20 Pet Rabbit Breeds: An Alphabetical List

There are numerous rabbit breeds available, each with unique characteristics such as colors, sizes, shapes, and coat types. The distinctions between rabbit breeds are more significant for those involved in showing rabbits, while the average owner typically focuses on the size and coat type. It’s important to note that rabbits bought from pet stores may not be purebred and might not meet breed standards. However, this doesn’t affect their suitability as pets, so don’t hesitate to adopt a rabbit that catches your eye.

Rabbits can range in size from tiny dwarf breeds weighing under 2.5 pounds to giant breeds that can weigh over 20 pounds. Their coats come in various colors like white, brown, gray, and black, with fur textures ranging from short to long. Keep in mind that long-haired breeds require daily grooming, making them slightly more demanding than short-haired breeds. Let’s find out with Petlandlove!

Pet Rabbit Breeds: An Alphabetical List

Alaskan

Despite its name, the Alaska rabbit did not originate in Alaska but rather in Germany. This jet-black breed was initially bred for its fur, although it can also be a good pet due to its appealing appearance. While it was once acknowledged by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, it is no longer recognized by ARBA. However, the Alaska rabbit is recognized by the British Rabbit Council in the UK.

Weighs between 6 to 8.5 pounds
Black in color
Has a dense coat

American

The American rabbit is a highly uncommon breed. Weighing between 9 to 12 pounds, this large rabbit can be found in solid colors such as blue and white. Known for its gentle nature and attractive fur, the American rabbit is classified as a critical breed by the American Livestock Breed Conservancy.

American Chinchilla

At the 1919 State Fair, a British vendor sold two Chinchilla rabbits to two American rabbit breeders. These breeders then worked to increase the size of the rabbits. The American Chinchilla is the scarcest among the Chinchilla rabbit varieties.

Weighing between 9 and 12 pounds
Having a coat in Chinchilla color
Possessing dense, fine fur that is sleek and shiny (with a length of 1.25 inches)
Having a relatively round body shape

American Sable

The American Sable rabbit, which is medium-sized, has a distinct brown fur that looks like mink, ranging from light to dark shades. It has a sepia color on its face, ears, feet, and tail. This breed, developed in the 1920s by crossing various chinchilla rabbits, is now rare. It weighs between 7 to 10 pounds and has a medium build with a soft, dense coat that includes fine hair along with coarse guard hairs.

Angora

Angora rabbits are famous for their abundant, smooth wool coats called Angora wool. These luxurious coats need a lot of attention, such as regular brushing to prevent or remove tangles, and trimming, shearing, or clipping every few months. There are various breeds of Angora rabbits, like the English Angora, French Angora, Giant Angora, and Satin Angora.

Come in different sizes and colors
Require a lot of care
English Angora: 5 to 7 pounds, with long silky fur
French Angora: 7.5 to 10.5 pounds
Giant Angora: 8.5+ pounds, with a soft fine undercoat, straight stiff guard hairs, and a wavy fluff with a guard tip in between
Satin Angora: 6.5 to 9.5 pounds, with very fine wool.

Argente Rabbits

Argente rabbits are originally from France and are famous for their thick, shiny fur that comes in a range of beautiful colors. There are different breeds of Argente rabbits, varying in size, such as Argente Brun (silver-brown), Argente Bleu (silver-blue), Champagne d’Argent (silver rabbit from Champagne), Argente Noir (starts black but changes to a silvery slate-blue color), Crème d’Argent (creamy-white with a bright orange undertone), and Argente St. Hubert (silver).

Weigh between 5 to 12 pounds
Available in various colors like black, blue, slate, silver, brown, or creamy white.

Belgian Hare

The Belgian Hare is considered one of the oldest rabbit breeds in the United States, originating in America in the 1880s but initially developed in Belgium. Resembling a wild hare with its long, slender body, arched back, and rounded hindquarters, this breed is quite rare.

Weighing between 6 to 9.5 pounds
Sporting a reddish tan or chestnut coat with slate blue under-coloring; having a slender build and fairly stiff coat
Having a slim physique

Blanc de Hotot (White Hotot)

The Blanc de Hotot, also known as White Hotot, is a white rabbit with distinctive black eyeliner markings around its dark eyes. Originating in France during the early 1800s, this breed has a well-rounded body and weighs between 8 to 11 pounds. The Blanc de Hotot was instrumental in the development of the Dwarf Hotot, a smaller rabbit with similar eye markings.

Britannia Petite

Weighing less than 2.5 pounds, the Britannia Petite is an extremely small rabbit breed, recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association as one of the tiniest breeds. In the UK, this breed is referred to as the Polish. The Britannia Petite comes in various colors such as ruby-eyed white, black otter, black, and chestnut agouti. They have a slender, delicate frame with a smooth, silky fur coat.

