Cutest Rabbit in the World! What breed is this?

[Stormy]

I saw this picture in the Drsfoster & Smith catalog - OMG!! What breed of rabbit is this? Is this a lionhead? I looked online at lionheads and did not see any with smokey eyes like this. Not that I need another rabbit for a pet only, but... maybe someday!!

 

[Nyctra]

I do believe that is a lionhead. XD Some kinda broken with vienna eyes?

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

Cute brokenlion head with the vienna gene going on.

 

[Bad Habit]

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[Stormy]

So which part is the "vienna eyes" - is that the blue eyes? or the smokey rings around the eyes? I have not seen a rabbit with dark rings around the eyes except hotots - and are all white. When I looked up pictures of lionheads I could not find any with smokey dark rings around the eyes...
have you? (besides this pic

I mean, not that I'm looking for another rabbit or anything, but if I ran into a rabbit like this I would probably smuggle him into my herd when my partner was not looking and just pretend he was a genetic mutation... and then he is so small couldn't he just live inside with us? ooh, the trouble I can get into if I was around rabbits like this one...

 

[Prisma]

Looks like an overly wooly double maned lion head, as with others a vienna mark. Looks to be a broken siamese sable vm. Vm's can come in different looks, some have the blue eyes or marbled, some have snips of white, some have strange broken patterns, etc. The list goes on and on. Unless working with bew lions, most avoid them. The miss markings the vienna can cause is a dq per working standard. Some that unknowingly use a vc (vienna carrier) can end up with vm's several generations out which can really mess up a line if you don't want it.

 

[Bad Habit]

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[Stormy]

Hmmm... broken siamese sable vienna... that sounds like a good recipe to look for - thank you!
So this would not be recognized or acceptable color for the standard? it should be!! I think blue eyes with the dark eyeliner is just so striking. Not sure why standards stick to the dark eyes (same as Hotot colorations - I've yet to see one w/blue eyes but they sound amazing) My paint horse has blue eyes, is white, and has black eyeliner around his eyes. He's gorgeous and never short of compliments for it. The standard needs to be re-written to allow for gorgeous rabbits, plain and simple!!

@ Bad Habit - how do they do as housepets? I have a Beveren quarantined inside as a housepet for now. I love it, my partner not so fond. He gets understandably annoyed by all the chewing on things. I am daydreaming smaller rabbit = less damage, but I realize I may be fantasizing...

 

[Bad Habit]

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[cowgirl9768]

So which part is the "vienna eyes" - is that the blue eyes? or the smokey rings around the eyes? I have not seen a rabbit with dark rings around the eyes except hotots - and are all white. When I looked up pictures of lionheads I could not find any with smokey dark rings around the eyes...
have you? (besides this pic

Yes I have seen lionheads with these markings and the eyes!! I had a litter with 3!! heres a video of them growing up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qpPxe4va8E

 

[Stormy]

OMG!! Very cute.

So how are the personalities & smarts on these lionheads?
What do you do with the mismarked ones or if they aren't fluffy? They seem too small to eat...

 

[Bad Habit]

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[ZRabbits]

I have found my Lion Heads to be very intelligent and all mine have very sweet personalities. I've put lots of time into all my rabbits, and feel what you put into, you get back tenfold. They are as friendly as my Flemish. I had no problems with litter training and even my 7 week olds are doing very well. Grooming is a must, but with grooming becomes interacting and handling, something that I have found really helps bring out that intelligence and sweet personalities. Plus I enjoy the tranquility of the grooming process.

Also there is a thread discussing Lion Heads being used for meat as well. Quail size was the way it was explained in the thread. Also mismatches and those with not the right amount of wool for show, can be sold as pets.

Though some might laugh at Lion Heads not be recognized, but since I did my research, knew they were not, and LOVE to root for the Underdog. I believe the Kansas show gave them another lift towards that goal. More would have been present but because of the economy (money is also a key factor, other than just blood, sweat, and tears) a few COD's had to drop out. With the new ARBA rules though, not as many rabbits need now be in the COD presentation, which in the future will not only help the LH but other breeds as well. Many different colors out there that people really like.

Pretty rabbit BTW. I have a broken doe as well. Can't help but show her off, lol. First Time Mom, who did a beautiful job raising her 4 kits.

I have a Wish List of many types of rabbits that I would love to experience. It grows as I continue researching. Lion Heads is one of Wish List breed that I am truly enjoying getting to know. Definitely a unique rabbit.

Karen

 

[skysthelimit]

Lionheads are beautiful rabbits. I remember many years ago when I got my first rabbit, my mother showing me an add on CL for someone selling Lionhead rabbits. She really wanted one, not sure why I never got one. I hope no one every jokes about them, the breeders have worked so hard for consistent. rabbits. In time, they will come. Silver Fox was worked on for 14 plus years before they became a consistent breed, and I am sure other breeds share the same story.

 

[cowgirl9768]

OMG!! Very cute.

So how are the personalities & smarts on these lionheads?
What do you do with the mismarked ones or if they aren't fluffy? They seem too small to eat...

