Today in the world there are more than one hundred breeds of rabbits. But those that are of economic importance are much smaller. The scientific classification of the breeds of these animals does not yet exist.
Conditional classification of rabbit breeds
Since rabbits are bred to obtain either fur, or fluff, or meat, then conventionally all breeds can be divided into fur, down or meat. Fur, in turn, are divided along the length of the coat. Let us consider in more detail what kind of rabbit breeds are depending on the length of the coat. Normally-haired, long-haired and short-haired breeds are distinguished.
The first type includes those breeds whose hairs correspond to the length of the hair of a European wild rabbit. Most domestic rabbits can be attributed to this type.
In long-haired breeds, the hair is much longer than in the European wild rabbit. This type, in turn, is divided into Angora and fox rabbits. The coat in shorthair breeds resembles plush to the touch. The most popular representatives of this type are Rex rabbits and satin rabbits.
Sometimes a classification is used according to the products received from rabbits: meat-skinned, skinned and meat. There is also a classification of rocks by size and weight: dwarf, small, medium and large breeds. If you decide to go rabbit breeding, you should find out what kind of rabbit breed is suitable for your region.
Breeds of rabbits popular in Russia
The following breeds of rabbits are the most common in Russia:
- Soviet chinchillas;
- white and gray giants;
- Viennese blue;
- white down;
- silver.
Consider the features of each of the listed breeds.
"Soviet Chinchilla" is a relatively new fur breed. Well acclimatized in any region of the country. The main color is silver-gray-blue. These rabbits are hardy, unpretentious. The average weight of an adult is about 5 kg.
Representatives of the breed "white giant" have a strong and at the same time gentle constitution. The name speaks for itself: these are large white-colored fur rabbits. The body length is about 60 cm, the mass of adults, as a rule, is more than 5 kg. Fertility of females - 7-8 rabbits. In Russia, divorced everywhere. Representatives of the gray giant breed differ from their white counterparts, of course, in color, as well as in larger sizes. The mass of individual individuals reaches 7 kg. The skins of these rabbits are almost the largest. However, the gray giants prefer a mild climate, so they are breeding in the southern regions of Russia.
"Vienna Blue" is a breed of meat-skinned rabbits. Medium-sized individuals with a slightly elongated body. The coat is bluish-blue, soft, shiny. The average adult weight is approximately 4.3 kg. Rabbits of this breed adapt well to any environmental conditions.
"White down" is our domestic breed of rabbits. The length of the fluff of these rabbits is about 7 cm, and from one individual you can get up to 700 g of fluff per year. Fertility for okrol - from 7 to 11 rabbits. Divorced everywhere in Russia.
Rabbits of the breed "silver" are distinguished by a wide body and very thick coat of silver color. Hence the name. These are medium sized rabbits weighing up to 4.5 kg. These are the most common breeds of rabbits in Russia. Although, of course, there are lovers of more exotic breeds.
Large rabbit breeds
Since people began to engage in animal husbandry, they tried to grow the largest individuals. Rabbit breeding is no exception. To date, about a dozen breeds of giant rabbits are known. Large breeds of rabbits, in addition to the white and gray giants discussed above, are primarily a giant angora, a giant butterfly, a giant chinchilla and some others. Their common feature is a body length of 60 to 80 cm and a mass of more than 6 kg.
Giant rabbit
The largest breed of rabbits is the "Belgian giant," or as it is also called "flanders." Representatives of this breed have large and fleshy ears, whose length reaches 20-25 cm, and body length - up to 80 cm. The mass of adults is about 8-10 kg. However, flanders reach such sizes only by 10-11 months, and it is unprofitable to breed them on an industrial scale. Therefore, the Belgian giant belongs to the decorative breeds. And what breeds of decorative rabbits are there, you will learn from the next paragraph.
Decorative rabbits
Recently, it has become a fashionable trend to have various pets at home. If you used to have a cat, a dog or a parrot at home, today you can see a variety of animals as pets. And if you decide to have a furry pet at home, then it's time to find out what kind of ornamental rabbits are. Maybe it is on them that you will choose.
One of the most common and favorite breeds of decorative rabbits is "dwarf rex". He has a short coat that feels like velvet. They are very elegant, just a royal breed!
"Dutch dwarf rabbit" is one of the smallest breeds. The mass of an adult rabbit is not more than 1 kg.
Another popular breed of rabbits in Russia is the Angora rabbits. Because of the fluffy hair, these rabbits look like fur balls. It’s worth choosing this breed if you have enough time to care for your pet’s hair.
"Lop-eared rabbits-rams" have not only a rather interesting name, but also their original appearance (hanging ears). Their weight can reach 3 kg. They quickly get used to the person.
Another of the small breeds of rabbits is Germelin. Very cute, looks like a beautiful toy. But at the same time, the hermels have a wayward character.
This is not all breeds of decorative rabbits, but only the most common. What breeds of rabbits can still be found in special literature.
Care for fluffy pets at home
Rabbits, as well as other pets, need care and care. It does not matter for what purpose you brought a rabbit (as a pet or are going to breed), you must follow the principles of care for him. If the pet is a dwarf breed, then there will not be any special problems with it. And if you decide to get rabbits of large breeds, you need to prepare in advance a place where your pets will settle. The cage should be spacious. As a litter, it is best to use straw or sawdust. Necessarily in the cage of rabbits should be clean water in sufficient quantities. You need to change it daily, and preferably 2 times a day. As a feed, store hay, grain. Also, with pleasure your pet will eat root crops and bran. And do not forget about the health of rabbits, annual vaccination should be carried out.