Regarding the cutest, most adorable pets, rabbits are near the top of anyone’s list – if not in the winning number one spot. But even though it’s undeniable that bunnies are generally cute as buttons, certain breeds are especially fluffy, dainty, and oh-so-charming, and we’ve rounded up the 10 cutest of them all. Discover their quirks and unique traits if you want to learn more about the cutest rabbit breeds!
#1 Netherland Dwarf:
It’s difficult not to be completely disarmed by the insane levels of cuteness this breed possesses – not only that the Netherland Dwarf is practically a miniature bunny, but their overall physique makes them look like they’ve stepped out of a cartoon. Weighing only 1 to 2.5 pounds when fully grown, these rabbits are tiny and have unique facial features, such as large round eyes contrasted by short, upright ears carried high on the head. The Netherland Dwarf comes in many colors and markings, so you’ll have no trouble finding chocolate, lilac, sable point, or any other look. Regarding their temperament, these rabbits have naturally shy, sweet, and quiet personalities and make fantastic pets for singles or seniors.
#2 Polish Rabbit:
Despite its name, this breed didn’t originate in Poland – these petite bunnies were first bred in England in the early 19th century. As a dwarf breed, the Polish rabbit usually weighs between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds in adulthood, and it’s no secret that their diminutive size only contributes to their cuteness. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they also have a combination of a short head with full cheeks, large eyes, and short ears, giving them a truly adorable appearance. As for the coat colors, ARBA accepts 6 variations for the Polish rabbit: ruby-eyed white, blue-eyed white, black, blue, chocolate, and broken pattern (solid color mixed with white). Polish rabbits are calm, docile, and friendly and will make loving companions to any owner.
#3 Angora Rabbit:
Who could say that this ball of fluff isn’t one of the cutest animals they’ve ever seen? Best known for its impressive wooly coat, the Angora rabbit is one of the oldest domesticated breeds prized for their unique hair – which also happens to be used to produce yarn. However, while their wooly fluffy coat is certainly stunning, it is also very high maintenance, so unless you’re prepared to get them groomed a few times a week. Considered a small rabbit breed, the Angora rabbit weighs 5 to 6 pounds and can come in various coat colors. Regarding personality, the Angora rabbit is a gentle, friendly soul that will enjoy being handled and petted by their owners.
#4 Lionhead:
A fluffy little “lion” that could almost fit in the palm of your hand – now, who wouldn’t find that stinkin’ cute? Named for their fluffy, wooly mane that encircles their head and resembles that of a lion, Lionhead rabbits can either sport a thin, wispy head of hair called a single mane or a thick band of hair called a double mane. These bunnies come in over 10 different colors and markings, including black, chocolate, blue, tortoise, silver marten, smoke pearl, and others, so you can count on your bunny having unique looks. As a small rabbit, the Lionhead weighs only 2.5 to 3.5 pounds on average and won’t need much space to thrive. Even though these bunnies are quite petite, don’t let their size fool you – they are energetic, curious, and friendly.
#5 Mini Rex :
The Mini Rex looks and feels like a real-life plush toy, thanks to their adorable looks and luxurious velvety coat. A relatively recent breed, this rabbit has a pretty appearance and a great temperament, making them a great pet for families of all shapes and sizes. Classified as a small rabbit breed, the Mini Rex will weigh 3.5 to 4.5 pounds maximum, with females usually larger than males. The coat of these bunnies is their trademark and comes in all colors and markings, so you’ll see a stunning array of plush Mini Rexes, from opal to tricolor and everything in between. Of course, while their looks draw people to the breed, their character makes them popular pets – calm, quiet, but still friendly, these bunnies make lovely companions.
#6 Dwarf Hotot:
With one-of-a-kind markings and striking looks that can’t be mistaken for any other breed, the Dwarf Hotot is among the most unique rabbit breeds. These bunnies are exclusively pure white – no other colors are possible – and have a distinct circle of deep black fur around their eyes, making them look like they are wearing eyeliner. As their name says, these rabbits are a dwarf breed, meaning they won’t get big even when fully grown. Their expected maximum weight is only 2.5 to 3.5 pounds! Considered to be playful, energetic, and friendly, the tiny Dwarf Hotot will make a great pet for anyone who would love a rabbit they can interact and play with.
