Netherland Dwarf

About the breed

The Netherland Dwarf is one of the smallest officially recognised rabbit breeds, and its tiny, "baby-faced" look is exactly why it's one of the most popular in the world. That cute appearance can be misleading, though: it's an energetic, quick and comparatively skittish animal that isn't necessarily suited to young children, and rabbits should never be kept alone in any case — they need the company of at least one other rabbit.

From Dutch breeders to one of the smallest breeds in the world

The breed originated in the Netherlands in the early 20th century, where breeders crossed small Polish rabbits with smaller wild rabbits until, after years of work, they produced a strikingly small animal in a wide range of colours. The first animals reached the United Kingdom in 1948, where the first breed club was formed; the breed spread to the United States in the 1960s, and the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) officially recognised it in 1969. Because of the wild-rabbit crosses, early animals were noticeably more fearful and distrustful than today's — decades of targeted breeding have given the breed a more manageable, if still lively, temperament.

Appearance and the genetics of the "true" and "false" dwarf

An adult weighs between 0.50 and 1.13 kg (the ARBA and British Rabbit Council standards both cap it at 2.5 lb / 1.13 kg), with eyes and a head disproportionately large for its short, compact ("cobby") body, and short, erect ears (no more than 6.4 cm under the ARBA standard). That "infantile" look comes from the dwarfism gene (Dw): an animal with one copy is a "true dwarf" and matches the breed standard, one with no copy is a "false dwarf" and grows noticeably larger, and one with two copies (a so-called "peanut") carries a lethal combination that genetic research (Carneiro et al., 2016, Genetics) links to a deletion in the HMGA2 gene — kits with this combination almost always die within their first days because they can't nurse. Experienced breeders therefore never pair two true dwarfs together.

Temperament: energetic, but not necessarily suited to young children

The Netherland Dwarf is curious, lively and intelligent — rabbits can be litter-trained, which makes indoor living easier. But because of its small size and relatively skittish nature, it isn't an ideal choice for young children: if squeezed or picked up by a child, it can struggle violently, scratch or bite, and a fall from height can easily injure its fragile spine. Larger, calmer rabbit breeds are a better fit for families with young children; the Netherland Dwarf does better with adults or older children who learn to pick it up correctly and handle it gradually and patiently.

Company: a rabbit needs a rabbit

Rabbits are social animals, and modern guidance (RSPCA) says they should never be kept alone — they need the company of at least one friendly rabbit, since loneliness can cause stress and unusual behaviour. The easiest pairing is a neutered female with a neutered male; once a bond is established, don't separate the pair later, as this causes both animals significant distress. Even with rabbit company, it still needs daily human attention and play.

Housing and exercise

A cage or hutch alone isn't enough — it needs a spacious, securely fenced area (indoor or outdoor) with room to run, jump and explore every day, not just occasional time out. An outdoor enclosure must be protected from heat, cold and damp and raised off the ground; an indoor one should be kept away from radiators and direct sunlight. A rabbit can be trained to use a litter tray with sand in the corner of its enclosure.

Diet

Its diet is based on an unlimited supply of good-quality hay — which protects against dental and digestive disease — supplemented with a small amount of pellets measured to body weight and fresh leafy greens. Fruit and root vegetables (carrot, beetroot) are high in sugar, so they should be an occasional treat in small amounts rather than a regular part of the diet.

Health: teeth, neutering, and vaccination

The breed's short, flattened (brachycephalic) face increases the risk of overgrown or misaligned teeth — check the front teeth and nails at least once a week, and have only a vet correct any overgrowth. Unneutered females have a high risk of uterine tumours after three years of age (RSPCA data puts the incidence as high as around 80%), which are often fatal, so neutering or spaying is recommended unless you intend to breed. In Europe, vaccination against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) is also recommended — discuss this with your vet. Because rabbits hide pain well, check daily that the animal is eating, drinking and passing droppings normally — reduced or stopped droppings is an emergency that needs immediate veterinary care.

Before you decide

The Netherland Dwarf suits a keeper who can provide at least two rabbits together, a spacious area outside a cage, and patient, gradual handling — in return it offers a tiny, curious, and surprisingly long-lived companion.

Pros & cons