Dwarf rabbits
Encyclopedia
Dwarf rabbits are a variety of domestic European rabbit
(Oryctolagus cuniculus). Dwarf rabbits are much smaller than normal rabbits, but are capable of interbreeding with them, so are not recognized as a separate species.
Purebred dwarf rabbits weigh 0.7-1.4 kg. Their heads and eyes are disproportionately large with respect to their body, and their ears are small and carried high on the head. The exception to this is the dwarf lop — a cross between the French lop and the dwarf — which is both heavier (3.0-4.0 lb) than a standard dwarf and has long, dangling ears. Many different colorations make up breeds in dwarf rabbits, such as Himalayan, Red, Siamese, Chinchilla, Blue, and White-tipped Black.
Dwarf rabbits generally have the same behavioral traits as other domestic rabbits. They can be housetrained
and can be socialized with dog
s, cat
s and hamsters.
Most of the rabbits sold as dwarves in pet store
s are not true dwarfs, but crosses between a dwarf and a standard rabbit. These "mongrel
s" are hardier, but grow to a larger size and lack the characteristic small head and low carriage of the true dwarf.
Like other domestic rabbits, dwarf rabbits consume grasses, grains
, hay, and other succulent greens
. Their digestive system is somewhat less hardy than European rabbit
s, and many leafy vegetables such as lettuce
and cabbage
can give them health problems such as diarrhea, which can be fatal in small animals.
The existence of a dwarf gene in the European rabbit is not disputed, but the existence of the dwarf gene in certain breeds of European rabbit is not always clear. It may be present in some lines but not other lines of the same breed. Breeding two rabbits that both carry the dwarf gene may result in a homozygous dwarf offspring, that is commonly termed a "peanut". Peanuts (about the size of a peanut) are very small and deformed baby rabbits that will be born with a very large head, almost no ears and their back legs often cross. Peanuts usually live for a few days but sometimes will last a couple of weeks. The birth of a peanut proves that the dwarf gene was present in both parents.
Breeds that are known to carry the dwarf gene are the Netherland Dwarf
, the Dwarf Hotot, the U.S. Polish Rabbit
and most breeds with "dwarf" in the name. Small breeds that some claim do not carry the dwarf gene are the Britannia Petite, Tan and Elfin Rabbit
. It is unclear if the "mini sized breeds", such as the Mini Satin and Mini Lop
, carry the dwarf gene.
European Rabbit
The European Rabbit or Common Rabbit is a species of rabbit native to south west Europe and north west Africa . It has been widely introduced elsewhere often with devastating effects on local biodiversity...
(Oryctolagus cuniculus). Dwarf rabbits are much smaller than normal rabbits, but are capable of interbreeding with them, so are not recognized as a separate species.
Housebreaking
Housebreaking is the process of training a domesticated animal that lives with its human owners in a house to excrete outdoors, or in a designated indoor area, rather than inside the house. The pet owner's desire is to break the habit of eliminating in the house, hence the term...
and can be socialized with dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
s, cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
s and hamsters.
Most of the rabbits sold as dwarves in pet store
Pet store
A pet store or pet shop is a retail business which sells different kinds of animals. Pet stores also sell pet food, supplies, and accessories....
s are not true dwarfs, but crosses between a dwarf and a standard rabbit. These "mongrel
Mongrel
Mongrel refers to mixed ancestry:* In botany, a mongrel may refer to the offspring of varieties of a species which was in contrast to a hybrid* Among pets, one whose parentage is of unknown or mixed breeds as opposed to purebred...
s" are hardier, but grow to a larger size and lack the characteristic small head and low carriage of the true dwarf.
Like other domestic rabbits, dwarf rabbits consume grasses, grains
Cereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
, hay, and other succulent greens
Leaf vegetable
Leaf vegetables, also called potherbs, green vegetables, greens, leafy greens or salad greens, are plant leaves eaten as a vegetable, sometimes accompanied by tender petioles and shoots...
