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combination dwdw. These offspring, often called "peanuts" by rabbit breeders, fail to thrive and most die within 1–3 days of birth. The reasons behind the lethal nature of the dwdw combination is unknown, but it is believed to cause underdeveloped digestive tracts in rabbits. The condition is 100% fatal, although if fed by hand every hour and kept warm, it is possible for a peanut to survive for up to three weeks, even though it will be handicapped for its entire short life. Many ethical breeders humanely euthanise peanuts upon finding them soon after birth. Peanuts are easily distinguished from non-peanuts; they have extremely pinched hindquarters, a bulbous head and their ears are often set further back than normal (sometimes almost onto the neck).
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maximum weight for showing. While false dwarfs (referred to as BUDs by breeders, meaning "big ugly doe") do not make good show rabbits, does from a good background are vital to a breeder's programme. They have the same "good genes" as a true dwarf and are capable mothers, possibly even having larger and more successful litters than true dwarfs. False Dwarfs are also unable to produce peanuts. Their litters will be 50% false dwarfs and 50% true dwarfs if they are bred to a true dwarf buck. False dwarfs are easily judged for quality as the traits are generally the same, only bigger. Ear thickness/shape, fullness of hindquarter, topline and other traits are the same.
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be picked up or held tightly, and may bite, scratch or struggle wildly if the child does so. This often leads to accidents if the child drops them out of fright, which can then lead to injuries due to the fragile nature of rabbit bones. Larger breeds of rabbits are instead recommended for children, because they have fewer issues with temperament.
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Dwarf rabbits also have short legs and a large head in relation to the body. Their foreheads are broad and they have well developed muzzles. Furthermore, the eyes are large and prominent. Their ears are erect and close together, reaching between one and three inches in length. They have to be shorter
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Netherland Dwarfs can be skittish, wild and/or of a disagreeable nature. This is a leftover stereotype from the beginnings of the breed. This has changed through selective breeding; however, they are skittish and aloof. They are extremely active and energetic, requiring the same amount of exercise as
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Pellets should be fed in proportion to the adult rabbit's body weight, with 1/8 cup per pound of body weight recommended; juvenile rabbits, in contrast, are recommended to be fed an unlimited quantity of pellets. Vegetables, in particular dark, leafy greens, are also recommended in proportion to the
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Due to their size and overall disposition, Netherlands Dwarfs often do not make good pets for children although suitability will vary between individual rabbits. Small children, who may play with or pick up the rabbit to cuddle it, are generally not suited to the animal; dwarf rabbits do not like to
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It is common practice among
Netherland Dwarf breeders to breed a proven show quality true dwarf buck to a quality false dwarf doe. This eliminates the chance of peanuts and yields quality offspring. The chances of false dwarfs is higher, but those offspring generally go toward breeding (some false
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However, dwarf rabbits can make excellent pets for adults. They thrive in a quiet, stable environment with plenty of human interaction. They are trainable, quiet and clean. Grooming needs are minimal, but rabbits will typically enjoy a daily brushing. Time is needed to bond with the rabbit and to
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The
Netherland Dwarf has been bred in a wide variety of colours including: Ruby Eyed White, Blue Eyed White, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Red, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke, Sealpoint, Sable Point, Blue Point, Chocolate Point, Tortoiseshell, Agouti, Red Agouti, Opal, Cinnamon, Lynx, Chinchilla,
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If two true dwarfs are bred, the statistical result will be 25% fatal 25% false, and 50% true. The actual numbers of true/false/peanuts in a real litter varies. "False Dwarfs" tend to have longer bodies, longer/larger ears, longer faces, and are mostly heavier than the 2.5 lb (1.1 kg)
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The dwarf gene (symbol Dw) was discovered in the United States during the beginning of the 20th century. When two "true dwarfs" (both buck and doe) are bred, the genetic pattern which makes them "true dwarfs" (Dwdw) ensures that 25 percentage of their offspring will inherit the lethal genetic
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The diet of a
Netherlands Dwarf consists of an unlimited supply of hay, vegetables and good quality pellets. Root vegetables and fruit, which are high in sugar, are not considered suitable for forming a major part of the rabbit's diet, and should be given sparingly in small quantities.
