If you are thinking about adopting a rabbit into your family, there are many things to consider. Do you want a large rabbit or a small bunny? Do you want lop ears or erect ears? One of the most important questions, however, is whether you want a short or long furred rabbit.
Long-haired rabbits are cuddly, cute, and beautiful. They can also be a lot of work depending on your time and inclinations. There are also many different breeds of bunny with longer coats you can consider. Below, we will go over eight long-haired rabbit breeds and share some information about their personality, characteristics, and grooming. We will also provide pictures because, hey, that’s the best part, right?
The 7 Rabbit Breeds With Long Hair:
1. Lionhead Rabbits
The Lionhead rabbit gets its name from the “mane-like” fur around its head and shoulders. This is a long-haired breed that was originally bred in Belgium. It is a smaller type of bunny, and adults will only reach about four pounds when fully grown.
This cute bunny has medium to long hair that is very thick and soft. They require excellent grooming to keep the fur from matting. The Lionhead is also a sweat natured rabbit with a stocky build and big head. They need a lot of room to jump and play, as well.
2. Giant Rabbit
Although this next rabbit is gentle and sweet, it the largest rabbit breed around. Adults can weigh up to 13 pounds, and you can become injured by their claws if they kick their feet while you are holding them.
The Giant also has very thick and dense fur. It requires a lot of looking after to keep it from becoming tangled and matted. The wool of their coat has a very thick undercoat, as well. This breed of rabbit also requires a special diet to keep their fur healthy.
3. American Fuzzy Lop
The American Fuzzy Lop originated in the United States. This longer furred bunny is affectionate and playful. They also have a flat face and long ears to give them an extra cute appearance. Considered one of the smaller breeds of rabbits, they still need a lot of space to run around.
This rabbit also has “wool” like fur that needs to be brushed and groomed regularly. The matting and knots can become unruly quickly if it is not taken care of in the right way. Like the Giant rabbit, the American Fuzzy will also need a special diet to keep their fur healthy.
4. Jersey Wooly
This interesting little bunny has short fur around its face, but longer fur on the rest of its body. This is another smaller sized pet that will grow to be about three and a half pounds when fully grown. Their fur is long, soft, and also requires grooming and a specific diet.
The Jersey wooly has a muscular frame for its small size. They also have upright ears, a pointed nose, and big eyes that frame an adorable face. Though this rabbit may sit on your lap for a time, they tend to be a bit higher strung.
5. French Angora
Our next rabbit is the French Angora. This is a bunny that resembles a big fluff ball as their fur is thick yet soft and thin allowing it to puff up all around them. This is another breed that has short fur around their face and feet, however.
You will need to brush and groom your French Angora every day to keep their hair in good condition. As is customary, they will also require a specific diet. Beyond that, this cute little rabbit is quite large. They can weight up to 12 pounds as adults, so you will need to provide them with a lot of space, too.
6. English Angora
The English Angora, unlike the French, has long fur on their ears and face giving them a stuffed animal appearance. The fur can become so thick that you can barely see their eyes at times. As you may have guessed, not only does this breed require daily grooming, but it can be quite intense to keep their wool coat looking good.
Also, unlike their French cousins, this little cutie pie does not get quite so big. They reach about seven pounds in adulthood, and they have a lot of energy for such a puffy fluff ball. They can also be quite affectionate when they want to be.
7. Satin Angora
Our next Angora comes in the satin verity. They have long fur that is shinier and softer than their two counterparts. They also come in a lot of different colors and patterns, but as is typical, they need to have their coat looked after often to keep it from tangling and matting.
This is a medium-size rabbit that has shorter fur on its head and feet. Their ears are long to medium and stand erect on the back of their head. The Satin bunny will need a special diet, but they are more low-maintenance than the other long-haired breeds in this category.
Conclusion
If you want a cuddly, soft pet that has a lot of energy, a long-haired rabbit might be right for you. You want to consider, however, that most bunnies with long fur will need a substantial amount of grooming. Not to mention, most of them also require a special diet. If you are up for the task, though, you cannot beat the cuteness and playfulness they offer.
We hope you have enjoyed the information above on these fuzzy friends. If you are looking for a long-eared rabbit, our guide to lop-eared bunnies is also available to help you choose the right one!
Featured Image Credit: Evita Trankale, Shutterstock
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
