There are almost as many ways to classify of rabbits as there are different types of rabbits!

Most commonly rabbits will be classified according to breed or fur type but they certainly aren’t the only ways and it’s up to you to use what suits you best. For example you may only have a small apartment and be looking for a rabbit within a certain weight/size range. Or you like the look of a certain body type and what to know what choices you have with that shape.

Here are the four most common ways to group rabbit types:

1. Breed

This is the most obvious way and probably what most people think when they talk about a type of rabbit. The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognises 47 separate breeds of rabbits however there are many more, such as Lionheads, that aren’t recognised yet but who are just as popular.

2. Fur Type

There are 4 types of rabbit fur – normal, satin, rex and fancy or wool.

• Normal – the vast majority of ARBA recognized rabbits have normal fur including pretty much all of the more popular choices: Lops, Netherland Dwarfs, New Zealand, Flemish Giants, Dutch etc.
• Rex fur is reserved for the two Rex varieties – Rex and Mini Rex. Rex fur is known for its amazing velvet-like plushness which comes from the coat’s tougher guard hairs being no longer than the softer underhairs.
• Satin fur is found on just two breeds – Satins and Mini Satins. It is characterized by its wonderful glossy, smooth sheen.
• Fancy or Wool fur breeds have fluffy, soft wool-like fur that stands out from the bunny’s body. Angoras (French, English, Giant and Satin), Jersey Wooly and American Fuzzy Lop are all fancy wool breeds. They require regular maintenance to keep them looking good and to ensure the rabbit doesn’t a large volume of loose hairs which could obstruct their digestive system.

3. Body Shape

Rabbits can be found in five basic body shapes:

• Commercial – the most common shape. E.g.: French Lop, New Zealand, French Angora, Hotot, Rex, Satin & Mini Satin
• Compact – similar to the commercial but a shorter, more compact body. E.g.: English Angora, Jersey Wooly, Mini Lop, Mini Rex, Lilac, Netherland Dwarf.
• Cylindrical – only one breed fits into this category, the Himalayan which has a long, slender body.
• Full arch – these breeds are taller than they are wide and have long legs and arms. E.g.: English Spot, Checkered Giant, Britannia Petite.
• Semi arch – also known as a mandolin or pear shape, these breeds resemble a cut pear half or mandolin shape. There are only five breeds in this category: Giant Chinchilla, American, Beveren, English Lop and Flemish Giant.

4. Size

Weight ranges for classifying rabbits aren’t set in stone. Each person you talk to and book you read will probably have different range for each of these but generally breeds fall into roughly these ranges:

• Mini/dwarf – Less than 4 pounds. E.g.: Jersey Wooly, Dwarf Hotot, Holland Lop, Mini Rex. Netherland Dwarf.
• Small – Around 4-7 pounds. E.g.: Mini Lop, Dutch, English Angora.
• Medium – 6-11 pounds E.g.: French Angora, English Spot, Rex, Hotot, Satin
• Giant – over 11 pounds. E.g.: French Lop, Flemish Giant, Giant Chinchilla

So, there you have it, a few different ways to classify types of rabbits. Use what suits you best!

Happy bunny choosing >’.'<

Abbey Mitchell and is a long-time animal lover and rabbit enthusiast. Visit her site RabbitsForPets.com for a complimentary copy of her Pet Rabbit Secrets mini course. You’ll learn rabbit secrets that you won’t find anywhere else on the web!