The Lionhead bunny’s origin started in Belgium when breeders made a decision to mate a Swiss Fox with a Netherland Dwarf. The result was a rabbit with a genetic mutation creating woollen to show up around the head as well as on the flanks and it ended up being referred to as the “hair” genetics. The Lionhead bunny grew in appeal in Europe up until finally, they made their method to the United States in the late ’90s. In 2014, this breed was officially approved into the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).
General Description
- Size: Small/Mini
- Weight: 2.5-3.5 lb
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
- Body Shape: Compact
- Best Suited For: Singles, Seniors, House/Apartment, Families with children, Indoor rabbits
- Temperament: Friendly, affectionate, energetic
- Comparable Breeds: Netherland Dwarf Rabbit, Swiss Fox Rabbit
The Lionhead bunny has a woollen mane circling around their head much like a lion’s hair, hence their name. They have a high head install, a portable body which should not go beyond 3 1/2 pounds. and ears in between 2-3 inches in length.
Coat
A Lionhead rabbit’s layer is their satisfaction and happiness. In order to keep its soft, matt-free look, they need to be brushed at least when a week during non-shedding period. When shedding season comes, these rabbits experience a molt as well as need daily cleanings to keep its wool clean.
There are two kinds of “mane” types that the Lionhead bunny type could have. They can feature a solitary hair (a slender, thin hair around its head, ears, chin as well as in some cases on the breast as well as rum) or a dual hair (like the solitary mane, just much thicker, as well as wool on their flanks that some refer to as a “skirt”). The size of their woollen around their heads normally does not surpass 2 inches.
Colors
Inning accordance with the ARBA Standards, Lionhead rabbits are recognized in black, chocolate, blue, tortoise, blue point, blue-eyed white, ruby-eyed white, saying agouti, seal, silver marten, smoke pearl, directed white, sable point, as well as Siamese sable. They do not have any specific markings based on the ARBA Standards.
How to Care
In order to see their individualities blossom, Lionhead rabbits require a lot of time beyond their rooms to discover as well as create a lasting bond with their human family members. We advise maintaining this little rabbit in an indoor room, as outside ones are much more revealed to the climate (rainfall or sparkle) and predators such as coyotes, dogs, racoons, etc. Their indoor room should be made from cable, be large sufficient for them to stretch out in and also have a couple of toys and have a plastic bottom. The bottom should be laid with good-quality bedding (some pet parents like using percentages of equine bedding) as well as should be spot-cleaned each day and entirely replaced every week.
Their diet should consist of generally hay (70 percent). The remainder of their diet must be pellets and rabbit-safe fruits, leafed environment-friendlies as well as veggies. Vegetables and fruits could additionally be used as rewards or deals with to reward your rabbit whenever they finish a task or comply with a command (such as sitting, staying, or using their litter box). Adult rabbits can eat concerning 1/4 mug of high-fiber pellets everyday for every single 5 pounds. they weigh, so keep that in mind when feeding your Lionhead, as they are fairly tiny.
Health
Like any kind of bunny type, there are some health issues that ought to be consistently monitored in order to elevate a satisfied, healthy rabbit. A bunny’s teeth, as an example, never ever stops expanding as well as is just filed down by a diet abundant in hay. Should your rabbit not be consuming enough hay, their teeth may overgrow as well as jab into their faces and jaws. To avoid this, make certain your bunny diet consists of 70 percent hay (such as timothy) and periodically inspect their mouths for any kind of overgrown teeth.
Additionally watch out for ear termites that could grow inside your Lionhead bunny’s ears. Symptoms include scraping greater than usual in one or both ears and they make have some hair loss on the ears. If you think your bunny has ear termites, take them to your local veterinarian to get treated.
Most domesticated rabbits also bring the E. cuniculi bloodsucker, which is an abbreviation for Encephalitozoon cuniculi. While this parasite exists, a big percent of residential bunnies will certainly not be hurt by it, nonetheless if the bunny is overly stressed out, the parasite could become active. Symptoms consist of a head tilt, paralysis, too much urination and lowered vision. Consult your local vet to get more information concerning this bloodsucker or if you presume your rabbit is suffering from it.
Female Lionhead bunnies who have been made sterile have actually a reduced risk of developing uterine cancer, so it’s a smart idea to get your doe spayed as young as four months of age. Dollars could be sterilized as young as 3 and a half months old.
Temperament/Behavior
This type of bunny is energetic, caring and also absolutely likes to play. They make fantastic family members animals as they love to be gotten, held as well as petted as commonly as their human handlers like! They take pleasure in roaming around their marked rabbit space, chasing human beings around happily as well as having plenty of toys they can eat and also spheres they can have fun with. Their tiny dimensions make them fantastic apartment dwellers and also a great pet dog for homes as long as they have plenty of time out of their enclosures so they could play and also bond with their human household.
When comfortable, this bunny will certainly kick back, unwind in its den as well as groom itself with its paws. While it takes pleasure in playing and also strolling around anywhere you let him, they will certainly additionally gladly come to be tiny little “small dog” when the time comes to see some tv after a hard day’s work. Their also temperaments as well as pleasant nature additionally makes them perfect pets for couples, singles, seniors or retirees that would certainly such as some fuzzy companionship.
Rabbits are a little more difficult to trash train than rabbits as well as dogs, but it is possible. They have the tendency to “go” in one particular corner of their units so they associate whatever product is used because edge as the dreamland to do the deed. Subsequently, must you put a few of these can with the very same product in different edges of your home, your rabbit might put two and two with each other. Must they effectively do their business in the correct location, always ensure to award them with a small item of fruit or rabbit-safe veggie.
