What kind is my rabbit?

[AnnaS]

I think he is a wild rabbit, but I am not sure. Can anybody tell me what kind he is?

 

[pamnock]

How big is he? He's not a wild rabbit, maybe just a mixed breed with some Dwarf ancestory.

Pam

 

[AnnaS]

He is smaller than usual rabbits, he is not that long and his ears are small. He is full grown, he is about 1.5 years.

 

[trixiesowner]

To me.. it kinda looks like a mix of a Netherland Dwarf.. and something else :?

 

[pamnock]

Could possibly be a large Netherland.

Pam

 

[Lissa]

Those ears are to large to be a dwarf. Gotta be a mix.

 

[pamnock]

Ideally the "show" type dwarfs inherit a normaland a dwarfing gene. A dwarf that inherits 2 normal geneswill have unusually large ears for a dwarf, will often lack the classicrounded dwarf head and will be larger than average.Outcrosses can also produce these "mulie" dwarfs.

Pam

 

[AnnaS]

What are dwarf rabbits? I never heard of them.

 

[AnnaS]

Also is the floor in the rabbit's cage supposed to be a wire or is it better if the floor is covered with wood shewings?

 

[Lissa]

pamnock wrote:

Adwarf that inherits 2 normal genes will have unusually large ears for adwarf, will often lack the classic rounded dwarf head and will belarger than average. Outcrosses can also produce these"mulie" dwarfs.

Hm. I did not know that. But I don't know much about that kind of stuff.

 

[pamnock]

Dwarf rabbits are those that carry the "dwarfinggene". The Netherland Dwarf,Dwarf Hotot and Holland Lops are examples of these diminutiverabbits although any other breed that has been crossed with theNetherland Dwarf may also carry the dwarfing gene. Rabbitsthat carry the dwarfing gene will generally have a rounded head with avery short muzzle, short ears, and a compact body.

In the homozygous state, the dwarfing gene is fatal. Thedesired "show type" genotype is a heterozygous nomal and dwarfing gene,where the homozygous normal produces a larger "non-dwarf" typerabbit. Because of the desired heterozygous genetics, dwarfbreeds do not breed true and there will be some degree of inconsistencyin type. Line breeding will help to lower the overall sizeincluding those of "normal" type.

Pam

 

[Lissa]

I need to do some reading.

 

[AnnaS]

I definitely have to do some reading. So would it be a bad idea to breed him?(just out of curiosity)

 

[rabbitgirl]

not bad, you'd just end up with not-show-standard babies. Which is fine, as long as you have homes for them all.

He's a cutie!

Rose

 

[pamnock]

The bigger non-show type bucks are usually notused in a breeding program. Most breeders prefer to go withthe small Dwarf type bucks and cross them with Dwarf type or the largernormal gene does. Since we are not even certain what he is orwhat is in his background, breeding without a particular goal orpurpose is really not recommended.

Pam

 

[Lissa]

pamnock wrote:

breeding without a particular goal or purpose is really not recommended.

I totally agree.

 

[AnnaS]

just curious, I am probably not going to breed any rabbits, since I am not very familiar with them.