Breeding RabbitsSo, you've finally decided on buying a dwarf rabbit! But what should you look for when buying a dwarf rabbit? Are all dwarf bunnies created equal?
Choosing the Right Dwarf Bunny
First off, how old should the dwarf bunny be? Most people firmly believe that 2-3 months is a good time, but older dwarf bunnies can also be excellent choices, depending on how well they were raised/breeder ability.
Where to Get Your Bunny
Before you can even begin to look at dwarf bunnies, you need to know WHERE to look at dwarf bunnies. There are 2 common, and 2 not so common ways of locating the perfect dwarf rabbit; let's look at the most common ways first.
You can get your dwarf rabbit from another person. This is probably the cheapest way of doing so. There are plenty of message boards/classified sites selling dwarf bunnies. You can obtain a dwarf bunny for $10-$35 on average, and even free sometimes if the person is just looking to get rid of the dwarf rabbits. Drawbacks? No pedigree - you don't know what line the dwarf rabbit comes in, he may have a genetic disease or defect. You don't really know anything about the seller at all for that matter - whether the dwarf bunny was raised properly, if the dwarf bunny is old enough - you can only go by what the seller tells you.
A pet store is also an easily accessible option. The pet store dwarf bunnies are probably decently taken care of, and pet stores can usually be trusted to provide healthy pets (I would assume you're going to a proper pet store). Dwarf rabbits from pet stores are generally a good buy.
Now let's discuss the 2 less common methods: breeders, and exhibitors. Exhibitor dwarf bunnies are generally show-class dwarf bunnies. For these, you would most likely have to go to a show. This is more luck then anything. You talk to other breeders, see what they have in stock, look at their dwarf bunnies, and negotiate a deal. These are (usually) high class dwarf rabbits, and as such command higher prices.
Finally, we look to breeders. First, check out breeders in your area. Sources are listed at the end of the article. Make sure the breeder is reputable. Look for pedigree's if possible. Breeders (usually) use the best dwarf rabbits they can find to breed, so these types of dwarf rabbits are also top notch. Decide what color you want - there are many different options available, and choose one to your liking. If the breeder doesn't have it in stock, email back frequently, asking what they expect to have in the coming weeks. Here, you're basically trusting the breeder, but if you've done your research, you'll probably come out a winner.
Traits to Look For in a Dwarf Rabbit
At last! It's time to finally pick out your new friend! Obviously, look at how healthy the dwarf bunny is. NEVER pick up a dwarf bunny by the ears. It makes him/her sad inside. When you pick up the dwarf bunny, use BOTH hands: one hand under, and one hand cupping the dwarf rabbit's butt (and slightly under). The idea here is to support it's rear end, and to try to minimize any injury the dwarf bunny may cause by kicking.
If at all possible, check the dwarf rabbit's droppings. They should be hard and solid. Checking the rear end of the dwarf bunny, it should have no stains (which may be a sign of diarrhea). One neutered male dwarf rabbit would be ideal, or two female dwarf bunnies.
You might be wondering, what is the ideal age to buy a dwarf bunny? Well, the dwarf bunnies are arguably cutest when they're between 5-7 weeks old. Unfortunately, that's also one of the worst times to buy a dwarf bunny. Little defects now may grow into big ones later. While this may not be important for most owners, if you're looking for a show class dwarf bunny, approximately 4 months would be the ideal timeframe to purchase a dwarf bunny.
This Article Written by Michael Dong; www.dwarfrabbitplanet.com
