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Polish Rabbit

Family: LeporidaeOryctolagus cuniculusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   If you want a very nice but small pet bunny, the Polish Rabbit makes an excellent choice!

   There are two distinct types of Polish Rabbits: The Britannia Petite (British Polish), and the American Polish. These are both very small rabbits. The British Petite is the tinier of the two, weighing only about 2 1/2 pounds, while the American Polish is a little larger weighing closer to 3 1/2 pounds. Pictured above are American Polish Rabbit babies that are about 5 weeks old.

   Polish Rabbits are very intelligent little bunnies. They can follow voice commands and hand signals, which they learn mostly through repetition. The Polish Rabbit, along with the Netherland Dwarf Rabbit, is one of the most common small animal breeds used by Magicians for their magic acts. Magicians use them because they are not only small and smart, but they have the right temperament for performing. They are also not afraid of children and enjoy being petted by them!

   Polish Rabbits are friendly and affectionate. They are ideal for children to handle with their smaller hands, as well as for people with coordination difficulties. Their small size makes them easy to feed and house as well.

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

Background:    The British Polish rabbit is the original rabbit that was termed a "dwarf". They were first recognized in Hull, Yorkshire in 1884.
   American Polish rabbits are larger than their British counterparts. They originate from British Polish rabbits, but also have other small-rabbit genes mixed in (such as the Netherland Dwarf Rabbit).

Description:    British Polish rabbits are very petite, and compact, with a maximum weight of 2.5 pounds.
   American Polish rabbits, larger than their British counterparts, have an upper weight closer to 3.5 pounds, and have longer ears than the Netherlands.

Color differences:    The British Polish rabbit: In the USA, the only color accepted for showing is albino (white with red eyes), but in Britain, many more colors are accepted.
   The American Polish rabbit: Their colors include black, blue, and chocolate with generally matching color eyes, and white with ruby or blue eyes.

   Check with the American Rabbit Breeders Association for acceptable colors if you are thinking of having a Polish Rabbit for showing rather than just as a pet.

Lastest Comments on Polish Rabbits View all 65 comments on Polish Rabbits Add Your Comment

Julia Torti - 2011-10-07 How much do polish dwarf rabbits cost ?????????Do poliisgh dwarf rabbits bite much? Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-10-07 Polish cost around $25 normally and they are pretty easy going. Not bitey but like to taste your fingers when little. Not biting just more like a pup licks you. Reply

Mr. YNOT - 2010-03-16 I would like to know when the female rabbits are ready to have babies. Click For Replies (1) LUVURBUNS - 2011-09-06 They reach sexual maturity (AKA adulthood) at about 6 months (They are recongnized as adults but that does not mean that they are actually able to breed) it depends on their lineage. Reply

John Greenwood - 2009-05-24 I have a pair of Polish Rabbits , they are sisters , our problem is one sister keeps biting the other pulling its hair out leaving a sore. We have separated them at this time to prevent more problems and Velvet is healing well. Is this normal behavior and is there anything we can do to help them get along so they can stay together? They have an outside hutch as well as inside. Any suggestions? Click For Replies (2) Er Korbel - 2011-09-06 I know this is a few years late, but it's my first time on the site. I came across your posting and felt compelled to respond in case it benefits someone else looking for the same type of answer. From what I have read, females are more territorial then males. Yes, I was surprised to read this while doing my research for my own rabbit the last few months. That is why they say when breeding bunnies to never leave a male and female together (unless they are fixed) because the female is aggressive towards the male because she will claim the space. You are supposed to take the female to the males cage never the other way around. In your case, it sounds like the female is a lot more aggressive and territorial then your other female. You didn't list if they were fixed or not, so this may not apply if they are indeed fixed. However, they have also stated in many sites I've read that if a rabbit is anxious, aggressive, etc before getting fixed it make them permanently that way after they are fixed. The best way to have a bunny fixed is to make sure they are comfortable, not anxious and in a good place temperamentally before having them fixed. However from the information you shared it sounds like a territory issue and the one rabbit is being aggressive towards your other bunny. I hope this helps someone that may be having the same issue and is looking for answers. As for you, i hope this situation has been resolved. Take care! LUVURBUNS - 2011-09-06 I would NOT recommend getting them fixed unless you have a vet that specializes in rabbits around you. DO NOT DO IT IF YOU DO NOT! If the vet is NOT knoledgable on rabbits HE COULD KILL UR RABBIT!!! BE CAREFUL! Reply

Yohanon - 2008-03-21 Frankie is 12 + years; aside from cateracts he behaves like a kitten. Gets a butter cookie every a.m. and loves most fruits and some veggies (won't eat carrots). Waits until I eat something (fruit, veggies, bread) to make sure it's OK. LOVES challah & matzeh (he's in a Jewish home which means he is not neutered.) WONDEREFUL pet. Puts up with 3 children and travels fairly well. Has a litter box but leaves pills all over the place (I'm well trained). Great pet. Click For Replies (3) Yohanon - 2010-04-11 Frankie made it to 13 and a half. In the last month or so he starting falling down and finally got to the point where he was unable to stand. He did not seem to be in pain, but his systems were shutting down and he had to be held in order to eat or drink. On April 7 I found a vet who sent Frankie gently into the night. It's hard to lose a such an unconditional friend. Yohanon - 2010-05-11 Frankie died 7 April 2010; nearly 14 years old. Not the same without him. Yohanon - 2010-07-26 Frankie died 7 April 2010. Reply

DW - 2009-09-05 My daughter's pet bunny (a Polish Dwarf) named Ben was a fixture in our family for four years. As far as bunnies go, he was a very gentle, laid back rabbit who loved people and would frequently run back and forth into his house whenever we were near to ensure he was noticed. One week ago he was very lethargic and stopped eating. We finally took him to the vet three days later and they gave him an IV drip for fluid loss and a shot for pain. My daughter came home with meds, instructions for feeding him and when he came home he indeed seemed better, more lively. He accepted water from a dropper and was even more active (which complicated things because we were told to keep him warm). He was eating food the morning after the visit but seemed to get progressively worse throughout that day and when we awoke Thursday morning, he had passed away. As a father, I felt my daughter's grief but I experienced my own sense of profound loss as my little friend who would hop around the floor at my feet soliciting attention and a scratch. We buried him in our garden and tears welled up in my eyes as I replaced the dirt in his grave. I will miss my daughter's pet; he quickly became a special and important part of our family. Click For Replies (1) SP - 2010-07-24 I know how you feel. I had a Polish Dwarf named Trevor. He was white, with the prettiest blue eyes. A friend gave him to me when he was about two. He died June 30, 2010 at the age of 13. I am 44 years old and it was hard for me to lose him. He was like Ben, very gentle and loving and loved to run around and play. Reply

Jill - 2009-07-10 I need to find another dwarf Polish bunny!! We had a wonderful pair, Isabelle & Gimli. She passed away suddenly last night and we are beyond sad. Gimli looks absolutely bewildered. He had been in the cage with her when she died and was licking her face. This is so awful. I'm not sure whether he will take to another companion, but would like to try. Unfortunately I cannot find much on-line about dwarf Polish rabbits. He is so small I don't really want to get anything else. Does anybody have any suggestions? Know someone who has a dwarf Polish doe, maybe? I was also wondering if we should try a guinea pig. I've heard they are a common companion animal for rabbits. Click For Replies (1) Anonymous - 2010-07-12 Good for you we have one but my dad will not give them away. Reply

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