kiley320
Active Member
We are thinking of getting a Lionhead but first I would like to know a little more about the breed.
Thinking of getting another bunny
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iLuvMyLilBuns
Well-Known Member
Here's some info on the cute breed!
With a small body structure, lionheads weigh 2.5 to 4 pounds. Lionheads have small legs and bones and have ears extending up to 3½ inches. The mane is 2 inches longer than the rest of the fur on the body. The thick mane of the lionheads is the effect of rapid genetic mutations. The size of their mane greatly depends on the combination of genes. When the MM genes come together, it forms a double mane while combination of Mm genes, form a single mane. Lionheads with single mane exhibit similar characteristics of regular rabbit breeds while double mane lionheads will have thick wool around the neck and less wool in the back area. These rabbits also come in a variety of colors such as in shades of brown, white and gray.
Temperament and Grooming
Though new to the different rabbit breeds, lionheads are soon becoming popular as pets. Their compact size and unique mane structure is appealing to many animal lovers. These rabbits are very friendly, but require sufficient attention from its owner or the family members. Once trained, they make good companions and love being cuddled. More than the single mane lionheads, double manes require a bit more grooming. Double mane lionheads require regular combing as they are likely to develop knots in their long thick fur. At the time of shedding, lionheads can ingest their own hair, which can cause intestinal blockage. Rabbits need to chew to avoid wearing of their teeth and prevent them from growing long teeth. Long teeth can hinder them from eating and even cause discomfort. Wood chips prove to be an excellent bedding material for lionheads. However, wood chips with fragrance can cause severe health conditions for the lionheads.
Diet
Fresh timothy hay and low protein rabbit pellets prove sufficient for this rabbit. This hay, is rich in fiber and helps in smooth running of digestive system. Feeding the rabbit with high protein diet can cause obesity in them and complicate their health. There are low protein rabbit pellets, which keeps the rabbit healthy and fit. Adding some fresh vegetables,grass and vitamins into its diet will keep it safe from any health problems and boost its immune system. Fruits such as papaya and pineapple help in the digestion and save them from wool blockage. Excessive use of rabbit treats have resulted into loose stools. Therefore, usage of treats should be in limits.
Litter Training
These rabbits are easy to train. Litter training is among the basic training steps to avoid a menace inside as well as outside the house. Rabbits pick up any corner of the cage to defecate. As the rabbit seeks the place to defecate, put a litter box and place it in it. Place this litter box, whenever the rabbit shifts its place. Eventually the rabbit will begin to know, where it has to defecate.
Health Problems
As the lionheads reach adulthood, mainly the female rabbits have the tendency to shed the mane wool. In this case, it is wise not to use the rabbit for breeding as the litter is likely to get affected by this disorder. It is hard to detect such a disorder in a newborn rabbit kit. Therefore, before buying this rabbit, the buyer must look into the medical history of the young one's parents.
As this lineage of rabbit is new, there is limited information available on it. Many breeders are still trying to develop lionheads and overcome the challenge of maintaining the consistency in their size and study the temperament.
I don't own a lionhead myself but they are one of the cutest and friendliest rabbits out there! You will have a life time companion
With a small body structure, lionheads weigh 2.5 to 4 pounds. Lionheads have small legs and bones and have ears extending up to 3½ inches. The mane is 2 inches longer than the rest of the fur on the body. The thick mane of the lionheads is the effect of rapid genetic mutations. The size of their mane greatly depends on the combination of genes. When the MM genes come together, it forms a double mane while combination of Mm genes, form a single mane. Lionheads with single mane exhibit similar characteristics of regular rabbit breeds while double mane lionheads will have thick wool around the neck and less wool in the back area. These rabbits also come in a variety of colors such as in shades of brown, white and gray.
Temperament and Grooming
Though new to the different rabbit breeds, lionheads are soon becoming popular as pets. Their compact size and unique mane structure is appealing to many animal lovers. These rabbits are very friendly, but require sufficient attention from its owner or the family members. Once trained, they make good companions and love being cuddled. More than the single mane lionheads, double manes require a bit more grooming. Double mane lionheads require regular combing as they are likely to develop knots in their long thick fur. At the time of shedding, lionheads can ingest their own hair, which can cause intestinal blockage. Rabbits need to chew to avoid wearing of their teeth and prevent them from growing long teeth. Long teeth can hinder them from eating and even cause discomfort. Wood chips prove to be an excellent bedding material for lionheads. However, wood chips with fragrance can cause severe health conditions for the lionheads.
