Furry Diary

Wheaten Lynx

Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus

Also called Wheaten Lynx rabbit

Rare breedShort profile

From United Kingdom, early 1980s. It came out of Hugh Halliday's programme to create the Wheaten, which crossed fur breeds including the Silver Fox and the Havana.123

A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.

At a glance the quick version

Weight2.49 to 3.17 kg13
Lifespan8 to 12 years45
Sizesmall

UK breed guide gives an ideal of 2.49-3.17 kg; Wikipedia gives about 2.5-3.2 kg (5.5-7 lb). No separate buck/doe figures found.

Unusual orange-and-silver shimmer
Handy, compact size
Short coat that is easy to look after
13

Coat and looks how to spot one

normal (short) fur; compact small-to-medium body

Each hair is banded: a white base, a bright orange middle band and silver at the tip, which gives the coat an orange glow shot through with silver. White trims the eye circles, the underside of the tail and feet, the insides of the legs, the belly and under the jaw.13

ColoursOrange-shot-silver with white undercolour and white markings13

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Rabbits need daily time to run, hop, dig and explore beyond their sleeping quarters. Give a large, safe exercise area joined to the hutch, with toys and tunnels to keep them busy.4

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

A short normal coat that needs only occasional brushing, a little more during moults. Include nail and teeth checks in a regular routine.14

Home where they are happiest

The RSPCA recommends a living area of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high so rabbits can hop, stretch out and stand up fully; a hutch on its own is not enough and should open into a run or be paired with daily free-roam time. Provide hiding places and shelter from heat, cold and draughts.4

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Unlimited good-quality hay or grass should make up most of the diet, with fresh water always available, a daily portion of leafy greens and a small measured amount of rabbit pellets.45

Company who they like around

Rabbits are sociable and the RSPCA advises keeping them with at least one compatible rabbit companion, along with calm, regular time with people.4

The story where it all began

The Wheaten Lynx grew out of Hugh Halliday's work in the early 1980s to create an all-yellow rabbit from fur breeds such as the Silver Fox and the Havana. Alongside the plain Wheaten, a lynx-patterned version with an orange-and-silver coat emerged, and by 1994 it was breeding true. It is a rare British variety cared for by the Rare Varieties Rabbit Club.12

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Its fur is described as 'orange-shot-silver': bright orange in the middle of each hair and silver at the tip.1

  2. 2

    It shares its creator, Hugh Halliday, with the plain Wheaten.1

  3. 3

    The breed was established and breeding true by 1994.1

  4. 4

    You will only find it on British show benches; the American Rabbit Breeders Association does not list it.3

Recognised by the official bits

British Rabbit Council
Recognised breed; established and breeding true by 1994. Looked after by the Rare Varieties Rabbit Club.1
British Rabbit Council
Listed as BRC-recognised and not recognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.3

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

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

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Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Wheaten Lynx?

Your Wheaten Lynx should have unlimited fresh hay and grass available every day, along with a daily portion of leafy greens and a small measured amount of rabbit pellets. Furry Diary's starting plan recommends refilling hay daily and offering a consistent routine. For exact pellet amounts, check the food label or ask your vet.456 Furry Diary plan

What should a Wheaten Lynx eat, and which foods are dangerous?

The diet should be about 85% good-quality hay or grass, 10% safe leafy greens, and 5% pellets; offer a bundle of hay as big as your rabbit each day. Dangerous foods include avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, iceberg lettuce, lawnmower clippings, and muesli mixes; never give alcohol, dairy, or processed human food. Always provide fresh water and avoid any treats except small amounts of fruit or carrot.4567

Should I bathe a Wheaten Lynx?

Bathing is not recommended for rabbits; they are very clean animals and usually keep themselves perfectly groomed. A bath can cause severe stress, hypothermia, or respiratory problems. If your rabbit gets dirty in a way they cannot clean, ask your exotic-pet vet for safe spot-cleaning advice.

Does a Wheaten Lynx need brushing?

Yes, but only occasional brushing is needed since Wheaten Lynx have a short normal coat, with a little more during moults. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests brushing every 7 days, increasing to daily while moulting. This helps remove loose fur and keeps the coat looking healthy.14 Furry Diary plan

How do I look after a Wheaten Lynx's nails and teeth?

Include nail and teeth checks in your regular routine. Furry Diary's starting plan recommends trimming nails every 6 weeks and checking teeth weekly, because rabbit teeth never stop growing. Hay and grass help wear down their teeth naturally, but if you see overgrowth or eating problems, see a vet promptly.14 Furry Diary plan

How much space and exercise does a Wheaten Lynx need?

The RSPCA recommends a living area of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high so your rabbit can hop, stretch out and stand up fully; a hutch alone is not enough. A large, safe exercise area with toys and tunnels should be attached, and Furry Diary's starting plan suggests at least 4 hours of free-roam time daily.4 Furry Diary plan

Should a Wheaten Lynx live alone or with friends?

Rabbits are very sociable, so keep your Wheaten Lynx with at least one compatible rabbit companion whenever possible. They also enjoy calm, regular time with people. If you cannot keep a pair, make sure to give extra social interaction, but a good breeder or rescue can help you find a suitable friend.4

How long does a Wheaten Lynx live?

Wheaten Lynx rabbits typically live between 8 and 12 years with proper care, a balanced diet, and regular veterinary check-ups. Providing a spacious, clean home and lots of love helps them reach the upper end of that range.45

Is a Wheaten Lynx a good pet for children?

Every rabbit has its own personality, but the Wheaten Lynx is generally calm and can be a wonderful pet for families who understand rabbit handling. Children should always be supervised, and it is best to ask a good breeder or rabbit rescue about the temperament of a specific rabbit before adopting.

How do I hold a Wheaten Lynx?

Proper handling is very important for a rabbit's safety and trust. Always support the hindquarters and chest fully, never lift by the ears or scruff. Since techniques vary by the rabbit's comfort, ask your vet or a good breeder to show you the safest way for your individual bunny.

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.

  1. Wheaten Lynx - Fur & Feather breed guide furandfeather.co.ukused for origin, creator, standard date, weight, colour, markings, breed club
  2. Wheaten - Fur & Feather breed guide furandfeather.co.ukused for shared history and ancestry
  3. List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, weight range, BRC and ARBA recognition, colour
  4. Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for lifespan, space, diet, companionship, exercise
  5. Domestic rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for general lifespan and diet
  6. RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
  7. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  8. VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
  9. ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  10. ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions

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