At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
dense, glossy normal fur on a stocky, cylindrical body
A sturdy, well-muscled medium rabbit with a cylindrical body and firm, rounded hindquarters. Bucks carry broader heads and chests, while does are a little longer in the body. Ears ideally stand 11.5-12.5 cm. The shiny, thick coat is about 35 mm long and coloured an even, deep russet-fawn that goes right down to the skin, softening to paler shades around the eyes, chin, belly and under the tail.124
Personality what they are like
A friendly, sociable rabbit that French sources rate highly as a companion, while still being valued as a hardy utility breed.13
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs daily time out of any hutch or cage to run, hop, stretch and dig, plus toys, forage trays or puzzle feeders to keep it busy.6
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A short normal coat needs only a weekly brush, a little more often while moulting. Keep plenty of hay available so the constantly growing teeth wear down naturally.6
Home where they are happiest
The RSPCA recommends a living area of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high so a rabbit can move, play, hide and stand up fully; a hutch alone is not enough and works only as a base joined to a large run or free-roam space.6
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Unlimited fresh hay as the main food, a daily portion of leafy greens, a small measured amount of rabbit pellets, carrots and fruit only as occasional treats, and constant fresh water.6
Company who they like around
Rabbits are social animals and the RSPCA advises keeping them with at least one compatible neutered rabbit companion, plus calm daily contact with people. Lift them with the back and bottom supported.6
The story where it all began
The breed grew out of fawn-coloured farm rabbits in Burgundy in the early 1900s. Albert Renard fixed its type and colour before the First World War and wrote up its history in 1919, and a breed club followed in 1928. German breeders took it up as the Burgunder in the 1980s.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Albert Renard published the breed's history in the French magazine L'Acclimatation in 1919.1
- 2
It grows quickly, reaching adult size at about five months.1
- 3
In Germany it is called the Burgunder and is noticeably lighter in colour than the Sachsengold or Red New Zealand.2
- 4
French conservation work has stored embryos and semen of the breed through the RESGEN programme.1
- 5
Outside France it is also kept in Switzerland, Belgium, Spain and Italy.1
Recognised by the official bits
- A.E.L.F.B. (French breed club)
- Breed association founded in 1928; Omlet dates official recognition to 1928.1
- East and West Germany
- Recognised in East Germany in 1980 and West Germany in 1986 as the Burgunder.2
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised; standard N.41 in the Normal Fur section, under the Rare Varieties Club.7
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Fauve de Bourgogne. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily while moultingevery week
- Nail trimevery 6 weeks
- Teeth checkTeeth never stop growingevery week
- Fresh hayUnlimited hay every dayevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Bottom checkCheck the fur around the tail stays clean, especially in summerevery day
- Free roamAt least 4 hours of running space a dayevery day
- VaccinationsSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Fauve de Bourgogne?
Your Fauve de Bourgogne needs unlimited fresh hay every day, plus a daily portion of leafy greens and a small measured amount of rabbit pellets. Furry Diary's starting plan is to refill hay daily and offer greens and pellets once a day. For exact pellet amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.68 Furry Diary plan
What should a Fauve de Bourgogne eat, and which foods are dangerous?
The main diet is unlimited hay, with daily leafy greens and a small portion of pellets. Carrots and fruit are only occasional treats. Dangerous foods include avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, and iceberg lettuce, as well as muesli mixes, meat, and dairy. Always provide fresh water.689
Should I bathe a Fauve de Bourgogne?
Bathing is not recommended for rabbits as it can stress them and harm their skin. Instead, spot-clean dirty areas with a damp cloth if needed. Check the fur around the tail daily to keep it clean, especially in summer. Furry Diary plan
Does a Fauve de Bourgogne need brushing?
Yes, a weekly brush is enough for its short normal coat, but brush more often during moulting. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests brushing every 7 days, and daily while moulting, to keep the coat shiny and reduce loose fur.6 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a Fauve de Bourgogne's nails and teeth?
Nails need trimming about every 6 weeks, and teeth should be checked weekly since they never stop growing. Provide plenty of hay to help wear down teeth naturally. For nail trims, ask your vet or a good breeder for guidance.6 Furry Diary plan
How much space and exercise does a Fauve de Bourgogne need?
Your rabbit needs a living area of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high, plus daily time out to run and play. Furry Diary's plan suggests at least 4 hours of free-roam space each day, with toys and puzzle feeders to keep it busy.6 Furry Diary plan
Should a Fauve de Bourgogne live alone or with friends?
Rabbits are social animals, so it's best to keep your Fauve de Bourgogne with at least one compatible neutered rabbit companion. They also enjoy calm daily contact with people.6
How long does a Fauve de Bourgogne live?
With good care, a Fauve de Bourgogne can live up to 12 years. Providing a proper diet, space, and regular vet check-ups helps ensure a long, happy life.3
Is a Fauve de Bourgogne a good pet for children?
Yes, this breed is known as a friendly, sociable companion and is highly rated for its temperament. However, always supervise interactions with children and teach gentle handling to keep both the rabbit and child safe.13
How do I hold a Fauve de Bourgogne?
Always lift your rabbit with one hand supporting the back and the other supporting the bottom. Never pick it up by the ears or scruff. This gentle method keeps your Fauve de Bourgogne secure and calm.6
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
Thrianta
DeilenaarLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Fauve de Bourgogne - Wikipédia (French) fr.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, club, weight standard, coat and body description, temperament, fun facts
- Burgunder (Kaninchen) - Wikipedia (German) de.wikipedia.orgused for origin, German recognition dates, weight, body type, colour comparison
- Fauve de Bourgogne Rabbit - Omlet omlet.co.ukused for recognition year, weight, lifespan, uses
- Fauve de Bourgogne - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for colour, size
- List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight range
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for space, diet, social and enrichment guidance
- Breed Standards - The British Rabbit Council thebrc.orgused for BRC standard number and Rare Varieties grouping
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.