Small Rabbit Breed Guide: 2-5 lbs

If you have a soft spot for dwarf rabbits or just love the look of tiny breeds, this is the category for you. These small rabbits range from roughly 2-5 lbs and are some of the most popular bunnies available. Many are known for their explosive personalities, including our very own Holland Lops. For each breed, we include the weight, body shape, color, personality/temperament, defining characteristics, and a short description. Keep in mind that the personality/temperament description is a generalization. All bunnies are different!

A big thank you to all the breeders, rescues, and owners that allowed us to use their pictures! If you like what you see, show them some love and check out their instagram listed below each picture, or links in the descriptions.

Not sure what small breed will suit you best? Click below to take our quiz and find out.

American Fuzzy Lop

Weight: 3-4 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: Many colors, with agouti, shaded, self varieties and more. Broken and solid colors are common.

Personality/Temperament: Fuzzy lop owners often describe their bunnies as curious, interactive, and social.

Defining Characteristic: A beautiful wooly coat that requires a little bit of extra attention in the grooming department.

American Fuzzy Lops originated as a byproduct of holland lop breeding. When French Angoras were bred with broken holland lops, the fuzzy gene resulted in some rabbits having both the wooly coat of Angoras as well as the small stature and lopped ears of Holland lops. Those that liked this appearance began to work on them as their own breed until they were eventually accepted by the ARBA. Today, fuzzy lops are adored by breeders and pet owners alike.

Thanks @bunnydairieswithmuffinanddollie for providing pictures of their beautiful American fuzzy!

Britannia Petite

Weight: 2-2.5 lbs

Body Shape: Full arch

Colors: Black, black otter, chestnut agouti, sable marten, and REW are the only colors recognized by the ARBA

Personality/Temperament: Like many full arch rabbits, Britannia Petites are high energy and curious.

Defining Characteristic: Small size and full arch body type.

Shiny furred rabbits bred from a variety of breeds, Britannia Petites are active, sometimes high-strung rabbits. They are not the cuddliest breed, but are great for owners willing provide their bunny with enrichment they can make great pets. They love to run and adore exploring bunny proof areas. They are fragile rabbits, and prefer to be handled as little as possible.

Thanks to @mara_und_nins and @rabbits_shetlandpony for providing pictures of their incredible rabbits!

Dutch

Weight: 3.5-5 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: Black, blue, chinchilla, chocolate, gray, steel, and tortoiseshell are the only colors recognized by the ARBA, but others are available.

Personality/Temperament: Curious, social, and interactive. They love to explore new places, and often get bored easily.

Defining Characteristic: White markings unique to their breed.

One of the oldest breeds in existence, Dutch rabbits were originally bred for commercial use. Since then, they have been imported across the globe and gained popularity among pet owners. They are said to be one of the friendliest breeds available, making them a great choice for first time owners or families with well behaved children. Due to their curious nature, they need to be provided with adequate enrichment.

Thank you to Karoline Rosenqvist from @vincentdutchbunny, @mybunnylexi, @nutbun_trio, and @a_rabbit_named_jenkins for providing pictures of their Dutch!

Dwarf Hotot

Weight: 2.5-3.5 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: White with black ring around eye

Personality/Temperament: Relaxed, sometimes independent rabbits that love to lounge on the couch or around the house.

Defining Characteristic: Their small size and black eye rings.

Similar to the larger Blanc de Hotots, Dwarf Hotots were created through the breeding of Netherland dwarfs with their larger counterpart. This introduced the dwarf gene, resulting in pint sized rabbits with the same adorable markings. They became popular show rabbits, and were introduced to the pet industry shortly thereafter. Despite earlier rabbits of their breed having a slight nipping problem, today’s Dwarf Hotots make great, friendly pets.

Thanks to @liamthehotot, @teysazura, and @bunnywearsprada for providing pictures of their cute little Hotots!

Florida White

Weight: 4-6 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: REW

Personality/Temperament: Gentle, relaxed, and interactive.

Defining Characteristic: Pure white coat and red eyes.

This “all-purpose” breed was created in Florida through the crossing of dutch, polish, and New Zealand rabbits. They were originally used mainly for commercial purposes, but their docile personalities make them a great choice for pet owners. They are pure white with characteristics similar to New Zealand rabbits, but are much smaller in size.

