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What is a Teddywidder rabbit?
The Teddywidder is a young breed from Germany. Its name joins "teddy", for the soft teddy-bear coat, with "Widder", the German word for a lop-eared rabbit. Zooplus says it probably descends from Angora rabbits and that the German breeding body BDK has accepted it as a breed since 2009. It is sometimes sold in English as a teddy lop or German teddy lop.
Outside Germany it has little official standing. The British Rabbit Council's list of recognised breeds does not include it, and neither does the American list. In UK and US pet shops, "teddy" is used loosely for many fluffy lop-eared rabbits, so we'd treat the name on a label as a description rather than proof of breed. Our guide to rabbit breeds covers the recognised long-coated and lop breeds, including the Lionhead and the mini lop.
Teddywidder size and looks
Zooplus gives a weight range of 1.3 to 2 kg (2.9 to 4.4 lb), with an ideal of about 1.5 to 1.8 kg (3.3 to 4 lb) for does and 1.6 to 1.9 kg (3.5 to 4.2 lb) for bucks. That makes it a little heavier than the Teddy Dwarf, its upright-eared cousin, at 0.8 to 1.7 kg (1.8 to 3.7 lb). It has a compact body, broad shoulders, a short strong neck and a big round head, especially in bucks. The ears hang down and are about 24 to 26 cm (9.5 to 10 in) long. The coat is long all over, not just a mane.
| Breed | Weight | Ears | Coat care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teddywidder | 1.3 to 2 kg (2.9 to 4.4 lb) | Lop | Brush twice a week, daily in a moult |
| Teddy Dwarf | 0.8 to 1.7 kg (1.8 to 3.7 lb) | Upright | As above |
| Lionhead (PDSA) | About 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) | Upright | Mane daily, body weekly |
| UK mini lop | Up to 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) | Lop | Weekly |
Teddywidder temperament
Zooplus describes teddy rabbits as friendly, intelligent, alert, trusting and playful, with a strong need to move and a tendency to get bored quickly. That means a Teddywidder needs room to run and dig, toys and foraging, and a rabbit friend. Like all rabbits, they should live with a neutered companion and have at least 3 x 2 m (10 x 6 ft) of space for a pair. Our guide to rabbit enrichment has ideas that keep busy rabbits happy.
Caring for a Teddywidder coat
The coat is the breed's big selling point and its biggest job. Unlike an Angora, it doesn't need clipping, but zooplus says it needs brushing at least twice a week to stop it matting, and more often during the spring and autumn moults. During a heavy moult, daily is safer: a rabbit swallowing lots of loose fur risks a gut blockage, and rabbits cannot vomit it back up.
- Set up low and calm. Groom on your lap or on a towel on the floor, never on a high table. A treat of fresh herbs afterwards helps.
- Comb in sections. Use a wide-toothed comb first, working from the skin outwards in small sections along the back and sides.
- Finish with a soft brush. Once the comb runs through, a soft slicker or bristle brush lifts the loose undercoat.
- Check the hard-to-reach places. Behind the ears, under the chin, the armpits, the belly and round the bottom are where mats form first.
- Leave mats to a professional. Rabbit skin is thin and tears easily. Never cut mats out with scissors; ask your vet or vet nurse to clip them.
- Look under the tail. Do this every grooming session, and every day regardless.
A long coat hides a dirty bottom. The Rabbit Welfare Association says any rabbit with a dirty bottom is at very high risk of flystrike, where flies lay eggs that hatch into maggots within hours. Check under the tail daily all year and at least twice a day in summer. If you ever find maggots, ring your vet straight away, day or night.
Teddywidder health
Zooplus says the breed is severely affected by health problems linked to how it has been bred, and the RSPCA lists the Teddywidder among breeds bred for woolly hair and long ears that commonly suffer inherited health issues. The main ones are below.
| Problem | Why it happens | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Ear infections and hearing loss | Folded ear canals trap wax | Head shaking, scratching, smell, head tilt |
| Misaligned teeth | Short jaws in a round head | Dropping food, drooling, weight loss |
| Watery, sore eyes | Narrow tear ducts | Wet or crusty fur under the eyes |
| Fur swallowing | Long coat, heavy moults | Small or no droppings, not eating |
| Flystrike | Soiled long fur round the bottom | Dirty bottom, maggots, a sudden quiet rabbit |
The Rabbit Welfare Association's summary of a Royal Veterinary College study of 435 pedigree rabbits found lops at the highest risk of ear disease and long-haired rabbits more likely to have ear discharge and irritation. A Teddywidder is both. It asks owners to request an ear check at every vet visit. Our rabbit health guide lists which signs need a vet the same day.