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rabbit's body weight, at 2 cups or more per 6 pounds of body weight. Alfalfa pellets are recommended for juvenile animals, with pellets gradually replaced with other hays and pellets as the rabbit ages, and food curtailed in proportion to the rabbit's weight.
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Netherland Dwarf rabbits can be litter-trained, as they have a natural tendency to choose the same spot for their droppings, and a much higher intelligence than most rabbits, making it easier to litter train them.
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than 2.5 in (64 mm) per ARBA rules; if not, this is a disqualification from competition in the
Netherland Dwarf breed. Dwarf rabbits typically weigh 2–2.5 lb (0.91–1.13 kg) according to ARBA.
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The
Netherland Dwarf's head and eyes are disproportionately large with respect to its short-coupled and stout ("cobby") body. Its ears are notably short and carried high on the head and its face is rounded and
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Squirrel, Tan, Marten Sable, Marten Smoke, Black Otter, Blue Otter, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter, Fox, Orange, Fawn, Hotot, Himalayan, Harlequin, Magpie, Broken, Butterfly and Mantle
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build trust, because dwarf breeds are often more nervous and more aloof than larger breeds. However, when the rabbit has bonded with their owner, they make affectionate pets.
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other breeds of rabbit. They also have a higher tendency towards nervousness and stress. As with any species, disposition will vary from individual to individual.
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dwarf bucks have proven themselves valuable to a breeding programme) or are sold as pets. Usually false dwarf bucks are not kept by breeders.
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Rabbit breeds derived from breeding larger rabbits with the
Netherland Dwarf (or any rabbit with a dwarf gene) are known as
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Wegler, Monika. "The Dwarf Breeds." My Dwarf Rabbit. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's, 2008. 26-31. Print.
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breed of rabbit, but the latter has longer ears, a non-brachycephalic head and less cobbiness.
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Cobby — Short and stocky, close-coupled; very compact. Stocky — Compact, stout, and cobby.
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Early dwarfs, even into the 1970s and 1980s, had fearful and sometimes aggressive
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4-H Rabbit
Project Leader Guide: Introduction, Glossary, and References
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The expected lifespan of domesticated
Netherland Dwarfs is 7–10 years.
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11-week-old
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for their size. The first dwarf rabbits behaved more like these
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appearance. The Netherland Dwarf is recognised by both the
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Young blue-eyed-white Netherland Dwarf eating timothy hay.
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Baskett, Nancy K.; Newman, Jerry A., eds. (1 July 2014).
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Official Guide Book: Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies
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An adult Netherland Dwarf rabbit in Sable Point colour.
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in 1969 using a modification of the British standard.
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The Netherland Dwarf breed was first produced in the
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head and cobby body. Ruby-eyed white colour variety
266:1½ year old red-eyed-white (REW) Netherland Dwarf.
825:"Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Health Facts by Petplan"
635:A one-year-old Chestnut (Agouti) Netherland Dwarf
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214:rabbits than domestic animals and were not good
107:A Netherland Dwarf rabbit; note the short ears,
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549:. Most smaller breeds, like the Mini Rex, the
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535:An adult female Netherland Dwarf, Black Self.
926:Rabbit breeds originating in the Netherlands
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599:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
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403:A grey Netherland Dwarf rabbit, 2 years old
791:(WSU Extension Bulletin EM075E ed.).
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514:A 4-week-old Netherlands Dwarf rabbit.
896:Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Breed History
886:American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club
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769:American Rabbit Breeders Association
708:American Rabbit Breeders Association
597:adding citations to reliable sources
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193:American Rabbit Breeders Association
187:in 1948. In the 1960s and 1970s the
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861:Rabbit Food - House Rabbit Society
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501:A Netherland Dwarf rabbit on swing
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849:Proper Rabbit Maintenance Diet
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293:Domestic rabbit § As pets
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19:For the 2008 short film, see
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732:"Breed Standards 2021-2025"
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704:"ARBA Recognized Breeds"
666:Rabbits and hares portal
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202:. This was a result of
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21:Netherland Dwarf (film)
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59:Distribution
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129:Netherlands
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609:April 2018
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97:8–15 years
580:does not
438:does not
419:Behaviour
377:June 2018
62:Worldwide
652:See also
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253:neotenic
251:. These
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