The History of Lionhead Rabbits

The Lionhead rabbit has the distinct honor of being the first major mutation in rabbits since the early 1900s. However, the origins of this breed have become a guessing game, with many pointing to crossbreeding in Belgium and others clinging to the belief that the breed was simply a rabbit mutation from Europe.

  1. Belgium

    • The most popular belief maintains that the Lionhead rabbit originated in Belgium as a result of crossbreeding a Swiss Fox and a Belgian Dwarf rabbit, and then later crossing with a wool-type breed (thought to be the Jersey Wooley or Dwarf Angora).The resulting rabbits were then imported into the United Kingdom where they continued crossbreeding with other small breed and wool rabbits to produce the Lionhead rabbit that is present today.

    Europe

    • Another belief is that the Lionhead rabbit originated in Europe. This school of thought maintains that the Jersey Wooley had nothing to do with the origination of the Lionhead, only the Dwarf Angora. It is believed that a litter of Dwarf Angora bunnies developed the Lionhead mutation, which was mistakenly spread throughout the Dwarf Angora breed. Following the origination, breeders in Europe attempted to establish the new breed but for the most part failed.

    Appearance

    • Lionhead rabbits are known for being both short and stocky. While its fur coat is typically medium-length and dense, the Lionhead rabbit has a mane of fur around its head with longer hair present on its cheeks and chest. The hair along the head, cheeks and chest give it a lionlike appearance -- hence, its name. The breed comes in a variety of different colors and can grow to be as heavy as 1.7 kg as an adult.

    Recognition

    • The Lionhead rabbit made its way into the U.S. around 1999. Its introduction into the country was a slow process. A Northern Minnesota breeder by the name of JoAnne Statler is thought to be the first to bring the Lionhead into the U.S. Arden Wetzel made the first attempt to get the breed recognized in the U.S. in 2004, but failed. As of 2011, the breed has still not been recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), but breed advocates have made significant strides. Three successful presentations must be made to the ARBA within five years for the breed to be recognized, with Lionhead advocates having already achieved their first.