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English Spot Rabbit

Family: LeporidaeOryctolagus cuniculusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy: Nathan Hager

  The English Spot Rabbit is prized for its beauty and graceful appearance!

   English Spot rabbits are mid-sized rabbits that are very active. They eat very little compared to most breeds its size. This, along with their love for running and jumping, contributes to the breed's long, slender build.

   The English Spot Rabbot has a generally calm disposition and tolerates other pets very well. When handled starting at a young age, they can make good pets. But they are not the best choice for small children due to their high energy level.

   English Spot does are known for being great mothers. Sometimes they will even raising young rabbits of other breeds in addition to their own litters.

For more information about Rabbits and their care see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Rabbit

Background:

   The origins of the English Spot are uncertain. It is believed to be a descendent of the English Butterfly, and is known to go back to at least the mid-1800s. The breed was brought to the United States in 1910. Once sporting patches of color, the English Spot was selectively bred to achieve today's spotted pattern.

Description:

   The English Spot's body has a full arch and long, slender limbs that are perfect for running. Its head is well proportioned with the rest of the body, and its ears are fairly long, colored and upright.
   The most important feature in the English Spot is its markings. Only half of the rabbits most litters have the traditional markings, with spots and a stripe down the back. These are the only ones that are featured in shows. The rest of the average litter is split between solid-colored and partially marked rabbits.

Color differences:

   Recognized varieties of the English Spot include black, blue, chocolate, gray, gold, lilac, and tortoise. All of these names refer to the rabbit's spots, as no background color other than white is permissible.

Availability

   English Spots are reasonably easy to find, especially if you aren't looking for show quality. Prices range from $5 for pet quality rabbits to $50 for show and breed stock.

References

Photo contributed by: Nathan Hager of 4 Ever Friends Rabbitry
"English Spot Rabbit", Copyright 2001-2008 Bryntel Technologies
"What Is the English Spot", Copyright American English Spot Rabbit Club
"English Spot FAQ", "English Spots for Sale", Copyright 2002-2008 Stephanie Bartlett
"For Sale", Copyright GloryAcres.net
"List of Rabbit Breeds", Wikipedia, Copyright 2008

Lastest Comments on English Spot Rabbit View all 12 comments on English Spot Rabbit Add Your Comment

Dale - 2011-02-21 I've already got a vet appt. but our English Spot is shedding in clumps is this normal? Anonymous - 2011-07-05 Yes, it's normal because all rabbits old fur will fall out and new ones will grow. bryce - 2011-08-28 it's totally normal he is just molting Becca - 2012-05-09 Just make sure to brush him every day during molting and every other day otherwise. They will still shed full time, but molting just means they are preparing for summer or winter. Reply

Kelly Bullington Koch - 2011-10-20 What would happen if my E-spotted rabbit maitted with a Rex? Charlie Roche - 2011-10-20 Some might look like dad and some might look like mom but most would look like a cross breed between the two. You'd have a very soft, dense coated sorta spotted or patterned baby bunnies. They should be adorable. Becca - 2012-05-09 I would expect 25% Rex, 25% English spots, and 50% mixed. However, you cannot show them even if they are the correct markings, because the ARBA states that your bin must be a pedigree, which means you must be able to trace back your buns history three generations, all the same breed. Lastly, if you ever bred your marked buns, (let's say you wanted to breed your Rex mix) their babies might actually look like an English spot, because they are carriers of their other parents trait. Reply

Kendra - 2008-07-04 These Rabbits look very cool and I love the spot designs on them! Hev - 2011-05-01 Same here, they're so loving and nice sounding, I want one. Jillian - 2011-12-04 Well, yes they are. I have a 2 year old English Spot named Violet, and she is adorable. :) She loves to dig a hole right underneath our Butterfly bush in our backyard, and also enjoys snow. Some of them aren't very playful or like to jump. They also LOVE to destroy newspaper and cardboard. It would be best to get your bunny a wicker house, a LOT of chew toys, and put a blanket in it. Also, they are extremely fast runners. She is over-weight though, so if you know what I could do about that, please comment on this. Thanks. :) Becca - 2012-05-09 Just gradually start feeding less and less pellets, until your bun is kept on a hay based diet. Remember, this must be very gradual. If your bun starts to lose weight, that's great! If you want, you can slowly introduce the pellets again once she's normal weight again, but you can also just keep her on hay. Hope it helped! Becca - 2012-05-09 Oh I almost forgot, if you get your rabbit back on pellets, make sure you are feeding less than before, because this is probably why your bun became overweight in the first place. Also make sure the pellets you are feeding her are low in carbon (about 5%) and high in fiber (about 15%-20%) Reply

John T. - 2011-10-25 Our family inherited an Engilsh Spot rabbit a few months ago. I built a pen for her outside up off the ground about for feet. I built walls on hinges so they can fold down and a solid roof. My question is, should I put in a heat lamp for her because tempature can go down to high 20's to low 30's. Is there anyone out there that can answer my question. I've looked on a lot of websites and no answer yet. Thanks. Charlie Roche - 2011-10-26 Yes, put a heat lamp in. That is cold. You can place the lamp so it doesn't hit the entire area but one end of it so your bunny can move around to a place where the heat from the lamp is comfortable for them. Reply

Hev - 2011-05-01 Do you know if they sell them anywhere in hertfordshire, like pets at home or the Japanese koi place, as I really like them and have had a rabbit in the past, also, what is your opinion, are male or female rabbits nicer? Charlie Roche - 2011-05-02 I don't know where you can purchase them but I had 8 rabbits and I didn't notice any major difference between the male and female in their cuddly nature or wanting to be held/pet etc. cassie - 2011-05-24 Females are better but put with anoter female and you got trouble. Males you have no problem. Charlie - 2011-06-03 I have a male and female and the male is more cuddly but the female has more personality which is more fun as she loves a lot of attention and is more active. It just depends what appeals to you more. Reply

linzi - 2011-05-20 I have a bunny, she is very energetic, but doesn't seem to like jumping. Do you think she is a English spot rabbit??? Charlie Roche - 2011-05-20 The English Spot Rabbits are known for their love of running and jumping. Does she look like an English Spot. Not all spots jump. What did they tell you when you got her? It doesn't make a lot of difference as long as you love her and she loves you. Reply

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