Types of Rabbits

There are several types of rabbits that people keep as pets or raise for their wool, their meat or to show. Rabbits are members of the Leporidae family, which includes hares. There are five major genera that people keep: Netherland Dwarf, Belgian Hare, Lop, Angora and Silver. All of these rabbits make good pets or show animals.

Rabbits versus Hares
In outward appearance, hares and rabbits look almost identical. Hares are larger, with larger back legs and ears. It's important to note that the Belgian Hare kept as pets is a rabbit and not a hare, even though it has been bred to resemble a wild hare.

There are two main differences between rabbits and hares. First, hares are born with the ability to see and a coat of hair, unlike rabbits, which are born hairless and blind. Second, hares are solitary creatures that live above ground, while rabbits are social animals that typically live in groups in underground warrens. The Cottontail is the one species of rabbit that nests above ground.

Characteristics of Pet Rabbits
The Netherland Dwarf is often called a dwarf rabbit. This breed has short ears and a compact body. They weigh up to 2 1/2 pounds. Netherland Dwarfs come in many colors and have an even disposition, making them great pets.

The Belgian Hare is one of the largest and smartest rabbits. Bred to resemble wild hares, it can weigh up to 9 1/2 pounds and has a distinctive reddish-tan fur. The Belgian Hare also has long legs and long ears. As one of the most intelligent rabbits, a Belgian Hare can be trained to use a particular area to relieve itself and to respond to its name. Belgian hares take well to people and will bond with their owners to a greater degree than some rabbit breeds.

The Lop rabbit has long, drooping ears. Lops vary in size, depending on the breed, and can weigh anywhere from 3 1/2 pounds to 11 1/2 pounds as adults. They have a particularly gentle and even temper, making them a popular choice for pets. There are several varieties of Lop, including the English Lop, which is the largest, the French Lop, the Holland Lop and the American Fuzzy Lop, a dwarf variety with a fuzzy coat similar to an Angora. 

Angora rabbits are prized for their fur, which can be spun into yarn. It is a difficult breed to care for, as it needs extra grooming. Angora wool can be cut during grooming, gathered as the rabbit sheds or pulled directly from the rabbit when it is shedding. An English Angora has a fuzzy face and weighs about 7 1/2 pounds. The French Angora has short fur on the face and can weigh up to 10 pounds. The Satin Angora is slightly smaller than the French Angora, weighing 9 1/2 pounds with short hair on the face. Satins produce less wool than other breeds, but the wool is considerably softer.

Angoras are playful and social, but they can be tempermental, so regular interaction is needed to keep them tame. If you're interested in having an Angora for wool or showing, look for an all-white rabbit. Angoras with broken-color coats are generally used as pets.

Silver rabbits have short coats and come in many different colors. This is a smaller breed that will weigh up to seven pounds at adulthood. The Silver is one of the oldest breeds of domesticated rabbits, but it has become very rare in North America. They are very active and need exercise, so you'll want to have a large room or an exercise pen for this breed, as well as a large rabbit cage where it can stretch out and move around.