Well they are a show/pet breed. They have one of the best personalities of all breeds. I've bred rabbits for 5 years now and this is the one breed I've never been bit by. It's commen not to be " fluffy" they can still be shown without fluff.... Won't take top of the class but can still pass on great body! If they are Vienna they will be used in a blue eye white breeding program. That what the vienna gene is it is a portion the the BEW traite. Also they make great pets. Litter train easy, and will walk on leashes.

 

[AnnClaire]

Cowgirl, couldn't you find any cuter poses?? :cheesysmile: Those are adorable!!!

 

[Stormy]

OMG you guys are making me want one.
Why are they laughed at? they're ridiculously cute!
By the way, Blanc d'Hotots are STILL being worked on after what - 80 years or so? they are really tough to get consistent and currently seem the most endangered rabbit breed. There were only 12 shown at convention. Of course I got a pair. I like challenges.

I don't know about 2-bite rabbits... sounds like a lot of work to eat 'em unless they somehow taste more like a delicacy!!
Well I will just remain "open" to running into a lionhead of my dreams... Maybe a smaller rabbit indoors would be less of a hassle to the cats, and my boyfriend...
but I've got my hands full for now with the new meat breed rabbits. I guess I didn't really know what was out there after a return to the rabbit world after a 25 year absence - all the breeds and colors are just amazing!

 

[ZRabbits]

OMG you guys are making me want one.
Why are they laughed at? they're ridiculously cute!
By the way, Blanc d'Hotots are STILL being worked on after what - 80 years or so? they are really tough to get consistent and currently seem the most endangered rabbit breed. There were only 12 shown at convention. Of course I got a pair. I like challenges.

I don't know about 2-bite rabbits... sounds like a lot of work to eat 'em unless they somehow taste more like a delicacy!!
Well I will just remain "open" to running into a lionhead of my dreams... Maybe a smaller rabbit indoors would be less of a hassle to the cats, and my boyfriend...
but I've got my hands full for now with the new meat breed rabbits. I guess I didn't really know what was out there after a return to the rabbit world after a 25 year absence - all the breeds and colors are just amazing!

Don't understand either why Lion heads are laughed at, but I just thought they were the most interesting rabbit. After getting my first two rabbits, and having no idea about rabbits, I started to look at all the different breeds. Loved many of them but the Lion Heads were just so unique to me. I knew they were not accepted yet in ARBA, but just didn't care. So glad I did. They are just a sweet little rabbits.

I keep looking at my LH's and can't see how they could be meat rabbits. They are more fluff than meat, but some may see them differently. Don't know.

I'll always remain "open" to new breeds. I have started a Wish List of breeds I would really like to experience. And IMHO everyone should have a rabbit inside. They are just a lovely pet to have. You have to put time into them, but if you do, what you get back is tenfold. Never knew how intelligent rabbits can be. And affectionate too in their way. Plus they give us lots of laughs with their silly ways.

Karen

 

[Stormy]

I agree, Karen. They are really adorable when allowed to be up close and personal inside the home! However, the chewing on things (especially books) has been really problematic. I'm trying to teach Bijoux not to do that but its not been effective... and my boyfriend's patience has worn thin.

Thanks for the feedback on Lionheads. I think they look pretty small to eat too. It'd be hard for me to breed an animal that I'm entirely reliant on a pet market, I'm not interested in supplying pet stores, and finding good homes is a lot of work. They seem like awesome little rabbits though Maybe someday! They are on my Rabbit Wish List

 

[ZRabbits]

I agree, Karen. They are really adorable when allowed to be up close and personal inside the home! However, the chewing on things (especially books) has been really problematic. I'm trying to teach Bijoux not to do that but its not been effective... and my boyfriend's patience has worn thin.

Thanks for the feedback on Lionheads. I think they look pretty small to eat too. It'd be hard for me to breed an animal that I'm entirely reliant on a pet market, I'm not interested in supplying pet stores, and finding good homes is a lot of work. They seem like awesome little rabbits though Maybe someday! They are on my Rabbit Wish List

Understand about the chewing, and it takes a lot of time and patience but it can be curbed. But you really have to respect your BF. My husband and I are both on board with "house" rabbits, so if bunny mistakes happens we both understand that this is just part of it. Have to say, all my rabbits are very well behaved and enjoy their romps. The kits, though are in the "learning" stage, which is the frustrating stage that your BF is experiencing. Unfortunately this stage sends lots of "house" rabbits packing.

Was never interested in supplying any pet stores and know that finding pet homes will be a lot of work. That's why I only had one litter. I'm working on getting these kits through the "learning" stage and hopefully someone can get the experience of My "House" rabbits. If not, they all stay here.

It's good to have a "Wish" List. Maybe one day get a Lion Head just to experience their personality. They really are sweet, awesome rabbits.

Stay the course on your "rare" breed! Concentrate on bringing back a rabbit that's been around a long time! Hope you keep us posted on how it goes. Wishing you all the luck!

Karen