- Daily: look under the tail, check the eyes for wetness, glance in each ear
- Twice a week: full comb-through to the skin
- Weekly: weigh, and check teeth by watching how they eat
- Every one to two months: trim nails
- Yearly: vaccinations and a vet health check including ears and teeth
Diet and housing
A Teddywidder eats what every rabbit eats: unlimited hay, a handful of leafy greens twice a day and about one tablespoon of nuggets. Plenty of hay matters doubly here, because chewing it keeps those short-jawed teeth worn and keeps the gut moving through moults. Our rabbit diet guide lists safe greens. For bedding, choose something that won't tangle in long fur: hay over paper-based litter, and fleece or vet bed on floors, rather than wood shavings.
Long-coated rabbits overheat more easily. Keep a Teddywidder in the shade with good airflow once temperatures pass about 20°C (68°F), and see our rabbit temperature guide for heatstroke signs.
Teddywidder rabbit for sale: what to know first
Zooplus calls Teddywidder breeding "very problematic" and recommends adopting from a shelter rather than buying. The Rabbit Welfare Association asks people not to buy lops from breeders. We agree. Fluffy lop-eared rabbits turn up in rescues often, many already neutered and vaccinated. If you do buy, ask to see both parents, check the ears, eyes and teeth, and walk away from any seller with several breeds or litters on offer. Our guide to where to get a rabbit has the full checklist.
Teddywidder rabbit cost
We haven't found a reliable price for the breed in the UK or US, and prices for "teddy" rabbits vary widely because so many are crosses. What you will spend over a lifetime matters more. PDSA puts the lifetime cost of a Lionhead, a similar small long-coated rabbit, at £7,900 to £10,000 per rabbit, doubling for a pair (as of November 2026). Our guide to what a rabbit costs breaks it down.
Teddywidder questions
What is a Teddywidder rabbit?
A small, lop-eared, long-haired rabbit from Germany. Its name joins "teddy", for the plush teddy-bear coat, with "Widder", the German word for a lop-eared rabbit. It weighs about 1.3 to 2 kg (2.9 to 4.4 lb), has lop ears of about 24 to 26 cm (9.5 to 10 in) and a coat that needs regular brushing but no clipping.
Is the Teddywidder a recognised breed?
In Germany, one of the national breeding bodies, the BDK, has accepted it since 2009, according to zooplus. The British Rabbit Council's breed list does not include it, and it is not a recognised breed in the USA. In the UK and US, "teddy" rabbits for sale are often crosses, so treat the name as a description.
How often should I groom a Teddywidder?
At least twice a week, and every day during the spring and autumn moults, when loose undercoat mats fastest. Work through to the skin with a wide-toothed comb, check under the tail every day, and never bath the rabbit. Ask a vet or vet nurse to trim mats you can't comb out.
How long do Teddywidders live?
There is no reliable breed-specific figure. Zooplus gives about eight years for healthy teddy rabbits in general, which fits PDSA's 7 to 9 years for the similar-sized Lionhead. Ear, eye and tooth problems are common in the breed, so regular vet checks matter more than usual for a long life.
How much does a Teddywidder rabbit cost?
We haven't found a reliable UK or US price for the breed, and the purchase price is the smallest part anyway. PDSA puts the lifetime cost of a similar small long-coated rabbit, the Lionhead, at £7,900 to £10,000, doubling for a pair (as of November 2026). Budget extra for grooming and ear checks.
Are Teddywidders good with children?
Zooplus describes teddy rabbits as friendly, playful and trusting, and notes they are active by day. But a Teddywidder needs a lot of grooming and gentle handling, and no rabbit likes being carried. It suits an older child with an adult doing the grooming and health checks, rather than a young child on their own.
For housing, cleaning and everyday routines, see our complete guide to rabbit care.
