What is a Lionhead rabbit?

Lionhead rabbits are a newer breed of rabbits to the United States. Imported in 1999 (mostly from Europe)

Their is much speculation of which two rabbits were used first to make the first beautiful Lionhead. Some say the Swiss Fox and the Netherland Dwarf . One thing for certain is the Lionhead rabbit is a mutation and the first major mutation in rabbits since 1932 when the Satin first appeared in a litter of Havanas.

The Lionhead tends to be very friendly and enjoys human contact. They are healthy overall as a breed. With their longer coat they need some grooming but not nearly as much as the wooly rabbits.

Colors and varieties for the Lionheads include: Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Tortoise, Ruby Eyed White, Blue Eyed White, Siamese Sable, Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Chincilla, Squirrel, Frosted Pearl, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Sable Point Marten, Chestnut, Opal, Chocolate Agouti, Red, Blue Tortoise, Orange, Golden, Fox (tortoise Otter) Pearl Point, Black Otter, Blue Otter, Chocolate Otter, Lilac Otter, Tan, Bi-Color ( white and one other color), Tri-Color ( white and two other colors), Japenese, Magpie, Himalayan, Californian, Silver Tipped black, Golden Tipped Back, Golden Tip Brown, Silver tipped Blue, Silver Tipped siamese, Golden Tipped Siamese, and so on.

Lionheads are small in size typically weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds. depending on it's set of genes the lionhead can be double maned, single maned or no maned.

Single maned Lionhead rabbits have a mane that is around it's head, ears,chin and sometimes on it's chest. Typically their mane wool dimishes as they get older.

Double maned Lionhead rabbits have a regular mane of wool all the way around the head, and some have "transitional wool" around the hindquarters, tail,and their hips that some refer to as a "skirt"

No mane They look like a ordinary rabbit or similar to a larger Netherland Dwarf.

Because Lionheads are not a recognized ARBA( American Rabbit Breeders Association) breed. They can not compete for best in show.