Dwarf rabbit

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A dwarf rabbit
(Netherland Dwarf breed) Netherlandwarf.jpg
A dwarf rabbit
(Netherland Dwarf breed)

Dwarf rabbit refers either (formally) to a rabbit with the dwarfing gene, [1] or (informally) to any small breed of domestic rabbit or specimen thereof, or (colloquially) to any small rabbit. Dwarfism is a genetic condition that may occur in humans and in many animals, including rabbits. True dwarfism is often associated with a cluster of physical abnormalities, [2] including pituitary dwarfism. The process of dwarfing is used to selectively breed for smaller stature with each generation. Small stature is a characteristic of neoteny, which may account (in part) for the attraction of dwarf animals.

Contents

Small rabbits

Baby Mini Satin rabbits
Blue-eyed white - Satin coat Jeunes satin ivoire yeux bleus.JPG
Baby Mini Satin rabbits
Blue-eyed white - Satin coat
Pygmy rabbit
(Brachylagus idahoensis)
375-500 grams (0.827-1.102 lb) BRACHYLAGUS IDAHOENSIS.jpg
Pygmy rabbit
(Brachylagus idahoensis)
375–500 grams (0.827–1.102 lb)

The Netherland Dwarf is the smallest of the domestic rabbits. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) [3] [4] accepts a weight range of 1.1–3.5 kg (2.4–7.7 lb), but 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) is the maximum allowed by the British Rabbit Council (BRC). [5] The small stature of the Netherland Dwarf was initially the result of the dwarfing gene: dw. Its short neck and rounded face are additional features of neoteny.

Many small rabbit breeds have the dwarfing gene, but the Polish and the Britannia Petite are among those that do not. They have attained their small stature solely through selective breeding of successively smaller generations (a processing called dwarfing).

Some small rabbits (often mixed breeds) are a false dwarf, a rabbit that did not inherit the dwarfing gene.

One of the smallest species of wild rabbit is the Marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris), an excellent swimmer [6] that weighs 2.2–2.6 kg (4.9–5.7 lb).

Smallest rabbit breeds

The following table includes rabbit breeds currently recognized by ARBA [3] [4] or by the BRC [5] that have a maximum weight of 4 kg (8.8 lb). Also included is a small breed from Germany, the Teddy Dwarf. [7]

Domestic rabbit breeds <4 kg (8.8 lb)
Breed nameImageWeightEar type
Netherland Dwarf Ro pool gilberte.jpg 1.1–2.5 kg (2.4–5.5 lb)erect
Britannia Petite [US] Britannia Petite.jpg 1.5–2.5 kg (3.3–5.5 lb)erect
Teddy Dwarf
  Also called:
     Teddyzwerg
Teddyzwerg.jpg 0.8–1.7 kg (1.8–3.7 lb)erect
Dwarf Hotot DH CR.jpeg 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb)erect
Jersey Wooly Osterhase.jpg 2.5–3.5 kg (5.5–7.7 lb)erect
Polish [US] Rabbit - Polish breed - White with Red Eyes - from Japan.jpg 2.5–3.5 kg (5.5–7.7 lb)erect
Lionhead Rabbit - Lionhead breed.jpg 1.36–1.7 kg (3.0–3.7 lb)erect
Miniature Lion Lop Zashion's Beatrice, Mini Lion Lop.jpg 1.5–1.6 kg (3.3–3.5 lb)lop
Miniature Lop [UK/NL] Miniature Lop - UK NL.jpg 3.4–3.8 kg (7.5–8.4 lb)lop
Miniature Cashmere Lop CashmereLop.JPG 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)lop
American Fuzzy Lop Conejillo de indias.jpg 3.5–4.0 kg (7.7–8.8 lb)lop
Plush Lop (Miniature) Rabbit - Plush Lop.jpg 1.7–1.8 kg (3.7–4.0 lb)lop

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuniculture</span> Agricultural raising and breeding of rabbits

