The Dutch rabbit is a fairly small compact rabbit, with ears that stand erect and powerful back legs that are longer than the front legs. The Dutch rabbit is always white with the addition of another base color. They are one of the most popular rabbits kept as pets today. The average adult Dutch Rabbit will weigh between 4 to 5 ½ pounds and on average will live 5 to 8 years Longer life spans can be expected if the animals are neutered or spayed. The longest life span that has been reported is 15 years with 10 years not all that uncommon. Black is the most popular color of the Dutch Rabbits but other nice colors include blue, chocolate, tortoise, steel gray, and gray.
DIET/FEEDING
Diet is very important for a rabbit and the diet you feed needs to replicate a wild rabbits diet as near as possible. By doing this you prevent health problems that can effect rabbits teeth and digestive system.
Wild rabbits forage for grass and herbs morning and evening, and we therefore recommend that our rabbits are fed twice per day morning and evening. We suggest that a commercial rabbit pellet is fed in the morning and a good quantity of hay is fed in the evening. We particularly emphasise the use of hay as it helps to keep the rabbits teeth down to the correct length and aids the rabbits digestive system therefore preventing potential problems of both constipation and diarrhea.
We recommend a pelleted food rather than a multi colored mix as many rabbits become selected feeders and eventually have a diet that is not complete in terms of nutrients and other vitamins.
Can be given mostly in the form of green stuff: - Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts etc and also small amounts of starchy food such as Carrots, Apple and Swede may be given as treats. We do not recommend lettuce.
CARE/TRAINING
The Dutch rabbit is a suitable pet for both children and adults. They will do best with children over 10 years of age; younger children should be under adult supervision when handling and caring for the rabbit. The Dutch is generally good-nature and quite sociable with a great personality and can be very energetic. They do need a lot of attention and can become bored quite easily. They are intelligent and easily trained. Care should always be taken, as the rabbit can be a bit jumpy and wary by nature. The body of the rabbit is very delicate. Owners that are new to rabbits need to receive instruction on the proper way to pick up and handle their new pet, as it is very easy for the rabbit to be injured if handled carelessly. Unlike cats and small dogs, rabbits have a natural fear of being picked up and handled and will need time and conditioning to adjust. When young bunnies are handled carefully and they learn to trust their people early in life they will become very overt in their display of affection. Rabbits can be trained to recognize their name and to even come when called. They will especially enjoy sitting on its owner’s lab, snuggling, and being attentive.
Rabbits are easily startled and their natural response is to flee. Their powerful hind legs and lumbar muscles are designed for sudden and bounding escapes. These are disproportionately powerful to the delicate structure of their skeleton that makes up only 7 to 8% of the rabbits total body weight. If allowed to kick and thrash about when restrained, their frantic kicking can easily result in lumbar vertebral fractures resulting in paralysis. For this reason it is extremely important to support the rear end of the rabbit when picking them up.
The rabbit should be lifted by grasping the large fold of loose skin over the shoulders with one hand while supporting or grasping the hind feet with the other hand. When carrying a rabbit, it is useful to support the animal’s body between the forearm and abdomen with the rabbit’s face hidden under the elbow. Frightened or so-called nervous rabbits are usually easily carried in this manner.
Rabbits are fully capable of inflicting injury to a person with their claws, particularly the rear claws. Periodic trimming of the nails, proper handling and some common sense will usually prevent most injuries. Some breeders wear arm protectors to prevent scratches to their forearms when handling their rabbits. Occasionally, rabbits will show aggressive behavior in the form of biting although this is normally the exception. When bites are delivered, it is usually more of a pinch then a true bite. A rabbit, however, is fully capable of delivering a serious bite if provoked sufficiently. Such overt aggression is most normally limited to fighting between adult rabbits of the same sex, however female rabbits are known to show aggression toward the male under circumstances where territorial rights are threatened. This is the reason why the female is always taken to the cage of the male for breeding.
Rabbits are most active in the morning and at night and generally sleep during the day. Rabbits enjoy running and jumping. Such behavior is a sign of a happy rabbit.
As well as a proper sized hutch we think that it is important that the rabbit is given the opportunity to exercise on the grass in a secure run on a regular basis. It is also good for a rabbit to graze on the lawn providing the grass is free from dogs/cats faeces and lawn treatments.
HOUSING
We recommend a 4 ft x 18ins x 18ins hutch for Dutch rabbits. This should also contain a sleeping section. The hutch should also be off the ground and placed in a sheltered position not facing the mid-day sun or direct wind. Most rabbits will be quite happy outside for all of the year providing that they are given adequate bedding in the winter.
