12 Uncommon and Unique Rabbit Breeds (With Footage & Information)

Rabbits are wildly common pets, as they’re smaller than cats and canines, usually mild, and pretty sociable. They’re nice for these residing in residences and different smaller areas (although their hutches may take up extra room than anticipated!) and might even value a bit lower than the standard pet. If you already know rabbits, you’re accustomed to the breeds mostly saved as pets. However how nicely have you learnt the rarer breeds?

There are a number of uncommon and unique rabbit breeds that aren’t within the limelight as a lot because the extra frequent bunnies. Many are endangered or getting there, so there are fewer of them obtainable. However in the event you’re a rabbit fan, you’ll take pleasure in studying extra about them (and may even discover a new favourite breed when you’re at it!).

The 12 Uncommon and Unique Rabbit Breeds

1.  American Blue

This uncommon breed was initially often called the German Blue Vienna, however the title was modified to American Blue after World Struggle I. The American Blue was acknowledged by the American Rabbit Breeders Affiliation (ARBA) in 1918 and is exclusive to North America. Nevertheless, it’s now turn out to be the rarest breed within the U.S. and is on the watchlist of the Livestock Conservancy. Bred primarily for fur and meat, many at the moment are attempting to make the breed right into a present rabbit. As a reasonably hardy breed and a delicate medium-sized rabbit, the American Blue could make a wonderful pet.

2. American Chinchilla

The unique Chinchilla rabbits debuted in 1913 in France and have been a lot smaller than the American Chinchilla. Famed for having the best rabbit fur, breeders within the States determined to make the Chinchilla bigger so it could have a bigger pelt (and produce extra meat). Thus, the American Chinchilla was born. Nevertheless, as a result of rabbit fur and meat buying and selling have declined, the breed has turn out to be rarer and is listed by the Livestock Conservancy as important. The breed can nonetheless be discovered as family pets, although, due to their mild, good-natured temperaments.

3. American Sable

The American Sable is likely one of the breeds on this record that isn’t in danger however remains to be thought of uncommon. You’d be appropriate in the event you suppose they give the impression of being much like a Chinchilla rabbit, as this breed is an off-shoot! The American Sable is most frequently used for meat manufacturing as their meat has wonderful high quality, however you’ll sometimes see them saved as pets. Nevertheless, this rabbit breed is well pressured and considerably timid, in order that they don’t do nicely in houses with kids.

4. Belgian Hare

The Belgian Hare isn’t truly a hare however merely a rabbit bred to seem like a hare. Initially bred for meat manufacturing, you’ll discover them extra usually as present rabbits and pets. Whereas they will make wonderful pets attributable to their candy personalities and are typically energetic (notably in out of doors environments), some Belgian Hares could be exceptionally nervous and startle simply, in order that they don’t do nicely in smaller areas. The breed is at the moment listed as threatened by the Livestock Conservancy.

5. Blanc de Hotot

These bunnies are placing with their white fur and black rings across the eyes. The Blanc de Hotot was common in Europe within the Twenties however practically died out throughout World Struggle II. Although initially showing in America between 1921 and 1922, they shortly pale into obscurity, solely reappearing in 1978 when eight rabbits have been imported from France. The breed was acknowledged by ARBA in 1979. There are just a few all through the world, so the Livestock Conservancy has listed them as being important.

6. Columbia Basin Pygmy

This uncommon bunny is the tiniest of the rabbit household, solely weighing about 1 pound when absolutely grown. Sadly, the Colombian Pygmy is almost extinct within the wild, so that you received’t be capable to personal one in every of these small rabbits your self. Nevertheless, you possibly can go to these rabbits on the Oregon Zoo, the place conservationists are laborious at work attempting to breed them and preserve them within the wild!

7. Harlequin

These lovely rabbits are recognized for his or her placing and distinctive coloration. The Harlequin rabbit’s face is evenly divided into two colours, whereas the physique options alternating bands of shade. The breed was once extremely common (and insanely costly), however they’re a lot rarer as of late and usually can solely be discovered with present lovers. As pets, the Harlequin is pretty easygoing and playful. Perpetually curious, they like to discover their environment. Nevertheless, they do want in depth early socialization!

8. Pointed Beveren

Beveren rabbits are available in many sorts, however the rarest one is the Pointed Beveren. Coloured practically the identical because the common Beveren rabbit however with white-tipped fur, the Pointed Beveren is a fur rabbit but in addition a rabbit that makes a wonderful pet (notably for youths). Referred to as mild giants, these rabbits are bigger in dimension and have calm, candy personalities. Honest warning, although, these bunnies have lengthy hair that requires loads of grooming and want quite a lot of area to run and play in!

9. Rhinelander

The Rhinelander rabbit involves us by way of Germany, the place it was created by mixing a standard grey rabbit with a Harlequin, then crossing the Harlequin with the Checkered Large doe. Although these rabbits first appeared in 1902, they didn’t attain the U.S. till 1923. Nevertheless, the Rhinelander by no means gained recognition right here and disappeared, solely reappearing within the States once more within the mid-Seventies. There are lower than 2,000 Rhinelanders on the planet at the moment, making them a a lot rarer breed than others, and they’re on the watch record for the Livestock Conservancy.

10. Silver Fox

The Silver Fox rabbit was the third-ever breed created within the U.S. and was acknowledged in 1925 (although below its authentic title of “American Heavyweight Silver”). Nevertheless, this breed’s numbers started to say no within the Seventies, and there at the moment are lower than 2,000 of those bunnies on the planet (although the Livestock Conservancy has listed them as “recovering”, which is promising). Listening to the title “Silver Fox”, you’d suppose these rabbits had silver fur, however they really have black fur with silver guard hairs; the breed was named attributable to its resemblance to the Arctic Silver Fox. A somewhat low-maintenance bunny, the Silver Fox is mild and might cope with being dealt with if correctly socialized, to allow them to make great pets.

11. Sumatran Striped

The Sumatran Striped rabbit is critically endangered as a result of ongoing lack of its habitat, however it has all the time been uncommon and elusive. Present in just one location in Indonesia, the existence of those rabbits has been recognized for the reason that Eighteen Eighties, however they’ve hardly ever been seen. One was noticed in 1972, however then these rabbits weren’t seen once more till 2000! Sadly, you possibly can’t get one in every of these uncommon and unique bunnies for a pet, however they’re a genuinely fascinating breed.

12. Volcano

The Volcano rabbit is one other that’s endangered. Named after the Mexican volcanoes they stay round, the breed’s habitat is step by step being destroyed, so numbers are dwindling. These rabbits are the second-smallest of the rabbit breeds, weighing not even a pound, and are recognized for speaking by way of high-pitched squeal somewhat than thumping. Sadly, that is one other rabbit that isn’t appropriate to have as a pet attributable to its rarity and endangered standing.

Conclusion

There are fairly a number of uncommon and unique rabbit breeds on the planet, although sadly, a lot of them are endangered or on their manner there. Nonetheless, a number of of them are rabbits you possibly can hold as pets (in the event you can find one). Hopefully, conservation efforts will assist protect no less than a few of these breeds!

Featured Picture Credit score: RadekBartak, Shutterstock