Cutest Rabbit Breeds

When it comes to the cutest, most adorable pets, rabbits are pretty much near the top of anyone’s list – if not in the winning number one spot. But even though it’s undeniable that bunnies are generally cute as buttons, there are certain breeds that are especially fluffy, dainty, and oh-so-charming, and we’ve rounded up the 10 cutest of them all. If you want to learn more about the cutest rabbit breeds there are, read on to find out what their quirks and unique traits are!

#1 Netherland Dwarf

It’s difficult not to be completely disarmed by the insane levels of cuteness this breed possesses – not only that the Netherland Dwarf is practically a miniature bunny, but their overall physique makes them look like they’ve stepped out of a cartoon. Weighing only 1 to 2.5 pounds when fully grown, these rabbits are really tiny and have unique facial features, such as large round eyes contrasted by short, upright ears which are carried high on the head. The Netherland Dwarf comes in many colors and markings, so you’ll have no trouble finding chocolate, lilac, sable point, or any other look. When it comes to their temperament, these rabbits have naturally shy, sweet, and quiet personalities and make fantastic pets for singles or seniors.

#2 Polish Rabbit

Despite its name, this breed didn’t originate in Poland – these petite bunnies were first bred in England in the early 19th century. As a dwarf breed, the Polish rabbit usually weighs between 2.5 to 3.5 pounds in adulthood, and it’s no secret that their diminutive size only contributes to their cuteness. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they also have a combination of a short head with full cheeks, large eyes, and short ears giving them a truly adorable appearance. As for the coat colors, ARBA accepts 6 variations for the Polish rabbit: ruby-eyed white, blue-eyed white, black, blue, chocolate, and broken pattern (solid color mixed with white). Polish rabbits are calm, docile, and friendly and will make loving companions to any owner.

#3 Angora Rabbit

Who could possibly say that this ball of fluff isn’t one of the cutest animals they’ve ever seen? Best known for its impressive wooly coat, the Angora rabbit is one of the oldest domesticated breeds prized for their unique hair – which also happens to be used to produce yarn. However, while their wooly fluffy coat is certainly stunning, it is also very high maintenance, so unless you’re prepared to get them groomed a few times a week. Considered to be a small rabbit breed, the Angora rabbit will weigh between 5 to 6 pounds and can come in a wide variety of coat colors. In terms of personality, the Angora rabbit is a gentle, friendly soul that will enjoy being handled and petted by their owners.

#4 Lionhead

A fluffy little “lion” that could almost fit in the palm of your hand – now, who wouldn't find that absolutely stinkin’ cute? Named for their fluffy, wooly mane that encircles their head and resembles that of a lion, Lionhead rabbits can either sport a thin, wispy head hair that’s called a single mane or a thick band of hair called a double mane. These bunnies come in over 10 different colors and markings, including black, chocolate, blue, tortoise, silver marten, smoke pearl, and others, so you can count on your bunny having unique looks. As a small rabbit, the Lionhead will weigh only 2.5 to 3.5 pounds on average and won’t need much space to thrive. Even though these bunnies are quite petite, don’t let their size fool you – they are energetic, curious, and very friendly. 

#5 Mini Rex 

The Mini Rex looks and feels like a real-life plush toy, thanks to their adorable looks and luxurious velvety coat. A relatively recent breed, this rabbit has both a pretty appearance and a great temperament, which makes them a great pet for families of all shapes and sizes. Classified as a small rabbit breed, the Mini Rex will weigh 3.5 to 4.5 pounds maximum, with females usually being larger than males. The coat of these bunnies is definitely their trademark and comes in all types of colors and markings, so you’ll see a stunning array of plush Mini Rexes, from opal to tricolor and everything in between. Of course, while their looks are what draws people to the breed, it’s their character that makes them popular pets – calm, quiet, but still friendly, these bunnies make lovely companions.

#6 Dwarf Hotot

With one-of-a-kind markings and striking looks that can’t be mistaken for any other breed, the Dwarf Hotot is definitely among the most unique rabbit breeds out there. These bunnies are exclusively pure white – no other colors are possible – and have a distinct circle of deep black fur around their eyes, making them look like they are wearing eyeliner. As their name says, these rabbits are a dwarf breed, meaning that they won’t get big even when fully grown. Their expected maximum weight is only 2.5 to 3.5 pounds! Considered to be playful, energetic, and friendly, the tiny Dwarf Hotot will make a great pet for anyone that would love a rabbit they can interact and play with.

