Dwarf Hotot Rabbits

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

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

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

Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Breed Info

Dwarf Hotot Rabbit BreedRecognized colors: black banded, chocolate banded

Size: Maximum weight of 3 pounds.

National Specialty Club:
www.adhrc.com

Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Breed Photo Credit:

free-pet-wallpapers.com

Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Information and History

“Look, it’s a bunny with eyeliner!”  Such is the exclamation of many people when they are introduced to this breed, and they become instant fans.  The Dwarf Hotot is a small rabbit with a round head, short uppity-ears, a sprightly personality and a pure white coat, except for the “eyeliner.”   What could be cuter?   Perhaps only the spotted mismarks that this breed throws.

The Dwarf Hotot is one of the more recent breeds to be recognized by the ARBA, gaining acceptance in 1984.  It has never been without a strong following, but also has never been among the most popular breeds.  There’s an unusual story behind this breed’s development.  The much larger Blanc de Hotot was produced in the early 1900’s in an effort to produce a black-eyed white rabbit for meat and fur.   In that era, large rabbits were valued for their commercial value.  But in later years, big bunnies went out of style and people started pursuing dwarf breeds.   In the 1970’s, one breeder in East Germany and one in West Germany started working on a Dwarf Hotot, completely independent of one another.   One crossed a REW Netherland Dwarf to a Blanc de Hotot; the other didn’t use a standard Hotot at all, but crossed a black Netherland Dwarf to a Dutch and bred out markings until only the eyebands remained.  The two strains were eventually united to produce the breed we know today.

This “eye of the fancy” is of compact type and has a gentle rollback coat.  Unlike the Polish, which as similar body type, the shoulders are supposed to be as wide as the hips, and not show any taper. The head set is not as high on the shoulders as that of a Netherland Dwarf, but should not rest on the table either.  The head is bold and broad.  Ears are carried in an upright V shape, and are disqualified if over 2 ¾ inches in length.    The eyes are encircled with narrow bands of colored fur.  Ideal eyeband width equals the thickness of two pennies, and the bands of color are even all around the eye.  Weak or streaky eyebands are faulted, but a complete break in the band is disqualified.

For many years, the only accepted variety was white with black eyebands.   In the year 2006, chocolate banded Dwarf Hotots were accepted by the ARBA.  The black and chocolate banded bunnies are shown together, but the color must be specified on the registration forms.  You can read the touching story of how chocolate banded DH’s were accepted on the National Specialty Club’s website: adhrc.com/Choc%20Band%20Story.htm   Blue-band Dwarf Hotots have also been in development, but are not very near acceptance at this time.

The Dwarf Hotot is strictly a fancy breed.  At 3 pounds max, they are too small to be of commercial value.  Temperaments can range from outgoing to moody, but as a rule they are friendly rabbits and well suited to a pet life.  The breed does struggle sometimes with health issues such as GI Stasis, and there are a number of the babies produced will not be showable due to colored spots on the body, eyeband breaks, or incorrectly colored eyes.

There’s only left to mention that this writer has noticed that Dwarf Hotot breeders tend to keep cages impeccably clean, but we’ll leave that study in psychology for another day!

Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Care

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

Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Resources

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

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