Ijust got done writing an answer but really wanted to address this post too.
You are both right and wrong in what you're saying (mostly right). Just to clarify.
a. There are single mane lionheads and double mane lionheads. You can tell a single mane (sm) from a double mane (dm) within the first few days and weeks after birth.
b. The sm bunnies *generally* will lose their mane earlier or have less of a mane. HOWEVER...there are sm bunnies who keep getting their mane in nicer and nicer. I have a couple of them...Harry is one....Harriet (Harry's son) is another...Anissa (my first home-grown best of breed winner) is yet another.
The sm will have more of the mane around its head and not really in the flank area (like a skirt).
Here are some photos of single mane lionheads:
Anissa - at about 3 or 4 months of age - after winning her Best of Breed. She is a single mane.
You will notice she still has some skirting at that age.
Here is Harry -her father - he is maybe 18 months old at that time - I'd have to look it up(his age) as I could be wrong:
By the way, I would never EVER put Anissa or Harry on a show table now as I'd be laughed out of the show....even if she does have a nice mane.
I should take an updated photo of Anissa - let me just say that she now - as a single mane - still has as nice of a mane - and maybe even a nicer mane - than many of my double mane does. I suspect it is because her father carries the mane gene that stays.
One of the things I've learned and other breeders have learned - is to watch for the bunnies that have crimping in their mane. You can sort of see it in Harry's mane...it has a crimp or slight curl to it. When a lionhead gets a mane that has this - then I can *almost* guarantee that the rabbit will keep its mane.
This is a picture of my sweetheart, GingerSpice, before she died. She was a double mane.
Notice...no mane. Here is a photo of her as a youngster..
She and her brother both lost their manes - even though they were double maned.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is this...
A single mane may be more likely to not show as much mane or to lose their mane...but not always. It depends upon the type of fur in the mane. A double mane without the crimp will frequently lose the mane...while a single mane with the crimp may keep the mane.
That's why if you're going to get a lionhead - do NOT go by looks. It will change as it ages. Lionheads are a "breed in development" and NO breeder can really guarantee anything....especially mane.
Peg
Moominmoo wrote:
I believe, but could be wrong, that there are two types of lionhead, single maned and double maned.
The single maned bunnies are at risk of losing their mane at their first mega moult, but some keep it and it gets bushier. The double maned bunnies, because they have stronger lionhead genes, don't lose their manes.
A single mane is generally around the face, like a collar type thing. The double is generallythe same place, but on the shoulders and hips too.
But I might be lying, lol. That's what I understood the info to mean.
Doesn't help you with the brushing, but might give you an idea as to whether your bun will keep his/her mane.
