Furry Diary

Satin Angora

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Recognised breedShort profile

From Canada: developed in Holland Landing, Ontario, by Mrs Meyer (named Leopoldina Meyer by PetGuide), who crossed a French Angora with a Satin rabbit; dated to the late 1970s by Wikipedia and to the 1980s by PetGuide.12

At a glance the quick version

Weight2.9 to 4.5 kg341
Lifespan7 to 12 years12
Sizemedium

NARBC senior range 6.5-10 lb (about 2.9-4.5 kg), ideal 8 lb (about 3.6 kg); ARBA breed page gives a 9.5 lb (about 4.3 kg) maximum; Wikipedia gives 3.0-4.5 kg.

Only Angora with a natural sheen
Friendly and curious
Very fine, silky wool
324

Coat and looks how to spot one

fine, lustrous satin wool

A medium-length, well-filled body with a slight taper from hips to shoulders and an oval head. There is no wool on the face, ears or feet, and the ears carry at most a small tuft at the tips. The wool is the finest of the Angoras: each hair has a thinner, semi-transparent shaft that catches the light, so the whole coat shines and colours look deep and rich. It feels very soft and slippery.31

ColoursWhiteBrokenColoured (e.g. chestnut, chocolate, copper, lynx, opal, squirrel)SelfShadedTortoiseshellTickedWide Band1

Personality what they are like

A curious, friendly and sociable rabbit that tends to enjoy attention from people. Generally docile and easy to handle during coat care.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Benefits from daily exercise time outside its enclosure in a safe, clean area.25

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Its soft, slippery wool has fewer guard hairs and mats more readily, so comb it often (daily combing is advised by Wikipedia, at least 1-2 brushings a week by PetGuide). It is easier to keep than an English Angora but takes more work than a French or Giant. Wool is harvested by clipping or plucking every 3-4 months.12

Home where they are happiest

Needs a roomy enclosure sheltered from draughts and strong heat, with enough height to stand up and room to hop, plus wood or other safe items to gnaw.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

The breed was created in Ontario, Canada, by Mrs Meyer, who bred a French Angora with a Satin rabbit to combine Angora wool with the satin coat's lustre. ARBA recognised the Satin Angora in 1987.124

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    It is the only Angora breed whose wool has a natural shine, thanks to the satin gene.3

  2. 2

    Its wool is said to be stronger for spinning than other Angora wools, though its slippery feel makes it trickier to spin.1

  3. 3

    In the show standard, the Satin Angora carries more points for its wool than any other Angora breed.3

  4. 4

    ARBA describes its silky wool as among the most valued of all wool types.4

Recognised by the official bits

ARBA
Recognised in 1987; commercial type; maximum weight 9.5 lb. Wool with a distinct sheen is the hallmark of the breed.4
ARBA
Colour groups include White, Broken, Coloured (agouti-type shades), Self, Shaded, Tortoiseshell, Ticked and Wide Band.1
National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club
Senior weight 6.5-10 lb, ideal 8 lb; carries the most wool points of all Angora breeds (density, texture, sheen, length).3

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Satin Angora. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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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.

  1. Angora rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, varieties, lifespan, grooming, facts
  2. Satin Angora Rabbit - PetGuide petguide.comused for temperament, grooming, care, origin detail
  3. Satin Angora Rabbits - National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club nationalangorarabbitbreeders.comused for body type, wool, weights, judging
  4. Satin Angora - American Rabbit Breeders Association arba.netused for recognition year, max weight, wool
  5. Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for general diet and social care
  6. Rabbit environment - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for housing space

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.