Getting a Pet Rabbit - The Different Breeds of Rabbits

     Rabbits are among the favorite domesticated animals chosen by households as pets because they care cute, adorable and easy to care. If you are among the thousands of animal lovers who plan to have rabbits as pets, you should first know the different breeds of rabbit to assess which one suits your personality, lifestyle and finances.

Having pets at home require lots of responsibility because you have to feed them, to give them vitamins to ensure they are in the best of health and to bring them to the veterinarian to have their regular check up to make sure they are in tip top shape. Because they are friendly and adorable, they can be a wonderful and suitable companion if trained properly.

Pets are not only great companions to children, elderly people and middle-aged individuals, but they can improve your mood, control your blood pressure, reduce stress and stave off loneliness. Because of their benefits, many people have them as pets. Rabbits come in different types, sizes and shapes and no matter how cuddly and fascinating they are, not all breeds of rabbits are suitable for pets.

Breeds of rabbits suitable for pets:

1. American Chinchilla ?This rabbit looks like a real chinchilla which has a slate blue, wavy white fur with black surface color. Medium-sized chinchilla weighs approximately 9-12 pounds. It has upright ears and noticeable shoulders. To groom its coats, you have to brush them once a week using a slick brush.

2. Flemish Giant ?This rabbit has glossy, short and densely textured coat of either light gray, blue, white or black fur. It is a giant breed weighing approximately 14 pounds. It is considered a suitable pet because it is calm and affectionate. However, you should be careful because it can reverse back once handled incorrectly. Because of its short fur, mild grooming is enough to maintain its good looks.

3. Mini Rex ?Of all the pet rabbit breeds, it has the shortest fur and you can touch and feel its velvety and plush rex fur texture. It fur is either blue, red, opal, black or while in color. This rabbit only weighs 3 ?to 4 ?pounds and has medium-length face, small ears and rounded body. It is also a suitable pet because it is friendly and can tolerate handling.
Himalayan ?This rabbit is small and has narrow, long and flat body. It has long head, and upright and thin ears and weights approximately 2 ?to 4 ?pounds. Its fur is white with shades of black, brown or blue colors in its legs, ears, tail and nose. This rabbit is also suitable as pet due to its calm nature. You can take care of its coat by grooming it once a week using a slick brush.

Other types of rabbit breeds that are often found in competitions and exhibitions include:

* Netherland Dwarf
* Holland Lop
* Dutch
* Mini Lop
* Jersey Wooly
* Polish
* New Zealand
* Satin
* Californian

Whatever breed of rabbit you choose as your pet, be sure to select one in healthy condition to avoid having pet problems later on. Never forget to raise and to take care of them properly.