Californian

The Californian rabbit is a highly favored breed that has been officially recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. Originating in Southern California during the 1920s, this breed is known for its white body with darker points on the extremities such as the nose, ears, feet, and tail, giving it a Himalayan coloring. Additionally, Californian rabbits always have pink eyes.

Weighing between 8 to 12 pounds
White fur with black markings on the nose, ears, feet, and tail
They have a rounded body, medium size, and a short, sleek coat.

Checkered Giant

The Checkered Giant rabbit breed has a rich history in the United States, being officially recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1919. This breed is characterized by its large size, weighing over 11 pounds, and its unique checkered markings on a white coat. Known as the “Rabbit Beautiful,” the Checkered Giant is an active rabbit that requires ample space to exercise due to its long, hare-like body.

Chinchilla

The American Rabbit Breeders Association officially recognizes three Chinchilla rabbit breeds: the American Chinchilla, the Standard Chinchilla, and the Giant Chinchilla. All Chinchilla rabbit breeds have soft fur in a distinctive silver color that resembles the chinchilla, a small rodent from South America often kept as a pet. The fur color is a mix of various shades of gray, with dark slate blue at the base, darker blue at the top edge, and lighter gray tones in between.

Weighing between 5.5 to 6.5 pounds
Sporting a Chinchilla grey coat
Having delicate bones
Being born black and gradually developing white hairs around 2 months old.

Cinnamon

The Cinnamon rabbit gets its name from its shiny short red fur. This breed was developed in the 1970s by crossing a Chinchilla female with a New Zealand male. One of the males from that litter was then bred with a Checkered Giant/Californian female, resulting in some offspring with red fur. Cinnamon rabbits are of medium size and make loving and friendly pets.

Weighing between 8.5 to 11 pounds
Their fur is a rust or cinnamon color with grey speckles on the back and grey on the belly. They have rust-colored patches on the inside of their hind legs, as well as a butterfly marking on their nose and rings around their eyes.

Continental

Also known as Contis or Continental Giants, the Continental rabbit is believed to have a connection to the Flemish Giant breed. They are available in white and colored versions, and are a sizable type of rabbit, with a weight that can reach 16 pounds. While the British Rabbit Council acknowledges the Continental rabbit, it is not officially recognized by the American Rabbit Breeds Association.

Weighing at least 12.4 pounds
Available in white, black, grey, chestnut, and various other shades
Have a lifespan of only 5 to 7 years

Creme d’Argent

Argente rabbit breeds originate from France and are famous for their thick, shiny silky fur that comes in various stunning colors. Among the four Argente rabbit breeds acknowledged by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, the Crème d’Argent stands out for its creamy white fur with a vibrant orange underlayer. This unique breed is only found in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Weighing between 8 to 11 pounds
Creamy white fur with an orange underlayer
Nose has a butterfly marking

Dutch

The Dutch rabbit, known for its distinct two-colored markings, is a well-known breed that ranks among the top 10 most popular rabbit breeds. This breed is small in size, typically weighing between 3.5 and 5.5 pounds. Despite its name, the Dutch rabbit actually originated in England and is one of the oldest rabbit breeds, dating back to the 1850s. With its friendly and lively nature, the Dutch rabbit is a favored choice as a pet.

Dward Hotot

The Dwarf Hotot rabbit is a distinctive breed with a white coat and black eyeliner markings around its dark eyes. It is closely related to the larger Blanc de Hotot (White Hotot) breed, which influenced the Dwarf Hotot’s appearance. Weighing less than 3 pounds, this rabbit has a rounded body shape. Known for being friendly, curious, and energetic, the Dwarf Hotot is most suited as the only pet in a household.

English Lop

Renowned for its exceptionally long ears, the English Lop is believed to be the original lop-eared rabbit breed, serving as the ancestor for all other lop-eared rabbit breeds. Dating back to the early 1800s, English Lops were highly favored as pets during Queen Victoria’s reign. They are charming and gentle companions, weighing over 9 pounds and coming in various color groups such as agouti, broken, shaded, ticked, or wide-band.

English Spot

The English Spot, with its attractive speckled coat, has a history dating back to England in the 1800s. Rabbit breeds made its way to the United States just before the 20th century began and was well-received. The English Spot is known for its unique markings on a white body, which include a butterfly mark on the nose, eye circles, cheek spots, spine markings resembling herringbones, colored ears, and a line of spots running along the body.

Weighing between 5 to 8 pounds
White fur with black, blue, chocolate, gold, grey, lilac, or tortoise markings
Has a long, arched body similar to that of a hare.

Flemish Giant (Patagonian)

The Flemish Giant rabbit, named after Flanders, Belgium where it is believed to have originated, has been well-known in Europe since the 17th century. This breed has no set maximum weight, but some individuals can weigh over 20 pounds. It was introduced to the United States in the 1890s, where its large size was beneficial for breeding meat rabbits with higher weights. Referred to as the Gentle Giant because of its very sweet nature, the Flemish Giant makes an excellent pet.