There are several dozen breeds of rabbits and each has its own unique characteristics.
In this article I will try to explain how to distinguish them based on morphological characteristics and I will offer you a complete list of all the breeds with links to our detailed articles that we will dedicate to the main breeds.
Rabbit Breeds: The Registry from the National Association of Italian Rabbit Breeders
The registry created by Anci (Italian National Rabbit Breeders Association) was created with 4 main purposes: to preserve biological variability among rabbit breeds, to strengthen the role of purebred breeding, to coordinate the organization of official fairs for the diffusion of breeders and to guarantee registry-morphological certification.
We can find all the breeds of Italian rabbits , which are 43 , divided, based on the weight of the subjects and the structure of the hair, into four categories : heavy, medium, light, with special hair structure . Even today it is a very important document for the protection of these animals throughout the national territory.
Rabbit Breeds: Morphological Characteristics
When you go to catalog rabbits it is necessary to do so using criteria and parameters that help us find the differences between the different breeds. Usually they are the morphological characteristics that specifically are the robust body , the abundance of fleshy muscle mass , the pigmented fur and the dark color of the iris . This is the classic Italian rabbit.
Rabbit Breeds: The Most Popular
Before reeling off the long list of breeds, let’s focus our attention on the most particular and curious ones, starting with the Hotot , which also has a rather funny name. It comes from France and is not very common, but it should be known because it is considered one of the most beautiful breeds, from a physical point of view. It is sweet, with its enormous brown eyes surrounded by black fur, two spots that stand out on the rest of the white coat. It is greedy and risks getting too fat, it is small and is very comfortable in apartments as long as it is given some free time to run around.
Another small rabbit is the Toy, or Dwarf, which does not weigh more than 1.5 kg and has a compact body, with small, short and rounded ears. It is a small creature that arouses much tenderness also for its soft and short fur, brown, gray, black or white. It has a very fearful and shy character, an attitude initially distrustful towards humans.
Let’s now move on to a giant rabbit, the Flanders rabbit , originally from Belgium and weighing up to 10 kg. Its body is long and wide, it has a relaxed and peaceful character, even a little too lazy, and a soft black, bluish, beige, gray, brown or white fur.
The Aries rabbit is easy to recognize by looking at its ears that are long and drooping, making it a bit sad in appearance. In truth, it does very well, even at home, thanks to a character that is overall calm and affectionate.
We continue with the Rex that exists in both standard and mini sizes and weighs respectively up to 5 kg, or maximum 2 kg. It is a particularly active animal that should be left to vent at home. It has a very soft fur to stroke that can be black, chocolate, red or white even with spots.
If you prefer a slightly calmer and more thoughtful rabbit, it is better to opt for the Lionhead , also called Lion, which is immediately recognizable by its long fur that resembles a feline mane. It comes from Belgium and is not particularly large, weighing a maximum of a couple of kilos, and is eager to receive our attention.
Now we finish with two rabbits that, each in their own way, caught my attention. The Tan and the English Angora. The first comes from the United Kingdom and is born from the cross between a wild rabbit and a Dutch rabbit. It has a sweet but slightly hyperactive nature, it is curious and intelligent and settles well into the house if you let it have fun. The English Angora rabbit comes from Turkey and has a very particular coat, white, black, chocolate or brown but very long and silky so much that it must be combed every day and can also be raised for its wool.
Rabbit Breeds: Complete List
Here is finally the complete list of all rabbit breeds with links to the articles we have written on individual breeds where you will find detailed information:
- Alaskan Rabbit
- Angora Rabbit
- Champagne Silver
- Small Silver
- Large Silver
- Californian
- Big Chinchilla
- Aries Rabbit
- English Lop Rabbit
- Dwarf Lop Rabbit
- Small Lop Rabbit
- Havana Rabbit
- New Zealand White
- White of Vienna
- Vienna Blue Rabbit
- Small Chinchilla
- Ermine Rabbit
- Pearl Fairy
- Marburg Fairy
- Focused
- Burgundy Fulva
- Japanese Rabbit
- White Jar
- Giant White Rabbit
- Giant Spotted Rabbit
- Giant Rabbit
- Hotot Rabbit
- Rabbit Hare
- Leprino Rabbit of Viterbo
- Lynx Rabbit
- Marten Rabbit
- Colored Dwarf
- Dutch Rabbit
- Saxony Gold Rabbit
- English Pied
- Small Spotted
- Tricolour Spotted
- Rex Rabbit
- New Zealand Red
- Russian Rabbit
- Satin Rabbit
- Lion Head Rabbit
- Thuringia
- Rabbit Fox