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BinkyBunny

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If someone asked you what breed of rabbit makes the best pet overall for someone who hopes to simply have a companion to interact with, what would you say? Why?
 
I'd say the one they pick out from their local shelter. I like picking from adult rabbits whose personalities you can really get a feel for.
 
I honestly think personality is tied to the individual rabbit rather than the breed, so there's no "best" breed for a pet. for example, I've heard Hollands recommended as good starter bunnies - supposedly easy-going cuddlers. that's not my Gazzle at all. she's very "don't touch me, mommy" unless she happens to be in the mood.
 
Redirect. The person doesn't want to adopt. It's just a breed profile question.
 
It's hard to recommend a breed without knowing what the person wants. There are many breeds that make great pets and are good for a first time owner. Since there is a lot of variety in breeds, there is a lot to choose from.
Some important factors are the size of rabbit they want (larger rabbits do need more space and can cost more to feed and some vet bills can be more due to needing more medication), the coat care, how active they want the rabbit and what appeals to the person.
For example, I like big, fluffy REW angoras, but that doesn't appeal to many people. Most don't want to deal with the grooming, some don't like larger rabbits and some don't like the red eyes.
On the other hand, a lot of people like Holland lops, but they are not a breed that appeals to be personally.

The individual rabbits plays a huge role as well. Even with a breed there can be a lot of variety with personality. Some are more laid back while others are always wanting to do something. Some like to cuddle and others don't want to be held too much. Even within a litter there can be variety.

There needs to be more info from the person wanting the rabbit before suggestions on breed can really take place.
You can try directing them to the ARBA breed page to see if anything these sparks an interest for them.

If they are looking for a more specific personality, I would go for an adult rabbit. Babies can change a lot as they mature whereas adults you pretty much know what you are getting. Some breeders do have adult rabbits available from time to time that may not have developed how they would like, are retired from breeding or are no longer needed in the breeding program.
 
I have had a mini lop and now I have a dutch. My mini lop, Foo was about 16 weeks old when I got her. I don't remember her as a baby, but she was the BEST adult. She didn't chew anything, she learned the litter box in a week at 2 years old. She was really smart, knew her name, knew where the food came from. She was a great rabbit. She hated being picked up, but once you got her in the crook of your arm she would calm down and let you cut her nails or check teeth or do whatever. She wasn't much of a cuddler, but she would sit on the couch with me and let me pet her for an hour or more. She was totally fearless. I can't say how other mini lops are, but she was a great rabbit.

Now, my baby Ellie, is the dutch. She is completely different from Foo. Ellie is very smart, she is already litter trained at 10 weeks. She is spunky. But she is a fraidy cat. She will run and hid from my other animals, but she is slowly coming out of her shell. She is a jumper and a climber, where as Foo was not. She doesn't like to be pet a whole lot, but hopefully that will change as her personality develops more. But from what I've seen, she is going to climb my walls then probably eat them. I've heard that Dutch rabbits tend to be a more laid back rabbit, but I have yet to see that.

That is my only experience with different breeds of rabbit. Probably didn't help, but thats what I have.
 
It really is difficult to recommend only one breed because so much of it has to do with where the rabbit comes from, how it was raised, and just individual temperament.

If I had to make a general blanket statement, I would highly recommend Polish. They aren't the most unique breed out there, but they are generally very chill and friendly, don't mind being handled, etc. I'm sure you could go find some Polish that would make me a liar, but overall they are a really great breed for pets.
 
I agree that, on the whole, if you want to take on a new bun, then the best place is a rescue centre and they will give you plenty of time to find which one suits you best so I don´t think it´s a matter of any one breed suiting you better than another. Some people may obviously have a preference for one breed and take that one of because it´s their favourite. Mine weren´t chosen but chose me and I find that one of my dutchies is a hyper, jumper who doesn´t much like been cuddled but, on his level, he´ll let you pet him and fuss over him and often comes on the sofa for attention. The other is a little licker and cuddler and will sit by me for hours quite content. My third one is a funny mix, probably part angora, lionhead, hotot and is a real skittish little lad who doesn´t like been picked up but will come to you as soon as there´s food about. I think sometimes as well you have to grow into each other.
 
