English Angora Rabbit: Is This Fluffy Wonder Worth it as a Pet?

Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by

English Angora rabbits are probably the fluffiest rabbits you’ll ever find. And it’s no surprise that these bunnies produce top-quality fur and make for a truly unique pet bunny.

English Angoras have been prized for centuries because they provide an excellent wool coat that can be spun into yarn or knitted into beautiful sweaters and coats.

Though they make good pets, Angoras require much more upkeep in comparison to the majority of other domesticated rabbits.

What are English Angora Rabbits?

These rabbits were originally bred from a mix of wild European rabbits, French Lop on farms in England, as well as crossbreeding with Chinese rabbits (best known for being used to produce wool).

The average adult Angora rabbit can produce up to 1.5 kg of wool every year. It’s worth noting that their fur is much softer than finer than cashmere.

They are one of four Angora breeds that have been recognized by several registries including ARBA.

Where do they come from?

The English Angora breed was first developed in the 1850s and was bred for their beautiful long hair.

Though they’re called English Angora, these bunnies are said to have originated from Ankara (formerly known as Angora) in Turkey. They were then brought into France sometime in the 18th century, where they were very popular among the French royalty.

The breeds were created from descendants of a French rabbit called German Giant, sometimes mixed with one or more Belgian Hare ancestors.

What does an English Angora Rabbit look like?

English Angora Rabbits are small to medium-sized with a compact, long body. They have oval-shaped ears and large expressive eyes.

English Angoras are known for their furry pelts that can be white or cream in color. Their fur is generally dense, but not as tight as the hair on other breeds of Rabbits such as Rex Rabbits.

The English Angora bunny’s face usually has an interesting “mask” that is furry (unlike other rabbit breeds) marking around the area close to its nose. It may cover all or part of its head depending on how dark it is in coloration.

Aside from their unique fur, the masking pattern gives this breed of Bunny a distinctive look. The additional fur on their faces also helps protect them from insects at night when they sleep.

What is an English Angora Rabbit lifespan?

English Angora Rabbits typically live around six years if given the proper care. If not cared for adequately then the life expectancy will decrease significantly.

Most important thing to know before buying or adopting a new English Angora Rabbit

The English Angora bunny is probably one of the most strikingly beautiful rabbits you’ll ever set your eyes on.

But! It has a big, hairy but (pun intended). This unique bunny needs a lot of care. Their long hair requires frequent grooming and they are very sensitive to extreme temperatures.

English Angora Rabbits as pets

English Angora Rabbits are considered exotic pets and are commonly used as show rabbits. They’re also bred specifically for their long, luxurious fur.

They have been known to be difficult pets because they need special care, like being kept at certain temperatures.

The English Angora Rabbits require grooming on a regular basis as well because their coats can easily tangle if not combed regularly.

Like most pet bunnies, they need proper care in order to live long and healthy lives. This includes providing them food, fresh water every day, warmth in the wintertime, and much more!

In addition, these rabbits also need companionship from other animals such as cats or dogs so that they don’t get lonely when left alone for long periods of time.

How to care for English Angora Rabbits

English Angora Rabbits are delicate creatures that require special care to keep them healthy and happy. Here’s what you need to know:

• Keep their living environment clean by removing droppings, hay, etc on a daily basis
• Make sure they are not easily exposed to extreme weather as they are very sensitive to hot or cold temperatures
• Groom them on a regular basis to avoid their fur getting tangled

The diet of English Angora Rabbits

The English Angora Rabbit is herbivorous, so it mainly eats plants. Their diet should include plenty of hay and pellets as well as some vegetables such as kale, carrot tops, cucumber leaves, or lettuce.

Angoras can eat fruit but only use it as a treat. Fruits contain high amounts of sugar, which will not be healthy for your furry friend in large quantities.

Rabbits need to chew on hay constantly throughout the day in order to wear down their teeth, as they will continuously grow throughout their lives. Be careful though as they may overeat if given too much food at any time due to their limited stomach capacity (about one ounce).

Health and hygiene of English Angora Rabbits

English Angora Rabbits are much more sensitive than other rabbits, so they should always wear a bunny jacket for protection from the cold. If you can’t afford or make one, use an old sweater.

They require lots of grooming and also need their nails trimmed occasionally.

Their coat is made up of long fur that requires frequent brushing in order not to get matted.

Do English Angora Rabbits need hutches?

Since the English Angora bunny is more sensitive to temperature changes and requires more grooming and care, it’ll be a good idea to house them in a comfortable hutch.

You can find a good and affordable hutch that is either small or moderately sized, thanks to its small size.

Pros and cons of owning an English Angora Rabbit

Pros of having an English Angora Rabbit include:

• Their luxurious fur
• Their mild temperament
• They are very gentle

Cons include:

• Highly sensitive to hot and cold weather or drafts
• Dealing with seasonal shedding
• Requiring a lot of grooming due to their long coats in order for them not to mat up.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about buying or adopting an English Angora Rabbit, it will most definitely be unlike any other bunny you’ll ever have. They are absolutely beautiful!

At the same time, you’ll need to be ready to take special care of them, since they require a lot more maintenance than other rabbit breeds.

It’s not a big problem though if you see the pros as far outweighing the cons. I mean, imagine what a gorgeous addition a fluffy Angora would do to your home! It’s most definitely Instagram-worthy. Not to mention it makes for a wonderful companion.