What breed of rabbit is this really?

[karay]

I recently bought a 7-week old bunny from a nice family a couple neighborhoods away. They claimed these bunnies were Netherland Dwarfs, but when I saw them they looked a bit different to me. They showed me the parent bunnies, which looked similar to these:

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS3XiKr1XMm5NhK8LDb-zkTS7ChZHbdol0SxKHwQE0IFof7vc2KWg

http://cf.ltkcdn.net/small-pets/images/std/139966-425×282-NetherlandDwarfRabbit.jpg

Both the parents had short ears, were chubby with round faces. But the babies have a bit angular faces and longer ears.

This is my bunny…

https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/1013220_10201072529444970_1280460345_n.jpg

Do you think these babies are a different breed? Or are they really Netherland dwarfs and I’m just not seeing it?

Thanks

[Cochin]

That one looks like an English spot mix. Far as I know ES are fairly uncommon, so he’s probably just bred for those coloring, but it looks like english spot coloring, and has more of a ES body type than netherland.

Nope, netherland mix or something completely different, but not a ‘purebred’ netherland.

edit – ok It could be a netherland, but it’s got a lot of faults (ie it wouldn’t do good for showing), therefore not looking like a netherland. Either way it will make a great pet. Is it a he or a she?  

[karay]

She!

[Roberta]

I second the English spot appearance although it could be a mix…. Very beautiful bunny though I doubt it will stay small, I would anticipate a medium sized bun… But that just means more to love.

[Beka27]

That coloring/pattern arrangement (dark eyes, mustache, spine) can be found in many different breeds. We can’t really know for sure the exact breed. When she’s older and reaches full size, you might be able to make a better guess.

English spots are very uncommon, and their body shapes are very muscular and lean. I would just go with the info you have and consider her an ND.

She’s super cute, btw!

[Eepster]

Whatever her breed might be, the shape of her legs, ears and face suggest she doesn’t have a dwarf gene. She is probably going to be at least as large as a dutch and possibly larger.

[Elrohwen]

It’s tough to say. The large ears don’t make me think netherland dwarf, but not all nethies have the super tiny ears. There is also a dwarfing gene and not all dwarf rabbits get it – those rabbits are typically a bit larger (though not by much) with longer ears and thinner features. A rabbit of a dwarf breed who doesn’t get the dwarfing gene is called a “false dwarf” and they make up about 1/4 of the population.

[LizziAnn]

I have been wondering this about my nethe too. I got her from a Netherlands Dwarf breeder who had a lot of Nethes and Lion heads.
All the other rabbits that he had were very clearly Netherlands Dwarf and her mother was beautiful!
Anyway, Luna, the bun I purchased from him, has really long ears and a longer skull shape. Only when she sits with her ears folded back does she look like the breed.
When I spoke to him on the phone he said “she isn’t as good looking as my others” but I fell in love with her the moment I saw her and when he handed her to me she snuggled into my hair which she still does!

Umm.. I would show a pic but I dunno how to haha! ~ she is the white one in my profile pic though.

[Sarita]

HI LIzziAnn, we ask that members do not respond to old posts – this one is four months old – it’s very confusing to members because they are reading the initial post so tagging onto an old post and asking questions or answering the post is something we discourage. I am going to lock this post – feel free to start your own post on this topic though.

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