Netherland Dwarf rabbits: size, temperament and care

Netherland lop bunny or Netherland Dwarf?

There is no Netherland lop breed. A Netherland Dwarf always has short ears that stand up on top of the head. The floppy-eared dwarf most people picture is the Holland Lop, which PetMD explains was bred in the Netherlands by Adriann de Cock by crossing a larger French Lop with a smaller Netherland Dwarf. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognised it in 1979 and sets its maximum at 4 lb (1.8 kg).

So if you have been told your rabbit is a "Netherland lop", it is most likely a Holland Lop or a dwarf-lop cross. Our Holland Lop profile covers that breed, and our guide to lop-eared rabbit breeds compares every lop by size. Lops have their own care point: the RSPCA notes lop-eared rabbits are more prone to ear problems, so check inside those ears weekly.

What is a Netherland Dwarf rabbit?

A Netherland Dwarf is a tiny, compact breed developed in the Netherlands in the early 1900s. Fur and Feather, the British Rabbit Council's journal, traces it to small Polish rabbits exported from England to Holland. PetMD says the breed was recognised in the Netherlands in 1940, in the UK in 1950 and by ARBA in 1969. Fur and Feather notes that breeding stopped during the Second World War, and that since arriving in the UK in 1950 it has become one of the country's most popular fancy breeds.

Its tiny size comes from a single dwarf gene. That gene is also why the breed has its round, short face and why it needs extra care with its teeth. Our rabbit breeds guide shows how it compares with the other breeds.

How to recognise a Netherland Dwarf

• Very small: an adult fits in two cupped hands and weighs about a kilogram (2 to 2.5 lb)
• Short, upright ears, under 2.5 in (6.5 cm) long according to PetMD
• A large, round head with a flat face, which ARBA calls brachycephalic
• Big, round eyes set wide apart
• A short, stout, cobby body with short legs
• A short, soft coat

Plenty of small rabbits sold as "dwarfs" are mixes. A rabbit that grows past 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz), or has a longer face and ears, is probably a cross. That doesn't matter for a pet, but it helps to know which breed's needs you are planning for.

Netherland Dwarf size compared with other small breeds

ARBA sets the Netherland Dwarf's show maximum at 2.5 lb (1.13 kg), the lowest of any breed. The British ideal is even smaller, 0.907 kg (2 lb), and PDSA puts the average UK adult at under 1 kg. Rabbit Rehome, a UK rehoming site, says most are just over 1 kg.

See our profiles of the Himalayan and the Mini Rex for the other two.

Netherland Dwarf colours

ARBA recognises 25 colour varieties, and has added new ones over time. Fur and Feather says most colours and patterns are recognised in the UK. They range from self colours (one colour all over) to shaded, ticked and pointed coats. The colour makes no difference to care, so pick the rabbit, not the coat.

Netherland Dwarf temperament

PetMD's vet-reviewed profile describes them as intelligent, energetic and playful, and one of the easier breeds to litter train. It also notes the early lines were fearful and sometimes aggressive. Breeding has made them gentler and friendlier, but many are still shy and skittish in a new home, and may bite, kick or scratch if they feel unsafe. PDSA says the breed is generally shy and startles easily.

PetMD suggests they suit homes with adults best, because they are easily hurt by rough handling and may leap out of arms. A tiny rabbit that falls from chest height can break its back. Sit on the floor and let the rabbit come to you. Our guide on how to tame and bond with a rabbit sets out the steps.

How long do Netherland Dwarf rabbits live?

PetMD gives about 10 to 12 years and PDSA gives 7 to 9 years. We'd plan for at least ten: getting the teeth and diet right is what decides which end of that range a dwarf reaches. Our rabbit lifespan guide covers each life stage.

What a Netherland Dwarf needs that other rabbits don't

As much space as a big rabbit

Small rabbits run and jump just as much as big ones. The RSPCA minimum for two rabbits is 3 m × 2 m × 1 m (10 ft × 6 ft 6 in × 3 ft) of living space, with shelter and run joined. PetMD recommends keeping dwarfs indoors, because their size makes them vulnerable to predators, with at least three hours a day of supervised time in a rabbit-proofed room if the main home is smaller. See our rabbit cage size guide for layouts that work.

Clean air for a short airway

PetMD notes the shortened airway makes dwarfs more prone to upper respiratory infection (snuffles) than bigger breeds. Ammonia from dirty litter irritates the airway, so spot clean daily, avoid dusty clay cat litter, and keep the rabbit in a draught-free room between 10 and 25°C (50 to 77°F).

Smaller portions, same hay

A dwarf eats a smaller pile of everything except hay. PetMD suggests about ⅛ cup of pellets a day for this breed, about 1 cup of leafy greens per 2 lb (900 g) of body weight, and unlimited grass hay, roughly the rabbit's own body size or more every day. Our rabbit diet guide and safe food list cover the greens.

Weekly care checklist

• Look at the front teeth: top teeth should sit just in front of the bottom ones
• Feel along the jaw for lumps and check the chin and front paws for wet fur
• Weigh your rabbit; at this size a 100 g (3.5 oz) loss is a big change
• Check the eyes and nose for discharge and listen for sneezing
• Brush the coat once, and every other day during a moult
• Check the bottom is clean (daily in warm weather, for flystrike)
• Check nails; PetMD suggests a trim every 4 to 6 weeks

Netherland Dwarf health problems

The two problems most linked to the breed are teeth and breathing.

• Dental malocclusion: PetMD explains that the short muzzle and flat face can crowd the teeth so they don't meet. Teeth then grow into sharp points or curl. Signs are eating less, drooling and pawing at the face. Vets usually examine under sedation, take X-rays and trim or reshape the teeth, and many rabbits need trims for life.
• Upper respiratory infection: sneezing, runny eyes or nose, noisy breathing. See a vet within a day or two.
• Gut stasis: not eating or not passing droppings. This is an emergency.
• Skin mites: itching, flaky skin, hair loss. A vet prescribes treatment.
• E. cuniculi: head tilt, loss of balance, tremors. See a vet promptly.

The RSPCA lists dwarf and mini varieties among breeds bred for small size that commonly carry inherited problems, while noting that studies on whether skull shape causes dental disease are inconclusive. It also notes tear duct problems are common in flat-faced breeds, so a constantly wet eye is worth a vet check. Our rabbit health guide covers each sign.

Where to find a Netherland Dwarf

Try rescues first. Dwarf breeds and dwarf crosses are common in rescues, and a rescue rabbit usually comes neutered, vaccinated and with its teeth already checked. In the UK, search Rabbit Rehome. In the US, the House Rabbit Society's adoption page links to local rescues. Our guide on where to get a rabbit covers what to ask.

If you choose a breeder, ARBA's Netherland Dwarf page links to its find-a-breeder directory, and UK breeders show through the National Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club and British Rabbit Council shows. Ask:

• Can I see the parents' teeth? Both should have neatly meeting front teeth.
• Has this rabbit or either parent needed tooth trims?
• How has the rabbit been handled? A rabbit used to gentle handling settles faster.
• Has it been vaccinated, and will you take it back if needed?
• Can I take a pair, or will you help me find a companion?

PDSA puts the average price at about £30 as of November 2026, and estimates £7,900 to £10,000 to keep one over its life, roughly doubled for a pair. We have no equivalent US figure from a source we trust. Our rabbit cost guide breaks the running costs down.