Small Rabbit

nellybelle

Hi everyone, I really need some help as there is alot of contradictory information out there. I have many questions so I will ask them one by one. In a few months I would like to buy a bunny. It is for indoors. I would like a small, kind rabbit. I know that personality depends on many different factors, but I am generalising here.

Can you please tell me what some of the smaller rabbit breeds are that are friendly? I dont really want a rabbit that get large as an adult.

Is it ok to just have one rabbit or should I really get two so one isnt bored all the time?

Does anyone have any idea where in ireland I can get rabbits? I actually dont mind getting a mix breed.

mymo

I have had a Netherland dwarf rabbits before, not much bigger than a guinea pig, but some are badly bred and do have health issues so unless you know a little about the breed it can be hard to choose a healthy one.

Some of the lionheads are quite small too, no sure about breeds as its many years since I had Rabbits.

You should keep them in pairs, neutering is very important, females are very prone to uterine cancers, males can be aggressive if not neutered.
You will need to find a small animal vet who has experience with rabbits too, and find a small time breeder who only has a few rabbits and handles them well from a young age. They should also be able to advise you on keeping them.

Hopefully someone who knows more can advise you more.

SophieSakura

Netherland dwarfs are tiny, but they can be a bit nervous apparently. Also ones from pet shops or some breeders mightn't be as small as they should be.

Lionheads are really friendly and can be pretty small, but some ones will be bigger, they should be about 3.5lbs.

Mini lops are small too and meant to be sweet

godtabh

we have two mini lops. About the size of a bag of sugar. Nice and friendly when they want to be!

nellybelle

Thank you guys so much for all your help I think Ive decided to go for a mini lop, and I have also found a breeder so I am thankful for everyone's comments.

nellybelle

Hi Guys, I'm not sure if I should be opening a new thread for this, if so please let me know.



Do you guys know where I can even get a rabbit in Ireland other than in pet stores?


Also do you know some breeders I could look up?


Can you guys tell me if it is possible at all to get the following breeds in Ireland.


Netherland Dwarf
Holland/Dwarf Lop
Polish Rabbit
Lionhead
Dwarf Hotot
Himalayan
American Fuzzy Lop
Jersey Wooly


thanks for any help you can give.

vicwatson

I dont really want a rabbit that get large as an adult.

What ??

Where ??:rolleyes:

:eek:

SophieSakura

Check out http://www.irishrabbits.proboards.com/

And if you're in Dublin http://mekkispets.webs.com/

Where do you live?

It's definitely a good idea to avoid pet shop bunnies, they could be sick, have parasites, be pregnant and be unsocialised. Also they might not be the breed they're meant to be, and ones that are meant to be dwarf or mini, won't really be usually that small in pet shops.

SophieSakura

Netherland Dwarf - Mekkis pets, or I know a good breeder in Cork. Some nethies won't be true dwarfs, so you should go to a good breeder if you want a really tiny one.
Holland/Dwarf Lop - Mekkis pets has mini lops, and a few other breeders in Dublin and the north, but nowhere else that I know
Polish Rabbit - I don't know
Lionhead - Mekkis pets and a quite a lot of other breeders
Dwarf Hotot - Never heard of them in Ireland
Himalayan - I think I've seen them advertised, but they get quite big I think
American Fuzzy Lop - Never seen them
Jersey Wooly - Never seen them, I'd love some too!

Try Donedeal

katharinewheel

SophieSakura wrote: »

Lionheads are really friendly and can be pretty small, but some ones will be bigger, they should be about 3.5lbs.

You want to be very careful with lionheads, whilst they're supposed to be dwarf breeds, our PB white lionhead doe is easily the biggest/heaviest of all the rabbits we have. At a almost a year, she is definately bigger than my little brother's French Lop doe used to be at almost 4years.

And French lops are a very large breed.

SophieSakura

katharinewheel wrote: »

You want to be very careful with lionheads, whilst they're supposed to be dwarf breeds, our PB white lionhead doe is easily the biggest/heaviest of all the rabbits we have. At a almost a year, she is definately bigger than my little brother's French Lop doe used to be at almost 4years.

And French lops are a very large breed.

That's true, they should be small, but if they're from pet shops or people breeding them as pets then they might easily be much bigger. I saw a huge on in a pet shop recently, it probably was a crossbreed though being a pet shop.

But that's true of all small breeds. Most Netherland Dwarfs that you see are big, same with "mini" lops etc.

OP, look at the parents and see what size they are, or any older siblings of the rabbit if the breeder has them. They shouldn't be as small as Netherland dwarfs but should be pretty small. They sometimes look a lot bigger with all the fur Ask the breeder how much the parents weigh, it should be about 3-4lbs, and females might be bigger.

MrVestek

We have a cross between a holland lop and some other breed (the vet couldn't tell which) that we got in Petstop in Carrickmines.

He definately has a wild personality and can be a bit bratty at times but as long as you put the effort in with training etc then they can become very well behaved. Bear in mind though that rabbits are hugely social creatures and can get quite lonely if they're left for a few hours on their own during work hours etc so be sure to let them out as soon as you get home.

Getting down to their level and letting them sniff you and get used to you will have them bonded to you in no time. Litter training can be a bit of a pain but just make sure that when they pee somewhere they're not supposed to don't tell them off just move them to their litter tray and once they go into the tray a few times they'll get the smell of pee and know that that's where they're usually going to go.

Even if you don't have a litter tray they'll usually pick a corner of their cage to go in. It could be a good idea to get two rabbits but only if you have the means to look after them... as long as you pay a single rabbit enough attention during the day and pet it regularly it'll get used to you and calm down.

Negative re-enforcement such as shouting loudly or clapping your hands when they go somewhere they're not supposed to works a treat and they eventually get the message... but be careful as if your rabbit has a bratty personality like mine he'll wait until you're not looking and try to get up to a high point on the couch or behind the tv to play with wires etc.

That's another thing - be sure to 'bunny proof' your house. If there are usually any cables in the room from tvs or laptops etc wrap them in cable wrap so that at least if they do chew on them while you're not looking they won't hurt themselves.

It's best to let the rabbit out of the cage as much as possible too as I said earlier they're incredibly social and even if they're not on your lap or whatever simply not being cooped up in a cage will keep them happy.

I hope this hasn't been information overload, lol sorry. I've done a fair bit of research into rabbit psychology so if when you get it and aren't sure why he/she is exhibiting a certain behaviour that confuses you send me a message and I'll try to clarify.

Also I've attached a pic of our little mite... be careful if you get anything that's a holland lop or crossed with one as they can grow to be quite large.

serenacat

There are alot of rescue rabbits out there is dspca that need a home. I hope you consider these too. Here is the link to them http://www.dspca.ie/cat_animals_need_homes_detail.jsp?itemID=1429&n=149&p=105

Also on gumtree http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/freebies http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/dublin-pets have lots of ads for pets