The Netherlands dwarf rabbits have a distinct look that makes them easily recognizable. Weighing only about 2.5 pounds, the Netherland dwarf is one of the smallest rabbit breeds. The breed originated in the Netherlands and is called the Gem of the Fancy.
Netherlands dwarf rabbits are one of a handful and a true dwarf breed, which means they carry the dwarf gene. They have a compact body, a large head, a short face, short ears, and large eyes. It’s a distinctive look, especially the short, upright ears on the large head. The overall impression is of a young rabbit, no matter the rabbit’s age. The fur is the normal length and slowly returns to its position after being brushed opposite of how it lays.
The breed standard for Netherlands dwarf calls for a short, compact body. The legs are to be short, the head round and large, and the ear short, upright, and rounded at the tip. Colors. The American Rabbit Breeders Association classifies Netherlands dwarf rabbit colors into five groups self shaded a goodie tan and any other variety.
Between all these groups, Netherland Dwarfs come in more than 20 colors, including black, blue chocolate, lilac, dew, rue, sable point, Siamese sable, Siamese smoke pearl, tortoiseshell, chestnut, chinchilla, lynx, opal, squirrel, otter, sable marten, silver marten, smoke pearl marten, tans, fawn, Himalayan, orange, and steel. History The Netherland Dwarf breed has its roots in the Polish and Hermelin rabbit breeds. The Polish likely originated in England or Germany and the Hermelin hailed from Germany.
Breeders in Holland then worked for years on crossing this small, white rabbit with small wild rabbits and even some larger rabbit breeds to introduce more colors. They got a standard in 1940, but World War II interrupted further development. After the war, British rabbit breeder Joyce Taylor received nine dwarfs and co-founded the Netherland Dwarfn Rabbit’s Club in England in 1949.
The Netherlands dwarf first arrived in North America in 1965. Two U.S. rabbit breeders worked to get the breed recognized, and Arba officially accepted the breed at its 1969 annual conventions. Personality All rabbits are individuals, so it’s difficult to label the Netherland dwarf Rabbit’s personality. People have described them as timid, aggressive, loving, gentle, and almost everything else. If you’re considering adopting one, talk to the breeder or the rabbit rescue about the personality of the particular rabbit that interests you.
Use these tips when interacting with any rabbits.
Move slowly Sudden movements can startle rabbits. Learn how to pick up and support rabbits properly, they usually prefer not to be picked up. Try sitting on the floor and letting your rabbit approach you. Watch for cues from your rabbit about his or her likes or dislikes.
Health Gistasis, mites, and uterine cancer in unspayed females are among the common rabbit ailments that can occur in all rabbits, including Netherland dwarf rabbits.
Additionally, the common ailments of malocclusion and respiratory disease perhaps occur at a higher rate in Netherland dwarfs because of the dwarf gene that gives them a smaller mouth and a shorter nose.
Many factors affect the development of rabbit ailments, including environment, care, genetics, and reproductive status. However proper care minimizes some risks. Heatstroke is an environmental concern that you can easily avoid by keeping your rabbit in cool areas.
They tolerate cooler temperatures better than warmer ones. Humidity is also a factor because higher humidity can make temperatures feel even warmer.
The ideal temperature range for rabbits is 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Thorough rabbit-proofing is another way to provide a safe environment. A good rule to follow is to watch your Netherland dwarf for any sudden changes.
Changes in eating, drinking, sleeping, elimination, and, or activity level could signal a problem. Rabbits are prey animals and instinctively hide any weakness, such as illness, so always be alert to possible problems.
Also watch for any strange discharge from the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or rear. And regularly check your pet for lumps, painful areas, or sores.
This includes checking the bottom of the feet. Contact your rabbit’s savvy veterinarian if you have any concerns. Taking Care of Netherland Dwarf Rabbits Caring is similar to the care you’d provide for any rabbit. However, such a small breed is usually a bit more delicate, so it’s important to take special care of your rabbit to keep him as healthy as possible.
How to Maintain a Netherlands Dwarf Rabbit’s House and Indoor Environment
There are many things to consider when setting up suitable housing for your dwarf rabbit. Size and location are two major concerns when it comes to dwarf rabbit care, but sticking to a cleaning schedule is also crucial. Cage size Although dwarf rabbits are one of the smallest breeds, they still need a lot of space.
Many pet experts recommend a minimum height of 18 by 24 inches with a height of 14 inches, although many rabbit enthusiasts recommend a cage size of 4 by 2 by 2 feet or larger, which allows more room for exercise. Type of cage bottom You can choose a wire or hard bottom cage, as long as you are sure that there is a place where the rabbit can rest its feet.
