Rabbit breeds around the world

Related FAQ: Breeds FAQ

A rabbit breed consists of animals of the same sort, with the same form, colors, and markings and pass on similar characteristics to their offspring. Domestic pet rabbits are descendants of the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus. There are many recognized breeds in the US and UK rabbit registries; however, many pet rabbits are mixed.

For more help on what breed to choose for a pet rabbit, see Deciding on a rabbit.

How many rabbit breeds are there?

The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) currently recognizes 50 unique rabbit breeds as of October 2021. The British Rabbit Council (BRC) currently recognizes over 75 breeds as of October 2021.

List of breeds

Breed	Senior Weight Range	Ear Type	Fur Type	Colors and Notes	ARBA	BRC
American	{{{$1}}}9{{{$1}}} - 12 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Blue American Rabbit White American Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: blue and white. Semi-arch or mandolin body type. Old American meat breed; breed has been identified as critically endangered. US Club: Breeders of the American Rabbit	Yes	No
American Chinchilla	{{{$1}}}9{{{$1}}} - 12 lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Standard American Chinchilla Rabbit Only one distinctive color: black and white banded hair shafts; resembles a true chinchilla. Commercial body type. This breed is recognized as critically endangered. Bred for show, meat, and fur. US Club: American Chinchilla Rabbit Breeders Association	Yes	No
American Fuzzy Lop	{{{$1}}}4{{{$1}}} lbs max	Lop	Wool	Chestnut American Fuzzy Lop Chinchilla American Fuzzy Lop Blue Tortoiseshell American Fuzzy Lop Accepted ARBA colors: Agouti, broken, pointed white, self, shaded and wide band A lop-eared rabbit resembling the Mini Lop, but smaller and with wool that is at least 2 inches long. Carries single dwarfing gene. Compact body type. US Club: American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Club	Yes	No
American Sable	{{{$1}}}8{{{$1}}} - 10 lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Standard American Sable Color: A distinctive shaded sepia brown, very dark on face and points, and lighter across body. Commercial body type. US Club: American Sable Rabbit Society	Yes	No
Argenté Brun	{{{$1}}}8.5 - 10.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	US Club: American Argente Brun Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Belgian Hare	{{{$1}}}6{{{$1}}} - 9.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Standard Belgian Hare Only one color of a brilliant, rich, deep red, of a tan or chestnut shade. Arched and racy, hare-like in appearance. Full arch body type. US Club: Belgian Hare Club	Yes	Yes
Beveren	{{{$1}}}8{{{$1}}} - 12 lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Black Beveren Rabbit Blue Beveren Rabbit White Beveren Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: Black, blue, blue eyed white Its mandolin shape on a large body makes it suitable for meat production. Semi-arch or mandolin body type. US Club: American Beveren Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Blanc de Hotot	{{{$1}}}8{{{$1}}} - 11 lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Standard Blanc de Hotot Only one color: entirely frosty white, except for an 1/8 inch black "eyeband" around eyes. Eyes are brown. Distinctive markings. Commercial body type. US Club: Hotot Rabbit Breeders International	Yes	Yes
Britannia Petite (ARBA) Polish (BRC)	{{{$1}}}2.5{{{$1}}} lbs max	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Chestnut Britannia Petite Seal Britannia Petite Siamese Sable Britannia Petite Accepted ARBA colors: black, black otter, chestnut agouti, REW, sable marten. Distinctive tiny arched body. May carry single dwarfing gene. Full arch body type. US Club: American Britannia Petite Rabbit Society	Yes	Yes
Californian	{{{$1}}}8{{{$1}}} - 10.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Standard Californian Rabbit Only one distinctive color: white, with black at the points (nose, ears, feet and tail) and red eyes. Himalayan markings in a commercial rabbit. Commercial body type. Bred for show and meat. US Club: National Californian Rabbit Specialty Club	Yes	Yes
