Life Span: 7-9 years
- Appearance: Compact in appearance
- Temperament: Very active and need time to adjust to the environment
- Grooming: since the Lionhead rabbit comes with fur, you need extra maintenance of the bunny as well as your Home. Expensive to maintenance.
Final Thoughts
All the bunny in the world is beautiful and adorable. But keeping a rabbit inside the house is not an easy task. So, you should go for the particular domestic rabbit breed.
I believe this guide will help you a lot to take the decision. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to share!
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