Lionhead Rabbit 101: All You Need To Know
The little Lionhead rabbit breed is a really strange looking little rabbit at first glance he looks more like a cavy than it does a rabbit. They are a small rabbit with a big woolen fur mane that can be of either a double or single mane type.
They are actually great little pets and exhibit a lot of intelligence, they are active, lively, and love getting attention. The Lionhead rabbits are a breed of mostly domestic nature. And we are Pets Nurturing are here with a boatload of information on this rare pet.
The lionhead rabbit information here is everything that a new owner needs to adopt or take care of them. It is recognized by the British Rabbit Council, BRC, and also by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, ARBA. The Lionhead rabbit also has a woolly mane that encircles the head. This is reminiscent of the name of a male lion and this is where its name originates.
Lionhead Rabbit Origin and History.
Many believe Lionhead rabbits are a result of cross-breeding between Swiss Foxes and Belgian Dwarves. Now there’s no definitive timeline of when the genetic mutation originally happened, but Lionheads first started appearing in the 19 60s in Belgium and France. Because of the striking mane and a complementing physique, breeders started breeding these ‘mutations’ until they successfully secured the genes that result in a lofty mane. Ultimately, it resulted in a breed we popularly know today as the Lionhead.
The first Lionheads arrived in the US only in 2000. The British Rabbit Council recognized Lionhead rabbits in 2002, while the American Rabbit Breeders Association did so only in 2014.
Lionhead Rabbit’s Size and Body Structure.
A lot of emphasis is put on a Lionhead rabbit’s appearance since they are popular as show rabbits. Both ARBA and BRC have set out their standards for the appearance. A full-grown 6 plus months of age Lionhead rabbit will usually weigh 3 ¾ to 4 pounds, whereas juniors, under 6 months will clock in somewhere around 3.5 pounds. A Doe, female rabbit is a few ounces lighter than a Buck, the male rabbit.
As for height, Lionhead rabbits will grow up to 8-10 inches, and their ears are usually 2-3 inches high. The mane will also grow anywhere between 2-3 inches. The head is mostly bold and broad, with a subtle roundness between the eyes. A high head mount boldly attaches the body to the head. As a result, there’s no visible neck in Lionheads. The muzzle is well-filled, and the eyes are bright.
The ears are erect and well-formed, creating a V shape when relaxed. Well-furred and rounded at the tips, the ears are also woolier midway up the length. Some Lionheads have a flatter face than usual, owing to Brachycephaly. The flat-faced feature is usually unnoticeable but is pronounced in some.
Lionhead Rabbit’s Coat and Colors.
Lionhead rabbit’s renowned mane will grow anywhere between 2-3 inches. Although the mane looks wooly to the eyes, it is super soft to the touch. Lionheads can either be born with a single or double mane. Single-mane Lionheads only have a wispy, thin mane around their necks, not hindquarters. With age, the mane will fall off and look quite sparse.
On the other hand, rabbits with a double mane will have twice as much fur compared to their single-mane counterparts. They’ll also have an excess of fur around the hindquarters, referred to as a ‘skirt’, in addition to thick tresses around the neck.
If you’re a first-time owner or think you’ll have a hard time managing all that fur, a single-mane Lionhead rabbit might be the preferable choice for you. Conversely, if you’re okay with brushing your rabbit’s mane and cleaning the fallen fur daily, a double-mane rabbit will perfect for you.
Lionheads come in more than a dozen different colors, including black, chocolate, blue point, and chestnut agouti. Normally, they don’t have any markings on the body. While BRC recognizes all colors as long as they conform to a recognized pattern or color, ARBA has a few reservations.
A reputable breeder can easily determine a single mane from a double, as well as color. So, if you have specific preferences in your mind, don’t forget to ask your breeder.
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