How To Determine Your Rabbit’s Breed
A purebred rabbit with a pedigree leaves no mystery as to its ancestry, and certain breeds exhibit distinctive characteristics that are easy to spot anywhere — Dutch rabbits, for instance, or Dwarf Hotots. But how about when you aren’t sure of your rabbit’s background? Perhaps you have a rabbit with an unknown background and you wish to learn more about his genetic makeup. Or perhaps you’re looking at an adoption center for a rabbit that needs a good home, and you are mystified by all of the shapes, sizes and colors. What if your rabbit doesn’t exhibit the obvious characteristics of any particular breed? Mixed-breed dog owners have an easier time establishing the makeup of their dog’s background. DNA testing can determine the backgrounds of mixed-breed dogs and reveal the breeds that contributed to their genetic makeup. But what of rabbit owners who are pondering the same questions? “As far as I know, DNA testing for rabbits does not exist yet,” said Meagan Thompson of Dog-DNA.com. Until such testing becomes available, rabbit owners must rely on other methods in order to determine the breeds that make up their bunny’s heritage.