Cashmere Lop	{{{$1}}}4.25 - 5.25 lbs	Lop	Wool	Black Japanese Cashmere Lop UK Club: National Cashmere Lop Club	No	Yes
Champagne D'Argent (ARBA) Argente Champagne (BRC)	{{{$1}}}9{{{$1}}} - 12 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Standard Champagne D'Argent Rabbit Only one distinctive color: bluish white, with interspersed jet black hairs, giving an old silver effect. Juniors are born black and get silver ticking as they get older. Commercial body type. Bred for show and meat. US Club: Champagne d'Argent Rabbit Federation	Yes	Yes
Checkered Giant (ARBA) Giant Papillon (BRC)	11+ lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Black Checkered Giant Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: white with black or blue spots and spine stripe. Distinctive markings. Full arch body type. Bred for show and meat. US Club: American Checkered Giant Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Cinnamon	{{{$1}}}8.5 - 11 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Standard Cinnamon Rabbit Only one distinctive color variation: rusty or cinnamon, with uniform smoke gray ticking across the back. Commercial body type. US Club: Cinnamon Rabbit Breeders Association	Yes	No
Creme D'Argent (ARBA) Argente Creme (BRC)	{{{$1}}}8{{{$1}}} - 11 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Standard Creme D'Argent Rabbit Born a creamy orange color and get silver/white ticking as they get older. Only one distinctive color: creamy white with a bright orange cast due to orange undercolor. Commercial body type. US Club: Creme D'Argent Rabbit Federation	Yes	Yes
Continental Giant	11+ lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Agouti Continental Giant Blue Continental Giant Dark Steel Continental Giant Opal Continental Giant	No	Yes
Czech Red	{{{$1}}}4.5 - 7 lbs	Upright	Normal	Standard Czech Red Rabbit	No	No
Dutch	{{{$1}}}3.5 - 5.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Chinchilla Dutch Rabbit Steel Dutch Rabbit Tortoiseshell Dutch Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: black, blue, chocolate, gray, steel, or tortoise with a white saddle at the shoulders, white blaze and cheeks, and white paws. Development colors: chinchilla. Distinctive markings. Compact body type. Bred for show and laboratory use. US Club: American Dutch Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Dwarf Hotot	{{{$1}}}3{{{$1}}} lbs max	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Black Dwarf Hotot Accepted ARBA colors: pure white, except for a uniform band of black or chocolate around the eyes of the thickness of two pennies on edge. Eyes are brown. Distinctive markings. Carries single dwarfing gene. Compact body type. US Club: American Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Club	Yes	No
Dwarf Papillon (ARBA) Miniature Papillon (BRC)	{{{$1}}}2.5 - 4.25 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Blue, Chocolate, and Black Dwarf Papillon rabbits Accepted ARBA colors: black, blue, chocolate. Full arch body type. US Club: Dwarf Papillon Rabbit Club of America	Yes	Yes
English Angora	{{{$1}}}5{{{$1}}} - 7.5 lbs	Upright	Wool	Blue English Angora Chocolate English Angora Ruby Eyed White English Angora Accepted ARBA colors: Many. Regardless of color, wool colors are very pale due to dilution of pigment. Its fine soft wool up to 5 inches long. All areas of rabbit covered in wool, except for the immediate face. Compact body type. US Club: National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club	Yes	Yes
English Lop	{{{$1}}}9.5+ lbs	Lop	Normal (Flyback)	Opal English Lop Blue Tortoiseshell English Lop Broken Cream English Lop Accepted ARBA colors: agouti, broken, self, shaded, ticked, wide band Distinctive enormous, lopped ears. Semi-arch or mandolin body type. US Club: Lop Rabbit Club of America	Yes	Yes
