Kinds of Black & White Rabbits

In many cultures, rabbits are traditional symbols of rebirth and fertility. Rabbits make good household pets with their sweet temperaments, small size and soft fur. Though most wild rabbits are typically gray or another neutral tone, pet rabbits are bred in a variety of colors. Black and white rabbits are particularly striking because of their clean, bright appearance. Breeds of black and white rabbits include the checkered giant, the Dutch, the Champagne d'Argent, the Himalayan and the mini lop.

  1. Checkered Giant

    • The checkered giant rabbit was first bred in Germany and was imported to America in 1910. The checkered giant weighs 11 pounds on average and is typically shown in rabbit shows or kept as domestic pets. The checkered giant has white fur with distinctive black markings on the nose, ears and hindquarters.

    Dutch

    • The Dutch rabbit originated in Europe in the 19th century and is one of the most popular domestic rabbit breeds. The Dutch weighs from 3 1/2 to 6 lbs. and are recognized for their gentle and friendly nature. Dutch rabbits are bred in many colors, but the typical Dutch rabbit is black and white with black hindquarters and ears and a white face, feet and forequarters.

    Champagne d'Argent

    • The Champagne d'Argent rabbit originated in the Champagne province of France more than 400 years ago and is one of the oldest-known rabbit breeds. The Champagne d'Argent typically weights 8 lbs. and is a popular rabbit breed in Europe. Champagne d'Argent rabbits are born with glossy black fur and white skin. As they age, most of their black fur turns bluish, giving this breed a grayish appearance later in life.

    Mini Lop

    • The mini lop is a miniaturized version of the German lop-eared rabbit, which was recognized as a breed in America in 1982. Mini lops weight on average 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 lbs. and is characterized by its floppy ears and and short, powerful legs. Mini lops are bred in a variety of colors, but many are speckled black and white.

    Himalayan

    • The Himalayan rabbit has mysterious origins, though it is believed to be an ancestor of the silver rabbit variety. The Himalayan typically weighs 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 lbs. and has a sweet temperament, making this breed a good choice of pet for children. The Himalayan has a white body with black ears, feet, nose and tail.