French Angora
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Also called Angora (French type)
From Descends from the Angora rabbits of the Ankara (Angora) region of Turkey, which reached France in 1723; the French type was standardised in the United States by ARBA in 1944.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
NARBC/ARBA senior weight 7.5-10.5 lb (about 3.4-4.8 kg), ideal 8.5 lb (about 3.9 kg) for both sexes. Wikipedia gives 3.5-4.5 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long wool with a clean face and front feet
A commercial-type rabbit with an oval outline from the side and an oblong look from above. Unlike the English Angora, its head, ears and front feet are free of wool, so the face looks sleek and the ears are plain or tufted only at the tips. The dense underwool is crimped and topped with plenty of guard hair that stands out above it, giving the soft 'halo' that hand spinners like.31
Personality what they are like
A calm, friendly and gentle rabbit that is often recommended for newcomers to Angoras and to fibre keeping. It grows more sociable and relaxed with regular handling and time out of its enclosure.342
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs daily time out of its enclosure to hop, explore and stretch, in a clean area that keeps debris out of the wool.25
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Comb or brush regularly (from daily to weekly depending on the coat) and use a blower to lift and separate the wool. The wool is harvested by shearing or plucking every 3-4 months, and a coat with the correct texture needs less work than other Angora breeds. Trim nails regularly.123
Home where they are happiest
Needs a roomy enclosure with solid flooring and soft bedding rather than wire, spot-cleaned daily and fully changed weekly, plus a larger exercise area. Welfare guidance asks for enough height for the rabbit to stand fully upright and room to hop several times in a row.26
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Plenty of good grass hay should form the bulk of the diet (breed guides suggest about 70%), with fresh water always available, a daily helping of leafy greens and a measured portion of quality pellets.25
Company who they like around
Rabbits are social animals and do best living with at least one compatible rabbit companion, plus regular calm daily contact with their people.52
The story where it all began
Angora rabbits from Turkey reached France in the early 18th century and became popular wool animals across Europe. In the United States the single 'Angora Wooler' was split into English and French types, and ARBA standardised the French Angora as its own breed in 1944.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its wool is valued by hand spinners for the soft 'halo' created by the guard hairs sitting above the crimped underwool.3
- 2
Of the four ARBA Angora breeds, it is the one more commonly kept as a pet, even though it yields less wool than the English or Giant.1
- 3
Its show colour is judged from the even colouring on the head, feet and tail, since the wool itself can look lighter.1
- 4
It is valued as a commercial breed for both fibre and meat, not only as a wool rabbit.3
Recognised by the official bits
- ARBA
- One of four Angora breeds recognised by ARBA (with English, Giant and Satin). Senior weights 7.5-10.5 lb, ideal 8.5 lb for both sexes; maximum 10.5 lb.3
- ARBA
- Colour groups include Agouti, Broken, Pointed White, Self, Shaded, Ticked and Wide Band.1
- ARBA
- Breed page: one of the four ARBA Angora breeds, maximum weight 10.5 lb.4
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a French Angora. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingLong wool mats quicklyevery day
- Wool trimevery 8 weeks
- 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 French Angora?
Provide unlimited fresh grass hay every day, as it should make up the bulk of their diet. Give a daily helping of leafy greens and a measured portion of quality pellets, with fresh water always available. For exact amounts, check the food label and consult your vet.257 Furry Diary plan
What should a French Angora eat, and which foods are dangerous?
The main diet is unlimited grass hay, plus daily leafy greens and a small portion of pellets. Avoid muesli mixes, avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, iceberg lettuce, lawnmower clippings, and any processed human food or dairy. Always check with your vet for a safe diet list.2578
Should I bathe a French Angora?
The provided information does not cover bathing. For a long-wool rabbit like this, bathing is usually not recommended unless absolutely necessary. Please ask your exotic-pet vet or a good breeder for safe advice.
Does a French Angora need brushing?
Yes, daily brushing is best because their long wool mats quickly. Use a comb or brush, and a blower can help lift and separate the wool. Regular care keeps the coat healthy and reduces shedding.123 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a French Angora's nails and teeth?
Trim nails regularly, roughly every six weeks (the care plan suggests every 42 days). Check teeth weekly as they never stop growing, and plenty of hay helps wear them down. If you see overgrowth, ask your vet for guidance.123 Furry Diary plan
How much space and exercise does a French Angora need?
Provide a roomy enclosure with solid flooring and soft bedding, and at least four hours of daily free-roam time in a clean area. The home must be tall enough for your rabbit to stand fully upright and wide enough for several hops in a row.256 Furry Diary plan
Should a French Angora live alone or with friends?
French Angoras are social and do best with at least one compatible rabbit companion, plus regular calm human contact. Living alone is not ideal for their well-being.52
How long does a French Angora live?
These gentle rabbits typically live between 7 and 12 years with good care. A healthy diet, proper grooming, and regular vet check-ups help them enjoy a long life.12
Is a French Angora a good pet for children?
The breed is described as calm, friendly, and gentle, which can be a good fit for calm, respectful children. However, every rabbit has its own personality, so it's best to ask a reputable breeder or rescue for guidance.
How do I hold a French Angora?
The provided information does not cover how to hold them. Always support the hindquarters and body securely, and never lift by the ears or scruff. Ask your vet or an experienced rabbit keeper to show you the safest method.
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
English Angora
Satin Angora
Giant Angora
Jersey WoolyLike 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.
- Angora rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, varieties, lifespan, wool harvesting, facts
- French Angora Rabbit - PetGuide petguide.comused for temperament, care, grooming, lifespan, history
- French Angora Rabbits - National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club nationalangorarabbitbreeders.comused for body type, wool, weights, temperament
- French Angora - American Rabbit Breeders Association arba.netused for recognition, temperament, max weight
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for general diet and social care
- Rabbit environment - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for housing space
- 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.