Fluffy Ones, Small Ones, Big Ones...

Rabbits come in all shapes and sizes but there are three distinct types.

There are over 50 different breeds and endless colour variations so this is by no means a comprehensive list of rabbit breeds. If you want a see a definitive list visit the British Rabbit Councils website here

Fancy breeds:
Angora:
This breed has particularly long hair, up to 5in/12cm, needs constant grooming and is very high maintenance. We would not recommend this breed a good pet.
Belgian Hare:
A large rabbit with some similar characteristics to a Hare. It has long everything! Ears, body and legs. Another breed unsuitable as a pet as it is very large.
Dutch:
The stereotypical rabbit! It is coloured with a white stripe around the front of the body and a white blaze on the face.
English:
A white rabbit with some distinctive markings. A line of colour along the spine, around the eyes and on the ears.
Flemish Giant:
These are the heavyweights of the rabbit world, weighing in at a minimum of around a stone!
Himalyan:
Pure white body with coloured ears, legs, face and tail looking like they have been dipped in ink or chocolate. It also has red eyes!
Lop:
The following all have one characteristic in common - big long ears.
English Lop:
Has extremely long ears not for the beginner
Cashmere Lop:
A Lop with long hair although not as high maintenance as the Angora.
Dwarf Lop:
A very popular breed for showing and keeping as a pet. Small and compact and manageable with long ears

Fur breeds:
As the name suggests, these breeds were originally kept for their coats. Some of them have fur that simulates or is very similar to other animals, e.g. the Silver Fox.

Rex breeds:
With no guard hairs the Rex really does look as if it is coated in velvet. Couple this with being a medium size and nice and friendly, they make good pets. The coat of underfur with no guard hairs only really came into existence in about 1920 as one of the many results of intensive breeding.