Netherland dwarf rabbits mostly live in domestic settings and do not need much care or grooming efforts. They are commonly used as pets and are popular for being show rabbits. Their cost is $30 to $100, which is more than other breeds. The coats of this breed are glossy and silky as descended from Polish rabbits. So, they are also known as “gems of fancy.”
Netherland dwarf rabbits look similar to dwarf bunnies and possess small bodies. They have dwarfism genes in their chromosomes. Some appear in black, white, and blue color. While a few have brown, chocolate, cinnamon, and grey bodies. Moreover, they have wide heads, flat faces, and a short muzzle. Their body weight is 1.5 to 3 pounds. The height of their shoulders is 5.5 to 6.5 inches. While their body is 7 to 9.5 inches when elongated. They can live up to 13 years as pet and produce 4 to 5 kits in one litter.
The Netherland dwarf rabbits cannot jump higher like other smaller breeds. The maximum height at which they can jump is almost 1 meter only. Additionally, they have a small baby face resembling other dwarf breeds. It is hard to distinguish adult and old rabbits, as they both have innocent baby faces. The flat faces of this rabbit breed resemble the Persian cats, pugs, and bulldogs.
Content
Characteristics of a dwarf rabbit
What are the physical features of Netherland dwarf rabbits?
How did Netherland dwarf rabbits originate?
How heavy are Netherland dwarf rabbits?
How big are Netherland dwarf rabbits?
How long can Netherland Dwarf rabbits survive?
How long can Netherland dwarf rabbits remain pregnant?
Can Netherland Dwarf rabbits be friendly?
Characteristics of Netherland dwarf rabbits
| Characteristics | Netherland Dwarf Rabbits |
| Other name | Gem of fancy |
| Appearance | Small body, large head, flat face, short ears |
| Food | Hay, pellets, sweet treats |
| Weight | 1.5 to 2.5 pounds |
| Body length | 7 to 9 inches |
| Litter size | 3 to 4 kits |
| Common habitat | Indoor or outdoor cages |
| Duration of Gestation | 31 to 33 days |
| Use | Show rabbits |
| Temperament | Friendly, playful, active, and energetic |
| Cost | $40 to $100 |
| Origin | Netherland |
| Life expectancy | 9 to 12 years |
What are the physical features of Netherland dwarf rabbits?
The name Netherland dwarf rabbits clearly indicates that they are not bigger bunnies and have smaller bodies. They possess this trait due to presence of dwarfism gene in the genome, which encodes the character of dwarfism.
Moreover, they have large, rounded heads and a small face. The face is flat in appearance with a small muzzle. The neck is small, so the head appears close to the shoulders.
In addition, the ears are short and erect and are approximately 1.5 to 2 inches long. Having short ears on a large head is a distinctive feature that makes them different from other breeds.
The eyes of Netherland dwarf rabbits are prominent as they are big and round. The color of their eyes is usually ruby red or pink, blue, and grey.
Moreover, they have short legs and stocky bodies. The back is properly rounded, giving a fluffy ball-like appearance.
Netherland dwarf rabbits have different body colors, including white with blue or red eyes, cinnamon, squirrel, smoke, brown, chocolate black, red, and blue. Additionally, they also appear in other colors, like opal tortoiseshell, Chinchilla, Lynx, Agouti, grey, etc.
Furthermore, they have short, fly-back, thick, soft, and lustrous fur on their small bodies. Their furs can be single-toned or dual-colored.
How did Netherland dwarf rabbits originate?
A new dwarf breed was introduced after breeding two different species in the 20th century. These were Netherland dwarf rabbits that got spread in many other countries in a few years.
They originated in the Netherland and are named so after their place of origin and the dwarf body. They are the descendants of Polish rabbits and Hermelin rabbits. At the start, Polish rabbits were bred with many wild rabbits.
Furthermore, this breed is still bred by breeders to get a better version of Polish rabbits with good quality fur, beautiful color, and improved patterns.
How heavy are Netherland dwarf rabbits?
