If you want to start keeping rabbits as pets, you must know the differences between rabbit breeds.
There are quite a few rabbit breeds native to the United States, which can differ significantly in appearance and personality traits.
Some of these American rabbit breeds are more popular than others, but they are still worth learning about!
1. Altex Rabbit
If you’re looking for a slightly different rabbit, you might consider the Altex rabbit. These American rabbit breeds were developed in the 1970s.
It crosses two other species, the Argente Champagne and the Belgian Hare. The Altex rabbit is a medium-sized breed that weighs between 4 and 6 pounds.
They are known for their short, fine fur, which can be either white or agouti (a mix of brown and black). Altex rabbits are active and playful and make great pets for families with children.
Their gentle temperament means they will also suit people who don’t have much experience with animals.
They require a lot of grooming to keep their coat from matting up. They are also sensitive to heat and should not be kept outdoors in hot weather.
2. American Fuzzy Lop
American Fuzzy Lop are small American rabbit breeds developed in the 1970s. It is a cross between the Holland Lop and the French Angora and has a dense, short, curly fur coat.
The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes the breed, and it comes in various colors, including black, blue, chocolate, and many more.
American Fuzzy Lops are friendly rabbits that make good house pets. They are also famous show rabbits and have won many awards at rabbit shows. It is thought that they were first imported to England from France in the 19th century.
3. Californian Rabbit
The Californian rabbit is a medium-sized breed that was developed in the early 1920s in California. They are recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association and come in various colors, including white, black, blue, and brown.
Californian rabbits are known for being calm and docile, making them good pets for families with children. They typically weigh between 4 and 6 pounds and have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years.
Their gentle nature makes them an excellent option for households with other small animals, such as guinea pigs or ferrets. They’re small, so they’re not great if you’re looking for meat production.
But they make up for it with their sweet temperament! These bunnies are often used as therapy animals because of their quiet demeanor. These might be the perfect American rabbit breeds if you live in a house full of people!
4. Chinchilla Rabbit
The Chinchilla rabbit is a relatively new breed developed in the early 1900s; they are small to medium-sized American rabbit breeds.
The males typically weigh between 4 and 5 pounds, and females fall between 3 and 4 pounds. As the name suggests, this breed was developed to resemble the Chinchilla animal.
It also features a dense grey, black, or silver fur coat, and the fur is so thick that it often mats easily, so regular grooming is necessary for a healthy rabbit.
These rabbits are generally good-natured and make excellent pets for families with children. They do not require as much exercise as other breeds but need plenty of room to roam around.
They also need time outside their cage daily by letting them run freely or taking them out on a leash. Like most breeds of rabbits, the chinchilla does not like being handled too much when awake. You will need to take things slowly and let the rabbit get used to being picked up gradually.
5. Cinnamon Rabbit
Harlequin rabbits are one of the world’s most famous American rabbit breeds, and the rabbits are easily recognizable by their unique coloration.
Harlequin rabbits are a mix of two colors, usually black and white. However, there are also blue, chocolate, and lilac harlequins; these rabbits are known for being friendly and outgoing.
They make great pets for families with children; the rare cinnamon rabbit is slightly different from other harlequin rabbits.
Cinnamon Rabbits are primarily brown or light brown, with some gray areas on their ears and nose. Cinnamon rabbits have more yellow-brown or dark-brown strands, unlike other bunny breeds with large amounts of white hair.
Their ears and nose are typically darker in color, and some believe these rabbits came from the crossbreeding of the New Zealand White and the Siamese breeds.
In addition to these differences, cinnamon rabbits also have distinct markings on their fur. Other bunnies may have black patches, but cinnamon bunnies will sometimes have orange patches, too!
6. Florida White Rabbit
Florida White is a popular commercial American rabbit breed that was developed in Florida in the 1950s. This breed crosses the Blanc de Bouscat, Achilles, New Zealand Whites, and Californians.
The Florida White has white fur and red eyes. It is a medium-sized rabbit that weighs between 4 and 6 pounds.
Florida whites are docile and easy to handle and good breeders and mothers. They are not as sensitive to cold temperatures as other breeds of rabbits and can live up to 10 years when cared for properly.
Florida White is an excellent choice for a pet rabbit or meat producer because of its productivity and calmness.
7. Harlequin Rabbit
The Harlequin rabbit is one of the world’s most famous American rabbit breeds for its unique coloration. The rabbits are born with white fur and develop black markings around their eyes, nose, and paws as they mature. Harlequins are medium-sized rabbits that weigh between 5 and 8 pounds.
They are outgoing and friendly, making them great pets for families with children. Unlike other rabbit breeds, Harlequins do not require a lot of grooming or attention to keep them healthy.
However, they still need plenty of exercise and fresh vegetables to maintain a healthy weight. Harlequin bunnies are often featured on websites that sell pet products because they have striking colors. Their docile nature makes them ideal family pets.
Still, it’s important to note that females can be quite aggressive during mating season, so males should be kept separate.
8. Jersey Wooly
Jersey Wooly are small American rabbit breeds developed in the 1980s; as the name suggests, this breed originates from New Jersey, United States.