. Their digestive system is somewhat less hardy than European rabbit
European Rabbit
The European Rabbit or Common Rabbit is a species of rabbit native to south west Europe and north west Africa . It has been widely introduced elsewhere often with devastating effects on local biodiversity...
s, and many leafy vegetables such as lettuce
Lettuce
Lettuce is a temperate annual or biennial plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable. It is eaten either raw, notably in salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, tacos, and many other dishes, or cooked, as in Chinese cuisine in which the stem becomes just as important...
and cabbage
Cabbage
Cabbage is a popular cultivar of the species Brassica oleracea Linne of the Family Brassicaceae and is a leafy green vegetable...
can give them health problems such as diarrhea, which can be fatal in small animals.
The existence of a dwarf gene in the European rabbit is not disputed, but the existence of the dwarf gene in certain breeds of European rabbit is not always clear. It may be present in some lines but not other lines of the same breed. Breeding two rabbits that both carry the dwarf gene may result in a homozygous dwarf offspring, that is commonly termed a "peanut". Peanuts (about the size of a peanut) are very small and deformed baby rabbits that will be born with a very large head, almost no ears and their back legs often cross. Peanuts usually live for a few days but sometimes will last a couple of weeks. The birth of a peanut proves that the dwarf gene was present in both parents.
Breeds that are known to carry the dwarf gene are the Netherland Dwarf
Netherland Dwarf
The Netherland Dwarf is a popular breed of domestic rabbit originating in the Netherlands. Smaller than most rabbit breeds, Netherland Dwarf rabbits weigh 500 g to 1.6 kg and are usually kept as pets or exhibition animals...
, the Dwarf Hotot, the U.S. Polish Rabbit
Polish rabbit
The Polish Rabbit is a small breed of domestic rabbit. It is also known as the "Britannia Petite".-History and origin:Despite the name, the Polish rabbit is thought to have originated in England from the common white hutch rabbit, but the exact origins of the breed are unknown. They were first...
and most breeds with "dwarf" in the name. Small breeds that some claim do not carry the dwarf gene are the Britannia Petite, Tan and Elfin Rabbit
Elfin rabbit
The Swedish Hare and the Elfin rabbit, were developed simultaneously in Sweden and the United States, specifically for outstanding performance at sporting events for rabbits. Rabbit hopping and Rabbit Agility have become popular and a more competitive animal was desired. In Europe and the United...
. It is unclear if the "mini sized breeds", such as the Mini Satin and Mini Lop
Mini Lop
The Mini Lop is a very popular rabbit breed that is featured in numerous rabbit shows throughout the United States. In the USA, it is the third smallest Lop overall, the Holland lop and American fuzzy lops are smaller, as well as the smallest non-dwarfed lop. It is a different breed from the...
, carry the dwarf gene.
History
- White Rabbit in Alice in WonderlandAlice in Wonderland (2010 film)Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 American computer-animated/live action fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton, written by Linda Woolverton, and released by Walt Disney Pictures...
- Roger Rabbit from Who Framed Roger RabbitWho Framed Roger RabbitWho Framed Roger Rabbit is a 1988 American fantasy-comedy-noir film directed by Robert Zemeckis and released by Touchstone Pictures. The film combines live action and animation, and is based on Gary K. Wolf's novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, which depicts a world in which cartoon characters...
and Roger Rabbit 2Who Framed Roger RabbitWho Framed Roger Rabbit is a 1988 American fantasy-comedy-noir film directed by Robert Zemeckis and released by Touchstone Pictures. The film combines live action and animation, and is based on Gary K. Wolf's novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, which depicts a world in which cartoon characters... - White Rabbit from Alice in WonderlandAlice in Wonderland (1951 film)Alice in Wonderland is a 1951 American animated feature produced by Walt Disney and based primarily on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with a few additional elements from Through the Looking-Glass. Thirteenth in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film was released in New...
and Alice in Wonderland 2Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)Alice in Wonderland is a 1951 American animated feature produced by Walt Disney and based primarily on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with a few additional elements from Through the Looking-Glass. Thirteenth in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film was released in New...