Cuniculture is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising domestic rabbits as livestock for their meat, fur, or wool. Cuniculture is also employed by rabbit fanciers and hobbyists in the development and betterment of rabbit breeds and the exhibition of those efforts. Scientists practice cuniculture in the use and management of rabbits as model organisms in research. Cuniculture has been practiced all over the world since at least the 5th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angora rabbit</span> Family of rabbit breeds

The Angora rabbit, one of the most ancient groups of domestic rabbit breeds, which is bred for the long fibers of its coat, known as Angora wool. They are gathered by shearing, combing or plucking. Because rabbits do not possess the same allergy-causing qualities as many other animals, their wool is an important alternative. There are at least 11 distinct breeds of Angora rabbit, four of which are currently recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA): the English Angora, the French Angora, the Giant Angora and the Satin Angora. Other unrecognized breeds include the German Angora, the Finnish Angora, the Chinese Angora, the Japanese Angora, the Korean Angora, the Russian Angora, the St Lucian Angora and the Swiss Angora.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netherland Dwarf rabbit</span> Breed of rabbit

The Netherland Dwarf is a breed of domestic rabbit that originated in the Netherlands. Weighing 1.1–2.5 pounds (0.50–1.13 kg), the Netherland Dwarf is one of the smallest rabbit breeds. Its popularity as a pet or show rabbit may stem from its neotenic appearance. The Netherland Dwarf is recognised by both the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and the British Rabbit Council (BRC). The Netherland Dwarf is often confused with the Polish breed of rabbit, but the latter has longer ears, a non-brachycephalic head and less cobbiness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jersey Wooly</span> Breed of rabbit

The Jersey Wooly is a breed of domestic rabbit weighing about 3 pounds with a bold head and easy-care wool fur on their body. They are noted for their docile nature, and gentle disposition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Californian rabbit</span> Breed of rabbit

The Californian, also known as the California White, is a breed of domestic rabbit initially developed for the fur and meat industries by George S. West of Lynwood, California, starting in 1923. West maintained a herd of 300 genetically pure New Zealand Whites, which he began crossing with Standard Chinchilla rabbits for their dense coat and Himalayan rabbits. This new breed, named after the state of its origin, was first shown in 1928, and a standard was accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mini Lop</span> Breed of rabbit

The Mini Lop is a breed of domestic rabbit that is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). It is different from the Miniature Lop breed that is recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC). The Mini Lop [US] and the Miniature Lop [UK] are different from the Dwarf Lop breed that is recognized by the BRC. The Mini Lop is similar to several other small rabbit breeds, such as the Dwarf rabbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holland Lop</span> Breed of rabbit

The Holland Lop is a breed of lop-eared rabbit that was recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1979. The Holland Lop, with a maximum weight of 1.8 kg (4 lb), is one of the smallest lop-eared breeds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Fuzzy Lop</span> Breed of rabbit

The American Fuzzy Lop is a rabbit breed recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). It is similar in appearance to a Holland Lop. However, the American Fuzzy Lop is a wool breed and will have wool similar to the Angora breeds although the wool will be shorter than that of a commercial Angora. The American fuzzy lop has to weigh up to four pounds in order to be shown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flemish Giant rabbit</span> Breed of rabbit

The Flemish Giant rabbit is the largest breed of domestic rabbit. Flemish Giants are historically a utility breed used for their fur and meat. They are often kept as pets as they are known for being docile and patient when being handled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">French Lop</span> Breed of rabbit

The French Lop is a breed of domestic rabbit developed in France in the 19th century from the selective breeding of English Lop and Flemish Giant stock. The French Lop resembles the English Lop, but the French Lop is heavier in stature and does not have the exaggerated ear length of the English Lop. Weighing approximately 4.98 kg to 5.21 kg, it has an average lifespan of five to seven years. The French Lop is currently recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and by the British Rabbit Council (BRC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lionhead rabbit</span> Breed of rabbit

