Perlfee
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Also called Perlfeh (Germany), Düsseldorfer Perlfeh (historic strain)
From Germany (English Wikipedia notes the origin is disputed; its breed list gives England)1234
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
normal fur with pearled guard hairs on a compact body
A small, square-built rabbit with a very short, muscular neck. Its coat is a blue agouti with dark-tipped guard hairs that give a pearly, shimmering effect; the belly and eye circles are paler. Dark, medium and light shades are allowed, with medium preferred.123
Personality what they are like
A gentle, friendly and lively rabbit, often recommended as a good pet for beginners.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.5
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.5
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.5
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.5
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.5
The story where it all began
Between the two World Wars several German breeders were chasing the same goal, a pelt like Siberian squirrel. Karl Hoffmanns in Düsseldorf, Deiniger in Augsburg and Röhmeier in Pinneberg each produced matching blue agouti rabbits, and the strains were combined under the name Perlfeh.23
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Separate breeders in different German cities arrived at the same rabbit independently, an unusual story in breed history.2
- 2
Its pearly shimmer comes from dark guard hairs, similar to the ticking of Chinchilla rabbits.2
- 3
It was bred to copy Siberian squirrel fur, which was in high demand in the early 1900s.3
- 4
It is kept in modest numbers in Germany, France and the UK.3
Recognised by the official bits
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised; standard N.26 in the Normal Fur section, under the Rare Varieties Club.6
- ARBA
- Not recognised.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Perlfee. 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 Perlfee?
Provide unlimited fresh hay every day, a daily portion of safe leafy greens, and a small measured amount of rabbit pellets. Carrots and fruit are only occasional treats. Always have fresh water available.57 Furry Diary plan
What should a Perlfee eat, and which foods are dangerous?
The main diet is unlimited hay and fresh leafy greens, with a small portion of pellets daily. Dangerous foods include avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, iceberg lettuce, lawnmower clippings, and any muesli mixes. Never give processed human food, dairy, or meat.578
Should I bathe a Perlfee?
Rabbits are very clean and usually do not need baths. If your Perlfee gets unusually dirty, ask an exotic-pet vet for the safest way to clean them.
Does a Perlfee need brushing?
Yes, a weekly brushing keeps the short coat in good condition. During moulting season, brush daily to help remove loose fur.5 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a Perlfee's nails and teeth?
Unlimited hay naturally wears down the teeth, so check them weekly. Trim nails about every six weeks, or as needed. Your vet can show you the proper technique.5 Furry Diary plan
How much space and exercise does a Perlfee need?
Your Perlfee needs a living area of at least 3m x 2m x 1m high to move freely, plus at least 4 hours of daily free-roam time outside the hutch. Provide toys and digging opportunities for enrichment.5 Furry Diary plan
Should a Perlfee live alone or with friends?
Rabbits are social animals, so it is best to keep your Perlfee with at least one neutered rabbit companion. They also enjoy gentle daily interaction with their human family.5
How long does a Perlfee live?
The lifespan varies by individual care; ask a reliable breeder or your vet for specific guidance.
Is a Perlfee a good pet for children?
Yes, the Perlfee is known for its gentle and friendly temperament, making it a wonderful pet for families. Always supervise children and teach them to handle the rabbit calmly and gently.13
How do I hold a Perlfee?
Always lift your Perlfee with one hand under the chest and the other supporting the hindquarters. Hold them securely against your body so they feel safe. Never lift by the ears or scruff.5
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.
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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.
- Perlfee - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, colour standard, temperament, BRC/ARBA status
- Perlfeh - Wikipedia (German) de.wikipedia.orgused for history, breeders, weight, coat effect
- Perlfee Rabbit - Omlet omlet.co.ukused for history, weight, build, temperament, distribution
- List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight range, colour, listed origin
- 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.