Havana Rabbits

Learn more about the Havana Rabbit Breed. Discover cool facts, pictures, resources and find information about caring for Havana Rabbits.

This rabbit breed information page is part of our rabbit breeds article series.

Havana Rabbit Resource Links: Free Rabbit Breeders Newsletter | Havana Rabbit Breed Info | Havana Rabbit Information and History | Havana Rabbit Care | Havana Rabbit Resources

Havana Rabbit Breed Info

Havana Rabbit BreedRecognized colors: black, blue, broken, chocolate  

Size: 5-6 pounds

National Specialty Club:
www.havanarb.org

Havana Rabbit Breed Photo Credit: rightpet.com

Havana Rabbit Information and History

In any show breed, there’s the ideal type – that wonderful, deep, smooth, sleek body – and then there’s what representatives of the breed really look like.  No matter what the standard says, how close does that breed come to meeting it, on average?  In some breeds, the real and the ideal are rather a long ways from each other.  But there are a few breeds that have been developed to the point where the average show breed is a fine representation of the standard, and the best ones are nearly perfect.  One of those breeds is the Havana.

It’s no wonder that Havanas are often honored with the Best in Show award at local, state, and even national levels.  There’s nothing particularly flashy about this breed, such as might grab a pet owner’s attention, but to the trained eye of a judge, a top notch Havana is simply breathtaking.  The body type is incredibly short and deep, approaching a “half basketball” shape when viewed from the side.  When viewed from the top, the hindquarters evenly taper to the shoulders.  Ideally there should be no flat or narrow spots in the body type, no squared hips, no pinched hindquarters.  The head and ears are of medium length and balance with the body.  Although type is important, the coat and color are to be given strong consideration as well.  Havanas have flybacks – fur that returns very quickly to its usual position when the rabbit is stroked from tail to head.  Havanas do not have a Satin sheen, but their fur does carry an unusually high luster.  There are currently four recognized colors: black, blue, chocolate, and broken.  The solid colors are all of a dark, rich shade.

In fact, it was the richness of the first chocolate Havana that prompted its development into a new breed.  In 1889, according to most sources, a beautiful dark brown rabbit was born in Holland.  The breed became known as Havana, suggested by the likeness of the rabbits’ color to Cuban cigars.  Havanas arrived in England in 1908 and were recognized by the forerunner of the ARBA around 1916.  Blue was recognized in the 1960’s and black in 1980.  The most recent variety is broken, achieving acceptance in 2007 thanks to the efforts of Brad and Katie Boyce.

Havanas can range in temperament from very docile to having a bit of an attitude.

Havana Rabbit Care

Here is a list of resources to help you care for your havana rabbits…

Havana Rabbit Resources

Here is a listing of havana rabbit resources to help you out with your rabbit project…

  • Rabbit Breeders Newsletter – be sure to claim your free subscription to our rabbit breeders newsletter in order to start receiving free rabbit information and resources via email
  • Havana Rabbits for Sale – use our rabbit classifieds to find havana rabbits for sale
  • Havana Rabbit Breeders – locate havana rabbit breeders using our huge rabbit breeders directory

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