12 Calmest Rabbit Breeds (With Pictures)
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
If you are in love with the idea of getting a pet bunny but aren’t sure what breed to choose, calm is key. After all, for any novice owner, having an agreeable pet gives you a better introduction—and it’s less overwhelming.
While many pet rabbits are calm if handled correctly and socialized early, some are more docile than others. Here, we rounded up a list of chill rabbit breeds so you can get information on all the possibilities.
The 12 Calmest Rabbit Breeds
1. Himalayan
| Colors: | Black, blue, chocolate, lilac |
| Size: | 3–4 pounds |
| Price: | $15–$60 |
The appearance of a Himalayan rabbit is incredibly unique! It is as impressive with personality as it is with looks. They are highly tolerant and calm, rarely biting or scratching. To put the cherry on top, they make one of the best-fitting domesticated rabbit breeds for children.
They are also perfect if you want a constant companion. Himalayan rabbits don’t enjoy being left alone, and much prefer to be in the company of their humans and other rabbits. So, if you opt for this breed, prepare to have a little hay muncher by your side while you’re home.
2. Flemish Giant
| Colors: | Black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray, white |
| Size: | 15 pounds |
| Price: | $30–$300 |
Flemish Giants have a real charm about them! Well known for being gentle giants, they are revered for their calm, sweet, and docile temperament. These magnificent domestic rabbits are big, big, big! Not only are they large in size, but they also have the brains to match—these guys are smart cookies!
They can easily be litter trained and able to free-range in the home! So, if you’ve been looking for a house bunny, a Flemish Giant might be what you’re looking for.
- Related Read: How Much Is a Giant Flemish Rabbit?
3. English Spot
| Colors: | White with colored markings |
| Size: | 8 pounds |
| Price: | $10–$50 |
If you’re looking for a more outgoing rabbit that loves to be in on the household’s activities, consider checking out an English Spot. Where some rabbits are docile and super even temperamentally, these bunnies are much more entertaining.
They like to be very active and make you laugh with their mannerisms. Since these bunnies make such wonderful playmates, they make excellent first pets for children. Despite being higher energy, they are very easy to handle, so you can hold them without much fuss.
4. Jersey Wooly
| Colors: | Black, white, brown, gray |
| Size: | 3.5 pounds |
| Price: | $30–$40 |
The tiny, adorable Jersey Wooly rabbit is notorious for being very gentle and good-natured. The breed is not known to be aggressive in any way, making them a perfect pick for first-time owners and experienced folks alike. In fact, they have a nickname that proves the point. They are called “no-kick” rabbits.
Jerseys are pretty common in the rabbit world, filling pet shops all over. These tiny little cuties are easy to get your hands on. So, it’s a win that they have a relaxed demeanor and are also easy to come by.
5. Alaska Rabbit
| Colors: | Pitch black |
| Size: | 7–9 pounds |
| Price: | $20–$50 |
The Alaska rabbit has some very distinguishing features that set it apart from many others. It has a pretty standard body, but it has a solid jet-black coat. The American Rabbit Breeders Association does not recognize these rabbits, but they are pretty plentiful in the small pet world.
These rabbits are described as very easygoing and amiable toward people. Not shy or timid, these rabbits have no problem making friends. While they are peppy, they love being petted and held—making them calm when you’re ready to spend some time together.
6. Havana
| Colors: | Chocolate, blue, black, broken, lilac |
| Size: | 6.5 pounds |
| Price: | $20–$100 |
Even though Havana rabbits are a little bit active, they are still said to be one of the calmest rabbit breeds. That is because they are so chill when it comes to handling. You can scoop up this rabbit and give it all the snuggles you want; they’ll love every minute of it.
But they equally love bouncing around and exploring! So, this rabbit is an ideal choice for folks who want a rabbit that loves to play and cuddle.
7. Siberian
| Colors: | Blue, brown/pearly gray, black with blue undercoat, lilac |
| Size: | 7–9 pounds |
| Price: | $30–$50 |
Siberian rabbits are very beautiful specimens. On top of their attractive appearance, they also make extremely good pets for just about any lifestyle. These friendly bunnies are very agreeable, affectionate, and social. They are definitely going to sit still to get some ear scratches.
Because of their beauty and interesting color variations, these rabbits are often displayed for show. These bunnies are rare, so both the American and British Rabbit Associations work hard to keep numbers up.