English Spot (ARBA) English (BRC)	{{{$1}}}5{{{$1}}} - 8 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Lilac English Spot Gold English Spot Tortoiseshell English Spot Accepted ARBA Colors: white with nose butterfly, eye circles, ears, cheek spots, spine and side spots in black, blue, chocolate, gold, gray, lilac, tortoise. Distinctive markings. Full arch body type. Bred for show, meat, and laboratory use. US Club: American English Spot Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Flemish Giant	13+ lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Fawn Flemish Giant Rabbit Light Gray Flemish Giant Rabbit Steel Gray Flemish Giant Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: Black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray, white Distinctive giant but balanced size. Semi-arch or mandolin body type. Bred for show and meat. US Club: National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders	Yes	Yes
Florida White	{{{$1}}}4{{{$1}}} - 6 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Standard Florida White Rabbit Only one color: white with red eyes. Smaller size of a commercial appearance. Compact body type. US Club: Florida White Rabbit Breeders Association	Yes	No
French Angora	{{{$1}}}7.5 - 10.5 lbs	Upright	Wool	Blue Tortoiseshell French Angora Black French Angora Sable French Angora Accepted ARBA colors: Many. Regardless of color, wool colors are very pale due to dilution of pigment. Wool is about 4 inches long. Head and ears are not wooled. Commercial body type. US Club: National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club	Yes	No
French Lop	10+ lbs	Lop	Normal (Flyback)	Black Frosted Pearl French Lop Chestnut French Lop Chinchilla French Lop Accepted ARBA colors: agouti, broken, self, shaded, ticked, wide band Distinctive massive size with lopped ears. Commercial body type. US Club: Lop Rabbit Club of America	Yes	Yes
German Lop	{{{$1}}}6.5 - 8.5 lbs	Lop	Normal (Rollback)	UK Club: National German Lop Club	No	Yes
Giant Angora	{{{$1}}}8.5+ lbs	Upright	Wool	Blue Eyed White Giant Angora Ruby Eyed White Giant Angora Only one recognized ARBA color: ruby eyed white. Development colors: blue eyed white Giant size, wooled, ears tasseled with wool. Commercial body type. US Club: National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club	Yes	No
Giant Chinchilla (ARBA) Chinchilla Giganta (BRC)	12{{{$1}}} - 16 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Standard Giant Chinchilla Rabbit Only one distinctive color: black and white banded hair shafts; resembles a chinchilla. Semi-arch or mandolin body type. US Club: Giant Chinchilla Rabbit Association	Yes	Yes
Harlequin	{{{$1}}}6.5 - 9.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Blue Japanese Harlequin Rabbit Lilac Japanese Harlequin Rabbit Black Magpie Harlequin Rabbit Chocolate Magpie Harlequin Rabbit Lilac Magpie Harlequin Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: Black, blue, chocolate and lilac in two groups, Japanese (dark/orange), Magpie (dark/white). Ears are alternating colors. Sides of face, chest and legs alternate colors, and back should have 5 or 6 alternating bands or bars. Distinctive alternating markings. Commercial body type. US Club: American Harlequin Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Havana	{{{$1}}}4.5 - 6.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Black Havana Rabbit Chocolate Havana Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: Black, blue, chocolate, brokens Medium-small, vibrantly colored. Compact body type. US Club: Havana Rabbit Breeders Association	Yes	Yes
Himalayan	{{{$1}}}2.5 - 4.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Standard Himalayan Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: Pure white except for points on nose, ears, feet and tail which are black, blue, chocolate or lilac. Cylindrical body type. US Club: American Himalayan Rabbit Association	Yes	Yes
Holland Lop (ARBA) Miniature Lop (BRC)	{{{$1}}}4{{{$1}}} lbs max	Lop	Normal (Rollback)	Blue Tortoiseshell Holland Lop Chocolate Agouti Holland Lop Accepted ARBA colors: Agouti, broken, pointed white, self, shaded, tan, ticked, wide band Distinctive small size and lopped ears. Carries single dwarfing gene. Compact body type. US Club: Holland Lop Rabbit Specialty Club	Yes	Yes
Jersey Wooly	{{{$1}}}3.5{{{$1}}} lbs max	Upright	Wool	Chestnut Jersey Wooly Rabbit Opal Jersey Wooly Rabbit Otter Jersey Wooly Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: agouti, broken, AOV (Any other variety), self, shaded, tan Distinctive petite size and 3 inch wool. Carries single dwarfing gene. Compact body type. US Club: National Jersey Wooly Club	Yes	No
