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The Polish rabbit is the among the very smallest breeds and distinctive for its elegant, upright pose. Polish rabbits are extremely lively and energetic.

Size: Dwarf

Hair Type: Short


Origins

Polish rabbits, despite their name, were developed in Britain in the mid 19th century and were named for the 'polish' of their shiny coats. They are thought to derive from mixed breeds (probably small wild rabbits crossed with Dutch and Silvers) imported from Belgium and often referred to as Belgian table rabbits. These meat rabbits were perfected in the development of the Polish; although small it was bred for the table and considered a delicacy. The Polish breed was recognised in 1884, originally in white varieties (pink or blue eyes). Further coloured varieties were introduced during the 1950s and the Polish became very popular in Britain and in the United States, where it is known as the Britannia Petite (renamed so as not to be confused with the American Polish breed).

Appearance

The Polish rabbit is the among the very smallest breeds with a typical weight range of 700g - 1.2kg (1½ - 2½ lbs) 

Polish rabbits are distinctive for their elegant, upright pose. They are miniature, fine-boned and slender rabbits, with an arched, hare-like body. The head is wedge-shaped in profile with a quite pointed nose and ears held close together above the head, giving an alert appearance.

The Polish has a smooth coat of short, fine hair.

Colour

White (pink or blue eyes), Black, Blue, Brown, Lilac, Sable, Smoke Pearl, Agouti, Red Agouti, Opal, Lynx, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Tan, Fox, Tortoiseshell, Orange, Fawn, Steel and Himalayan.

Temperament

The Polish rabbit is extremely lively and energetic. Despite their small size, they need plenty of space as they are almost constantly active. Polish rabbits can run very fast, jump high and really enjoy the freedom to race around. They are intelligent and inquisitive and love to climb and explore; regular exercise is essential to prevent boredom.

Polish rabbits are not good with children. They do not like to be cuddled, preferring to be on the move and are too small and fragile for children to handle safely.

Polish rabbits need to be accustomed to handling from an early age and a gentle, understanding approach is essential. They can be unforgiving of any rough treatment and a bad experience can leave them extremely wary or even aggressive towards humans.

The Polish can be a lively and entertaining rabbit for the more experienced owner.

Special Requirements

Choose a rabbit with a good temperament, from a reputable breeder or rescue centre.

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