The Netherland Dwarf rabbit originated in the Netherlands (as you guessed it right) and is one among the most famous rabbit breeds in the world.
It is also the smallest rabbit breeds and is famous as a show rabbit.
Netherland Dwarf rabbit for sale
You can get the Netherland Dwarf rabbits from the previous owners who wish to give their bunnies. You can look for such owners on social media platforms like Facebook and even ask your family and friends for references.
You may even find a few leads on rabbit forums. There are only a couple of independent breeders in India but there are many in the U.S.
Searching for breeders without any reference is not a good option because you are not aware of their background of the breeder. You do not know how long they have been around, if they are reliable or reputable and their history of breeding quality.
You would also not know if they practice rabbit breeding in the ethical way.
How much does a Netherland Dwarf rabbit cost?
In the US, Netherland dwarf rabbits can cost between $30 to $100. Though the price varies depending upon your location, pedigree, from whom you buy and whether bunny is vaccinated or not, on an average you can expect to spend around $50. You can buy pet rabbits through rabbit breeders, online Classified ads or through previous owners.
In case you are planning to show it, then you have to pay extra for a show-quality Netherland Dwarf which can cost you between $100 and $400, based on the quality and pedigree.
Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Buying Guide
The most essential factor while buying a Netherland Dwarf rabbit is that you choose a healthy one.
Ensure that the rabbits are more than six weeks of age and are in separate cages, gender wise – males (bucks) and females (does) in different cages.
If the rabbits are not separated, then there might be a possibility of you choosing a female rabbit that is pregnant.
Make sure that the cage the rabbit is kept in is clean and not overcrowded. Ensure that the rabbits have access to clean water and food.
Take your time to observe the rabbits in the cage. Ensure that they look healthy and active. If you spot any rabbit less-energetic or ill, then there is a risk of others being ill too.
Notice the below mentioned signs of health problems:
- Lethargy
- Excessive scratching
- Sneezing
- Dirty coats
While observing the rabbits, if you feel everything is fine, then you can ask to hold the rabbit you are willing to get and make sure it is healthy.
The below mentioned points will help you confirm:
- Their body should be firm and strong. It should not be fat or skinny. Make sure there are swelling or injuries.
- When you pick up the rabbit, ensure there is no wetness at the bottom which could be a sign of diarrhoea.
- Their eyes should be bright and clean. It should not be sticky, runny or cloudy.
- The coat should be clean, underneath as well.
- Ensure that the rabbit is breathing properly and effortlessly. There should not be any signs of difficulty in breathing.
- The nose of the rabbit should be clean.
- The rabbit should be alert and active, not lazy.
- Check the teeth of the rabbit. There should not be any signs of dribbling around the chin, which shows teeth issues.
Factors That Affect Price of Netherland Dwarf Rabbit
One of the most important factors that affect the price of the Netherland Dwarf rabbit is from where you get it. The one found in pet stores are too expensive.
Large breeders charge you more for the rabbit while the smaller ones charge less. You can even get rescued rabbits from animal shelters. Netherland Dwarf rabbits from the animal shelters are costlier and are spayed. Some even have their vaccinations done.
You may also adopt a rabbit from an owner. Most of them come with a cage, essential gears and are already spayed. It is always advised to get the rabbit from a genuine and reputed breeder.
Remember that if the rabbit is spayed or neutered, then you may have to pay extra.
Purebred rabbits are often expensive when compared to mixed bunnies. If you wish to get a pedigree, you may have to pay extra.
Remember that not all pedigrees are equal. The ones that come from award winning parents or ancestors are costlier when compared to others having less notable lineage.
Already vaccinated rabbits are costlier. In Europe, vaccinations are mandatory while in the U.S it is optional. Most owners get the rabbits the required vaccine doses.
A rabbit with a microchip costs higher. It is a transmitter that is inserted painlessly by the vet under your bunny’s skin. If your bunny is lost and found by someone, the vet can scan the microchip to get your contact details.
Rabbits do not wear collars and thus the microchip is the only way to identify your rabbit if it gets lost. The owner can pass the microchip to you to update the contact information.
Getting your bunny microchipped can cost you around $50 and thus a chip already in there makes the bunny costlier.
Each breed of rabbit has specific characteristics. The degree to which those features are present vary from rabbit to rabbit.
Lionhead rabbits are popular for their furry mane but not all names are equal. There are double manes (rare) and standard manes. The double mane lionhead rabbits are costlier than the ones with standard mane.
All bunnies can be litter box trained but may have accidents even if they are trained. A trained one makes less mess compared to an untrained rabbit.
About & History
The Netherland Dwarf rabbits carry the dwarf gene and are true dwarf breeds. They have a short body, short face, large head, large eyes and short ears.
It’s their unique look, the short body and upright ears that make them different. The fur of the Netherland Dwarf rabbit is of normal length and returns to its position when brushed the opposite way.
This rabbit breed has its roots in Polish, as per the Bob D. Whitman’s book “Domestic Rabbits & Their Histories”. The Polish may have originated in Germany or England. The breeders from Holland worked for several years on crossing the white rabbit with small wild bunnies and also some larger bunny breeds to have more colours.
The British rabbit breeder received nine dwarf bunnies and co-founded the Netherland Dwarf Club in 1949 in England. This dwarf bunny breed arrived in North America in 1965. Two breeders from the U.S worked to get this small breed recognized and the ARBA officially recognized them in 1969 .
Colors
ARBA has accepted most colours of the Netherland Dwarf rabbit including tortoise shell black silver marten, orange, chinchilla, sable point, chocolate himalayan, blue tan, and others. There is no specific marking on this rabbit breed that makes it unique from other small breeds.
Coat
It is not tough to maintain this rabbit breed’s coat. It is short to medium, soft and requires minimal grooming. If you notice your bunny is shedding more than usual, then that may be due to the season (shedding season).
Make sure you use a bristle brush to brush your bunny during the shedding season so that there is less fur in the house. Stroke the fur in its direction and not in the opposite direction to avoid over-shedding.
Never bathe your bunny because bathing may cause them severe stress and also cardiac issues. If the fur is dirty, just clean it with damp cloth.
Temperament/Behavior
Making your Netherland Dwarf rabbit understand that you mean no harm will take some effort and time. They are shy and skittish in nature and thus we do not suggest you get one if you have young children.
Train these rabbits when young and make sure to offer sufficient human interaction so that their shyness diminishes with time. With the right socializing training they can become adorably energetic and enjoy human company.
The Netherland Dwarf rabbits are great for singles, seniors and couples living in an apartment.
Conclusion
We hope to have helped you with all the information that will help you make an informed decision. Getting a rabbit is a responsibility so ensure you understand their needs, temperament, and care requirements before getting one.
