Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Emma Reynolds
The Havana rabbit is one of the more popular rabbit breeds out there. Interestingly, it has been around for well over 100-years now. Let’s take a little look at what this rabbit brings to the table. This way, you can decide whether it is the right rabbit breed for you or not!
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The Origins of the Havana Rabbit
The Havana rabbit first appeared in the Netherlands in the late 1800s. Technically, at the time that it did appear, the Havana Rabbit was nothing more than a Dutch rabbit that was born with slightly better colors than normal.
People loved the deep brown color that the rabbit boasted, so they continued to develop it. If you are wondering where they got the name ‘Havana Rabbit’ from, then the answer is simple. It is due to the original color of the rabbit.
Some people thought it looked similar to the color of a Cuban cigar, and the Havana Rabbit breed was so named.
This is a wildly popular breed, and it is one of only a few breeds out there that seems to have been developed for show use. There is no purpose to this rabbit when it comes to the meat and fur industry, so it is a wonder that the breed has managed to last so long over the years!
We suppose it is an incredibly beautiful rabbit, which is something that has contributed to the long-term success.
Breeders are always trying to chase that new look for the Havana. It is also a ridiculously good pet, so you can find it available for purchase quite often for those who are looking for a decent pet for their family or simply to keep them nice and entertained.
The Look of the Rabbit
The Havana Rabbit is a very small rabbit, with the largest specimens barely hitting 6lbs, so if you are after a smaller rabbit breed, then the Havana may be a good route to go down.
The fur color for a true Havana rabbit will be either the original brown, blue or black. However, there have been pushes for there to be a broken colored Havana Rabbit being recognized, and it is likely that this is going to happen.
The fur is very soft and short. This makes it easy for you to keep it in perfect condition. It means that you barely need to brush your Havana Rabbit. While they will, of course, molt at various points throughout the year, it takes nothing more than a quick brush to keep them looking nice and pristine! Yes, rabbits shed or molt as it is more commonly known.
Havana Rabbit Lifespan
You can expect a Havana Rabbit to live anywhere from 5 to 8 years old, which is the average Havana rabbit lifespan. Since there are not any real health issues related to this breed of rabbit, it is likely that your rabbit will live on the upper end of the spectrum, you just need to ensure that it consumes a nice, healthy, and balanced diet!
The Personality of the Rabbit
You should always take rabbits as an individual, so the advice given in this section cannot be applied to every single Havana Rabbit out there. However, generally speaking, the Havana is a calm and tranquil animal. It doesn’t have bursts of aggression.
As long as you are interacting with your rabbit on a regular basis, then it should be dead simple to get them to play about with you quite a bit.
The Havana is well-known for being an explorer. This can cause a few issues due to their smaller size. They may end up getting into gaps that they end up being stuck in.
So, if you do have your Havana running about, you will want to make sure that there is nothing that is going to get in their way i.e. there should be absolutely no obstacles!
As with all rabbit breeds, regular social interaction is a must. You should not be leaving your Havana rabbit for long periods of time, because it simply isn’t good for them. If you can, you should pair up your Havana with another rabbit breed. They will enjoy one another’s company!
Who is the Havana Rabbit Suited to?
The Havana is perfect for just about anybody. However, it seems to work best for families. It is a rabbit breed that loves social interaction, so if you have the family members pitch in and help, it can be a good rabbit to raise.
The docile nature of the rabbit, plus the really lovely fur to pet, makes it fantastic for children too. Once your children have formed a bond with the rabbit, it really is going to be a bond for years and years! This is the exact rabbit breed that loves attention.
In our opinion, this is a rabbit that is probably going to thrive best if you can house it indoors. While, like most rabbit breeds, it can live outdoors, you must remember that it has shorter fur. This means that it may not be keeping the rabbit as warm as you would want. At least indoors you will be able to keep it nice and warm no matter the weather outside.
Havana Rabbit Care
When it comes to care requirements, there isn’t really anything ‘special’ that you need to think about when it comes to raising a Havana Rabbit. As long as you feed them a decent and balanced diet of hay (at least 70% of their diet should be hay), vegetables, fruits and pellets.
Also, you brush your rabbit at least once per week (it helps to prevent fur balls), then you should be fine.
One point to note, however, is that this is a rabbit that does love to run around a lot. Most rabbit breeds do. Therefore, whether it is outdoors or indoors, it needs to have ample time to run around and explore each day. Check our recommendation for the best rabbit hutch.
This is partly why we recommend that the Havana Rabbit is kept by those who are going to be raising it indoors and have a lot of space available. This rabbit breed is going to love that!
Havana Rabbits For Sale
We think that you probably wouldn’t be able to find Havana rabbits for sale in your local pet store. Even if you do, it is not a good option to opt rabbits from there. Many times the bunnies are bred just for monetary gain.
We encourage you to find Havana rabbits for sale from a reputable breeder. Check the sites bellow where you can find Havana Rabbit Breeders in the US:
- Rabbit Breeders – Official American Rabbit Breeders Association.
- Rabbit Breeders in the US.
Emma is a young, enthusiastic veterinary assistant based in Portland, Oregon. She has a natural affinity for all things fluffy, with rabbits being her absolute favorite. She got her first rabbit, a Holland Lop named Pippin, at the age of 7 and has been head over heels for them ever since. Emma holds an Associate Degree in Veterinary Science from the Portland Community College and has been working in a small animal clinic for the past 2 years.