Rabbit color dwarf: breed description and character, content features

Among the existing decorative rabbits, the colored dwarf stands out for its small size. This animal has a friendly nature. Rabbits of this breed are very popular, as they are simple and undemanding to care for. The animal comes in different colors. Due to their small size, the colored dwarf is usually bred to be kept at home.

History of Appearance

Representatives of the breed appeared in the first half of the last century. Breeders from the Netherlands were engaged in breeding colored dwarfs. The progenitors of these animals were wild rabbits and representatives of the Polish breed.From the offspring, then they began to take the smallest young animals of a non-standard color for further breeding.

Description of the colored dwarf breed

The short-haired dwarf rabbit has the following characteristics:

weight - up to 1.5 kilograms (on average, 1.1-1.25 kilograms);
strong and compact torso;
almost invisible neck;
upright ears up to 5.5 centimeters long;
short legs;
short tail, tightly pressed to the body;
shiny and dense coat.

The nature of the rabbit directly depends on the behavior of the owners. The animal adequately responds to the manifestation of affection and aggression. Despite the foregoing, the character of rabbits of this breed is peaceful. These animals love affection and attention, they sit well on the hands. The temper of a colored dwarf is manifested in behavior.In particular, when meeting animals often stand on their hind legs, thereby attracting attention.

Colored dwarfs most clearly show character during puberty. At this time, the animals become restless and in some cases show aggression towards humans. The character is fully formed by the age of 1.5.

The coat color has a wide variation of shades. Pets of this breed are chocolate, black, white, silver and others.

What are the pros and cons?

Among the advantages of this breed are the following:

does not need to be washed regularly;
good-natured character;
easy to litter box;
not picky about food.

Due to their nature, these rabbits require constant attention. Animals are prone to mood swings. Like other rabbits, this species sheds every three months. In addition, the animals need a spacious enclosure.

Rules of maintenance and care

This variety of rabbits has a well-developed nervous system. Therefore, these animals are subject to stress arising from:

changes in diet and residence;
abrupt disruption of the daily routine;
prolonged lack of food and water;
bright flash of light in the dark;
excessive nest control in the enclosure and other reasons.

This animal is both curious and shy. Therefore, a rabbit, frightened by a sudden appearance, can bite a person.

To maintain the normal life of a pet, it is necessary:

Change bedding 2-3 times a week;
clean the feeder and drinker daily;
timely change toilet filler;
weekly disinfect the enclosure and inspect the animal;
cut your nails at least once a month.

To keep the coat from matting, the rabbit needs to be combed every day.

Containment conditions

Rabbits get into a stressful situation due to a change in the microclimate of the room. Animals do not tolerate large accumulations of dust and dirt. Therefore, for colored dwarfs to live, it is necessary to organize good ventilation, otherwise pets may suffocate and die.

You can keep rabbits in an aviary made of metal and unpainted rods. The dimensions of the latter should be 5 times the size of the animal. It is allowed to keep no more than seven adults in one enclosure. Such a house is recommended to be placed away from direct sunlight and drafts. At the bottom of the enclosure, it is necessary to organize a litter from:

specialized materials;
wicking granules;
straw;
sawdust.

The temperature in the room should not exceed +25 degrees. At frosts of -18 degrees, animals get sick. When raising rabbits, you need to remember that in these pets, the growth of teeth does not stop. Therefore, colored dwarfs constantly gnaw everything around. However, this breed is characterized by one feature: if necessary, animals can be weaned from this habit.

Rabbits need to be vaccinated against hemorrhagic disease, myxomatosis and pasteurellosis, even when pets do not come into contact with other animals.

Feeding Features

Hay must be introduced into the basis of the diet of rabbits. In addition, animals constantly require water and grain mixtures.To eliminate vitamin deficiency and to prevent disease, it is recommended to add carrots, beets, apples, fresh herbs and other vegetables and fruits to the diet. Colored dwarfs need clean, filtered water, heated to a temperature of + 15-18 degrees. To supply liquid, it is necessary to attach a drinking bowl with a metal spout to the walls of the enclosure.

In addition to these components, you can add specialized feeds that are sold in pet stores to the diet. Such products are issued in accordance with the standards indicated on the packaging. Simultaneously with dry food, animals must be provided with constant access to water.

Representatives of this breed should not be given food from the table. Pets develop serious illnesses when consumed:

cookies;
chocolate;
potatoes;
pastry products and a number of other products.

Miniature pets are not pretentious in food and consume little food. But for normal development, rabbits need mineral supplements. With a calcium deficiency in animals, convulsions occur. Over time, this can lead to heart failure, causing pets to die.

Subtleties of breeding rabbits

One male and 3-4 females are needed to breed this breed. Puberty in these pets occurs by three months. Therefore, from this period, the male and females need to be bred in different enclosures. The first mating can be carried out with the onset of the seventh month (but not later than a year). For mating, it is necessary to place the female in the enclosure with the male. This process is allowed to be repeated no more than twice a day with an interval of one hour. If the mating was successful, then the offspring will appear in 30 days. Every year, the female can bring up to nine offspring, each of which contains up to eight rabbits. The last time to happen animals up to the age of three.

Where to buy and the price of baby rabbits

It is recommended to buy representatives of the color dwarf breed in specialized nurseries. This is explained by the fact that it is impossible to determine the type of rabbits in appearance. Therefore, there is a risk of buying an animal of a different breed.

The price of a rabbit of this breed depends on the color. On average, a pet will cost 2 thousand rubles. But those colored dwarfs who have black circles around the eyes (oto colors) are estimated at up to 10 thousand rubles.