


Most dwarf breeds top out at around four to five pounds (1.8 to 2.3 kilograms). The Netherland Dwarf rabbit is small, even for a dwarf rabbit. Netherland Dwarf rabbits achieved recognition in the Netherlands in 1940, in Britain in 1950, and in the United States in 1969. The result of this attempt was a mighty mini that is not only smaller than other dwarf rabbits but which does, indeed, come in an astounding variety of colours. A group of pet rabbit breeders in the Netherlands bred the Hermelin (or “ Polish Rabbit”) with native wild rabbits, in an attempt to create a new small pet rabbit breed that came in a large number of pleasing colours. Thirty years of selective breeding went into the creation of the Netherland Dwarf. You’ll know this breed by its small size, short, high, upright ears and its flattened face. It’s the smallest of these breeds, but owners will attest that they’re among the feistiest of all pets. The Netherland Dwarf is one of a handful of dwarf breeds. They also have some special needs as far as care. These rabbits may be small in stature, but they’re big in personality. Dental problems can also be an indication of age, as rabbits’ teeth continue to grow throughout their lives.It’s a fact: the Netherland Dwarf is one of the most popular rabbit breeds in the world. However, you can look for signs of aging such as graying fur, a decrease in activity level, and the appearance of lumps or bumps under the skin. How can you tell the age of an adult rabbit?Īfter six months of age, it can be more difficult to tell the age of a rabbit. You can also look at their size and overall development, as rabbits grow rapidly in their first six months of life. At this age, their adult teeth will start to grow, which can help you estimate their age. Juvenile rabbits are typically between three and six months old. How can you tell the age of a juvenile rabbit? By eight weeks old, baby rabbits are fully weaned and can be safely separated from their mother. At around four to six weeks old, they will start to venture out of the nest and become more active. By week three, they will start to grow fur and open their eyes. Sourcesįrequently Asked Questions How can you tell the age of a baby rabbit?īaby rabbits are born hairless, blind, and deaf, and remain in the nest for their first two weeks of life. Older rabbits have a lot of love to give and will be incredibly grateful to be given another chance to live out its days happily as your new companion. Although knowing the rabbit’s age is advantageous when taking one on don’t let not knowing put you off. So, this is our best advice for determining the approximate age of a rabbit.
NETHERLAND DWARF RABBIT ADULT SKIN
The heel of the rabbit’s feet (tarsus bone) and the point where it meets the rabbit’s foot (the calcaneus bone) is a little like our elbow joint with the skin pulled tight over the heel of the foot. Foot Condition and Rabbit AgeĪs mentioned earlier, the feet are probably the biggest clue to a rabbit’s age.

In contrast, a young rabbit has a very soft delicate underbelly. One more accurate measure described by some vets involves the toughness of a rabbit’s tissue, this measure is said to be particularly noticeable during spaying and neutering procedures with vets describing older rabbits, particularly males who have been impacted long term by testosterone as having very tough skin. It is true however that older rabbits are more likely to suffer from malocclusion (overgrown misaligned incisors) due to the fact that they may eat a little less than younger rabbits, so if the teeth are overgrown, you are probably looking at a rabbit that is well into its adult years.
