The rabbit breeds we rate highest for a first-time keeper, and what to know about each one before you buy.
| # | Breed | Pick | Adult weight | Temperament | Space needed | Typical price | Beginner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silver Fox | Best large breed | 9–12 lb | Docile, Gentle | 6.25 sq ft | $25–$150 | |
| 2 | Standard Chinchilla | Best medium-sized pet | 5–7.5 lb | Docile, Sweet, Friendly | 6.25 sq ft | Not recorded | |
| 3 | Florida White | Best for 4-H | 4–6 lb | Not recorded | 4 sq ft | Not recorded | |
| 4 | Mini Rex | Best small breed | Up to 4.5 lb | Not recorded | 3 sq ft | $20–$90 | |
| 5 | Californian | Best for meat | 8–10.5 lb | Not recorded | 6.25 sq ft | Not recorded | |
| 6 | Rex | Best for fur and meat | 8–10.5 lb | Not recorded | 6.25 sq ft | $25–$100 |
How we chose. Every breed here scores at least 4 out of 5 on our beginner rating. The score covers temperament, grooming time, hardiness and how easy the breed is to buy, and the reason for each score is on the breed's page.
Docile and gentle, and The Livestock Conservancy lists it as a good choice for a first family pet. The catch is size: a full-grown doe is a lot of rabbit to lift.
Watch out: not ideal if you want blue rabbits you can show. Only black and chocolate are recognised.
The Livestock Conservancy describes it as docile, sweet and friendly and rates it suitable for novices. It needs exercise outside the pen and time with people every day.
Watch out: not ideal if you want the most meat per rabbit. The American Chinchilla reaches 12 lb and the Giant Chinchilla 16 lb.
The breed club calls it an excellent 4-H project and says its small size is ideal for youngsters.
Watch out: not ideal if you want the most meat per litter. New Zealands and Californians are about twice the size.
Small and popular: ARBA says it appeals to new and seasoned breeders alike. Small rabbits are often more fragile and higher energy than large ones, so an adult should supervise young children.
Watch out: not ideal if you want meat: this is a show and pet breed.
One of the two standard meat breeds, short-coated and shown in all 50 states, so stock and advice are easy to find. We found no sourced description of its temperament.
Watch out: not ideal if you want a choice of colours: there is one variety.
Short-coated and widely shown. ARBA names it among the breeds prone to sore hocks, so it may need a solid floor or a resting board in a wire cage.
Watch out: not ideal if your cages have bare wire floors and you don't want to add resting boards.
The Belgian Hare is one to leave until you have experience. The Livestock Conservancy rates it for intermediate to advanced keepers: it startles easily, is fine-boned and is hard to breed. Long-haired breeds also take more work. Utah State University Extension says they need combing all year.
Utah State University Extension says large breeds tend to be more docile than small ones, and that small breeds are often higher energy and more fragile. Very large rabbits are harder to lift: the same source says a Flemish Giant is difficult to hold and handle because of its size.