Most people searching “rabbit breeds in Australia” are trying to match a rabbit to their home: how big it will get, how much grooming it needs, and whether it will cope with children, heat, and indoor life. The breed matters, but so do the practicalities around housing, companionship, and disease prevention — the quiet details that shape a rabbit’s daily welfare.
Below is a clear guide to common breeds you’ll see kept as pets or shown in Australia, plus what to consider before you choose. It also flags the Australian biosecurity reality: rabbit haemorrhagic disease (calicivirus) is still circulating, so vaccination and hygiene are part of responsible ownership here.1, 2, 3
Rabbit breeds in Australia: what “breed” can (and can’t) tell you
A rabbit’s breed can give you clues about adult size, coat type, and some broad tendencies (for example, long-haired coats generally need more grooming). But temperament varies widely between individuals. Early handling, a stable routine, desexing, and whether the rabbit has an appropriate companion often shape behaviour more than the label on a pedigree.
When you’re comparing breeds, think in three layers:
- Body size (space, lifting/handling, vet costs can scale with size)
- Coat type (grooming time, risk of matting, heat management)
- Daily management (exercise time, enrichment, companionship and safe housing)
Popular rabbit breeds kept as pets
These breeds (and crosses that resemble them) are commonly kept as companions. If you’re adopting, you may be offered “type” rather than a confirmed pedigree — which is still useful for guessing adult size and coat care.
Netherland Dwarf
One of the smallest breeds. Their compact build suits indoor living, but their small size can make safe handling especially important around young children. A secure pen with good floor grip matters, because small rabbits can still move fast and startle easily.
Mini Lop (and other lop types)
Round-headed, compact rabbits with lopped ears. Lop-eared rabbits can be prone to ear issues because the ear canal is less well ventilated, so routine checks and good hygiene are part of life with a lop. Choose housing that stays dry and well-ventilated, and plan for daily exercise outside the hutch or pen.4, 5
Dutch
A medium, sturdy rabbit with a distinct two-tone pattern. Often a good “generalist” companion: not too delicate, not too large, and typically easy to groom due to the short coat.
Rex and Mini Rex
Known for their plush, velvety coat. The coat feels different under the hand, but it’s still a short coat, so grooming is usually simpler than in long-haired breeds. Provide soft resting areas and solid flooring to protect feet and joints.5
Jersey Wooly and Angora types
Long-haired rabbits look like moving clouds, but the coat is work. They need frequent grooming to prevent matting, and many require extra attention in warm weather. If grooming will be a struggle in your household, a short-haired breed is often kinder for both rabbit and owner.
Housing and companionship: the part that matters more than breed
Rabbits are a social species. Most do best with a compatible rabbit companion, usually after desexing and a careful bonding process. If you keep one rabbit, you’ll need to provide substantial daily interaction and enrichment, especially if the rabbit is alone for long stretches of the day.4, 6
Whatever the breed, housing should allow real movement and choice: a sheltered resting area, a separate toileting area, and enough space to hop, stretch, and stand comfortably. Small hutches with little time out are a common welfare problem.4, 5
- Aim for space and exercise daily: rabbits need room to move, plus regular time out of the enclosure for exercise.5
- Choose solid, comfortable flooring: avoid wire floors; provide a solid standing/resting surface to protect feet.4, 7
- Build in enrichment: opportunities to forage, dig, hide, and explore reduce boredom and support normal behaviour.5, 8
Biosecurity in Australia: calicivirus (RHDV) is still a real risk
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (often called calicivirus) can spread through direct contact and contaminated materials, and it can be carried by insects such as flies. For pet rabbits, the practical response is layered protection: vaccination guided by your vet, insect control, careful hygiene, and minimising contact with wild rabbits (and with unfamiliar pet rabbits).1, 2, 3
Australian authorities and welfare organisations recommend measures such as keeping pet rabbits indoors where possible, cleaning equipment, and taking care with shoes and hands after outdoor activity or contact with other rabbits.1, 2
Breeds for showing and exhibition
Show rabbits are selected for appearance, condition, and handling. Breeds often seen in exhibition settings include lop varieties, Rex types, Dutch, and larger breeds such as Flemish Giant. If your goal is showing, plan for:
- Conditioning and handling practice (calm, consistent, gentle)
- Coat and nail maintenance suited to the breed
- Transport and biosecurity, because shows can increase disease exposure risk without careful hygiene and vaccination planning1, 2
“Rare and endangered” rabbit breeds: a quick correction
Some breeds are less common than others in Australia, depending on local breeder networks and what’s popular in shows. But it’s usually not accurate to describe common domestic breeds like the Flemish Giant or English Lop as “endangered” in a conservation sense. When people say “rare”, they often mean “harder to find locally” rather than at risk of extinction.
Choosing the right rabbit breed for your home
Use breed as a starting point, then choose based on what you can provide every day.
Quick fit check
- Living space: can you provide a large pen or rabbit-proofed room time daily, not just a small hutch?4, 7
- Time: rabbits need daily feeding, cleaning, handling, and enrichment — more if kept singly.5, 6, 8
- Grooming tolerance: if you won’t keep up with long-coat grooming, choose a short-haired breed.
- Companionship plan: are you aiming for a bonded pair, and can you manage desexing and introductions safely?6, 9
- Vet and vaccination: are you set up for routine rabbit-savvy veterinary care and vaccination advice appropriate to your area?1, 2
Breeding and raising rabbits: a note of caution
Breeding rabbits is not a casual extension of pet ownership. It increases health risks for does and kits, raises the odds of unwanted litters, and can complicate housing and bonding due to hormonal and territorial behaviour. If you’re considering breeding, speak with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian and an experienced, welfare-focused breeder first, and have a clear plan for housing, veterinary care, and responsible rehoming.
Final thoughts
The “best” rabbit breed is the one that fits your daily life: enough space to move, safe footing, steady companionship, and calm, regular care. Get those basics right and most breeds — and many lovely mixed rabbits — settle into a quiet rhythm, alert and curious, watching the household as if it were part of the landscape.
References
- Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) — Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (Calicivirus)
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase — What is rabbit calicivirus and how do I protect my rabbit from rabbit haemorrhagic disease?
- CSIRO — Rabbit caliciviruses update (May 2025 update page)
- Agriculture Victoria (Animal Welfare Victoria) — Owning a rabbit
- Agriculture Victoria (Animal Welfare Victoria) — Your rabbit’s welfare needs
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase — What companionship do rabbits need?
- Agriculture Victoria (Animal Welfare Victoria) — Guidelines for keeping pet rabbits
- Agriculture Victoria (Animal Welfare Victoria) — Enrichment for rabbits
- RSPCA Australia — How to socialise rabbits
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom