Lionhead rabbits are some of the furriest bunnies you will ever see. There’s much to unpack with these cute creatures but, before you get too invested in them, you first need to know a few basic things. Details such as what they are, how to care for them, and, most importantly, how long do lionhead bunnies live? Find your answers here.
Lionhead Rabbit Background
Lionhead rabbits are, relatively, still babies in the whole rabbit world because it’s recent a mix of dwarf rabbit breeds. The specific breed of the rabbits used to crossbreed for this has not been publicly disclosed and has left many to wonder, although most speculate that a lionhead rabbit is a result of breeding a Swiss Fox Rabbit with a Neanderthal dwarf rabbit.
Regardless of its parentage, the lionhead rabbit was born with extremely unique features. This mysterious endeavor gave birth to a new compact bunny with a wool mane.
These rabbits were imported from Belgium to Europe in the 1990s while they reached America in 2000. This breed was officially recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC) in 2002 but received recognition from the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) much later on in 2014. Even now, the specific color patterns that the ARBA recognizes is limited compared to that of European rabbit associations.
Since this is a curated breed, it’s best for the domestic lifestyle and is only recognized in minimal colors and varieties, going by ARBA standards.
Lionhead Rabbit Need-To-Knows
These bunnies have been made to be the perfect extra-small pet!
On average, lionhead rabbits will weigh around 3 lbs and can measure 8” – 10” long once they reach adulthood. Their ears are also upturned and can grow up to 3.5” long. They’re most identifiable by their unique fur, which is where the inspiration for their name comes from.
Around their crown, they have a soft, fluffy, and wooly mane of fur at medium length. This fur can also have either a single or double coating, which describes the thickness of their hair. Single coat manes have their fur around the head, similar to a daisy shape. Double coat manes have longer fur and are 50% thicker than single manes. They likewise have the mane around their crown but they also grow long fur around their haunches and chest areas, requiring much more maintenance.
Upon reaching adulthood, the differences between the two coats will be less noticeable. Since this rabbit is relatively new, the color varieties recognized differ depending on the rabbit council and region.
As stated earlier, the ARBA recognizes fewer varieties and colors than the UK. Mainly, lionhead rabbits found with the Red-Eyed White and the Tortoiseshell rabbits in blue, black, chocolate, and lilac. Other varieties remain under development and require three successful presentations at ARBA conventions before official recognition.
Like with other breeds, lionhead bunnies are ready to mate before they reach a year old. Females will be ready to mate at eight months while males are ready at 9 months old.
Temperament-wise, they are extremely gentle and intelligent but can be attention-seeking. They’re great for taking care of in the house, especially as they’re so docile and playful. Lionhead bunnies are an extremely active bunch and they love companionship from similar rabbits. They’re also incredibly easy to train!
That said, lionhead rabbits are known to be easily spooked due to stress over contact with unfamiliar keepers, dissatisfaction with living arrangements, or feeling unwell and vulnerable. They can turn to aggressive behavior and nip or attack whoever has caused them a fright.
To help, lionhead rabbits require many outlets for their energy, such as rabbit-safe chew toys and designated areas for digging. Making sure their hutch has enough space for them to jump, run, and burn off their energy as they desire without supervision.
While they love affection, they’re also known to desire independence. More than searching for a deep connection to their keepers, they prefer companionship from similar friends, such as other dwarf rabbit breeds.
Many rabbit keepers would recommend them for young children due to their loving personality and desire for affection and playtime. However, their keepers will also need to have some level of maturity or experience as well. House rabbits are hands-on creatures and can be easily agitated with too much handling from young children. Lionhead rabbits are also delicate animals who shouldn’t be handled roughly.
Lionhead Rabbit Lifespan
On average, lionhead rabbits are known to live up to 7–9 years old, maybe up to ten years with exceptional care. This number is just a few years short of the standard house rabbit lifespan, which is 8–12 years old, but is an average length when compared to wild rabbits.
The reason for this shorter-than-usual lifespan is partly due to their size. Being of a smaller breed, everything within them is smaller as well. This includes essential organs like the heart, the lungs, and the stomach. These organs go into overdrive to maintain the lionhead bunny’s level of activity and, after a while, it takes its toll on the bunny’s body.
Lionhead rabbits are also prone to some health complications, examples of which are dental problems due to worn-down teeth, spinal injuries due to their delicate bones, eye infections due to tear duct problems, and respiratory issues due to their small lung space.
However, many other factors can likewise affect the length of their time with you, all of which are easily manipulated and affected by how they are cared for. Simple factors such as where they live, what they eat, how they’re groomed, and if they’ve been spayed or neutered can affect how long they’ll be with you.
Factors To Help Lionhead Bunnies Live Longer
Rabbit bodies do not digest sugar well, so using the vet-recommended diet is essential. This usually consists of rabbit feed, hay, leafy vegetables, and healthy fruits. It’s also important to feed them with the proper food portions that your vet recommends, to avoid obesity.
Lionhead bunnies will also require regular grooming for their manes. This is to keep them comfortable and neat while minimizing the amount of dirt that could get tangled up in their fur. They need neat surroundings and ungroomed manes do not work well with that.
Additionally, you’ll also need to have an amazing relationship with your veterinarian. As these rabbits are prone to particular health conditions, regularly checking in with their doctor for any concerns is important, especially with their dental health since rabbit teeth never stop growing.
It’s also advised to have your rabbit neutered or spayed, to reduce the risk of cancer in their reproductive organs. This also helps manage their aggressive tendencies during their heat and reduces their moodiness and stress.
Lastly, where you keep your rabbit will ultimately be up to you but it’s been proven that keeping them indoors, with enough space tor roam, helps them live longer. When they stay outside, environmental factors such as weather, climate, unfamiliar noises, and possible predators add to their stress, which isn’t good for their rabbit hearts.
In contrast, keeping them indoors gives them the security they need to feel safe and comfortable. It also lessens their risk of getting a heat stroke and other similar conditions and makes it easier to observe any abnormalities in their behaviors.
Final Thoughts
It’s no surprise why lionhead rabbits are on the rise! These bunnies are lovable and can easily keep you and your family in high spirits. They’re intelligent and don’t require an overbearing amount of care from their keepers.
Having a lionhead rabbit requires the same attention and commitment that a dog would. You can expect them to be in your care for around ten years, with annual vet check-ups and needing a budget for toys and food.
These rabbits are amazing to keep around, whether you have a family with a 10-year old or if you plan on caring for it alone. No matter the situation, as long as you’re ready for it, this can be your next furry friend!
