Rabbit experts know that the Dutch Rabbit is a special breed, because it is the only rabbit with its unique coat pattern. As well, it impresses breeders and owners with an even-tempered character. Get to know these long-eared beauties in the breed profile.
Appearance of the Dutch Rabbit
Dutch Rabbits have a short, stocky body. Their head is also short and the forehead and snout are broad. Their cute ears with an average length of 10 centimetres are usually raised high.
The head segues into an even back line, rounded at the end. The tail, known as a flower, sits at the rabbit’s rear end and lies straight to the body.
Dutch Rabbit colours and markings
These small Dutch Rabbits are something rather special – that is clear upon first glance. This small rabbit breed is the only one with its unique markings, which have come to be known as the Dutch pattern.
The short, dense fur is covered with large, continuous patches of colours in white and one or two other colours. Whilst the ears, cheeks and neck are covered with the coloured head markings, the facial fur remains white. This white area known as the blaze starts in a point on the forehead, runs between the eyes and becomes wider towards the snout.
The shoulders, forelegs and front part of the hind legs are also white, whilst the rump markings cover the entire rear part of the rabbit’s body.
There are 12 permitted colour tones for these rabbits. These include, for instance, black and white, grey and white in different gradations, yellow and white or harlequin and white.
Are Dutch Rabbits a dwarf breed?
How big do Dutch Rabbits actually great? In principle, they are small, compact and extremely cute – but they aren’t classed as dwarf rabbits. Unlike these mini rabbits, which weigh a maximum of 2kg, the weight of Dutch Rabbits is between 2 and maximum 3.25kg, therefore they are classed as a small rabbit breed.
Character: How do Dutch Rabbits behave?
Little Dutch Rabbits don’t just win over breeders and owners with their unique fur pattern. Their good nature and even temper also helps them to shine. They are trusting, very intelligent and playful and curious to boot.
All these qualities make these sweet rabbits loving companions that you want to play and spend plenty of time with.
Origin: Does the breed really come from the Netherlands?
The Dutch Rabbit breed was founded in Britain. Their ancestors, pied Brabant rabbits, were bred as slaughter animals predominantly in what is now the Netherlands and Belgium.
They were exported to Britain, amongst other places, where their unusual fur pattern soon found many fans amongst British breeders.
As Dutch Rabbits, these beauties finally made their way back to the mainland and to Germany, where they were first exhibited in 1891. Present-day Dutch Rabbits correspond almost unchanged in form to the breed standard described in 1898.
Incidentally, the typical Dutch pattern is a mutation also found in wild rabbits. Hence, the first depictions of these bicolour rabbits already appeared in paintings from the 15th century.
Conclusion: Unique amongst rabbit breeds
Their beautiful pattern makes Dutch Rabbits unique. However, they also score points easily with inner values. If treated right, these loving rabbits are soon trusting and can therefore enrich families too.
In return, in order to fill your little rabbit’s life with joy, you need enough time for extensive activity with it, along with our tips on housing and care.
Find anything else you may need with a few clicks in the zooplus Rabbit Store.
