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Dutch RabbitsHollander Rabbits

Family: Leporidae

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Oryctolagus cuniculusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

     Dutch Rabbits are small colorful bunnies with a great disposition. They are an excellent pet choice for children and make a great first bunny!

   The baby Dutch Rabbits pictured above are about four weeks old. They are still very small and even as adults they will stay small.

     The Dutch Rabbit is not a "dwarf" but it is a very small rabbit. Probably the most recognizable of the small breed rabbits because of its distinct markings. It is an excellent all around pet as well as a good choice for showing. Their easy going personality and their small size makes them easy to house.

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

Background:      Introduced into England from Holland in 1864, the Dutch Rabbit is one of the oldest of the domesticated rabbit breeds and are referred to as Hollander Rabbits in Holland. They are bred as pets, for showing, and as lab animals.

Description:      The adult size is about 4 1/2 pounds. Medium sized and large sized rabbits can get much larger than that! Dutch rabbits can be identified by their distinctive markings, which include the white blaze on their faces and the white band around their upper bodies.

Color differences:      Black is the most popular color of the Dutch Rabbits but other nice colors include blue, chocolate, tortoise, steel gray, and gray.

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Latest Comments
Just this morning we lost our dutch bunny Mandy. She lived to be seven years old. She wanted to be like the kitties and play with toys and have goodies. Love her very much and miss her already.When I first started to take care of I really didn't want her but she became part of the family. When I found her this morning I was and still Broken Hearted and miss her very much. Didn't think a bunny could mean so much! Gary 2010-02-06
Bun Bun just appeared in our back yard one day about four years ago. We tried to find his owner but no one claimed him. He was an unusual black/white dutch in that his face was solid black with a white spot on his nose. My wife had never wanted or had a pet before so we let him stay on our back porch. After getting attached to him we eventually brought him inside and bought him a cage but left the door open. My wife started calling him her baby and a special love developed between all of us including the grown children and grand-children. He was just like family. He was so loving and sweet and brougt a special joy to us all at just the right time. We had been going through one crisis after another and I know he was God sent. We can certainly relate to the owners of George. It was certainly one of the saddest days in our lives on Aug. 27, 2009 when we lost him after a couple says of sicknes. One of the best exotic vets in the area couldn't save him so God must have wanted him back for some reason. We buried him in about the same spot we first found him and had a special grave stone made with his picture etched on it. We keep a bright live plant next to him and it gives us both joy and sadness when we look out our kitchen window or set on the porch. The joy of having him in our lives for a season was certainly worth the sadness of missing him(and we do miss him so much). I'm not sure if and when we will get another rabbit but if and when we do it will be another Dutch. They are so sweet and gentel and would make a wonderful pet for anyone regardless of age. We love and miss our Bun Bun. Jerry Miller 2009-11-21
My George, who was 11 years 2 months, has now passed since my last comment. He was our whole world and we are devastated. We had to put him to sleep. The osteoarthritis started to effect his whole spime, he had a seizure and neurological damage. He did not eat and drink for almost 2 days. He knew it was his time. Our vet let us stay with him till the very end. We gave him the most important thing, love. Take care of your precious bunnies and they too will live a long and happy life. REST IN PEACE GEORGE. 8/14/1998 - 10/10/2009 CANDEE G. NEW YORK CITY Candee Gelo 2009-10-10
I have a black and white dutch rabbit named George. George just celebrated his 11 th birthday with us. He now has severe osteoarthritis in his right front and hind leg. He falls alot but pushes himself. I have been giving him joint pills for dogs 2 times a day over the counter chewables by Hartz. I also rub and massage his legs when I come home from work and some days he seems to do well. His appetite is really good. He enjoys everything. He knows when he takes his pills to drink water after. All I do is say "George, Glucosamine Chondroitin" and he hobbles and eats it fast. He loves to sit in the living room and watch T.V. All you can do is to give them more attention and love when older and count each day you have them over a certain age as a blessing. Bunnies are the best. Candee Gelo 2009-08-30
I still have my Mr. Bunny... 5 years later, and he's still ticking. And, he still thinks he's a baby.. When he gets mad, he likes to thump his foot. He throws fits like a baby, and licks to lick my hand for attention. Still so sweet after all these years! Darla 2009-08-19
Some of the coolest comments:
My sister and I got two Dutch rabbits when I was 16 and she was 11. They are now about 5 years old and are the nicest pet bunnies I have ever seen! We have a male named Rebel and a female named Misty (brother and sister) and they get along wonderfully. We got them neutered and spayed, of course. I used to work at a daycare and I would frequently take the rabbits there and let the little kids pet and hold them--they behaved so well! They are both house trained and are basically like cats. They will fully stretch out on their backs and let us pet their tummies (sometimes they fall asleep!) I would highly reccomend a dutch rabbit to anyone with children. Kel 2006-04-21
I have 1 black dutch and 1 blue dutch. I fell in love with the breed instantly. They have excellent litter training habbits and one of the sweetest smartest breeds i own. My black dutch is almost a year old and such a bundle of joy. He was litter trained in about 2 days of our getting him. We got him from a shelter i volunteer for. My blue dutch is 9weeks old and such fun. She was litter trained the day we got her so shes a very smart girl. She will be going to her first show in July. I would recommend A dutch to anyone getting their first rabbit. They are very easy to train and very beautiful. Dutches are only a small size so you will only need a small sized dog crate or pen to put them in. Grooming is needed maybe every 2 weeks depending on if they are molting or not. Brittany D 2005-04-14
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
Hi! I just love my dutch rabbits Mary, Margeret, and Ruthy. They are so cute and I am learning lots! I've had them for 2 or so years. I am learning new things I never knew about them before. Thank-you for having so much info. It will be so helpful.:} trisha 2006-07-19
I am so happy! Today I got my first Dutch rabbit, Clover. She is seven weeks old. Although she is a mix I can already see the dutch in her personality. She is very curious about everything. What does that taste like? What happens if I do this? She is also very outgoing and loves in play peek a boo by hiding her face, then poking out to see what I will do. I am happy to join all the dutch owners in all the stories and funny comments! lulu 2006-07-03
I am really excited after reading all of these comments because tomorrow, I am getting my first dutch rabbit! I can't wait to join in all the bunny stories! Thanks for all your comments because this will make me a better pet owner! Lu Lu 2006-07-02

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