What are an Angora and Lionhead?

Angora rabbits and lionhead rabbits are two bunny breeds that make excellent household pets. Their temperaments are gentle enough that being around children and strangers is not a problem, and they are both very sociable animal breeds. They are both considered small rabbit breeds. Additionally, these two breeds are often bred for the purpose of gathering their coats. Their long, smooth hair, which is often shed, is used in wool spinning and clothing manufacturing.

  1. Features of the Lionhead Breed

    • The lionhead has earned its namesake based upon its very long fur around its head and face that resembles the mane of a lion. They may have fur coats of one solid color, or they may have more than one color on a coat. Colors may include white, black, brown and tan. Fully grown lionhead rabbits are approximately 3 to 4 pounds in weight. Their demeanor is generally friendly towards owners and strangers, and they are known to live up to 10 years.

    Lionhead Breed History

    • It is believed the lionhead breed developed out of Belgium in the early 1900s. It is thought to be a result of the breeding between a Swiss fox rabbit and Belgian dwarf rabbit, both of whom have longer coats like the lionhead. If this is true, it is likely that crossbreeding this first breed with other smaller rabbit breeds produced the lionhead that is known today with its small stocky body and long mane.

    Features of the Angora Breed

    • Angora rabbits are known to live up to 5 years of age. A fully grown rabbit can weigh between 6 and 7 pounds. They are known for their characteristically long coat, which sheds frequently and has been used as a fabric in clothing manufacturing. Their coats can be many colors such as white, tan and black. Its back legs are long and powerful, and it is on these that the angora rabbit stabilizes its weight.

    Angora Breed History

    • It is believed that the angora breed may have been developed as early as the sixth century in the Carpathian Mountains. No one can quite know for sure, however, since there are many sub-breeds of angora rabbit, and it can be difficult to tell which was developed first. The gene for long hair in rabbit coats is recessive, so to achieve the long coat that angora rabbits have, humans would have had to breed them specifically for this purpose. Consistently identifiable and trackable breeds began emerging out of Europe in the 1700s.