Okay, so I tried posting on a rabbit forum and got no good answers whatsoever... no opinions on my possible chosen breeds. Just 'go to a rescue centre' - of course I've not ruled out rescues, I have two rescue animals myself but I would've liked an answer to my question!

So I'll post it here instead and hope someone can help!

Mum's agreed to a house bunny... now which one?

We already have two dalmatians and a cat but the dogs are kept downstairs and whilst I intend to introduce them to the bunny (but obviously will see how that goes!), the bun will live upstairs with the cat who recently adopted two baby buns we had to stay and is missing them!

We're hoping that the bunny will also be company for the cat (although in a pen when we're out so as not to have any nasty accidents) as she recently lost her litter sister aged 12 and is pretty miserable! The bunnies we had to stay really perked her up!

I want a short haired bun preferably but we would also like quite a small breed as the cat's only quite small. We did like the look of the Netherland Dwarf but I'm not sure that it's right for our situation.

Having read about them, I am under the impression nethies are better kept outside as I read that they have trouble regulating their temperature due to the small size of their ears... we do have quite a warm house at times although the temperature fluctuates. Also that they can become bad tempered although this is usually prevented by spaying them early enough.

I would also like to clicker train said bunny and would like a breed that is quite responsive.

I used to have English Spots as a child which I loved but we feel these would be too big for Smitch (the cat), I did look at the himalayan which I believe is quite light but not sure how big it is...

Does anyone have any ideas of a bun that would suit us, our criteria are:
Preferably shorthaired or possibly semi longhaired - I don't mind the grooming as our cat is longhaired but would prefer a short haired breed!
Small - medium, preferably small
Responsive to training
Playful
Laid back where other animals are concerned

Any experience of nethies or himalayans would be gratefully accepted!

Thanks! I know a bit about bunnies and am learning before we take on our new addition but I admit that I have no idea about different breeds!

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I have no problem with going to a rescue but I do want a kitten and so would like to know how big said kit is likely to get etc which is the only worry with rescue buns when parentage is unknown.

I won't be going to a pet shop, possibly a good breeder or possibly a rescue. But not a pet shop.

Thanks!

My favourite are Mini lops, they are a small-medium rabbit, gentle, intelligent and full of personality and fun, I would have hundreds if I could afford to :hihi:

Not sure if they come in himalayan colours but you can get most coat patterns, you might be best trying to get to a rabbit show and find breeders that way :thumbsup:

Thanks Moonbird - actually... these mini lops I've just looked up sound and look fantastic! I usually prefer erect ears (probably from owning English rabbits before) but these are pretty ace :D

Thanks Moonbird - actually... these mini lops I've just looked up sound and look fantastic! I usually prefer erect ears (probably from owning English rabbits before) but these are pretty ace :D

Honestly they really are fabulous little rabbits, I think that the one I have now is a mini and she is so funny, she is like a little dog and really clever.

In the past when the kids were young I used to breed Mini's (wouldn't now) :blush: but anyway...every single one was the same, fabulous little rabbits.

I have kept, Netherland dwarves, new zealand white (evil) and lionheads also, lionheads are quite nice too but the ones I had don't seem as healthy somehow so hmm...Mini's every time for me.

Thanks! have emailed BARC to see if they have any mini lops or know of a good breeder and am off to do more research!

Mini lops are gorgeous. We have boarded nethies who have been house buns with no problems but they can be quite stubborn. I would recommend possibly a Dutch too, they clicker train really well, are short haired, are inquisitive and get on well with other pets (we have a few customers with them who are living with cats and dogs quite happily). If there are none available in rescue I do know of a championship breeder of them who has several litters that will be available soon.

How would your dogs and cats react to a new rabbit?

Why would my house stink??

Two dogs and one cat... I have nothing on some of the other forum members!

Slimsid - I know you're trying to wind me up but I'll answer you anyway ;) All of the answers to your question are in the OP.

The cat adopted Helenasq's baby bunnies that we had to stay and loved them. The dogs would stay downstairs away from bunny but I would hope to introduce them at some point.

Teeny thanks for the help! I did find a gorgeous little mini lop boy in the Manchester RSPCA but mum really wants to go for a baby so I have been in touch with a few breeders and one has got back to me who is happy for me to ask questions and go look around etc. She has some due at the end of May and some more later on.

