Hermelin (German Polish Rabbit)

About the breed

A white breed with two eye colours

The Hermelin is a small, round rabbit with short, dense, completely white fur and not a single marking. What sets it apart from other small white breeds immediately is eye colour: breeders recognise a red-eyed (RE) and a blue-eyed (BE) variety, while body shape and temperament are identical in both. The difference is not cosmetic — it comes from two separate genetic depigmentation mechanisms: the red-eyed variety is true albinism, while the blue-eyed variety arises through a different, leucistic pathway in which the iris keeps its blue colouring.

From Poland through England to Germany

The breed's ancestors were small white "Polish" rabbits, already known in the Polish fur trade. They were first exhibited as a breed in Hull, England, in 1884, then reached Germany around 1900 and were shown there for the first time in 1903 under the name Hermelin, as breeders gradually reshaped the rabbit into a smaller, more compact form than the original Polish type. The blue-eyed variety was fixed somewhat later, around the time of the First World War, by Saxon breeders (Kluge in Hohndorf, and Unger and Lohse in Dippoldiswalde). The breed is governed today by the German federation ZDRK under its 2018 standard, and recognised at European level by the Entente Européenne d'Aviculture et de Cuniculture (EE).

Appearance and build

An adult Hermelin weighs between 1.0 and 1.5 kg, with an ideal show weight under the German standard of 1.1–1.35 kg, making it one of the lightest rabbit breeds of all. The body is short, round and almost ball-shaped; body length according to non-official sources runs roughly 20 to 25 cm. The ears are upright and short, only 5–6 cm, which is itself part of the official standard. The coat is of the "normal" fur type — short, dense and fine to the touch, without any extended or curled texture.

Temperament and everyday handling

The Hermelin is considered friendly, calm and curious, and bonds with its keeper quickly given consistent, gentle handling. Its small size does not, however, make it a better choice for very young children — the delicate body is easily injured by incorrect handling, so contact with small children should always be supervised by an adult, and picking the rabbit up is best left to an experienced handler. Rabbits are a social species, and giving a Hermelin a compatible rabbit companion whenever possible is preferable to permanent solitary housing.

Space, housing and grooming

Despite its low weight, the Hermelin needs proportionally generous space to move — a roomy hutch or enclosure with daily access to a larger fenced run for running and jumping. The diet is hay-based, with hay available at all times, supplemented by a small amount of pellets and fresh vegetables. Coat care is low-maintenance thanks to the short, normal fur and comes down to occasional brushing, while nail trimming and dental checks need somewhat more regular attention.

Health and the red-eyed variety's particular needs

Red eye colour results from albinism — the iris lacks pigment, making the eye more sensitive to light. Red-eyed animals are therefore often more sensitive to strong, direct sunlight, worth factoring into hutch placement (a shaded corner, avoiding direct south-facing light). No breed-specific hereditary diseases are documented; the general rabbit-care advice applies — watch dental growth and digestion, and keep up with regular veterinary checks.

A long-established breed in the region

The Hermelin has been bred in Slovenia since 1916, and breeders today are organised through the Slovenian Federation of Small-Animal Breed Societies (SZDGPMŽ), which brings together around 32 societies caring for roughly 50 rabbit breeds in 87 colour varieties. The breed is therefore no novelty, but part of a long regional breeding tradition.

Who the breed suits

Thanks to its calm temperament and relatively simple coat care, the Hermelin is often recommended to beginners looking for a small rabbit for a flat or house. Because of its small, delicate body, it suits families with older children or adult keepers better than very young children who might want to carry it around.

Pros & cons