The Netherland Dwarf, as the name indicates, is an extremely small breed of domestic rabbits known for its shy nature and cute appearance. It thrives in a calm and stable environment and does not like being picked up and cuddled frequently.
It was first created in the Netherlands during the early 20th century, as a result of successive crossings between small Polish rabbits and wild rabbits. The new breed was imported in the UK in 1948 and brought to the US during the 1960 and 70s. The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognized it in 1969.
Show rabbit, house pet
Seniors, singles, families with older children
Netherlands
Sweet, shy, quiet, friendly, skittish, can be stubborn or disagreeable
No
10-12 years
Dwarf, 12-14 inches long
1.1-2.5 lbs
12-13 inches
12-13 inches
Short, soft, dense, shiny
Short, small, erect, well-proportioned, balanced, with rounded tips, about 2 inches long
Low
High
Regularly spot-clean your Netherland Dwarf’s bedding to remove its droppings and make sure to clean its cage every week. It is prone to issues like misalignment of teeth (malocclusion) that can be corrected by taking your rabbit to the vet.
An indoor cage measuring at least 18 X 24 X 14 inches is needed. Use a larger enclosure of dimensions 48 X 24 X 24 inches to keep them in groups.
Unlimited supply of fresh hay, 1/8-1/4 cups of pellets, and a half cup of dark leafy greens per day
Occasional
Regular
Brush its fur using a bristled brush once or twice a week, making sure that you stroke in the direction of the hairs. Clean its coat with a moist cloth if it gets smelly and dirty.
Low
High
Being extremely energetic by nature, it requires 3-4 hours of exercise per day. Take it out of its enclosure and allow it to socialize so that it enjoys human interaction.
Low
High
While the price of Netherland Dwarf rabbits varies between $25 and $75 depending on the quality, the overall cost of keeping it is average.
Low
High
It sheds heavily during the spring and fall, which can be controlled with regular brushing.