Not so!Īll rabbits need the same amount of space relative to their size. You might think that a tiny bunny doesn’t need a lot of space. But if your pet is having problems grooming itself, you can clean it using pet-safe wipes. Rabbits are naturally clean and fastidious about their personal hygiene. It could also increase your pet’s vulnerability to flystrike. A messy bottom could mean digestive or mobility problems. Grooming time is also a good time to do an all-over health check. Most rabbits hate having their nails trimmed. Just make sure to be very, very gentle, as the wires can tear delicate bunny skin. Although you generally don’t need to brush a short-haired rabbit, many rabbits love the slicker brush. Slicker BrushĪ slicker brush is a brush with a rectangular head and wire bristles. Nonetheless, rabbits groom each other, and brushing and grooming can be a way to bond with your sassy, wild bunny. Netherland Dwarfs have a short, thick coat that doesn’t require a lot of work. You can supplement your bunny’s diet with pellets and rabbit-safe fruits and vegetables. This is important for Netherland Dwarf rabbits, in particular, in order to keep their teeth worn down. DietĪll rabbit breeds should eat a diet that consists of mostly hay. This can cause cuts in the mouth, abscesses, infection, and even death.Īlso, breeding animals down to such a tiny size results in extremely fragile bones that easily break.įalse dwarfs avoid some of the genetic problems that “true dwarfs” have. But in many Netherland Dwarf rabbits, the lower jaw sticks out farther than the upper jaw.Īs a result, the teeth overgrow. Rabbits’ teeth grow continuously, so it’s important that their upper and lower teeth line up so that they wear down evenly. This makes the breed susceptible to malocclusion. That is, breeding has flattened the face, just like the faces of Pugs and Persian cats. Netherland Dwarf rabbits are brachycephalic. The most common health problems for this breed stem from breeding itself. They don’t need as much grooming as long-haired pets, and they can learn to use the litter box and even do tricks. They’re intelligent, quiet, clean pets, and they thrive with the right kind of attention. Like other dwarf rabbits, Netherland Dwarfs have very fragile bones and can suffer serious injuries if it falls or struggles against being held.ĭwarf breed rabbits can, however, make excellent pets for adults, especially in a quiet home. They generally don’t like to be picked up or held, and they’re quick to bite and scratch when frightened. In fact, although individual personalities can vary, this breed’s general character makes it an unsuitable pet for children.īecause wild rabbits made such a large and recent contribution to the breed’s genetics, Netherland Dwarfs tend to be skittish. “False dwarfs” have longer bodies, faces, and ears.Ī Netherland Dwarf rabbit may be cute and fluffy, but it’s no toy. “True dwarfs” have the flat face, small ears, and cobby body that typifies the breed. You might hear the terms “true dwarf” and “false dwarf.” These terms refer to naturally occurring variations in the Netherland Dwarf rabbit breed. Netherland Dwarf rabbits have short, thick fur that can come in a wide variety of colours, including: Their ears are also short and set high on the back of the head. Netherland Dwarf rabbits typically have short, stubby (“cobby”) bodies and flat, brachycephalic faces. Netherland Dwarf rabbits typically weigh between two and 2.5 pounds (0.9 to 1.13 kilograms).

Most dwarf breeds top out at around four to five pounds (1.8 to 2.3 kilograms). The Netherland Dwarf rabbit is small, even for a dwarf rabbit. Netherland Dwarf rabbits achieved recognition in the Netherlands in 1940, in Britain in 1950, and in the United States in 1969. The result of this attempt was a mighty mini that is not only smaller than other dwarf rabbits but which does, indeed, come in an astounding variety of colours. A group of pet rabbit breeders in the Netherlands bred the Hermelin (or “ Polish Rabbit”) with native wild rabbits, in an attempt to create a new small pet rabbit breed that came in a large number of pleasing colours. Thirty years of selective breeding went into the creation of the Netherland Dwarf. You’ll know this breed by its small size, short, high, upright ears and its flattened face. It’s the smallest of these breeds, but owners will attest that they’re among the feistiest of all pets. The Netherland Dwarf is one of a handful of dwarf breeds. They also have some special needs as far as care. These rabbits may be small in stature, but they’re big in personality. It’s a fact: the Netherland Dwarf is one of the most popular rabbit breeds in the world.

Netherland dwarf rabbits colours