8. Swiss Fox
| Colors: | Blue, black, Havana, chinchilla |
| Size: | 7.5 pounds |
| Price: | $65 |
The Swiss Fox rabbit will melt your heart with their adorable expressions and long tufts of hair. Originally these rabbits were designed to mimic the coats of Arctic foxes. Now, they come in several more colors than when the breed started initially.
On top of their cute little faces, they make very agreeable pets. These sweet little guys are just as friendly as they are fluffy.
9. French Lop
| Colors: | Silver fox, steel, cream, fawn, orange, red |
| Size: | 10–15 pounds |
| Price: | $75 |
French Lops are a huge domesticated rabbit getting as large as 15 pounds. They make extremely loving companions, permitting that they are well-socialized from an early age.
Due to their size, they make the best pets for older children and adults. Not only are they all a large load for smaller children to handle, but one kick could do some serious damage. So, they don’t make the best first pets for some.
10. Holland Lop
| Colors: | Black, blue, chocolate, lilac, ruby-eyed white, blue-eyed white, chestnut, chinchilla, chocolate chinchilla, lynx, opal, squirrel |
| Size: | 2–4 pounds |
| Price: | $50–$150 |
The Holland Lop is the smallest of all lop-eared rabbits and arguably one of the cutest. These rabbits tend to be very lively, good-natured, and calm during handling. If you have them down, they can be pretty active and playful, demanding attention from their owners.
Due to their size, they can make excellent companions for children and adults alike. However, proper handling is a must, as hurting these little guys and gals is relatively easy!
11. Dutch
| Colors: | Dark brown and white |
| Size: | 3.5–5.5 pounds |
| Price: | $30–$90 |
Dutch rabbits can be relatively shy, and they always stay on the calm side. A well-socialized Dutch rabbit can be an exceptional pet. However, they might have nervous tendencies if they are improperly handled or ignored as babies.
Dutch rabbits have a very recognizable appearance—all coming in dark colors with a classic white saddle and facial V. Particularly unique color combinations can be pretty pricey, so keep this in mind if you seek one out.
12. Harlequin
| Colors: | Orange and black, fawn and black, white and black, white and blue, white and chocolate, white and lilac |
| Size: | 6–9 pounds |
| Price: | $20–$100 |
The Harlequin rabbit is one of the most unique looking of all. They have extremely interesting colorings and markings, making them one of the most attractive breeds on the market. Some exciting color combinations can be alluring but these rabbits can have finicky personalities. However, not in this case.
Harlequin rabbits are often described as playful and docile, making them a well-rounded choice for families. These gentle rabbits will tolerate being handled or petted without much issue. Of course, the more socialized they are, the easier they are to handle.
Why Is Early Socialization Important for Rabbits?
By nature, rabbits are incredibly social animals. In the wild, they have hierarchical societies, like packs of wolves or dogs. It is best to socialize rabbits early so they are acclimated to the attention from domestication.
If the rabbit is isolated alone without another rabbit companion, they can become bored, lonely, and depressed. If they only have humans to rely on, that is a very tall order and is often completely insufficient for the well-being of any rabbit.
So, keep in mind while you learn about all the different rabbit breeds that even if you decide which one suits your personality the best, they will always need a friend to keep them company. We are simply not the same species as a rabbit and do not have the same communication skills necessary to fulfill all their needs.
The Role of Temperament
Certain rabbit breeds are definitely harder to handle than others. They can be extremely sensitive and require an experienced and patient person. However, some rabbit breeds, such as those we listed in this article, are much calmer and easier to handle than others.
However, lifestyle plays a huge role in rabbit behavior. If you get a bunny very early and take the time to socialize them properly, you typically will wind up with a very well-rounded, gentle animal. If they have spent a lot of time in isolation, neglected, or mistreated, they can be very skittish, nervous, and even aggressive.
Welcoming a rabbit to your home is a commitment. If you become well-educated about rabbits, you’ll give them a wonderful life, and they will give you companionship. You should always be ready to fulfill your end of the bargain, despite a rabbit’s natural disposition.
Conclusion
Now you know a few adorable rabbit breeds that are naturally super calm. A well-socialized rabbit can be such a great animal, permitting that you spend time with them and have the proper environment to help them thrive.
Which rabbit on our list struck your attention most? Keep in mind that rabbits are very social animals, requiring another bunny or two to keep them company. Unfortunately, sole human companionship just isn’t sufficient.
- Related Read: 10 White Rabbit Breeds
Featured Image Credit to ZouZou, Shutterstock
