Rabbit Breeds for Children

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Rabbit Breeds for Children

Rabbit Breeds for Children. Rabbits can make an ideal pet for children. They are easy to care for, requiring only food, water, shelter and a fenced area for exercise. Unlike other pets, they have few anti-social habits, make no noise and do not require regular walks. Their crepuscular habits meant that they are most active at dawn and dusk, so fit in well with a child's school day. Most rabbits are happy to be stroked and handled, although children need to be taught to keep away from sensitive areas like ears. Children have small hands and laps, so are often happiest with the smaller rabbit breeds as pets.

Many breeds of rabbit make good pets for children.

Netherland Dwarf

The smallest of all the rabbit breeds, Netherland Dwarfs typically weighs 2 to 2.5 pounds. They have generally good temperaments, although young rabbits may become bad-tempered as they reach breeding age. This attitude should disappear once the rabbit has bred; if you do not wish to breed your rabbit consider sterilization. Netherland Dwarfs have dense, glossy fur that children find very appealing to stroke and come in an attractive range of colors including black, blue, chocolate and lilac.

Mini Rex Rabbits

A miniature version of the standard Rex Rabbits, mini Rexs typically weigh around 3 to 4.5 pounds. Their most notable feature is their fur, which is extremely soft and tactile. In this breed, the coarser "guard hairs" have been bred out leaving a soft undercoat that feels velvety to the touch. This attractive-looking breed normally has a good temperament and makes a suitable pet for children.

Holland Lops

Holland Lops are the smallest breed of lop-eared rabbit. Instead of ears that stand upright from their heads, lop-eared rabbits have larger, softer ears that dangle down on either side of their face. This gives them a very appealing, "teddy bear" look which is popular with children. Holland lops range in size from around 2 to 4 pounds in weight and are a created breed, bred by crossing French Lops with Netherland Dwarfs.

Dutch Rabbit

Dutch rabbits are a medium sized breed, ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 pounds, and have a lifespan of around five years. They have a very gentle disposition, which makes them a suitable rabbit for a beginner. Their appearance is very attractive, with colored hindquarters, head and ears with a white body. Colors range from black, blue, chocolate and gray to tortoise (a light reddish brown).

American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit

This breed weighs around 4 pounds at maturity and has a long woolly coat and lop ears. These rabbits are very appealing in appearance but require a little more maintenance and regular grooming on their coats. They were originally bred from a mixture of Holland Lop, English Spot and French Angora rabbits and have a gentle friendly disposition which makes them excellent family pets.