The gap under a wire should be no more than ¼ inch between bars. Outdoor hutches usually provide a fully enclosed area where the rabbit can enjoy grass, as well as a loft where the rabbit can go inside for added protection.
Keep the cage clean. If you choose a hard bottom cage, you should litter box train your Netherland to keep his cage clean. You can use hay straw, or aspen shavings as bedding. Do not use pine or cedar shavings as the scent of these woods can be deadly to rabbits.
Remove the droppings as often as needed to keep the environment healthy and give the cage a thorough scrubbing once a week. Use an appropriate feeder and waterer.
The best feeder is one that attaches to the cage wall so the food won’t be tipped over into the bedding. Water bottles are preferable to open crocks because they prevent the water from becoming spilled or fouled with bedding or droppings. Cage Location The rabbit’s cage should be kept in an area of the house that isn’t susceptible to drafts.
If your pet is going to be kept outside, Which isn’t the best option for this small breed? He’ll need an enclosed hatch to protect him from the elements, as well as plenty of hay to nest in and stay warm.
Offer shade from direct sun. The Netherlands can also succumb to heatstroke very easily so also plan to locate the cage in an area where it will have shade from direct sun, and put a frozen 2-liter bottle of water in the cage on hotter days to help cool the environment. Check and refresh your pet’s water bottle several times a day.
Netherlands dwarf rabbits’ full-grown adult diet
According to the Rabbit Producers Association, a Netherland dwarf should receive approximately ⅛ cup per pound of body weight. Unlimited fresh Timothy hay Unlimited fresh water Limited amounts of fresh vegetable Match amount of food to weight. Each rabbit is unique, so you can increase or decrease the amount of pellets fed according to whether he feels too fat or too thin.
This breed standard states adult bucks should top out around two and a half pounds, so you can use that measurement as a guideline, but make sure his weight is a good match for his framework.
Foods for your Netherlands dwarf Rabbit.
According to the House Rabbit Society, a rabbit’s diet should consist of pellets, fresh hay, clean water, and fresh vegetables.
However, that diet varies by age, so it’s crucial to feed age-appropriate foods to avoid stressing your pet’s digestive system. Feeding a Rabbit Baby Birth to 4 Months A Netherland kit nurses from his mother for his first three weeks of life.
By four weeks old, he can begin nibbling small amounts of alfalfa pellets, as well as a bit of loose alfalfa. By about 7 weeks of age, he will wean from his mother and be able to survive on pellets, loose alfalfa, and water until his digestive system has matured enough to begin introducing vegetables and grains.
Feeding at 4 to 7 months. At this age, you can begin introducing a small number of vegetables into your pet’s diet, but it’s important to only introduce one type of vegetable at a time.
Only offer about a teaspoon’s worth so you don’t upset his digestive system. A little Netherlands digestive tract, like all rabbits, is quite delicate, and sudden changes can lead to diarrhea and, in the worst-case scenario, death.
Feeding rabbits 7 months to 1 year. At this age, a young Netherlands dwarf is maturing into adulthood, and his diet will need other careful adjustments.
Switch from alfalfa to hay. Around 7 months old, the loose alfalfa portion of the diet should be slowly replaced with hay. Oxbow Animal Health particularly recommends Timothy hay as a good source of roughage and nutrients, But oat hay and brome are also good choices and provide variety as well.
Chewing hay allows rabbits to grind down their teeth and keep them in good condition. Hay’s high fiber content also keeps hairballs from turning into bowel obstructions. This is also the time to switch from alfalfa pellets to timothy pellets since alfalfa can be fattening for adults.
Keep fruits to a minimum. A few fruits may also be introduced at this age, but use them as treats and offer them sparingly. A teaspoon-sized serving of apple or a thin slice of banana is more than enough. Follow the same plan for introducing fruit as recommended for vegetables, and watch to see if they upset your pet’s digestive system.
Veterinary care for Netherland dwarf bunnies.
Providing your Netherlands with regular veterinary care can help you spot problems before they grow out of control.
Just like cats and dogs, rabbits should receive annual checkups. Vaccinations. According to the Center Sinai Animal Hospital, pet rabbits do not require any vaccinations in the USA.
However, there are a couple of serious diseases that rabbits need to be vaccinated against in other parts of the world, including Europe and the UK. Viral hemorrhagic disease.
This is a deadly form of calicivirus, and even though is not as rampant in the USA as it is in some other countries, rabbits should be vaccinated against the virus because it is highly contagious.
The initial vaccination should be given between 12 and 14 weeks old, with boosters given according to your veterinarian’s recommendation. Myxomatosis This is a viral disease that is transmitted via parasites like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, mites, and lice.
