Rabbit breeds, from dwarf to giant.
There's a rabbit for every home - if you understand what a rabbit actually is. These are 15 breed profiles covering temperament, housing, grooming and health, from tiny dwarfs to gentle giants. New to rabbits entirely? Start with the rabbit-keeping basics.
Dwarf & small breeds Tiny, popular and characterful - but delicate and best for gentle, patient homes.
Open the full Dwarf & small breeds page
Medium breeds The sweet spot - sturdy, handleable and often the calmest family rabbits.
Open the full Medium breeds page
Large & giant breeds Gentle giants with big personalities, big space needs and shorter lifespans.
Chinchilla rabbits: two breeds, one name
The first Chinchilla rabbits were bred by a French engineer, M. J. Dybowski, and shown in April 1913 at Saint-Maur; their fur so resembled the South American chinchilla's that they became the ideal fur rabbit. They reached England in 1917 and the New York State Fair in 1919. The originals weighed only 5 to 7½ lb (2.3 to 3.4 kg), so American breeders selected a larger, finer-boned rabbit for meat and pelts; both breeds were adopted into the standards book in 1924, and the heavier one was soon renamed the American Chinchilla (Livestock Conservancy).
| Status | Watch, on the Livestock Conservancy's priority list |
|---|---|
| Use | Meat, fur, pet |
| Adult weight (American Chinchilla) | Male 9-11 lb (4.1-5.0 kg), female 10-12 lb (4.5-5.4 kg) |
| Temperament | Docile, gentle |
| Experience level | Novice |
Source: Livestock Conservancy, Breed Facts.
Is a chinchilla rabbit related to the chinchilla? No. The rabbit breed is named for its fur, which resembles that of the South American chinchilla, a rodent (Livestock Conservancy); the pet chinchilla has its own care page.
Rabbits are given up in large numbers, and shelters have wonderful ones of every breed - often already neutered and past the chewing-everything phase. See our adoption page before buying, and skip anyone selling "teacup" or "micro" rabbits (there's no such thing).
Gear for rabbits
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