Lilac	{{{$1}}}5.5 - 8 lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Standard Lilac Rabbit One distinctive color: dove gray with delicate pink tint on surface. Compact body type. US Club: National Lilac Rabbit Club of America	Yes	Yes
Lionhead	{{{$1}}}2.5 - 3.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Black Lionhead Colors: Many Possesses a mane as well as longer hair on the chest. May carry single dwarfing gene. US Club: The North American Lionhead Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Mini Lop (ARBA) Dwarf Lop (BRC)	{{{$1}}}4.5 - 6.5 lbs	Lop	Normal (Rollback)	Squirrel Mini Lop Gold Tipped Black Steel Mini Lop Silver Tipped Black Steel Mini Lop Accepted ARBA colors: agouti, broken, pointed white, self, shaded, ticked, wide band Compact body type. US Club: American Mini Lop Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Mini Plush Lop	{{{$1}}}4.25{{{$1}}} lbs max	Lop	Rex	Black Mini Plush Lop Blue Mini Plush Lop A designer rabbit bred from the Mini Rex, Mini Lop, and Holland Lop breeds. Intended to be like a Holland Lop with Rex fur.	No	No
Mini Rex	{{{$1}}}3{{{$1}}} - 4.5 lbs	Upright	Rex	Black Mini Rex Black Himalayan Mini Rex Broken Black Otter Mini Rex Accepted ARBA colors: black, blue, blue-eyed white, broken, castor, chinchilla, chocolate, Himalayan, lilac, lynx, opal red, seal, tortoise, red-eyed white. Distinctive short velvety Rex fur. Has curly whiskers. Carries single dwarfing gene. Compact body type. US Club: National Mini Rex Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Mini Satin (ARBA) Satin Miniature (BRC)	{{{$1}}}3.25 - 4.75 lbs	Upright	Satin	Ruby Eyed White Mini Satin Siamese Mini Satin Tortoiseshell Mini Satin Accepted ARBA colors: Chinchilla, opal, red, Siamese, white Development colors: black, blue, chocolate, copper, gold-tipped black steel, Himalayan, otter, silver, broken. Distinctive satin fur. Carries single dwarfing gene. Compact body type. US Club: American Satin Rabbit Breeders Association	Yes	Yes
Netherland Dwarf	{{{$1}}}2.5{{{$1}}} lbs max	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Cinnamon Netherland Dwarf Siamese Smoke Pearl Netherland Dwarf Black Himalayan Netherland Dwarf Accepted ARBA colors: agouti, self, shaded, tan pattern, any other varieties Distinctive tiny round size, short ears, and flat head. Carries single dwarfing gene. Compact body type. Bred for show and laboratory use. US Club: American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
New Zealand	{{{$1}}}9{{{$1}}} - 12 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Black New Zealand Rabbit Red New Zealand Rabbit White New Zealand Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: white, black, red, broken Commercial body type. Bred for show, meat, fur, and laboratory use. US Club: American Federation of New Zealand Rabbit Breeders	Yes	Yes
Palomino	{{{$1}}}8{{{$1}}} - 11 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Golden Palomino Rabbit Lynx Palomino Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: golden, lynx Commercial body type. US Club: Palomino Rabbit Co-Breeders Association	Yes	No
Polish	{{{$1}}}3.5{{{$1}}} lbs max	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Black Polish Broken Black Polish Broken Chocolate Polish Accepted ARBA colors: black, blue, broken, chocolate, blue-eyed white, ruby-eyed white Distinctive petite size. May carry single dwarfing gene. Compact body type. Bred for show and laboratory use. US Club: American Polish Rabbit Club	Yes	No
Rex	{{{$1}}}6{{{$1}}} - 10.5 lbs	Upright	Rex	Opal Rex Orange Rex Accepted ARBA colors: amber, black, blue, broken, Californian, castor, chinchilla, chocolate, lilac, lynx, opal, otter, red, sable, seal, white. Distinctive short velvety Rex fur. Has curly whiskers. Commercial body type. Bred for show, meat, and fur. US Club: National Rex Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Rhinelander	{{{$1}}}6.5 - 10 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Standard Rhinelander Rabbit One color: white with evenly distributed black and orange markings on nose, eye circles, cheek spot, ears, spine, side spot and tail. Distinctive tri-color and markings. Full arch body type. US Club: Rhinelander Rabbit Club of America	Yes	Yes