Diet
Fresh timothy hay and low protein rabbit pellets prove sufficient for this rabbit. This hay, is rich in fiber and helps in smooth running of digestive system. Feeding the rabbit with high protein diet can cause obesity in them and complicate their health. There are low protein rabbit pellets, which keeps the rabbit healthy and fit. Adding some fresh vegetables,grass and vitamins into its diet will keep it safe from any health problems and boost its immune system. Fruits such as papaya and pineapple help in the digestion and save them from wool blockage. Excessive use of rabbit treats have resulted into loose stools. Therefore, usage of treats should be in limits.
Litter Training
These rabbits are easy to train. Litter training is among the basic training steps to avoid a menace inside as well as outside the house. Rabbits pick up any corner of the cage to defecate. As the rabbit seeks the place to defecate, put a litter box and place it in it. Place this litter box, whenever the rabbit shifts its place. Eventually the rabbit will begin to know, where it has to defecate.
Health Problems
As the lionheads reach adulthood, mainly the female rabbits have the tendency to shed the mane wool. In this case, it is wise not to use the rabbit for breeding as the litter is likely to get affected by this disorder. It is hard to detect such a disorder in a newborn rabbit kit. Therefore, before buying this rabbit, the buyer must look into the medical history of the young one's parents.
As this lineage of rabbit is new, there is limited information available on it. Many breeders are still trying to develop lionheads and overcome the challenge of maintaining the consistency in their size and study the temperament.
I don't own a lionhead myself but they are one of the cutest and friendliest rabbits out there! You will have a life time companion
agnesthelion
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I have a Lionhead and she is a complete joy she is a double mane Lionhead so grooming is a must but isn't like the needs of an angora or anything.
Agnes weighs about 3 1/2 pounds. Her personality is fabulous. She is very affectionate, I can carry her around with no complaint from her, she is a licker! Kisses me on the nose all the time, she has perfect litter box habits, isn't a chewer, all around she is a great bunny.
With that being said, the only thing you can guarantee per rabbit breed is the physical standards of how they will look. Rabbits are all so individual that just because the breed is known for being friendly or not friendly, it comes down to that individual rabbit.
Also, if you are trying to bond with your little girl Faith remember that sometimes SHE will have to pick her mate. Just bringing home a cute Lionhead and having her except him might not work there is lots of good info about bonding on here if you are curious.
she is a double mane Lionhead so grooming is a must but isn't like the needs of an angora or anything.Agnes weighs about 3 1/2 pounds. Her personality is fabulous. She is very affectionate, I can carry her around with no complaint from her, she is a licker! Kisses me on the nose all the time, she has perfect litter box habits, isn't a chewer, all around she is a great bunny.
With that being said, the only thing you can guarantee per rabbit breed is the physical standards of how they will look. Rabbits are all so individual that just because the breed is known for being friendly or not friendly, it comes down to that individual rabbit.
Also, if you are trying to bond with your little girl Faith remember that sometimes SHE will have to pick her mate. Just bringing home a cute Lionhead and having her except him might not work
there is lots of good info about bonding on here if you are curious.
Hyatt101
Well-Known Member
I have 3 lionhead females. They are wonderful! Beware though: using certain beddings will get stuck in their lionhead manes! (We learned that the hard way with our first lionhead) its a nightmare to get out. So be VERY careful about what bedding you choose! It's easy to get things caught in their manes, so i like to just use a wet washcloth and get the stuff out. They are very cute and friendly though, and I love the breed! I only have single maned lionheads, (I know Lisa has a GORGEOUS double maned) so grooming isn't a total MUST for me, but for a double maned, definitely!!
kiley320
Active Member
Thank you guys for all the great info!
Hyatt101
Well-Known Member
Good luck on your rabbit search!
