Help Me Pick A Rabbit For My 5 Year Old Son To Raise & Show

[Rollochrome]

I want to teach good stewardship to my kids thru being good caretakers of livestock....starting with a show rabbit.

We can take the rabbit to local Livestock shows and just make a big deal of it for fun and learning......then always give them the option of "moving on up" to swine, cattle, etc. that they see the older boys handling at the show..

Help me pick a good breed to help us break into rabbitry please.

I'd like a breed generally know to be calm with kids.....while being generally desirable at show so we're actually putting forth an effort to put something viable in front of a judge..

Thanks!

 

[ottersatin]

The only thing I can suggest is:
Take your youngster to a show, watch a few different varieties/breeds
being judged. Walk around the showroom and let the future owner
chose the rabbit from a breed which he/she is most drawn to.
It's all a matter of taste/preference. If the owner chooses
their breed they are most apt to properly care for it.
As always, JMPO.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

I agree with Ottersatin
A child will be better vested in the animal if he or she chooses it!
Having the child ask questions,take notes and make the final breed decision would be the start of the educational and interest developing process.

 

[curlysue]

The most competitive breeds are Holland lop,Netherlanddwarf,mini rex,Newzealands.breeds that are gentle are Holland lop,fuzzylop,minirex,himilayan,Jersey woolies.Good quality woolies do not require daily brushing ours neeeded only once a week.Many Netherland dwarfs are too high strung for very young children.They are a difficult breed.

 

[5dognightfarm]

I'd personally steer them towards Dutch or Havanas, but basically anything under six pounds would be ideal. Let your son pick his breed, it'll make him happier in the long run because he'll stick with them if he likes them. I agree that Dwarves are too high strung, and I know Mini Rex are very popular but I find them to be discouragingly competitive for young children. Woolies are sweethearts, but the wool is a little overwhelming for a 5-year old to deal with.

 

[SatinsRule]

I'm like Otter, but will add this. Given his size and age, if he chooses a giant breed I'd wait until he's a bit older before getting into it.

 

[Peach]

I'm with Otter too. Nothing is better than finding the breed that fits you. It's also good to find a manageable breed for his age. Not too big, but not too small.I agree too that dwarfs are a high strung breed that many first time owners are drawn to only to find out later about their feisty nature. I now pay attention closely to who I buy from. I know that rabbits scratch you and you can get questionable scratches on your arms/wrist...but I should have paid attention to the woman that was completely lined with scars/scratches up and down her arms excessively ....probably could of saved myself from purchasing this evil doe from her...

 

[ladysown]

Let him choose as much as you can.

Dwarf breeds are: polish (my personal fav), netherland dwarf (get a buck have never met a nice pet doe yet), dwarf hotot, , britannia petite - tend to busy, jersey woolie (I have a strong dislike for inexperienced people to deal with wool issues), lionheads (still not recognized, and once again wool is an issue) there are others I haven't listed but these are the main ones out there.

Small breeds are: mini rex (vary a lot in the breed from calm/sweet/curious to busy/highstrung), holland lops (generally laid back), mini satins (some like some don't) and once again, there are more others out there but those are the ones that come to mind.

Get HIM to talk with the breeders (unless terribly shy) but then you can get him to figure out questions for YOU to ask and you can just expand upon them.

Walk around, ask him questions, find out what he likes, what he thinks he can handle.

Some children are drawn to the bigger breeds and depending on the size of your child he may or may not be able to handle them.

Questions to ask the breeder: how would they describe their lines in terms of personality, what do they look for in a rabbit, what is their focus, would they recommend their breed to young children, what do they see as the challenges of their breed and so forth.

 

[wild1slilfarm]

I would sugest a Mini Rex, but 'ottersatin' is right take your kids to a show and let them get an idea of what kinds of rabbits are out thier have them talk to the breeders so they can get an idea of the kind of rabbit would be best for them, try not to let them just pick out the frist cute rabbit they see

 

[Smith's Rabbits]

I have to mention Mini lops since no one else did. I raise Mini lops Mini rex and satins and have to say when kids come over its the mini lops I take out for them to hold. The satins, though calm are to big, and the mini rex.... well they are hyper, rowdy and even the few who will sit there calmly for a few minutes usually let the person holding them know they are done with a light nip. I have had some bad Mini lops, but the majority are calm, seem to enjoy being held and cuddled, and are so easy going.

I agree with with Ottersatin though, let your child have a say. You have the final veto, but take your kid and let them look around and see what appeals to them. You can go in with stipulations such as we don't want long haired (wool) rabbits, and nothing that weighs more then X number of pounds.

Good luck! Rabbits are amazing! I raised them my entire childhood from 7 years on.

 

[Rexisbest]

Ditto.....but we love our mini Rex and enjoy the competition but can see that it might be difficult for a 5 year old. My choice would be Polish, they are very sweet and not tons on the table.

 

[tnelsonfla]

I can't add much more than what has already been said. I recently, within the last year, got back into raising rabbits. I went to several shows and talked to alot of people both at the shows, email and over the phone. I eventually chose Havana's. I like the fact that they are very even tempered and not extremely popular. If you want a popular breed you have Dutch, Holland Lops, and Mini Rex. Other not so popular breeds would be Polish & Florida White's. I would try to chose a small to medium breed if possible.

 

[3mina]

Give a thought to the Florida Whites, even when they're acting badly they're not 'bad' if that makes sense

 

[Demamma]

I wonder if Rollochrome ever got a rabbit for his/her son. This was posted in may. Rollo if you are here pipe in and let us know.

 

[lonelyfarmgirl]

Himalayan is always my first suggestion for a young child

 

[tnelsonfla]

I wonder if Rollochrome ever got a rabbit for his/her son. This was posted in may. Rollo if you are here pipe in and let us know.

I didn't even see that, I normally look for things like that. :wall:
Great breed suggestions thou.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Last time Rollo visited was in June- but maybe someone else will see the thread and appreciate it.

 

[Jared77]

I saw it and appreciated it. Thank you for the suggestions even if Rollo didn't say so