Did you know that a rabbit is not a RODENT?

It belongs to the order called LAGOMORPHA which consists of hares, rabbits, and pikas (conies). The most obvious feature that distinguishes a lagomorph from a rodent (order rodentia) is that the paired incisors of the upper jaw are double-one tooth behind the other. Rodents have single-paired incisors. Lagomorphs also have either no tail (pikas) or very short ones (rabbits and hares). Rodents with some exceptions have long tails.

The first dwarf rabbit that was mentioned in books during the 19 century was the Polish, an English breed. From this breed, all other dwarf breeds have been produced by hybridisation. Over the years the dwarf breeds have become smaller the ideal being under a kilogram. It has taken many years to develop other dwarf breeds eg. the Netherland dwarf, which really took off during the 1950s.

The most obvious reason why dwarf rabbits have become so popular is because of their size. They require less room and less food. They can be kept in town houses, flats etc. without disturbing the neighbours. Furthermore, even when adult they still retain a babyish cuteness that pet owners find irresistible. They can easily be house trained and will use a litter box like a cat.