Petology: Lionhead Bunny Rabbits - All About these Cute and Unusual Bunnies

Lionhead Rabbits... no, this is not something like the mouse that roared. Nor are these rabbits genetically modified.  Lionhead Rabbits are a young breed of bunnies. They are recognized in the U.K., but have not yet become a registered breed in the United States by ARBA.net (American Rabbit Breeders Association). You can find them at the ARBA rabbit show each year classified as the proposed working standard. They made their first appearance in the ARBA show in 2006.

Lionhead  rabbits are tiny cute furry creatures. They weigh less than 3 ¾ pounds and have a mane of wool around their head, reminiscent of the male lion’s mane. In the rabbit version, females and males have the mane. Fur covers the rest of their body, like all other rabbits.

There is no definitive answer as to how lionhead rabbits came into existence. The two most popular versions are:

• the breed origins began in Belgium from  crossbreeding the Swiss Fox Bunny Rabbit with a Belgian Dwarf.  They were then crossbred with with other smaller wool rabbits. Some say the Jersey Wooly, or the Dwarf Angora. In the U.S. there is no such breed as the Dwarf Angora. Some time later the breed was imported to the U.K. and crossbred again. with European rabbits which created the current Lionhead rabbit that exists in England today.

• The Lionhead rabbits  came about from a genetic mutation in a litter of the Dwarf Angora bunny rabbits when European breeders were working with them. The mutation was spread throughout the breed of Dwarf Angora bunnies.The gene that causes the mane in the rabbits is a dominant gene. So if only one parent has the gene for a mane, it is enough to produce more Lionhead rabbits. Although not every Lionhead has a mane. If this version is correct,  this is the first genetic mutation in rabbits since the beginning of the 1900’s. At that time the Satin fur resulted from a litter of Havana bunnies.

Since 1999, Lionhead Rabbits began to be imported from Europe to the United States. The first Lionhead arrived in northern Minnesota. The beautiful and unique breed soon caught on across the country. Many breeders started creating hybrid versions after breeding the Lionheads with Netherland Dwarfs Holland Lops and many other varieties.

Lionhead Rabbits have a wonderful disposition. They are friendly, train very easily and are excellent house pets. Overall, they have little health concerns, although there are some that are prone to epilepsy. The breeders are working on this genetic flaw. Lionheads do require some grooming, but it is not too difficult to manage their fur and mane. Lionhead rabbits love to play and can be litter boxed trained. They are loving, affectionate and enjoy the company of people.

It is difficult to tell the difference between purebred and hybrid Lionhead rabbits. Most males have a thicker mane than females. Be sure to be gentle when you are combing their mane so that you don’t pull out the wool of the mane.

Taking care of a Lionhead bunny is the same as taking care of any other rabbit. 

• hutch that is spacious
• litter trays
• food bowl
• water bottle
• rabbit food
• toys
• a large secure run
• vinegar for disinfecting the cage
• a grooming brush
• hay
• a pet carrying box for visits to the vet  

• a brush for cleaning the hutch

From the NorthAmerican Lionhead Rabbit Club http://www.lionhead.us/clubinfo/breeders.htm

You can get a list of Lionhead breeders by state

Remember: Be a responsible pet owner. Rabbits are a long term comittment. They deserve good care, a loving home, and the security that the family who is adopting them will keep them. Rabbits are cute and lovable, think about them before you adopt. 

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