Netherland Dwarf

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, fine normal-fur coat on a compact 'cobby' dwarf body with short upright ears

One of the tiniest rabbit breeds. The body is short and round with short legs, and the head is big and round compared with the body, with a flat face and large bright eyes that give it a baby-like look. The ears are short, sit close together and stand straight up, measuring roughly 2.5-7.5 cm. The coat is short, soft and fine.123

Personality what they are like

A lively, alert little rabbit with plenty of energy. Many are a bit shy or wary at first and prefer calm handling, but once they trust their owner they become friendly and affectionate. Selective breeding since the 1970s and 1980s has made today's dwarfs much gentler than the early lines. Their small size means they suit homes with adults or older children who handle them gently.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High for its size. Plan for at least three hours a day outside the enclosure in a rabbit-proofed area (the House Rabbit Society suggests about four hours a day for rabbits in general), plus toys, tunnels and forage trays for mental exercise.245

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Easy-care short coat: brush once a week, and every other day while moulting. Trim nails about every 4-6 weeks. Plenty of hay keeps the constantly growing teeth worn down.25

Home where they are happiest

Best kept indoors. Even small rabbits need a large living area: UK welfare advice for a pair of rabbits is at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high, with hiding places and room to hop and stand up. Litter trays work well with this breed.256

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Unlimited fresh grass hay every day (roughly the rabbit's own body size in volume), about 1 cup of leafy greens per 1 kg (2 lb) of body weight daily, and a small measured portion of pellets, roughly 1/8 cup a day for an adult. Fruit only as an occasional small treat.214

Company who they like around

A social animal that does best with a neutered rabbit companion and daily time with its people. A calm, quiet home suits it best.541

The story where it all began

The breed began in the Netherlands in the early 1900s, when breeders crossed small white Hermelin (Polish-type) rabbits with small wild rabbits to get tiny rabbits in a range of colours. A breeder named Hoefmann presented the first ones in 1939, and the Dutch recognised the breed in 1940. The Second World War and the German occupation nearly wiped out the young breed, and shows only picked up again in Amsterdam in the mid-1950s. A few animals had already reached Germany in 1939, and West Germany included the Farbenzwerg in its standard by 1956, while East Germany developed its own lines. Dwarfs reached Britain in 1948 and the USA in the 1960s-1970s, and ARBA accepted the breed in 1969 using a modified British standard. Early dwarfs were known for being nervous, but decades of careful breeding produced the calmer, friendlier rabbit known today, and it became one of the best-known pet and show breeds.123

Recognised by the official bits

Netherlands

Officially recognised as a pure breed in the Netherlands in 1940.2

United Kingdom

First imported to the UK in 1948 (Wikipedia); PetMD gives UK recognition as 1950. Listed as recognised by the British Rabbit Council.10

ARBA

Accepted in 1969 using a modified version of the British standard. Ears must be under 2.5 inches (about 6.4 cm); senior maximum weight 2.5 lb (about 1.13 kg).11

Germany (ZDRK standard)

Recognised in the West German standard by 1956 as the Farbenzwerg; ideal weight 1.1-1.35 kg, with animals under 1.0 kg or over 1.5 kg not judged.3

American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club (ANDRC)

US national specialty club for the breed, which it calls 'The GEM of the Fancy'.8