#7 Mini Lop:
It’s difficult to decide what makes Mini Lops cuter – their big, floppy ears or their rounded, pudgy form! Either way, there’s no denying that these bunnies make adorable pets with solid colors and markings such as broken, wide band, or tricolor. However, their ears define their looks, and it’s the distinct trait of all lop breeds: the long, well-furred ears that fall down the sides of their head and make them look like bunnies from a vintage postcard. In addition to being cute as a button, these rabbits are friendly, playful, and very loving and can make good pets for families of all shapes and sizes – even those with young kids, as their weight of 4.5 to 6 pounds doesn’t make them too fragile.
#8 Jersey Wooly:
Another fluffy rabbit breed on our list, the Jersey Wooly, is a great choice if you’re simply in love with hairy bunnies but don’t want a breed that needs extensive grooming. While sporting a wooly coat, the Jersey Wooly, unlike Angora, won’t need trims and clipping but only regular brushing to prevent matting, so they are not as high maintenance. Their beautiful coat comes in six groups, each with different color and pattern combinations, so there’s a whole palette of coat colors. A dwarf breed, the Jersey Wooly will stay tiny even when fully grown, weighing 1 to 3 pounds on average. Gentle, docile, and calm, these balls of fluff are laid back and a joy to be around.
#9 Checkered Giant:
While it’s undeniable that tiny bunnies are usually really cute, that doesn’t mean that only small rabbit breeds have these cuddly, adorable looks – big breeds can be cute as a button, too. And the perfect example of that is the Checkered Giant! Weighing 11 to 13 pounds on average, this big bunny is significantly larger than other breeds on our list but no less lovely. These rabbits are distinct for their distinct markings – Checkered Giants are always white, with either blue or black butterfly-shaped marks on the nose, two spots on their sides, and a long stripe across their spine, from the base of the ears to the tail. The gentle giant applies perfectly to this breed, as they are sweet, calm, and docile.
#10 English Lop:
Best known for their long, oversized ears that fall on either side of their face, the English Lop is truly a striking-looking rabbit. Their floppy ears, big round eyes, and the sheer variety of coat colors and markings all contribute to their cuteness, which is why it’s no surprise that these rabbits have been popular as pets for centuries. Of course, it’s not only looks that make these bunnies popular, but their beautiful personalities, too – they are sweet, friendly, and curious. Weighing 9 to 10.5 pounds on average and being playful by nature, these bunnies need more space to thrive and be happy.
What to Know Before Getting a Rabbit?
The fact that rabbits are so cute, coupled with the stereotype that they’re low-maintenance pets, makes them a popular choice – but it also results in many of them getting abandoned or neglected because their owners didn’t do any research before adopting them. Like any other type of pet, rabbits also have different needs and care requirements you will have to meet to ensure their health and happiness, and their cuteness shouldn’t be what drives you to get a rabbit – only adopt one if you are ready for that kind of responsibility.
Contrary to popular belief, rabbits shouldn’t live in small cages. Whether you have a rabbit in an indoor or an outdoor cabinet, they will have to spend a couple of hours outside of it each day, playing and socializing in a bunny-safe environment. To ensure that your home is safe for your rabbit to spend time in, you will also have to rabbit-proof your home to prevent your new pet from ruining your furniture by chewing it or endangering themselves by nibbling on something they shouldn’t have, such as a poisonous plant.
In addition to providing proper housing for your pet, you must ensure they have a healthy, nourishing diet. Rabbit’s diet consists mainly of hay, which makes up about 80% of their diet. The rest is leafy greens, limited occasional rabbit pellets, and lots of fresh water. Rabbits have a specific digestive system and teeth that grow throughout their life, so paying attention to their nutritional needs is crucial to maintaining their health – both to support thriving gut flora and to help grind down their teeth and prevent overgrowth.
And then, there are needs for a rabbit to be social, interact, play, and have a companion, which are all factors you need to consider first – can you get a pair of rabbits, how much time can you spend with your pet daily, etc.? Suppose you can be sure you are ready to dedicate the time, effort, and patience to care for a rabbit, which will live for 10 to 12 years on average. In that case, you are ready to browse the cutest rabbit breeds to find a pretty bunny whose personality matches yours!
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