The Netherland Dwarf originated from the Netherlands and is popular among breeders for its show-quality appearance. There have been many secondary dwarf rabbit breeds created by mixing the Netherland Dwarf with other types of rabbits.
Physical Traits of Netherland Dwarf Rabbits
The Netherland Dwarf Rabbit is the smallest of the dwarf rabbit breeds, sometimes weighing as little as just over a half a kilogramme. These bunnies are highly sought after because they are so small and often times keep the traits and features of a baby rabbit for their whole life. Specifically, these bunnies tend to have a larger head and eyes with a smaller body.
Netherland Dwarf rabbits come in an array of colour choices, from fawn to onyx black and pure white. Their fur tends to be plush and slightly longer than some larger rabbit breeds, especially around the neck. The Netherland Dwarf has small, upright ears.
Personality Traits of Netherland Dwarf Rabbits
This rabbit has a fairly playful temperament and can be a little more active than some of the traditionally sized breeds. These high-energy bundles of fur can also jump pretty high, and they do seem to enjoy doing so. In spite of their playful personality, many Netherland Dwarfs also enjoy cuddle time with a trusted owner. However, the rabbit can be easily startled as it is prone to becoming prey in the wild, so you should always handle this small bunny with care and gentleness.
Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Grooming Requirements
- Keeping your Netherland Dwarf free of fleas and mites is highly important. Because of their small size, these bunnies can be infested with parasites quickly. It is best to check for signs of fleas and mites on a regular basis and treat them right away.
- Some Netherland Dwarfs have shorter front feet that can make it harder for them to properly groom, so you may have to spot clean your bunny with a dampened cotton towel occasionally.
- Check your bunnies mouth for overgrown teeth often, as this can be an issue for this breed because of their small skull size.
- The Netherland Dwarf’s nails can usually be filed down instead of clipped because they are smaller and thinner.
Special Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Considerations
- Netherland Dwarfs usually have a life span of about seven years.
- Because this rabbit is a smaller breed, they can be injured a little easier than some. Therefore, great care must be used when handling your Netherland Dwarf bunny.
- The small size of this rabbit makes it an easy target to larger animals, especially common household pets like dogs or cats. Because of this, it is not always good to house the bunny in the same home with a dog or cat without proper supervision.
- The Netherland Dwarf is so small, it can easier slip out of cages, hutches, and enclosures if they are not secured.
- Netherland Dwarfs are not resilient to hot temperatures and can be prone to a heat stroke. Keep your bunny in a shady area if it is outdoors and even offer a frozen bottle of water to keep the inside of the hutch cool on hotter days.
Small and easy to handle, the Netherland Dwarf is a popular breed because of its precious appearance. To make sure you have all you need for your Netherland Dwarf rabbit, check out the supplies available on Pets.ie.