Top 6 Smallest Rabbit Breeds (Dwarf Rabbits)

Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Laura Thompson

At first glance they are irresistible. They are tiny, have furs like stuffed toys and big bubbly eyes. They have cute faces and characteristic ears and each one of us, at least once, wanted to buy one. Why the small rabbit breeds are great pets?

They are adorable, playful and some of them are great starter pets. They can add lots of fun and happiness to our life, they also make great pets for children and can be kept in an apartment.

Today’s small rabbit breeds or more popularly called dwarf rabbits came from a wild rabbit that lives in the area of the Pyrenees Peninsula and part of North Africa. Already in the Middle Ages, they began to be domesticated in the area of France.

From there they spread rapidly throughout the world. Today, dwarf rabbits are extremely popular and are one of the most common domestic pets.

There are many small rabbits breeds – bunnies that stay small forever, but basically, dwarf rabbit refers either to a rabbit with the dwarfing gene or to any small breed of domestic rabbit with a maximum weight of 4 pounds (1.8 kg).

Top 6 Smallest Rabbit Breeds

They have a short and cylindrical body, equal widths at the front and back. They are 13-18 inches long. Their heads and their eyes are disproportionately large compared to their bodies.

The ears are located close to each other, on top of beautifully rounded and covered with dense hair.

Depending on the breed of the dwarf rabbit, the ears can be lop or erect. Lop-eared rabbit refers to any dwarf rabbit with ears that droop.

The followings are the 6 smallest rabbit breeds in the world:

6. Holland Lop – a maximum weight of 4 lb (1.8 kg)

Being a dwarf breed, the Holland lop size can be between 2 and 4 pounds (0.9 – 1.8 kg) as an adult.

They have a wide, but short body that gives them a compact look. They also have a broad head and are known for having a “crown” of fur at the back of the head. The Holland Lop’s most well-known trait, however, is their fluffy, floppy ears. Their ears are large and furry, widening out towards the bottom.

The Holland Lop lifespan is 5 to 7 years.

They are one of the only breeds that have been specifically bred for temperament, so they tend to be fairly mellow and social.

5. American Fuzzy Lop – 3.5 – 4.0 lb (1.6–1.8 kg)

The American Fuzzy Lop is a dwarf breed weighing between 3 and 4 pounds (1.4 and 1.8 kg). With its small size, fluffy fur, and energetic nature, it is a real eye-catcher for anyone looking to own a small pet rabbit.

Small in size and sporting many attributes you would expect to see from a rabbit, but what makes the American Fuzzy Lop stand out from the crowd is their fur. Their coat is actually wool and very good wool at that, often known as the “head of fancy”.

Petite with a compact yet muscular stature, ears that lop to the side as opposed to standing erect and the array of different color combinations, it is no wonder that these rabbits are often bred for shows across the country.

The American Fuzzy Lop is a fantastic pet. It is one of the friendliest rabbit breeds out there. It seems to get on with just about everybody.

Since it is a smaller rabbit breed, it is not going to be taking up a huge amount of space either. If you want a rabbit that plays a lot, then this breed is probably going to be for you too!

4. Lionhead Rabbit – 3.0 – 3.7 lb (1.36–1.7 kg)

The Lionhead rabbit is a breed of domestic rabbit that belongs to the group of dwarf rabbits. They have a wool mane encircling the head, reminiscent of a male lion, a high head mount, compact upright body type, and short well-furred 2 to 3-inch ears.

The Lionhead rabbit’s weight is around 2.5 to 3.75 pounds.

They have outgoing personalities and are one of the most popular small rabbit breeds kept as pets in the United States.

3. Jersey Wooly – 2.5 – 3.5 lb (1.1–1.6 kg)

The Jersey Wooly is a small rabbit breed with very small erect ears, only 2-3 inches in length, and a square head.

What really stands out with this breed is its unusual square head “mug head” and short ears. Jersey’s fuzzy fur with its small size makes sure to be an animal you’re going to instantly fall in love with.

There are 6 different recognized Jersey Wooly color groups each with many different color combinations, so many unique color patterns can be observed.

2. Dwarf Hotot – 2.5 – 3.5 lb (0.91–1.36 kg)

The Dwarf Hotot rabbit is a small rabbit breed weighing in at 2.5-3.5 pounds. These rabbits are well recognized because of their pure white, snow-like coats accompanied by their dark eye markings that look like eyeliner.

This unique bunny stands out because of its pure white fur and its dark eyes. A small rabbit with short yet thick erect ears.

They have a short yet dense and shiny rollback coat, meaning that the fur will stand up when brushed in the opposite direction to that of the way in which the hair naturally falls.

Whilst this bunny is known for its shiny white fur there are other color variations of the breed, such as English Spotted kits or Dutch Markered. However, ARBA recognizes black and chocolate Dwarf Hotot colors as well.

1. Netherland Dwarf – 1.1 -2.5 lb (0.50–1.13 kg)

The Netherland Dwarf is the world’s smallest rabbit breed of all domestic rabbits. The Netherland Dwarf weighs about 1.1–2.5 pounds (0.50–1.13 kg).

They have large heads with big eyes. Their faces are round and short which, combined with their small ears, gives them a rather “baby-ish” look. Their heads are rather disproportionate in comparison to their round and short bodies.

Netherlands dwarfs, unlike Lionhead rabbits, have short coats and a large variety of colors that are accepted by the breed’s standards. These rabbits, like most small rabbit breeds, are social creatures who crave companionship, so they should be kept in pairs.

Small Rabbit Breeds Care

Often, children are the initiators of buying a dwarf rabbit, but every commitment, and so the dwarf rabbit, is quickly bored. It may happen that in a short term the rabbit becomes neglected.

Although at first glance they seem like an ideal pet, they, just like every other animal, require a lot of attention, love, dedication, care, and a proper diet.

If you planning to buy one learn more about these cute little pets and dwarf rabbit care in general. It will help you decide if this pet is your ideal choice. If you already have one, then make sure that you are doing everything right in order to have a healthy and happy pet.

Under proper conditions, with a lot of love and patience, a dwarf rabbit will keep you happy for a decade. Which is the average lifespan of most small rabbit breeds.