Thank you to @ballston_buns for providing pictures of their Florida White!

Havana

Weight: 4.5-6.5 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: Chocolate, Blue, Black and Lilac in solid and broken varieties.

Personality/Temperament: Friendly, energetic, and gentle rabbits.

Defining Characteristic: Compact shape and dense coat.

Havana rabbits were created in the Netherlands somewhat accidentally. When some mixed breed rabbits produced chocolate colored kits, breeders fell in love with the unique coloring. They crossed those kits with Himalayan rabbits, and eventually produced the breed we know today. These stocky rabbits are primarily used for show or kept as pets. They are outgoing and playful, but lack the frenetic nervousness of many other energetic breeds.

Thank you to @missbunanddora for providing pictures of their beautiful Havana!

Himalayan

Weight: 2.5-5 lbs

Body Shape: Cylindrical

Color: Black, Blue, Chocolate, and Lilac Pointed White

Personality/Temperament: Calm, relaxed, and docile.

Defining Characteristic: Cylindrical shape and pointed coloring.

One of the oldest rabbit breeds, Himalayan’s origins are unknown. Some believe they were first bred in the Himalayas as their name suggests, but there is little evidence to support this theory. One of their most unique characteristics, they have “cylindrical” shaped bodies that do not widen or taper when viewed overhead. They are fairly small, relaxed rabbits that make great pets.

Thank you to @bunnies.4life, @silverspurrabbitry and Savage Sister’s Rabbitry for providing pictures!

Holland Lop

Weight: 3-4 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: A variety in both solid and broken colors.

Personality/Temperament: Curious, social, and spunky.

Defining Characteristic: Small size and lopped ears.

Holland lops were developed through the crossing of a Netherland Dwarf, French Lop, and English Lop. As you may be able to guess, we are partial to this sweet little breed. They are somewhat relaxed, but have explosive personalities and love to explore. Despite their small size, they need plenty of room to run and (in their opinion) endless toys to destroy.

Jersey Wooly

Weight: 2.5-3.5 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: A variety of colors in both solid and broken.

Personality/Temperament: Gentle, docile, and relaxed.

Defining Characteristic: Tiny size and wool.

Jersey Woolies were first bred by crossing French Angoras and Netherland Dwarfs. This eventually resulted in small, Netherland Dwarf sized rabbits with soft wool. They are one of the most popular show rabbits, but their calm temperament makes them greats as pets. They are known for being affectionate and far more relaxed than most dwarf rabbits.

Thank you to @zephyrrabbitry and @wildmeadowsrabbitry for providing pictures of their Jersey Woolies!

Lionhead

Weight: 2-3.5 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: A variety of colors in both broken

Personality/Temperament: Energetic, social, and friendly.

Defining Characteristic: Small Size and lion-like mane.

Lionheads are thought to have originated in Belgium, when Swiss Fox rabbits were bred Netherland Dwarfs. This created their signature 'mane’ that distinguishes them from other wool breeds. They make wonderful pets and love to explore. Though they are small in size, they need plenty of room to run around and toys to destroy.

Thank you to @livsrabbits, @bunception and @rduo_bundits for providing pictures!

Mini Lop

Weight: 4.5-6 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: A variety of colors in both broken and solid

Personality/Temperament: Friendly, cuddly, and affectionate.

Defining Characteristic: Teddy bear like personality and small size.

Mini Lops originated in Germany when German Lops were bred to Chinchilla rabbits. Despite their name, they are not the smallest lop breed. They weigh around 5lbs and are smaller than French and English Lops but larger than Holland Lops. They are some of the friendliest rabbits, with personalities similar to French Lops. Because of this, Mini Lops are a great choice for first time owners or families.

Thank you to @timmy.the.bun for providing pictures!

Mini Rex

Weight: 3-4.5 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: A variety in both broken and solid colors

Personality/Temperament: Social, interactive, and relaxed.

Defining Characteristic: Short, dense fur that lacks the long guard hairs of most breeds.