#7 Mini Lop

It’s difficult to decide what makes Mini Lops cuter – their big, floppy ears or their rounded, pudgy form! Either way, there’s no denying that these bunnies make for really adorable pets that come in all sorts of solid colors and markings such as broken, wide band, or even tricolor. Their looks are defined by their ears, however, and it’s the distinct trait of all lop breeds: the long, well-furred ears that fall down the sides of their head and make them look like bunnies from a vintage postcard. In addition to being cute as a button, these rabbits are friendly, playful, and very loving and can make good pets for families of all shapes and sizes – even those with young kids, as their weight of 4.5 to 6 pounds doesn’t make them too fragile.

#8 Jersey Wooly

Another fluffy rabbit breed on our list, the Jersey Wooly is a great choice if you’re simply in love with shaggy bunnies but don’t want a breed that needs extensive grooming. While sporting a wooly coat, the Jersey Wooly, unlike Angora, won’t need trims and clipping, but rather only regular brushing to prevent matting, so they are not as high maintenance. Their beautiful coat comes in six groups, each with different color and pattern combinations included so there’s a whole palette of coat colors to choose from. A dwarf breed, the Jersey Wooly will stay tiny even when fully grown, weighing 1 to 3 pounds on average. Gentle, docile, and calm, these balls of fluff are really laid back and a joy to be around.

#9 Checkered Giant

While it’s undeniable that tiny bunnies are usually really cute, that doesn’t mean that only small rabbit breeds have these cuddly, adorable looks – big breeds can be cute as a button, too. And the perfect example of that is the Checkered Giant! Weighing 11 to 13 pounds on average, this big bunny is significantly larger than other breeds on our list but no less lovely. These rabbits are distinct for their distinct markings – Checkered Giants are always white, with either blue or black butterfly-shaped marks on the nose, two spots on their sides, and a long stripe across their spine, from the base of the ears to the tail. The term gentle giant applies perfectly to this breed, as they are sweet, calm, and docile.

#10 English Lop

Best known for their long, oversized ears that fall on either side of their face, the English Lop is truly a striking-looking rabbit. Their floppy ears, big round eyes, and the sheer variety of coat colors and markings all contribute to their cuteness, which is why it’s no surprise that these rabbits have been popular as pets for centuries. Of course, it’s not only looks that make these bunnies popular, but their beautiful personalities, too – they are sweet, friendly, and curious. Weighing 9 to 10.5 pounds on average and being playful by nature, these bunnies do need a bit more space to thrive and be happy. 

What to Know Before Getting a Rabbit

The fact that rabbits are so cute, coupled with the stereotype that they’re low-maintenance pets, makes them a popular choice – but also results in many of them getting abandoned or neglected because their owners didn’t do any research before adopting them. Like any other type of pet, rabbits also have different needs and care requirements you will have to meet to ensure their health and happiness, and their cuteness shouldn’t be what drives you to get a rabbit – only adopt one if you are ready for that kind of responsibility.

Contrary to popular belief, rabbits shouldn’t spend their life in a small cage – regardless of whether you have a rabbit in an indoor or an outdoor hutch, they will have to spend a couple of hours outside of it each day, playing and socializing in a bunny-safe environment, To ensure that your home is safe for your rabbit to spend time in, you will also have to rabbit-proof your home to prevent your new pet from ruining your furniture by chewing it or endangering themselves by nibbling on something they shouldn’t have, such as a poisonous plant.

In addition to providing proper housing for your pet, you would also have to make sure that they have a healthy, nourishing diet. Rabbit’s diet consists mainly of hay, which makes up about 80% of their diet. The rest is leafy greens, limited occasional amounts of rabbit pellets, and lots of fresh water. Rabbits have a specific digestive system and teeth that grow throughout their life, so paying attention to their nutritional needs is crucial to maintain their health – both to support thriving gut flora and to help grind down their teeth and prevent overgrowth.

And then, there are needs of a rabbit to be social, interact, play, and have a companion, which are all factors you need to consider first – can you get a pair of rabbits, how much time are you able to spend with your pet on a daily basis, etc? If you can be sure that you are ready to dedicate the time, effort, and patience it takes to care for a rabbit, which will live for 10 to 12 years on average, then you are ready to browse through the cutest rabbit breeds to find a pretty bunny whose personality matches yours!