Discover the Surprising Size of Lionhead Rabbits: How Big Do They Get?

Hey there, fellow rabbit enthusiasts! I’m sure you’re as curious as I am about the adorable and fluffy Lionhead rabbits. They’re known for their distinctive mane, making them look like the lions of the bunny world. So, I bet you’re wondering, just how big do these little lions get? Well, you’re in the right place, as we’re about to dive into everything you need to know about the size and growth of these charming little creatures.

A fully grown lionhead rabbit gets between 2.5 and 3.5 lbs (1.13 -1.59 kg). They have compact bodies around 12 – 15 inches in length and sit upright at around 8 -10 inches tall, they can also be identified by their broad heads and short upright ears.

OK, so first off, Lionheads are small rabbits, but what else? Does that name seem kind of menacing?! is a lionhead rabbit vicious at all? here’s some more information every potential Lionhead owner should know.

What are Lionhead Rabbits?

Lionhead Rabbits are a popular breed of rabbit accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 2013 and the British Rabbit Council in 2002.

The breed originated in Belgium and is thought to have come about purely by accident when a breeder attempting to create a long-haired dwarf rabbit ended up with the lion’s mane resemblance due to a gene mutation.

Rabbits with this dominant mane gene were then imported to Britain and bred with other small woolly breeds in order to further develop the rabbits distinctive look.

Lionheads are a longer-haired breed of rabbit meaning that if considering owning one, grooming weekly with a suitable brush is essential to ensure that the rabbit’s fur does not become matted. Brushing will be also required daily when the rabbit is going through molting. You can find out exactly what molting is by reading our post ‘Rabbit Molting Explained‘ here.

Of course, the name ‘lionhead’ can cause some confusion, it mistakenly implies a large aggressive animal. This could not be any further from the truth.

Lionhead rabbits get their name from the woolly mane around their neck rather than an aggressive nature. They are a fairly new breed of rabbit and were only introduced to the United States in the 1990s. They are a very playful and friendly little rabbit which if treated with kindness make for entertaining and rewarding companions.

The Famous Lionhead Mane

The Lionhead rabbit mane is very soft thick wool-like fur, usually 2-3 inches in length (5cm-7.5cm). It forms a collar around the rabbit’s head and extends down to the chest in a bib-like fashion.

Different Types of Lionhead Mane

Lionhead rabbits exhibit either a single or a double mane. The dominant ‘mane’ gene means that breeding a lionhead rabbit with another breed rabbit (Mm) results in some ‘single mane’ lionheads, while breeding two lionheads together (MM) will result in some ‘double mane’ rabbits. All resulting baby rabbits will carry the dominant gene with them to be passed on to their future offspring.

The rabbits head mane grows to around 2-3 inches in length. Single mane rabbits usually grow this longer fur around the head, chest, and ears. Double mane rabbits do not grow double-length manes as the ‘double’ description may suggest but will grow extra fur around their bottom, legs, and lower body which is sometimes referred to as a skirt.

Double mane rabbits will often have an excess of fur while single mane rabbits will often lose some of their head fur as they reach adulthood.

How Can I Tell if a Lionhead is Single or Double Maned?

As well as the standard mane characteristic described above, it is also possible to tell which of your baby lionhead rabbits carry the double gene even before the development of much fur.

Double maned rabbits in a litter can be identified through the presence of a pronounced V shape around their flanks, in contrast, single maned young will be similar to standard babies of the lesser haired rabbit breeds.

In any case, it is often very difficult to determine exactly what the rabbit may look like as an adult, manes are not an exact science and just as every human being is different, every rabbit has its own ‘look’.

Lionheads like a lot of rabbit breeds will also lose or grow extra fur to suit different temperatures or seasons. Warm weather conditions and malting and your lionheads mane will appear more pronounced while cold weather conditions will thicken the fur and make the mane appear shorter (a little like an Ewok!).

Grooming a Lionhead Rabbit

The amount of fur lionheads have requires considerably more attention than shorter-haired breeds in order to prevent matting. The extra fur means lionheads are also susceptible to furballs which form as a result of ingested fur during the rabbits cleaning of his own coat.