The small bodies of Netherland dwarf rabbits are not heavier than medium or giant breeds. Their average weight is within range of 1.5 and 2.5 pounds, which gets equal to 0.68 to 1.13 kg.
On the other hand, the healthy Netherland dwarf bunny is bulky and heavier at adult stage than the young ones. Its weight can reach up to 5 pounds or almost 2.2 kg in ideal conditions.
It is a true dwarf breed of rabbits. So, its weight is not more than a few pounds, as commonly seen in standard dwarf breeds. If it occurs in any situation, then it will be considered a false dwarf breed.
How big are Netherland dwarf rabbits?
The Netherland dwarf rabbits are dwarf bunnies with a few inches long bodies. Their bodies are shorter than medium and giant breeds. On average, their shoulders can vertically extend from 5.5 to 6.5 inches. It is equivalent to 13.97 to 16.51cm.
In addition, their bodies can horizontally extend up to 7 or 9 inches. In centimeters, it gets equal to 17.78 or 22.86cm. You should keep their body size in mind while choosing a cage or hutch. Incorrect dimensions of cage can make your bunny uncomfortable and affect their mental health.
They will find difficulty in moving around the cage or standing within an enclosure. Calculate the exact size according to the size of the Netherland dwarf rabbit.
It needs to be almost 13 inches higher if the bunny is 5.5 to 6.5 inches taller. Moreover, its suitable width and length can be 22 inches and 42 inches. It seems to be a perfect size for an active lifestyle. These small bunnies rabbits can easily sit or stand in it.
How long can Netherland Dwarf rabbit survives?
Rabbits get exposed to different environmental conditions, including temperature, cages, diet, etc., so their death phase arrives at different times.
However, this is the secondary factor and primary factor is genetic variation. Other secondary factors are gender, health, living conditions, and diet of rabbits.
The Netherland dwarf rabbits can live for about 9 to 12 years in captivity. If you provide suitable living conditions in domestic settings, their lifespan can increase to 13 or 14 years.
Moreover, they have a breed-specific health issue, which often gets serious. Their teeth appear crowded due to their small mouth and short muzzles. The upper and lower jaws do not help them take a proper bite.
Instead, there is malocclusion, causing inappropriate alignment and leading to cuts near the jaws and mouth while biting.
This dental disorder leads to cuts, bruises, and sometimes abscess formation. Moreover, it results in difficulty in biting and chewing. This disorder is detrimental for this rabbit breed if teeth are not treated properly.
How long can Netherland dwarf rabbits remain pregnant?
The adult rabbits can be bred when they reach maturity, they. They get mature enough to engage in the mating process and produce kits. It takes almost after 3 to 4.5 months to reach puberty stage. The Netherland dwarf rabbits can be bred after this duration.
They reach puberty after 4 months and find their partners to mate. The egg production in these furry animals occurs at the time of sexual intercourse.
Netherland dwarf rabbits usually remain pregnant for around 31 to 33 days, but it could vary. They produce around 3 to 4 kits per litter, which is a small litter size.
However, this number can reach 5 kits, but this is not common. Additionally, the pregnant does of this breed produce 3 kits per litter during the first pregnancy.
Breeding Netherland dwarf rabbits is of great concern as all newborns are not dwarfs. Commonly, some of their kits are either false dwarf or peanut while others are true dwarf breeds of rabbits.
Can Netherland dwarf rabbit be friendly?
Netherland dwarf rabbits are shy by nature and lack aggressive nature. Also, they have playful and friendly nature. However, they feel scared during first exposure to new places or people. These small bunnies become friendly after spending a playful time with people.
Moreover, they can be great companions of humans if they do not feel any threat from them. You can enjoy playing with these playful furry animals after developing a bond with them.
Similarly, they are highly energetic and love to play in open environment. Their body is small and fragile. So, they need proper handling to avoid injuries. This is because they have weak bones that can get easily broken.
Additionally, this breed makes a lovely companionship with adults in domestic settings. They do not like playing with kids because of poor handling. They do not like to be picked up tightly.