Domestic rabbits are all of the same species, Oryctolagus cuniculus. All domestic (tame) rabbits were developed from the European wild rabbit, also of the species Oryctolagus cuniculus. The variations in color, size, fur type, ear carriage were mutations from the original wild type, and these differences were selected and bred for by people who preferred whichever differences, thus forming different types and breeds of rabbit. This process started in the Middle Ages with domestic rabbits being recognized and developed as a source of meat and fur. More recently, rabbits are also being kept as pets, although there are still many breeds used specifically for food or fiber. Currently there are 49 rabbit breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and 106 recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC), with even more breeds in other countries. In ARBA breeds, official sizes of rabbits of the various recognized breeds can range from 2 to 20+ pounds, and each breed can occur in from one to dozens of different colors and patterns. You can learn more at the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. website.

My my my there are so many breeds of rabbits!

The good thing is: they are not species, but breeds so you can house them together (when you bond them!)

It would take me forever to type all the breeds I know so here is a full list of the breeds recognized by ARBA (the American Rabbit Breeders Association)!

American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.

There’s the magic link :)

Personally, I have a Holland Lop and Lionhead mix, and I just love him to death.

If you love him as much as I do, you can follow him on Instagram: Mochathepotato!

Thanks for reading!

A Kid of All Trades,

Nathan W.