I'll let you know how I get on!!

There a few more answers to your thread over on the RU

Why would my house stink??

Two dogs and one cat... I have nothing on some of the other forum members!

Slimsid - I know you're trying to wind me up but I'll answer you anyway ;) All of the answers to your question are in the OP.

The cat adopted Helenasq's baby bunnies that we had to stay and loved them. The dogs would stay downstairs away from bunny but I would hope to introduce them at some point.

Teeny thanks for the help! I did find a gorgeous little mini lop boy in the Manchester RSPCA but mum really wants to go for a baby so I have been in touch with a few breeders and one has got back to me who is happy for me to ask questions and go look around etc. She has some due at the end of May and some more later on.

I'll let you know how I get on!!

sorry , didn't read all your origional post before i replied.

sorry , didn't read all your origional post before i replied.

Tut tut! :lol:

holidayhutch what's the RU? --- oooh gotcha! thanks :)

holidayhutch what's the RU? --- oooh gotcha! thanks :)
;) You're welcome

i used to have a netherland dwarf what lived inside when i was a kid, was actualy my rabbit and i used to take he routside to play in garden not in a run she used to run after us like a dog and we used to lay out obsticals for her and she loved it she was like a tiny tiny tiny dog lol called snowball lol

Aw bless! :lol:

I've now got two possibles lined up... there's a rescue in Manchester RSPCA who is gorgeous but older than we originally wanted and I've also been in touch with a breeder, who, so far seems great and has two beautiful kits available at the end of May... she's just sent me pictures and her choc butterfly baby is beautiful.

Decisions Decisions!

I think it's only fair that you share the photos so we can help you make your decision! :D

I would love to Hels but I'm not posting piccies of the breeder's kits because I did that with the dalmatian pup I was supposed to have before Takara and it caused uproar and resulted in me losing the pup!

Here's Monty's page from rabbit rehome - he's gorgeous.. we don't even know if he's still available, we have enquired but have also spoken to the breeder of the kits available in May and are seriously considering one...
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/moreinfo.asp?RabID=15405

I would love to Hels but I'm not posting piccies of the breeder's kits because I did that with the dalmatian pup I was supposed to have before Takara and it caused uproar and resulted in me losing the pup!

Here's Monty's page from rabbit rehome - he's gorgeous.. we don't even know if he's still available, we have enquired but have also spoken to the breeder of the kits available in May and are seriously considering one...
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/moreinfo.asp?RabID=15405

Ooh Monty is silver fox like my bunny Liquorice aww, are the kits Mini's Lotti? :D

Just thought that you might like a look at my two, Liquorice is just like Monty...well apart from the ears :D

Bunnies (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d159/5critters/100_0022Bunnies.jpg)

is it just me or are they asking a hell of a lot for there bunnys lol although hes is bootifull

Aww Monbird they're gorgeous!

I suppose if you consider Monty has been neutered and vaccinated £40 is not all that much... the kits that are available in May are £30 each or £50 for a pair.

Moonbird, yes the kits are mini lops. One is sooty fawn and the other is Chocolate butterfly. I did try to persuade mum that we should have both instead of a lone bunny but I don't think she's going for it... hopefully it will become well bonded with Smitch but if not it'll come down the shop with me so it gets enough attention :)

Here's Mookie ... our mini lop ..

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Pvj9dUFpfb0/Sc95TMQ4E0I/AAAAAAAAEHA/PI5b-9cwRw4/s912/29032009088.jpg

and Ben .. out Netherland Dwarf

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Pvj9dUFpfb0/Sc953XC3rVI/AAAAAAAAEHY/xn5Gml3lvaM/s912/29032009097.jpg

it's saying I can't load the page :(

yes that true i got one from thornburry a few years bk a brown and white gorgous lop i think he was around 20pounds but dident come with anything no castration no jabs, and a very bad attitude lol

Hi I have 1 bunny left it is a cross lionhead and very cute. it is very fluffy and grey in colour. 9 weeks old. £15

if anyone is intrested please pm me and i will get back to you.

Ooh Monty is silver fox like my bunny Liquorice aww, are the kits Mini's Lotti? :D

You NEEED a silver fox - they are the most wonderful little creatures around (ahem apart from mini lops..I can't be showing favouritism as Coco will get jealous!)

