Have you ever seen a Dwarf bunny before? If not, you’ve definitely been missing out! Dwarf bunnies come in several varieties, from the Holland Lop to the Netherland Dwarf. In case you’re wondering, they’re all equally adorable and fun size!
However, being small doesn’t automatically mean a rabbit is a dwarf. Some tiny bunnies aren’t actually classified as dwarfs. To be a Dwarf rabbit, the bunny must carry the dwarf gene. Bunnies with this gene aren’t just small; they also have a compact body, rounder head, and shorter ears.
The following rabbits carry the Dwarf gene:
• American Fuzzy Lop
• Dwarf Hotot
• Holland Lop
• Jersey Wooly
• Lionhead Rabbit
• Mini Rex
• Mini Satin
• Netherland Dwarf
In this world, cuteness sells, so many people buy Dwarf bunnies because of their small size. Aside from the “cute factor,” tinier bunnies also create less mess and need less space than larger bunnies. Not to mention, they don’t require as much food, making them slightly less expensive.
While getting a Dwarf bunny may seem appealing, they require specialized care due to their size. These tiny bunnies tend to suffer more from respiratory problems because of their smaller nose and mouth. As a result, they may require more frequent visits to a vet for treatments. Due to their size, pet owners should handle these tiny creatures gently, being mindful of their delicate nature.
More about the Netherland Dwarf bunny
Known as a true dwarf breed since they carry the gene, these bunnies live about 10 years on average. They weigh up to 2.5 pounds and originate in the Netherlands (if you didn’t already guess). The breed was first recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1969.
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The association classifies the Netherland Dwarf bunny colors into five categories: self, shaded, agouti, tan, and other varieties. These bunnies come in over 20 colors, including the following:
– black
– blue
– chocolate
– lilac
– BEW (blue-eyed white)
– REW (red-eyed white)
– sable point
– Siamese sable
– Siamese smoke pearl
– tortoiseshell
– chestnut
– chinchilla
– lynx
– opal
– squirrel
– otter
– sable marten
– silver marten
– smoke pearl marten
– tans
– fawn
– Himalayan
– orange
– and steel.
They have compact bodies, large heads and eyes, and short ears and faces. Their ears are upright, short, and rounded at the tip. This combination gives them that round yet tiny appearance that steals everyone’s hearts daily! Seriously, it should be illegal to be this cute.
The personality of these adorable creatures varies from bunny to bunny. Some may desire more affection, while others prefer being left alone. However, with any rabbit, it’s important to build trust slowly and let the bunny make the first move. After feeding it some yummy treats and being patient with it, your bunny will likely start warming up to you.
History of the Netherland Dwarf bunny
The Netherland Dwarf bunny’s ancestry includes the Polish and Hermelin rabbit breeds, among others. The Polish rabbit likely originated in England, and the Hermelin came from Germany. Breeders in Holland started breeding the tiny white rabbits with small and large wild rabbits to create more diverse colors. They developed a breed standard in 1940, but WWII halted their work.
However, after the war ended, British rabbit breeder Joyce Taylor received nine dwarfs. In 1949, the Netherland Dwarf Club was born, and the rabbit breed arrived in North America in 1965. Two U.S. rabbit breeders tried to get the breed recognized, and ARBA officially accepted the Netherland Dwarf in 1969.
Caring for your fun-sized friend
Dwarf rabbits have the same basic needs as any other rabbits. As long as they have a warm, cozy home, healthy food, and loving owners, they’re set for life. They can have occasional treats, but most of their diet should come from hay, vegetables, and pellets. Make sure their cage or living space offers plenty of room, and give them free-roam time as well.
As far as grooming needs, rabbits usually clean themselves for the most part, like cats. However, you’ll still need to trim its nails and brush its fur daily. Now that you know all about this adorable bunny breed, we’ll introduce you to one.
Meet Minuit, the Netherland Dwarf bunny
“It was truly love at first sight when we all saw Minuit,” his owner Catherine Rossi said. “On the spot, our daughter named him Minuit, which in French means ‘midnight.’”
The Netherland Dwarf rabbit is now three years old and was only eight weeks when the family adopted him. On August 3, 2017, they drove three hours out of town to a shelter to meet him.
“A year later, in December 2018, our daughter asked if we could enter Minuit in a dress-up contest, which required us to enter him with an Instagram account, which none of us had,” Catherine said. “It was then when we realized that Minuit didn’t mind getting dressed up, and we thought he would pose in front of the camera.”
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Ever since then, Minuit seems to love the spotlight! He enjoys striking a pose and wearing all sorts of adorable costumes. He’s also very calm and well-behaved when he goes out in public. He never needs a leash because he does so well with strangers.
“People are often intrigued when they see a bunny with us in public. But Minuit’s cuteness always puts smiles on people’s faces,” Catherine says. “The advice I would give people who are interested in owning a pet is to do your research first. You have to make sure that the pet you’re interested in matches your lifestyle as well as you providing the necessary space for your pet.”
Final thoughts on the adorable dwarf bunny that will make your day
To all the animal lovers out there, we apologize for the cuteness overload. You probably want to find your nearest breeder and get your very own Dwarf bunny. And we wouldn’t blame you if you did! These pocket-sized pets have so many positive qualities. It’s easy to see why so many people love them.
Have you ever seen a Dwarf bunny in person? Let us know in the comments!
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