Bunny Breed Guide: Jersey Woolly Rabbits

Little fuzzy balls of fluff, Jersey Woolly rabbits are beautiful animals, and beautiful pets. However I must issue a caveat here, this type of rabbit is not suitable for outdoor living in a hutch, it is not suitable as a pet for energetic children who may handle it roughly, and it is not suitable for anyone who doesn't have the time to take care of its beautiful coat.

Jersey Woolly rabbits are relatively small rabbits, coming in at around three to four pounds. They can appear much larger than they really are due to their fantastic coats which fluff out all around them. Very popular show rabbits, they are a fancy breed, and should only be purchased from a reputable breeder who has paid attention to good quality bloodlines, and not breeding genetic faults into the rabbit that could cause it to have health or temperament problems.

Jersey Woolly Rabbits have erect ears, and a short, compact little body. They are known as the 'fluff of the fancy' for good reason, when groomed to show standard, they really do appear to be little balls of fluff. They are also generally blessed with a lovely temperament, gentle and friendly, they are less likely to bite than some other more highly strung breeds.

Because this is a show breed, I will give some information about what sort of points to look for in a Jersey Woolly Rabbit.

Standards and Faults

A Jersey Woolly rabbit should be almost like a ball, with its length equal to its width. It is considered a fault if a jersey woolly rabbit is too narrow or long in head or body. The fur should also be full and replete, and should be evenly distributed over the body. Thinning fur, fur which is matted, wiry, coarse, or even too soft in mature rabbits, fur that is too soft or of uneven lengths are all faults. Ears should be held nicely and ideally should be two and a half inches long. Ears that are not held nicely erect are also considered to be faults.

Faults that lead to disqualification include very narrow long body types, ears which are over three inches in length, wool which is less than one and a half inches long on the top, back and sides of the rabbit, and wool which grows below the ankle joint.

Wool is naturally a very important part of showing a Jersey Woolly rabbit. It should have an even density, an even length, and a pleasing texture.

General Comments

You do not have to limit yourself to a show specimen of course. If you are simply looking for a gentle natured, friendly bunny companion, then a Jersey Woolly is an excellent choice.