The Jersey Wooly is popular for its friendly and gentle nature. This breed has a wool-like coat that requires minimal grooming, and they come in various colors, including chocolate, lilac, blue, and black.
It’s also important to note that these rabbits are not as large as other breeds; the average weight for a Jersey Wooly is 5 pounds, with an 8-inch length; they live up to 10 years and have an estimated cost of $50-$60.
The first thing you’ll notice about this breed is their cuddly personality! The Jersey Wooly may be small, but they love being handled by humans.
They’re often called lap bunnies because they love sitting on their human’s lap for hours! You may wonder how long it takes to care for a Jersey Wooly. Well, good news – they require very little grooming!
9. Lionhead Rabbit
Of the 14 American rabbit breeds, the Lionhead is among the most popular. This breed is known for its docile personality and beautiful fur mane resembling a lion’s mane. The Lionhead is a relatively new breed, having only been around since the 1990s.
Despite their relatively short history, Lionheads have quickly become one of the most famous American rabbit breeds.
If you’re looking for a beautiful and loving companion, the Lionhead rabbit is perfect! The coat on this breed grows continuously throughout their lives, so it must be brushed regularly to keep it healthy.
The hair can grow up to 12 inches long when not groomed, and to maintain the Lionhead’s gorgeous appearance, owners should brush them daily with a slicker brush or comb.
Another maintenance requirement is trimming their nails every few weeks with an emery board or clippers. Owners should also monitor the eyes and nose of the Lionhead rabbit to ensure no signs of infection.
10. Mini Lop
Mini Lop is a prevalent American rabbit breed; they are small to medium in size and have a rounded body type; their fur is short and dense and comes in various colors.
Mini Lops are gentle and docile, making them great pets for families with children; they love living indoors and can easily be litter-trained.
Mini Lops also enjoy being groomed by their owners and will reward you with lots of affection! One downside of this breed is that the average lifespan for a Mini Lop ranges from 3-5 years. However, this isn’t much different than the lifespan for many other breeds of rabbits.
Plus, if you purchase a Mini Lop while still young, it can live up to 10 years! If you want a pet you won’t spend too much time caring for, then the Mini Lop is for you. If not, plenty of other breeds on this list may suit your needs better.
11. Mini Rex
This type of American rabbit breed was initially developed in the 19th century. The mini rex is a relatively new breed, having only been around since 1984; the mini rex is a small rabbit weighing only 3-4 pounds.
They are available in various colors, including black, blue, chocolate, lilac, orange, red, and white. Mini Rex rabbits have short, velvety fur that is very dense.
They are known for being calm and friendly rabbits that make great pets. A long coat is unnecessary to protect this breed from the cold, but they need plenty of toys to keep them occupied.
They are ideal pets for families with children as they are generally gentle creatures. One thing to watch out for when owning a mini rex is their tendency to overeat.
They love food and will eat anything to get their paws on. One way to help prevent overeating is by providing lots of hay throughout the day so they can graze on it.
12. New Zealand Rabbit
New Zealand rabbits are popular American rabbit breeds. Their large size and white fur characterize them. New Zealand rabbits were initially bred in California in the early 1900s.
Today, they are among the most popular breeds of rabbits in the United States. New Zealand rabbits are excellent pets and are relatively easy to care for.
They do not require extensive grooming or ample living space, making them perfect for first-time pet owners.
These animals are known as English rabbits because they were imported from England to America at the end of the 1800s. It is thought that New Zealand rabbits have been here since around 1870 when they arrived with immigrants on sailing ships.
It is estimated that more than 2 million breeding females are in the US today, so it’s a widespread rabbit variety.
13. Palomino Rabbit
The Palomino rabbit is a relatively new breed, having only been developed in the late 1940s. As the name suggests, these rabbits are typically golden, although they can also be white with dark tips.
Palomino rabbits are medium-sized, weighing between 4 and 6 pounds; they are known for being friendly and easy to handle, making them a popular choice as pets.
The Palomino rabbit should have an even temperament and not be aggressive or overly timid. A Palomino rabbit’s fur should feel dense but not coarse. These rabbits generally live four to six years, but some may live up to 10 years.
In contrast to most other breeds of rabbit, which sit upright or lie down flat, the Palomino sits on its haunches. They eat approximately 3/4 cup of pellets daily and need at least 1/2 cup of fresh vegetables daily.
While it is possible for them to thrive outdoors during warmer months, they will require an insulated shelter during the winter months.
14. Silver Fox rabbit
If you’re looking for unique American rabbit breeds, the Silver Fox is one to consider. As the name suggests, this breed has silver-tipped fur that resembles fox fur. They are also known for being very friendly and intelligent rabbits.
Silver Foxes are relatively new, having only been around since the 1950s. They were initially bred in the United States but are now famous worldwide. If you want a Silver Fox, remember that they can be expensive.
The cost of a Silver Fox ranges from $150 to $300, depending on whether it’s ready to mate. You’ll need a doe and buck pair if you want to have kits (baby rabbits).
These kits usually grow up weighing about 8 pounds, which makes them an excellent choice for anyone who wants larger bunnies.