Rabbits unlike cats have no gag reflex and are unable to vomit or cough up a furball. This means that furballs can cause life-threatening blockages to the rabbits intestines.

This risk can be minimized through daily brushing with suitable brushes.

Brush your lionhead gently with a soft brush from head to tail being careful to avoid the rabbits sensitive areas, the face, nose, and eyes.

Matted fur often forms on the back of the rabbits neck and around the rabbits tail and can be difficult to remove by brushing alone, indeed if you have adopted a lionhead that has been poorly maintained some of these knots may require cutting out by a confident and experienced handler to ensure no pain or distress is caused to the rabbit.

That said for less extreme cases of matted fur, the knots can be broken up and removed using a specialist comb.

Be aware of the very thin skin on the back of the rabbit’s neck and if you identify knots you are not comfortable dealing with always seek the help of a rabbit-savvy vet. Never risk the health of your rabbit!

What Color are Lionhead Rabbits?

Lionheads can be a variety of different colors including any mix or shade of any of the colors displayed in any United Kingdom recognized breeds. These include:

Agouti, Black, Blue, Butterfly, Chestnut, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Fawn, Fox, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Orange, Otter, Sable Marten, Sable Point, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Silver Martin, Squirrel, Smoke Pearl Marten, Steel, Tan, Tortoiseshell, White (red or blue-eyed).

The United States recognized colors include Black, Black Otter, Blue, Blue Otter, Chestnut, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Fawn, Frosted Pearl, Golden, Lilac, Opal, Orange, Red, Siamese Sable, Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Squirrel, Sable Martin, Tan, Tortoise, White.

Lionheads may also be a mixture of any 2 or 3 of the colors listed above.

How Long Does a Lionhead Rabbit Live?

Lionhead rabbits have an average lifespan between 7 and 10 years, however, it’s not unusual for any rabbit given a good level of care and a healthy diet to reach 12 years of age and upwards. Spayed and neutered rabbits will usually live longer than unaltered rabbits.

Spaying and neutering also prevent life-threatening cancers such as uterine cancer in females and testicular cancer in males which usually develop after 2 years of age with the risk becoming even greater the older the rabbit gets.

Ensuring these necessary procedures are carried out as soon as possible is essential to the health of your rabbit.

Are Lionhead Rabbits Good for Children?

Despite what some websites may say to the contrary it is our opinion that rabbits (including lionheads) do not make suitable pets for children. While lionheads display a friendly, tolerant and outgoing personality (compared to some other breeds) they are very skittish little rabbits that are easily scared.

They will not appreciate being chased around the house by a child (especially a very young child) and may display aggression if they feel at threat. More importantly, they will not appreciate being forgotten when the novelty and the reality of owning a rabbit become apparent (this applies to any breed and not just lionheads).

It should always be remembered that rabbits are not toys to be played with, they are living breathing animals that require a lot of attention and care and should be considered as part of your family. If you are considering a rabbit for your own family, here you can discover if a rabbit will make a good pet.

What Sort of Temperament Does a Lionhead Rabbit Have?

A lionheads temperament depends largely on the breeds used to produce the litter but in general, they are very loving, good-natured, and friendly rabbits that make excellent companions for the right people.

Conclusion

We appreciate this is a very short article but we hope this has given you a small insight into the lionhead rabbit breed. While lionheads may not be King of the Jungle these personable little characters may just become the King of the Living Room!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you walk a Lionhead rabbit?

Walking a Lionhead rabbit is possible using a specially designed rabbit harness and leash. Just ensure your rabbit is comfortable and properly accustomed to the harness before taking them outdoors.

Can you keep Lionhead rabbits indoors?

Lionhead rabbits can be kept indoors, provided they have a spacious and comfortable living environment. It’s essential to provide a clean, well-ventilated cage, and ensure proper exercise and socialization for their well-being.

What is the lifespan of a Lionhead rabbit?

Lionhead rabbits typically live for 7-10 years when properly cared for. A balanced diet, a clean living environment, and regular veterinary care are crucial factors in contributing to their longevity.

Do lionhead bunnies sleep at night?

Lionhead bunnies are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. While they sleep at night, they may also take naps during the day, with their sleep patterns often aligning with their environment and caretaker’s schedule.