Full of character (aren't they Teeny? LOL!) and just wonderful.

Get a silver fox!!

£40-50 is about right for a neutered and/or vaccinated bun. I thought they would be really cheap to run, but their annual service and MOT was more than it was for my car! (and they probably eat more than my car does too)

But I wouldn't change them for the world :)

I was under the impression Monty was just Silver Fox colouring... not the actual breed? It says breed mini lop :confused:

Im not up with rabbits but if you type silver fox rabbit in google in does come up with 'breed info' not colour.

i think i misread your post lotti :roll:. Early night for me i think.

I was under the impression Monty was just Silver Fox colouring... not the actual breed? It says breed mini lop :confused:

He might be crossed - he's certainly the right colouring for an otter silver fox - but they are def a breed - good fur and meat breed (as I keep telling Treacle ;))

I was under the impression Monty was just Silver Fox colouring... not the actual breed? It says breed mini lop :confused:

I've re-read it too.

He's a cutey!! And yes he's the colouring but a lop bread.


0/10 and back of the class for me!!

Well... we're off to see a kitten in Huddersfield soon... just need to arrange the right time to go and see.

The breeder is happy to reserve it for us now and take a deposit later. She won't take the deposit until the bun is 6 weeks to ensure it's healthy etc. but she's happy for us to go and see her set up and bunnies.

I've not heard back about Monty yet but that will be over the weekend. We're still thinking a younger kitten would be better so please, somebody adopt Monty and make me feel better!!

Oh Lotti I'd take him home in a heartbeat if I could get away with having another one (or three..)

Lets hope the little mite finds a lovely home!

We haven't completely ruled him out but I need to know he's going to be comfortable with our set up, and having only a small amount of experience with rabbits, I would want to know he was very tame and handleable as I don't feel confident enough to turn an untame bunny around if you see what I mean?

Definitely keen on the kit but again, not 100% until we've seen the set up and spoken to the breeder in person.

He is absolutely beautiful and if I could have more - I'd have them all! :lol:

Dutch's are great house rabbits. I've had six over the last 14 years and are perfect house rabs. The first dutch i had, I rescued it with 2 dwarf lops (It had been mistreated by a male and kicked around) but he came to be a loving bunny playing with the others fine and acting more like a dog then a rabbit (scratching at back door when he wanted the loo, curling up on feet at night or in front of fire). Over the years I have had 3 Netherland Dwarves 4 Dwarf Lops, 4 Dwarf Dutch, mixed breeds. But I would say the Dutches have given me the most pleasure as they have shown their unique personalities most. They have also been the best around my son who is now 10.

Good luck in whichever Bunwab you get.

It's so lovely to hear you guys talking about the bunnies in this way :love:. I never realised Buns were so full of character until reading this thread. I have never had a bun and am to allergic but they sound wonderful.

Lottie you must keep us up to date with the adventures you have with Bun and the training you do, i can't wait to hear about it :D

Aw Adz I will!

Do a search on youtube for 'rabbit agility' or 'rabbit clicker training' it's brilliant!

I would love to Hels but I'm not posting piccies of the breeder's kits because I did that with the dalmatian pup I was supposed to have before Takara and it caused uproar and resulted in me losing the pup!

Here's Monty's page from rabbit rehome - he's gorgeous.. we don't even know if he's still available, we have enquired but have also spoken to the breeder of the kits available in May and are seriously considering one...
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/moreinfo.asp?RabID=15405

Oh my, sorry, that never occured to me!! :o

I love the rex, they are like velvet

I love the rex, they are like velvet

I have an orange rex and he is sooo gorgeous

My pal has a black otter and he's beautiful

I've had contact back from the RSPCA and Monty and his brother (Jonty - good grief!) are quite nervous bunnies so he is looking for quite a quiet home and after telling her, very truthfully about our set up, she thinks he's probably not the rabbit for us.

I also heard back from another breeder I contacted so still have a back up if the breeder I've already mentioned doesn't impress :lol:

Please somebody give Monty a home!!! :lol: He's soooo beautiful!

Don't tempt me! I'd then have more animals than people. And I get bullied by my two as it is :(