Dutch Rabbit Facts

History of Dutch Rabbits

• The Dutch rabbit, which came into popularity during the middle 1800s, was first known as the Hollander rabbit. Originally from England, it has enjoyed a steady popularity as a house pet for people around the globe. These particular animals hold the distinction of being one of the oldest breeds of domesticated rabbits. They likely descended from the European wild rabbit, which originated in Spain and Northern Africa.

Temperament

• Dutch rabbits possess excellent temperaments in terms of their docile personalities. Animalworld.com claims that they have extremely easygoing natures and are an excellent choice for people who have never owned a pet before. Dutch rabbits are good choices for people looking for a small house pet to care for, given their calm demeanor and their smaller size.

Care and Maintenance

• Certain conditions are common to Dutch rabbits; one being that their coats can easily become matted. Because of this, frequent grooming of the animal is crucial. Their diets are quite specific, with most needing to eat food that closely resembles the diets of wild rabbits. Dutch Rabbits website recommends feeding a commercial rabbit pellet as well as hay. The hay can help them keep their teeth at a certain length.

  The cages for these animals should be as roomy as possible, at least 2 feet long and 2 feet wide. The cage should contain a separate area for the rabbit to sleep in. Dutch rabbits can live outdoors in most climates if they are not exposed directly to wind or to strong sunlight.

Precautions

• Dutch rabbits tend to be rather sociable little animals and fare better when they are housed with other rabbits in close proximity. However, two unneutered male Dutch rabbits should not be kept in the same cage because they will likely fight with each other. The best pairing is a sterilized male with a female. Their nails should be kept short to avoid scratching the owner and themselves as they groom.

  Any changes to the Dutch rabbits' diet should be brought about gradually. The animals rely on healthy bacteria which exists in their gastrointestinal tract. An abrupt change in diet can bring about diarrhea, which can often prove fatal for them.

Coloring

• The Dutch rabbit is always white in color, along with another base color, such as black, gray or brown. Its ears will most often be erect, and the animal's rear legs are often longer than the front. Eye color is very distinctive and will almost invariably be dark brown. The coloring for these animals is referred to as blue, black, chocolate, steel, gray or tortoise.