It's hard to recommend a breed without knowing some of the things the person is looking for. There are good 'starter' breeds, like the mini Rex, but you never know, because any breed could have nice, easy going rabbits or rabbits that are nasty.
 
Maybe a show would be a good place to go? The breeders could show the different breeds, talk about the temperaments of their rabbits, and help them make an informed decision. Since you said adoption is not the route they want to go. It's not a guarantee but it's a better chance to get the personality they are looking for. Good breeders know their own buns. :D
 
As everyone said, hard to recommend when you have to take so much into consideration.

I can only speak for my own experience. My two ND's are fantastic bunnies and I love their small size and they are just so darn cute. My Holland Lop is sweet as pie as well, she just got spayed and I think she's a little mad at me because she's running away instead of always coming to me. lol About 23yrs ago, my first rabbits were Dutchies...they both nipped and were not that friendly but maybe the Dutchies are nice bunnies now. I had them until they passed and now have my 3 that are all fantastic in their own ways.
 
Ooh, yes, I love NDs. My ruby is a hotot ND and she is the sweetest thing! I agree that going to a show would be good too
 
And you happen to have the cutest little ND I have seen in a long time! I love how big it's eyes are like a little cartoon! Thanks for everyone's opinions :)
As everyone said, hard to recommend when you have to take so much into consideration.

I can only speak for my own experience. My two ND's are fantastic bunnies and I love their small size and they are just so darn cute. My Holland Lop is sweet as pie as well, she just got spayed and I think she's a little mad at me because she's running away instead of always coming to me. lol About 23yrs ago, my first rabbits were Dutchies...they both nipped and were not that friendly but maybe the Dutchies are nice bunnies now. I had them until they passed and now have my 3 that are all fantastic in their own ways.
 
And where Trixie and Hyatt have had nice, friendly Nethies, I had one who would attack any and everyone! Not calling anyone a liar, just confirming the point that every rabbit is an individual. Most of the dutch rabbits I've met are shy, my polish is veeeeeryyyyy chill, I can do almost anything to her. I had two English lops, the buck was almost comatose, he was so calm, and the doe was high strung and prissy. My Silver fox and NZ are shy, and my lionhead has a bit of an attitude from time to time, and usually they have a reputation for being calm and friendly.

Every breed has it's good points, otherwise they wouldn't exist. But not every breed is for everyone. I personally like the larger breeds, my fiance likes the dwarf breeds. lol Prime example there.

Hope the person you're asking for finds what they're looking for :)
 
my lionhead has a bit of an attitude from time to time, and usually they have a reputation for being calm and friendly.

they do? mine's a little attitude bunny, too, lol. she can be very calm, friendly and even cuddly when she wants to be, but sometimes it's "thump this" and "thump that" and giving dirty looks (which is all pretty cute).
 
Swiffer's a 3 am Binkier and darn everyone else. He stomps at whomever displeases him, and actually piddled on the fiance! (It was hilarious!)
 
i am partial to lop rabbits, but it depends on size. i would take a french over a holland. uppy earred bunnies, i would loove a champagne. but new zealands are known to be very good pets too
 
My dutch is shy, but very curious and energetic. Though he was a rescue (neglected the first 6 months of his life), so maybe he'd be friendlier if he was handled at a young age. He enjoys head rubs, but doesn't want to be cuddled.

He's also quite smart - learned a few tricks very quickly.

My other rabbit is a mix - so full of personality!
 
I have been asked on a number of occasions which would be the best breed of rabbit to have as a pet and I really can't give an answer, a lot of people want Netherland Dwarfs for children yet they are not ideal, like most small animals ...and people they can have a big attitude and can be grumpy and nip. We have 8 and a nethie cross so we know just what they can be like. Nethies also have a lot of dental problems due to their breed and small head.
I would say after 30 years of keeping rescue rabbit's the best breed we have ever had for being friendly and laid back are Martin Sables we have had 3 in 30 years and all three were just lovely rabbits with friendly temperaments and loveable characters.
 

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