Description and classification of decorative rabbits and how to determine the breed

We perceive rabbits as farm animals, bred for inexpensive fur and dietary meat. But these cute creatures can make excellent pets. Many specialized breeds have been bred for these purposes. However, before getting a furry pet, it is worth finding out how many breeds of decorative rabbits there are, how to choose and maintain them.

Purpose of decorative rabbits

Along with cats, dogs, birds and fish, people also use rabbits as pets.At the same time, representatives of breeds specially created for these purposes, called decorative, are chosen as pets, because they are distinguished by compact dimensions, have no value as sources of meat or skin, but are endowed with a number of other specific features:

1. Small size, giving a chance to keep an animal even in city apartments.
2. Complaisant, calm and playful character.
3. Friendly towards people and other pets, lack of aggression.
4. Unpretentiousness.
5. The ability to adapt to living conditions in an apartment or house.
6. Good health.
7. Attractive appearance.

Decorative rabbits are bred in hundreds of colors, so you can choose a pet to suit your taste. Such animals are not too picky about their living conditions, however, they require special knowledge to maintain. On average, rabbits live up to 6 years, and with proper feeding and proper care, their lifespan can double.

In order for pets to feel comfortable in a human home, it is necessary to provide them with living conditions. Spacious cages or enclosures are purchased for rabbits, but keeping them locked up all the time is harmful to health - the animals must move.

For safety, in the room where the rabbit will walk, all wires, indoor plants and valuable objects that it can chew and damage must be removed.

With proper upbringing, your pet gets used to going to the toilet in a certain corner of its cage or in a special box that needs to be cleaned as often as possible. This will help keep the animal healthy and relieve owners of unpleasant odors.

Nutrition is an important condition for the vigor and longevity of a decorative rabbit.He should receive a balanced diet as recommended by the breeder or veterinarian. It should include fresh vegetables, grass or hay, grain products, and plant branches. It is equally important that your rabbit always has clean drinking water available. It is best to equip a drinking bowl that he cannot tip over or accidentally pollute.

Breed classification

All rabbits are classified according to the following characteristics:

1. By body weight:

• small;
• average;
• large.

2. By product type:

• meat;
• meat-skin;
• downy;
• decorative.

3. By coat length:

• short-haired;
• with normal coat length (standard);
• long-haired.

In this entire system, the smallest are decorative breeds of rabbits. They were bred specifically to be kept as pets, so they have approximately the same body weight and are classified as dwarf varieties.

Therefore, the classification uses parameters such as the length and quality of the coat, as well as the size and shape of the ears:

1. By coat type:

• shorthair - standard;
• long-haired;
• Wire-haired - Rex;
• satin;
• lionheads.

2. By ear type:

• with vertical ears;
• with floppy ears.

Thanks to selection, many breeds of decorative rabbits, varieties of color and coat type have been obtained.

How to find out the breed?

At the moment, there is no unified system of classification and standards for rabbit breeds, which causes confusion in identifying whether an animal belongs to a certain type. There is also no uniformity in the names of the breeds, so when purchasing an animal you need to consult with experienced specialists, rabbit breeders with extensive experience, and veterinarians.

There are many decorative breeds of rabbits, among which the most popular and popular are the following:

1. With straight ears: Himalayan, Danish, Hermelin, Netherland, Hotot, Lionhead, Butterfly, Satin, Mini Rex and so on.
2. Folds: Dutch dwarf, mini ram, plush fold and many others.
3. Longhair: Fox, Angora, Russian Dwarf Angora, Jersey Woolie.

It should be noted that some breeds may be included in several points of classification, since they may have both short hair and lop ears, erect ears and satin wool, and other features. In addition, several varieties of color may be present within the breed. It is these features that create such difficulties in developing a breed standard.

Tips for choosing

With the existing variety, every lover can find a rabbit to his liking. These cute animals get along well with calm, self-controlled people and can tolerate the presence of other pets in the house, but it must be taken into account that small children should not buy them. A rabbit is a non-aggressive creature, but if a child is too intrusive, it may scratch or bite.

The purchased rabbit must be completely independent, that is, weaned from its mother’s breast and confidently eating the food standard for these creatures.This is important, since feeding a nursing rabbit is troublesome, and besides, such animals are weaker, have poor immunity, and are prone to diseases and digestive disorders. For a novice rabbit breeder, this is an unbearable burden.

Healthy rabbit:

1. Cheerful, cheerful, active.
2. He has a clean, well-groomed coat without tangles.
3. Clear, shiny eyes.
4. Ears without signs of inflammation.
5. There are no discharge or signs of disturbances in the digestive system.

You cannot buy:

1. A lethargic, apathetic animal that looks unkempt.
2. With matted, stale fur.
3. With pus in the eyes.
4. With an unpleasant odor.

Also, you should not buy an aggressive animal for your family, although for decorative rabbits this is an exception to the rule.

Where is the best place to buy a dwarf rabbit?

In most pet stores and bird markets, sellers cannot name the breed or correctly determine whether a rabbit belongs to it. If this is not important to the buyer, then in this case you need to focus on the external attractiveness of the animal and signs of its health. If you want to buy a purebred animal and have offspring from it, this purchase option will not work.

For breeding or simply if you want to have a purebred pet with a passport and pedigree, it is better to purchase it through clubs of ornamental rabbit breeding lovers or directly from professional breeders.

There are such centers and farms abroad and in our country, mainly in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In this case, the buyer will receive a healthy vaccinated animal with veterinary documents, with a guarantee of correct breeding, without defects and hidden diseases.

But when purchasing, you still need to check the rabbit’s health and ask the seller any questions you may have.A professional will never refuse to advise a beginner and give useful recommendations on keeping an animal at home.