First developed in Texas, Mini Rex were created due to the demand for small rex furred rabbits. The rex gene removes and shortens guard hair, creating rabbits with short, soft coats. This unique characteristic coupled with their friendly personalities makes them well liked as pets. They are low maintenance compared to wool and other breeds, and their small size makes them easy to care for.

Thank you to @clovertherexrabbit and @my_jackmonty for providing pictures! Check out Jack and Monty’s Facebook page here!

Mini Satin

Weight: 3-4.5 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: A variety of solid and broken colors

Personality/Temperament: Playful, gentle and relaxed

Defining Characteristic: Shiny, soft, satin fur

A much smaller version of the Satin breed, Mini Satins have a similar story to Mini Rex. When the unique coat caused by the Satin gene was popularized, rabbit owners began wanting a smaller version of the breed. This was first achieved in red and REW Mini Satins, but the breed now comes in many different colors. They are some of the softest rabbit breeds available, and nearly shine in sunlight.

Thank you to @bebesthebunny, @hoppydaysrabbitry and @benitobun for providing pictures!

Netherland Dwarf

Weight: 1.5-2.5 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: A variety in both broken and solid

Personality/Temperament: Spunky, playful rabbits that can be a bit skittish if not used to human interaction.

Defining Characteristic: Tiny size, making them one of the smallest breeds

Over the course of nearly thirty years, Netherland dwarfs were created in the Netherlands. Interestingly, the breeds used in the process were Polish Rabbits and tiny wild rabbits. These adorable rabbits quickly became one of the most popular breeds in several countries. Despite their small size, they often have huge personalities with tons of spunk and attitude.

Thank you to @eevee_the_rabbitt for providing pictures!

Polish

Weight: 2.5-3.5 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: Black, Blue, Chocolate, BEW, and REW in solid and broken.

Personality/Temperament: Calm, curious, and social.

Defining Characteristic: Small size and relaxed temperament.

Polish rabbits originated in England, likely bred from silver, wild, and dutch rabbits. After being imported to the US, breeders worked to create more compact rabbits that differed from the commercial body type of many breeds. This resulted in a drastically different version of the British Polish rabbits, that we now know as Britannia Petites. Polish rabbits are usually calm and social compared to other dwarf breeds, and are great for first time owners that like the look of dwarf rabbits.

Thank you to @nutbun_trio and @livsrabbits for providing pictures!

Silver

Weight: 4-7 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Color: Black, brown, fawn

Personality/Temperament: Gentle, active, and friendly.

Defining Characteristic: Dense coat with ticking that silvers with age.

Silver rabbits are considered one of the oldest breeds in existence. They have many of the characteristics of the first domesticated rabbits, with dense fur, ticked coloring, and a compact yet V shaped body. The earliest records of their existence date back to the 1500s, when rabbits were kept in warrens to hunt and domesticate them. They are one of the rarest breeds, and only available in the UK and US.

Thank you to @silverspurrabbitry for providing pictures!

Tan

Weight: 4-6 lbs

Body Shape: Full-arch

Colors: Black, blue, chocolate, and lilac

Personality/Temperament: Active, energetic, and friendly

Defining Characteristic: Arched body and tan markings

Tan rabbits were created through the breeding of domestic rabbits (likely Dutch) and wild rabbits. English breeders worked to develop the breed further, and eventually they made their way to the States. They were popular show rabbits, but pet owners looking for a smaller full arch rabbit loved them as well. Tans are extremely active bunnies, and their owners must be willing to provide them with plenty of room to stretch their legs.

Thanks to @oakpondacres and @that.stanton.zoo for providing pictures!

Thrianta

Weight: 4-6 lbs

Body Shape: Compact

Colors: Red-Orange

Personality/Temperament: Sweet, curious, and relaxed.

Defining Characteristic: Rich, red-orange coat.

Thriantas originated in the Netherlands, and were created in honor of the House of Orange-Nassau. During World War II their population dwindled till they were nearly extinct. Fortunately, the breed survived, and they are no longer endangered. They then resurged as popular show rabbits in the US, as breeders attempted to retain the original compact stature of the breed. They are great as pets, and have a curious and laid back demeanor.

Thank you to @chubbybunnybella for providing pictures!

Thanks for reading! Feel free to send us pictures or a personality quote about your bunny!