AY Honors/Small Mammal Pets/Answer Key

2007-06-07T19:46:44Z

172.151.149.7: /* Diet */

:''This article concerns a particular breed of rabbit, the Netherland dwarf. For information on domestic rabbits in general, see [[Domestic rabbit]].''

[[Image:Netherlanddwarfbunny.jpg|right|thumb|A pet Netherland Dwarf.]]
[[Image:Netherland Dwarf On Brick.jpg|right|thumb|A female Netherland Dwarf.]]
The '''Netherland Dwarf''' is a popular [[breed]] of [[domestic rabbit]] (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'') originating in [[the Netherlands]]. Smaller than most [[List of rabbit breeds|rabbit breeds]], Netherland dwarf rabbits weigh 1 to 3 [[pound (mass)|lb]] (0.5 to 1.4 [[kilogram|kg]]) and are usually kept as [[pet]]s or exhibition animals. They are not typically used as sources of [[meat]] or [[fur]] because of their small size.

Most rabbits sold in [[pet store]]s are Netherland dwarfs, Netherland dwarf-[[selective breeding|derived breeds]] (often referred to simply as ''[[#Dwarf breeds|dwarf breeds]]''), or Netherland dwarf [[hybrid|crosses]]. Their popularity as pets stems from their [[baby]]ish appearance and their smaller [[cage]] space requirement compared to larger rabbit breeds.

==History==
The Netherland dwarf breed was first produced in the [[Netherlands]] in the early [[20th century]]. Small [[List of rabbit breeds#Polish|Polish rabbits]] were bred with smaller wild [[European rabbit|rabbit]]s<ref name="ARBA book: Netherland Dwarf">
{{cite book
| last = American Rabbit Breeders Association
| authorlink = American Rabbit Breeders' Association
| title = Official Guide Book: Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies
| publisher = American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.
| date = 2000
| location = Bloomington, IL
| pages = 65 }}
</ref>; after several generations the resulting animal was a very small domestic rabbit available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Netherland dwarfs were first imported into the [[United Kingdom]] in [[1948]]<ref name="ARBA book: Netherland Dwarf" />. In the [[1960s]] and [[1970s]] the [[United States]] imported its first Netherland dwarf rabbits. The breed was accepted by the [[American Rabbit Breeders' Association]] in [[1969]] using a modification of the British standard<ref name="ARBA book: Netherland Dwarf" />.

Early dwarfs, even into the 1970s and [[1980s]], had fearful and sometimes aggressive [[temperament]]s. This was a result of [[breeder]]s selecting wild [[breeder (animal)|breeding animals]] for their size. The first dwarf rabbits behaved more like these [[wild]] rabbits than domestic animals and were not good pets. However, through generations of [[selective breeding]], the modern Netherland dwarf has become a gentle, friendly pet rabbit, though it still retains a more energetic disposition than larger breeds.

==Appearance==
[[Image:Netherlanddwarf-loki.jpg|thumb|right|Young Netherland dwarf in a mismarked Himalayan pattern.]]
Netherland dwarfs' [[head]]s and [[eye]]s are disproportionately large with respect to their bodies, and their ears are tiny and carried high on the head. Additionally, their faces are rounded and shortened. These features, a part of the animals' [[dwarfism]], cause them to look [[infant]]ile even into [[adulthood]].

Dwarf crosses frequently retain some of these characteristics, depending on the breed the dwarf is crossed with. However, crosses rarely look as babyish as the [[purebred]] dwarfs and are usually somewhat larger.

[[Purebred]] Netherland dwarfs come in a wide variety of colors, including [[List of rabbit breeds#Himalayan|Himalayan]], Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Tortoiseshell, Chestnut, Siamese Sable, Opal, Lynx, Squirrel, [[List of rabbit breeds#Chinchilla|Chinchilla]], Otter, Tan, Silver Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Orange, Fawn, Steel, Blue-Eyed White and Ruby Eyed White<ref name="ARBA book: Netherland Dwarf" />. Other colors (including ''mismarks'') exist in non-show-quality Netherland dwarfs and in dwarf [[mongrel]] rabbits.

==Netherland dwarfs as pets==
:''Main article: [[Domestic rabbit#Rabbits as Pets|Domestic rabbit]]''

===Behavior===
Netherland dwarf rabbits have the same basic behavioral traits as other domestic rabbits. They can be litter-trained but are generally not very good with cats or dogs.

They tend to have [[wikt:spunky|spunkier]] and more energetic [[temperament]]s than larger breeds of rabbit and are rarely content to sit still when outside of the cage. They are curious animals and have a tendency to nibble on nearby objects and even human beings. However, they are extremely fragile animals and easily stressed, and as such they do not make good pets for young children.

===Diet===
Like other domestic rabbits, dwarf rabbits consume [[grasses]], [[cereal|grains]], and other succulent [[Leaf vegetable|greens]]. Their [[digestive system]] is somewhat less hardy than their larger cousins, and many leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage can give them health problems such as diarrhea. In addition, sudden changes to a dwarf rabbit's diet can cause health problems. Generally [[hay]] and a [[pellet]]ed feed should make up the largest portion of their diet. However, it should be noted that an excess of pellets in an older rabbit's diet can cause obesity.Do NOT feed them alfalfa, as it is too high in protein for them. Over time too much protein damages their liver and other vital interior organs

==Dwarf breeds==

Rabbit breeds derived from breeding larger rabbits with the Netherland dwarf are known as ''dwarf breeds''. Most smaller breeds, like the Mini-Rex, the Jersey Wooly, and the Holland lop, are results of such breedings. Generally dwarf breeds are slightly larger than the typical Netherland dwarf, not growing larger than 4 to 5 lb (1.8 to 2.3 kg). Most have shortened faces compared to larger rabbits, and some even preserve the rounded [[head]], large [[eye]]s, or small [[ear]]s of the Netherland dwarf.

Most dwarf breeds are intended to bring a specialized characteristic, such as a specific fur type, into a smaller rabbit. Mini-Rex were created through the breeding of dwarfs with [[List of rabbit breeds#Rex|Rex]] rabbits, a fur breed with a short, [[plush]] coat, and retain both the dwarf's size and the Rex fur. Jersey Woolies are a dwarf version of the [[Angora rabbit]], a [[wool]]-producing breed. [[List of rabbit breeds#Lop|Lop]]-eared rabbit breeds, interbred with dwarfs, were used to create [[Holland Lop]] and Mini-lop rabbits.

==Notes==
<references />

==See also==
* [[Dwarf rabbit]]
* [[List of rabbit breeds]]
* [[American Rabbit Breeders' Association]]

[[Category:Pet rabbits]]
[[Category:Leporids]]

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AY Honors/Small Mammal Pets/Answer Key