If you love baby bunnies and wish they would stay as cute and tiny forever, you should look at getting a dwarf rabbit. These mini buns are adorable and basically fit into the palm of your hand.
So how big do dwarf rabbits get?
Dwarf rabbits weigh around 2 to 2.5 pounds with a length of 7 to 9 inches. Some dwarf breeds only reach a range of around 1 pound (Columbia Basin Pygmy rabbit) when fully grown. Larger dwarf rabbit breeds (Dwarf Lop rabbit) weigh 5 to 5.5 pounds with a length of 7.5 to 9 inches.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how big dwarf rabbits can get and which breed is perfect for you.
Dwarf Rabbit Breeds
Dwarfism in rabbits has become a popular (and wanted) trait for bunny owners.
Their small size is due to a natural genetic mutation that has altered their craniofacial (bones that form the head and face) structure and given these cuties their small and compact size.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the Dwarf rabbit breeds and their sizes:
Mini English Angora Rabbit
The Mini English Angora rabbit is a fluffy bunny with an affectionate and friendly temperament. This mini version of the English Angora rabbit is a cross between a Netherland Dwarf and an Angora rabbit.
They have long, thick fur and weigh under 3.5 pounds when fully grown. This bun has a round body with small ears (about 2.5 inches long).
Dutch Dwarf rabbit
An average-sized Dutch Dwarf rabbit weighs between 1.75 to 2.5 pounds with a length of about 7.5 to 9 inches. This breed is a tiny version of a standard Dutch rabbit. Their bodies are small and compact, and they have short, stocky ears.
Mini Holland Lop rabbit
Mini Holland Lop rabbits weigh between 4.5 and 5 pounds (when fully grown). Their bodies are stocky and short and have a length of around 10 to 12 inches long and 4 to 5 inches tall.
This bun has floppy ears and not the typical small ears that other dwarf breeds have.
Dwarf Lionhead Rabbit
Dwarf Lionhead rabbits get their name from the wooly mane that frames their faces. They have a compact body with a large head.
These rabbits weigh around 3.5 pounds, and their ears are only about 2 to 3 inches long.
Netherland Dwarf Rabbit
Rabbits such as the Netherland Dwarf are known as one of the most popular and smallest dwarf breeds. They weigh around 1.75 to 2.5 pounds. Rabbits such as the Netherland Dwarf only reach a length of between 13 to 19 inches.
This breed was developed in the Netherlands by crossbreeding small wild rabbits with domestic rabbits. They have short, compact bodies with flat noses and round ears.
Out of all the dwarf rabbits, the Netherland Dwarf rabbit is the most popular pet rabbit.
At What Age Do Dwarf Rabbits Stop Growing?
Each rabbit breed stops growing at different ages. Dwarf breeds such as the Netherland Dwarf and Mini Lop rabbit are fully grown by 4 to 5 months.
Once the kits (baby rabbits) are born, they’ll stay with their mother (doe) until around 8 weeks old.
The kits grow rapidly, and by 8 weeks, their fat and protein requirements will increase to keep up with their growth spurt.
Male bunnies are sexually mature as early as 10 weeks. Female bunnies reach sexual maturity at around 3.5 months old.
How Long Do Dwarf Rabbits Live?
In general, dwarf rabbits have a lifespan of between 7 to 10 years. However, certain factors do affect how long they live such as:
- Overall health and wellbeing
- Genetics
- Breed types
- Living environment
- Sanitary conditions
- Diet
- If they’ve been neutered or spayed
Let’s take a look at the general life expectancy of a few dwarf rabbit breeds:
- The Dwarf Lionhead rabbit has a lifespan of between 8 to 10 years.
- The Dwarf Lop rabbit has a lifespan of between 9 to 10 years.
- The Dwarf Hotot rabbit has a lifespan of between 7 to 10 years.
- The Columbia Basin Pygmy rabbit has a lifespan of between 3 to 5 years.
- The Mini English Angora rabbit has a lifespan of between 6 to 10 years.
- The Jersey Wooly rabbit has a lifespan of between 7 to over 10 years.
- The Miniature Cashmere Lop rabbit has a lifespan of between 9 to 10 years.
Tips to Help Your Dwarf Rabbits Reach Full Size
Here are some helpful tips to ensure that your Dwarf rabbits reach their full size:
Good Living Environment
A good and clean living environment is vital for a happy and healthy dwarf rabbit. Outdoor hutches are a great option, but allowing your bun to live indoors is even better. Your bunny will have more interaction with you.
Make sure you clean your bun’s hutch regularly and top up their water throughout the day.
Make an Exercise Pen
There’s no better way to provide your bun with exercise and fun than by putting up an exercise pen.
You can easily set it up inside or outside. The benefit of an outdoor exercise pen is that your bun will have access to sunshine and fresh air in an enclosed and safe area.
Healthy Diet
Ensure your floppy-eared friend has a healthy and balanced diet that consists of Timothy grass hay, pellets, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Your bun also needs fresh water in its enclosure.
Groom Your Rabbit
Grooming your bun regularly will build a healthy bond between you.
This will also ensure that your bun has no urine or feces stuck to its fur, which can cause infection and attract flies (resulting in fly strikes).
My Last Bunny Thoughts
While a dwarf rabbit’s size makes an excellent pet for an adult, they aren’t so great for children. They are skittish around children and can be aggressive toward them.
These buns like quiet homes and love getting attention from their bunny owners.
Don’t let their mini size fool you, as dynamite certainly comes in small packages with dwarf bunnies. They have big personalities and are very intelligent. You won’t be able to resist their short ears and fluffy cottontails.
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