10 Best Rabbit Breeds for Kids (With Pictures)
By Grant Piper
Updated on
Rabbits are a popular type of pet for families with children. What many people don’t know is that the term rabbit encompasses an extremely wide array of different breeds. In fact, there are dozens of official breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, and dozens more that aren’t. Not all of these breeds are suitable for children, especially young children. That makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly what kind of rabbit you should be looking for for your kids. The good news is that there are plenty of diverse options that are great for children.
In this listicle, we’ve come up with 10 of the best rabbit breeds for kids that you can look into today.
Top 5 Rabbit Breeds for Kids
1. Himalayan Rabbit
| Size | Medium |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
Himalayan rabbits are some of the calmest rabbits available. This calm demeanor makes them perfect for children. They are also fairly intelligent and can learn basic commands like to come for food or respond to their name. Using these basic commands delights children. Himalayan rabbits are the ancestor to the California rabbit, another breed on this list, and were originally raised as meat rabbits. Today, they are largely marketed as calm pets that are perfect for children eager to try their hands at rabbit rearing. They also have a middling lifespan, so parents might be happy to learn that they won’t overstay their welcome.
2. Dutch Rabbit
| Size | Medium |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
Dutch rabbits were one of the most popular breeds of rabbits for many, many years. One glance at this breed, and you will instantly recognize them. They have an extremely recognizable pattern that evokes images of the Easter Bunny. Their adorable look and calm demeanor make Dutch rabbits ideal for children. Dutch rabbits only dropped in popularity when species of dwarf rabbits started usurping them. Still, Dutch rabbits are classic rabbits that will instantly appeal to nearly every family.
3. Chinchilla Rabbits
| Size | Large |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
Chinchilla rabbits are often recommended for first-time pet owners. That makes them great for children. Chinchilla rabbits get their name from the fact that their gray coats closely resemble the fur of the standard chinchilla. These rabbits were initially bred for these distinctive coats, but today, they are primarily kept as pets. Chinchilla rabbits can be very large. The American variety and the giant variety are both very large, which makes them different from many other popular species of pet rabbits. Despite their size, they still have a similar lifespan to other smaller rabbits. Between their unique appearance and calm nature, these rabbits are great for families of all kinds.
4. Mini Lop Rabbit
| Size | Small |
| Lifespan | 7–14 years |
Mini Lops are a very popular breed of rabbit, and it is not hard to see why. These rabbits are adorable. They have a small stature and fluffy fur, which kids love. Small rabbits must be handled carefully as they are easier to injure than larger rabbits. Mini Lops should not be confused with Miniature Lops, which is the British variety. They are also different from Dwarf Lops. Any variety of Lop would likely make a great pet for a child. Be careful showing a Mini Lop to your children because they are likely to fall in love with them at first glance.
- Related Read:Â How Much Do Mini Lop Rabbits Cost?
5. Harlequin Rabbits
| Size | Medium–Large |
| Lifespan | 5–7 years |
Harlequin rabbits originally hailed from France, and they are bred for their beautiful coats. Harlequin rabbits have gorgeous colors and patterns that instantly set them apart from other rabbits. These bunnies can get large, but some individuals are considered to be medium rabbits. The largest Harlequin rabbits can reach weights of up to 10 pounds. These rabbits are very gentle, calm, and rather intelligent. They can respond to their name and be litterbox trained, which makes them an ideal choice of rabbit for kids.
Top 5 Additional Good Options
6. Florida White
| Size | Small–Medium |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
The Florida White rabbit is a classic white bunny that will appeal to people who enjoy white animals. The Florida White is fairly compact and does not require a lot of space which makes it a great choice for people who do not have ample room for a large rabbit hutch at home. These rabbits are good-natured and sweet. They are also considered to be a hardy species which means they are generally strong and healthy. Other rabbits can suffer from health problems that can be distressing for children to manage. These rabbits were largely used as laboratory animals until such practices started getting outlawed. Today, they are friendly pets, perfect for children of all ages.
7. Thrianta
| Size | Small |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
The Thrianta rabbit is known for its bright red color. These rabbits were originally bred in the Netherlands before slowly making their way to Germany, then the United Kingdom, and finally the United States. These rabbits are very calm and easy to handle, which makes them ideal for families with small children. Thriantas were once the official rabbit of the Dutch royal family in the years leading up to World War II. The war devastated the rabbit population and popularity but it has slowly rebounded and it is now a popular pet and show rabbit. Kids will love this rabbit’s personality and red coloring.
8. Havana
| Size | Small |
| Lifespan | 5–7 years |
Havana rabbits are small rabbits that make ideal pets. They are available in five distinct colors: chocolate, lilac, black, blue, and broken. The original coloring was chocolate, and the name is derived from the rich brown color that reminded breeders of a Cuban cigar. Today, black Havanas are just as common as the original brown ones. These rabbits are small and sweet and do not need a lot of space or intensive care to own. These rabbits are even flagged as being acceptable for apartment living which makes them more versatile than some smaller rabbits.
9. California
| Size | Large |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years |
California rabbits were, unsurprisingly, bred in California. The original rabbits were bred to be used for meat. Today, these rabbits are more commonly found as pets as the use of rabbit fur and rabbit meat has plummeted in popularity since the 1920s when they were originally bred. These rabbits are known for their unique coloring. They are primarily white, but they sport dark ears, a cute spot on the nose, and dark feet. This coloring sets these rabbits apart from other pure white rabbits. These rabbits can grow large and can live up to 10 years in captivity which makes them a great long-term option for a kid looking for a lasting companion.
10. Lionhead
| Size | Small |
| Lifespan | 7–9 years |
Lionhead rabbits are rapidly growing in popularity due to their unique appearance. These dwarf rabbits sport a fuzzy mane that encircles the head, not unlike a lion. Between their compact size and fuzzy fur these rabbits can instantly melt anyone’s heart. Lionheads are fun to look at, but you have to be careful handling them. Families with small children should carefully consider before getting a Lionhead. Their small stature makes them more fragile than other rabbits on this list and their adorable appearance can make young kids want to handle them rougher than they normally like, so keep that in mind.
Conclusion
This list contains a large variety of rabbits that are perfect for families with children. There are small rabbits, medium rabbits, and large rabbits to choose from. Some of these rabbits are prized for their docile nature and others are valued for their distinctive looks. All of these rabbits will feel right at home as a part of your family and your children are sure to fall in love with these adorable pets.
Featured Image Credit: Julia Kuznetsova, Shutterstock