Satin	{{{$1}}}8.5 - 11 lbs	Upright	Satin	Black Otter Satin Accepted ARBA colors: black, blue, broken, Californian, chinchilla, chocolate, copper, otter, red, Siamese, white. Distinctive satinized hair shafts with finer diameter and a more transparent hair shell resulting in brilliant colors and enhanced sheen. Commercial body type. Bred for show, meat, and fur. US Club: American Satin Rabbit Breeders Association	Yes	Yes
Satin Angora	{{{$1}}}6{{{$1}}} - 7.5 lbs	Upright	Wool	Chinchilla Satin Angora Chocolate Satin Angora Lilac Chinchilla Satin Angora Ruby Eyed White Satin Angora Accepted ARBA colors: Many. Regardless of color, wool colors are very pale due to dilution of pigment. Wool is fine, soft and silky, carrying the sheen of a satinized wool shaft. Sheen is evident over the entire body, including head and ears, which are not heavily wooled. Commercial body type. US Club: National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club	Yes	No
Silver	{{{$1}}}4{{{$1}}} - 7 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Black Silver Rabbit Brown Silver Rabbit Fawn Silver Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: black, brown, fawn. Distinctive even silvering over entire rabbit due to silver-white hairs and hair-tips. Compact body type. Recognized as a threatened breed. US Club: National Silver Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Silver Fox	{{{$1}}}9{{{$1}}} - 12 lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Black Silver Fox Rabbit Blue Silver Fox Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: black Development colors: blue. Distinctive long, evenly silvered fur. Commercial body type. Bred for meat. Recognized as an endangered breed. US Club: National Silver Fox Rabbit Club	Yes	Yes
Silver Marten	{{{$1}}}6{{{$1}}} - 9.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Black Silver Marten Rabbit Blue Silver Marten Rabbit Chocolate Silver Marten Rabbit Sable Silver Marten Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: black, blue, chocolate, sable. Distinctive silver coloration with long silvery guard hairs evenly distributed up sides of rabbit. Commercial body type. Bred for show, meat, and fur. US Club: Silver Marten Rabbit Club	Yes	No
Standard Chinchilla (ARBA) Chinchilla (BRC)	{{{$1}}}5{{{$1}}} - 7.5 lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Standard Standard Chinchilla Rabbit Only one distinctive color: black and white banded hair shafts; resembles a chinchilla. Compact body type. US Club: American Standard Chinchilla Rabbit Breeders Association	Yes	Yes
Standard Plush Lop	{{{$1}}}4.25 - 5.5 lbs	Lop	Rex	Blue Tortoiseshell Standard Plush Lop Chocolate Standard Plush Lop Tortoiseshell Standard Plush Lop A designer rabbit bred from the Dwarf Lop and Standard Rex breeds. Breed in development in the UK. First bred in Australia.	No	No
Tan	{{{$1}}}4{{{$1}}} - 6 lbs	Upright	Normal (Flyback)	Black Tan Rabbit Chocolate Tan Rabbit Lilac Tan Rabbit Accepted ARBA colors: black, blue, chocolate, lilac. Distinctive rich fiery tan triangle, chest and belly and lustrous top colors. Full arch body type. US Club: American Tan Rabbit Specialty Club	Yes	Yes
Thrianta	{{{$1}}}4{{{$1}}} - 6 lbs	Upright	Normal (Rollback)	Standard Thrianta Rabbit One color: a fiery, brilliant red with dark brown eyes and the belly a slightly lighter shade of red. Distinctive amazing fiery red color. Compact body type. US Club: American Thrianta Rabbit Breeders Association	Yes	Yes
Velveteen Lop	{{{$1}}}5{{{$1}}} - 6.5 lbs	Lop	Rex	Broken Black Velveteen Lop Broken Tort Velveteen Lop A new rabbit breed intended to look like a smaller English Lop with Rex fur. Semi-arch or mandolin body type. US Club: National Velveteen Lop Club	No	No

Guessing: "What breed is my rabbit?"

• Rabbitors. (2023). Identifying rabbit breeds without knowing parentage
• "What breed is my bunny?" by Mike Brown, A Rabbit Identification Key
• "What Breed is My Rabbit?" by RabbitWeb.net, What Breed Is My Bunny?
• "What Breed is My Bunny?" by Hannah Margush, What Breed is My Bunny?

For fun

• "Which breed of rabbit should you own?" - Quiz
• "What kind of rabbit are you?" - Quiz
• Bun Crafter by Bunny Approved

Further reading

• American Rabbit Breeders Association. ARBA Recognized Breeds
• Raising-Rabbits.com. All Rabbit Breeds
• Wikipedia. List of rabbit breeds

See also

• Rabbit coat colors
• Wild rabbits