I'm not saying I'm going to do this.. but what type of rabbits do breeders usually breed (I heard its hard to breed dwarfs because sometimes two get the dwarf gene and turn out too small- called a peanut)
2007-01-23 09:51:04 · 6 answers · asked by Sammy 5 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
The best Breed of rabbit to breed is the Lop. The babies are adorable, so easy to find new homes. They come in loads of colours so you can experamint. Lops can get into differant catagories such as: Holland,Mini,Flemish,Giant. They also have an easyer birth proses, so great for 1st timers!
Hope I have helped!
2007-01-23 09:57:55 · answer #1 · answered by animal_crazy_sam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a few important categories that influence rabbit breeding.
The first is dwarfism. You basically have the picture, except that as often as you get a peanut, you'll get normal-sized rabbits that often die coming out of the mother's birth canal. In any given litter, only half will be showable dwarfs. The rest will be normals and peanuts.
The second is size. Big rabbits tend to have larger litters than small rabbits. In meat breeds, eight to nine is a typical litter size, though eleven isn't unusual. In smaller rabbits, litters are closer to four or five.
The third is pattern. Pattern is a bit like cheating, for show breeders. Some breeds are judged heavily on markings, like the Dutch, English Spot, Harlequin, and Rhinelander. The problem is, a good portion of marking pattern is random. The nice thing is, you can get an idea of a rabbit's show quality as soon as its colors are visible, so you don't have to wait until its body matures to cull it from the litter. That is, if you're willing to kill rabbits that won't win on the show table.
If you want to know what's popular in your area, just go to a show or fair and look around. Rexes and mini rexes are always popular, because of their many colors and unique soft fur. Mini lops are another big breed. Dutches are also quite common. Find a breed that appeals to you, but play the game a little if you want to win at shows. Don't start with rexes or mini rexes unless you want to be competing against the top twenty breeders in the area. Don't pick Belgian Hares unless you want to be alone on the show table, unable to pick up a grand championship because there's nothing to show against. Find a minor breed that you'll still find competition for.
2007-01-24 09:47:54 · answer #2 · answered by Rachel R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That depends on which breed you like best. That will change from person to person and year to year. When I was growing up and first showing rabbits Dutch were popular. Then Netherland Dwarfs became popular. Then Mini Lops. Then Holland Lops. Then Rex. And now Mini Rex. And the new up and coming popular breeds are Lionheads and Mini Satins.
There are 45 breeds or more out there. My favorites are Checkered Giants and New Zealands. Go to an ARBA show and pick out your own favorite.
2007-01-24 05:09:46 · answer #3 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no particular breed to breed - do what you love!
That being said, Dutch are my favorite. I breed Dutch and their temperments are great - plus, they are harder than most of the other breeds because you want markings; and even the best marked parents could have horribly marked babies.. it's all luck. They are real "show" rabbits, and everyone notices them at fairs and shows.
2007-01-23 10:09:21 · answer #4 · answered by mleeg42 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well there are 48 breeds of rabbits and usually one breeder will have a few different breeds they specalize in. i raise dutch and himi's and am thinking of starting english lops. every breeder has a few breeds they like over other....i know i personaly don't like the dwarfs.
2007-01-23 10:21:42 · answer #5 · answered by Olivia W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbit breeders breed all different kinds of rabbits.
www.arba.net has information on breeding and showing rabbits, and different rabbit breeds, and breeders that have different rabbit breeds.
2007-01-24 01:20:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