Lionhead is a breed of domestic rabbit recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC) and by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). The Lionhead rabbit has a wool mane encircling the head, reminiscent of a male lion as its name implies. Other Lionhead characteristics include a high head mount, compact upright body type, short well-furred 2- to 3+12-inch ears, and a weight of 2.5 to 3.75 pounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rex rabbit</span> Family of rabbit breeds

The term rex rabbit refers informally to one of at least eight breeds of domestic rabbit. One such breed is the Rex, which is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and by the British Rabbit Council (BRC). Other modern-day rex rabbit breeds are listed below. Care must be taken to distinguish the rex rabbit breeds from the three types of rex rabbit fur for which they are known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrianta</span> Breed of rabbit

The Thrianta is a breed of domestic rabbit that is brilliant red in color. Originating in the Netherlands, the Thrianta was further crossed with a German breed before being exported to the United Kingdom in the early 1980s. During the 1990s, the breed arrived in the United States from both the Netherlands and England. The Thrianta breed is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and by the British Rabbit Council (BRC). The Thrianta breed is rare in Australia with only a few active breeders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand rabbit</span> Breed of rabbit

The New Zealand is a breed of rabbit, which despite the name, is American in origin. The breed originated in California, possibly from rabbits imported from New Zealand. New Zealand rabbits are available in five colors recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders' Association (ARBA): white, red, black, blue, and broken. Crossbreeding can result in many other variations, such as gold tipped steel and chestnut agouti. They average 10–12 lb (4.5–5.4 kg) with the does being slightly larger than the bucks. New Zealands are bred for meat, pelts, show, and laboratory uses, being the most commonly used breed of rabbit both for testing and meat production. They are also bred as pet rabbits but mostly breed for meat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miniature Lop</span> Breed of rabbit

Miniature Lop is a breed of domestic rabbit recognised by the British Rabbit Council (BRC). Confusion arises because, in the UK, the Miniature Lop is often commonly called the Mini Lop. It is, however, a different breed from the Mini Lop that is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). The BRC-recognized Miniature Lop is most similar to the ARBA-recognized Holland Lop. The Miniature Lop is also similar to several other small rabbit breeds.

The Altex is a commercial breed of domestic rabbit developed, beginning in 1994, for cuniculture, specifically for the rabbit meat industry. The Altex breed is not recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) or by the British Rabbit Council (BRC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhinelander rabbit</span>

The Rhinelander is a medium-sized breed of domestic rabbit that originated in Germany. Rhinelanders are known for their distinctive facial "butterfly markings", a spine marking, colored ears, cheek spots, eye circles and side markings of black with orange or of blue with fawn. The Rhinelander breed is recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC) and by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Himalayan rabbit</span> Breed of rabbit

The Himalayan rabbit is a small breed of rabbit with similar markings to the Californian rabbit. The body is white with colored points, recognized colors are black, blue, chocolate and lilac.

References

  1. Hu, Dou (May 2014). Identification and analysis of the dwarf mutation in domestic rabbits (Master's Thesis) [Identifiering och karaktärisering av dvärg mutationen hos tamkaninen](PDF) (Thesis). Examensarbete. Vol. 444. Uppsala: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences - Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics. pp. 1–26. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  2. Fiorello, Christine V.; German, R.Z. (February 1997). "Heterochrony within species: craniofacial growth in giant, standard, and dwarf rabbits". Evolution. 51 (1): 250–261. doi: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1997.tb02406.x . PMID   28568789. S2CID   205780205.
  3. 1 2 Standard of Perfection 2016-2020. American Rabbit Breeders Association. 2015. ASIN   B018GVBJK4.
  4. 1 2 "ARBA Recognized Breeds". American Rabbit Breeders Association. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Breed Standards 2016-2020" (PDF). British Rabbit Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  6. Compton, Gail (29 September 2012). "Swimming Rabbit Surfaces". No. Lifestyle. The St Augustine [Florida] Record. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  7. "Herzlich Willkommen auf den Webseiten des Teddykaninchen-Clubs". Teddykaninchen Club. Retrieved 22 February 2018.