It can also be passed from one infected rabbit to another, and the infection is usually fatal. This disease is not very common in the United States, and there is no vaccine approved for use in this country as of 2014. However, A vaccine against myxomatosis does exist and is used in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
The initial vaccination should be given at 6 weeks old and repeated yearly or at your veterinarian’s recommendation. Parasite Control Rabbits are subject to fleas, mites, and other parasites just like many other pets.
Let your veterinarian help you choose a rabbit-safe preventative product to protect your netherland from these pests.
Warming Intestinal worms can rob your Netherlands of nutrition, So it’s wise to carry out routine warming twice a year using a rabbit-safe warming product as recommended by your veterinarian. Dental care for your dwarf bunny.
Netherlands dwarf rabbits not only like to chew, but they also need to chew because their teeth grow constantly. If they don’t chew frequently, their teeth can grow out of control.
Your pet’s diet of pellets and hay should help keep his tooth growth in check, but he’ll also enjoy small chewable toys and branches from fruit trees. There appears to be a higher occurrence of malocclusion in Netherland dwarf rabbits than in other rabbit breeds.
Malocclusion occurs when a young dwarf has a growth spurt, but the jaw and mandible don’t grow at the same rate.
The bottom incisors protrude away from the upper incisors, which means they won’t be able to work together when chewing to prevent them from growing out of control.
It may be possible for the vet to trim the teeth to bring the problem under control. Grooming your dwarf rabbit. Netherland rabbits don’t need a lot of grooming since they keep themselves clean.
When they’re going through a period of shedding, they might appreciate a little help removing excess fur. Use a soft brush or comb and brush in the natural direction of the rabbit’s fur. You can also take this opportunity to check for parasites.
The nails on a Netherlands dwarf Rabbit will need to be trimmed regularly. You can do this yourself using a cat claw trimmer to trim just the nail tips, or your vet can perform the task for you.
A little care goes a long way. Aside from the higher rate of malocclusion in Netherland rabbits, they are fairly easy to care for. Spend time with your pet each day so you can become more familiar with them.
This will help you spot troubles early when they are generally easier to treat. Providing a good diet, regular cage cleaning, and some playtime will keep your Netherlands healthy and happy.
Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Show Quality A good show quality Netherland Dwarf will have a short, compact body that is well-rounded, with a visual appearance somewhat of looking at half of a rainbow.
As a senior, six plus months of age, will not weigh over two and a half pounds the shoulders will be deep, and equally as wide as the hindquarters, showing no tapering.
The overall appearance should be well balanced, with the top line showing that the shoulder depth is carried through to well-filled hindquarters.
The legs are to be short, and bone density should be medium consistent. One way to judge this is to look at the front leg. You don’t want the leg to resemble a pencil or a cigar, instead, you want something in the middle of that, having a resemblance such as a Sharpie marker.
When judging the Netherlands, they should be posed properly, in a natural state. In other words, they should not be pushed forward or down, nor should they be stretched out.
To receive the best natural pose, handle the rabbit gently without forcing it into a set position against its will. It should present as being very well balanced throughout, without significant prominence being drawn to one particular feature of the animal, as this accomplishment is one preferred by the judges rather than having traits that stand out while other traits are lacking.
Behavior. Letting your Netherland dwarf rabbit know that you mean no harm can be a little bit of a learning curve.
because of their naturally shy and slightly skittish disposition, this rabbit is not recommended for families who have young children, as they can easily be dropped and get hurt if they are far off the ground.
Socialize these rabbits at a young age and offer plenty of human interaction, their shy nature should diminish and you’ll have an adorably energetic rabbit who enjoys the company of their human handlers.
They are also great little bunnies for couples, singles, or seniors who live in either a home or an apartment. Another learning curve is litter training. Like most rabbits, Potty training them is arguably more difficult than teaching a dog and cat, but not impossible.
Most rabbits go in a particular corner in their cage so it won’t be too hard to find out where they’d rather go in your home. Many rabbit owners have found success by placing several rabbit litter boxes around the house so they don’t have to hop into their cages to do the deed.
With lots of time, patience, and rewards, it is very much possible to train these little bundles of fur where to do their business. Pet rabbits who are out of their enclosures generally need some toys to keep them occupied.
This can be as simple as a few rolls of empty toilet paper rolls they can chew up. It all depends on your rabbit’s personality and what they like to play with. As with any pet, be sure you rabbit-proof your room.
Netherland dwarfs are adorably little rabbits who can make amazing pets for the right owners. They are energetic and captivating companions. Remember before you bring any new pet into your home make sure you do your research and prepare properly.
Rabbits are adorable but they are also a lifetime commitment. Do your research to set yourself up for success, and you should have many happy years with your furry friend to look forward to.