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Like all things in a free market, the price of owning a rabbit is largely dependent upon supply and demand. Some rabbits are known to be considerably cheaper than others. Anyone can easily get a mixed breed rabbit. But, for the real bunny enthusiast, purebred rabbits with show quality pedigree is the preferred choice.
In this article, we’ve created a definitive but not exhaustive list of the most expensive rabbit breeds available in the market today. Being a proud rabbit owner can be costly but if it’s within your means to keep these expensive yet lovable creatures in your home then read further.
P.S. If you’re looking at these bunnies, you should consider a high-quality hutch as well. Here are our recommended rabbit hutches. But if you’re going to keep your new bunny outdoors, then you should consider investing in the Omlet Outdoor Rabbit Hutch as it’s the absolute best.
1. Rex Rabbit
The Rex Rabbits hold the unofficial title of “Most Expensive Rabbit Ever”. When it was first introduced to the market in 1930 everyone went crazy over this breed. It is reported that Rex Rabbits would cost a person $1500 during the old times.
Today, Rex Rabbits might still break your bank but not in such an exorbitant way. Rex Rabbits range from $100 – $150 and can be more expensive depending on the breeder.
This breed is characterized by its plush, velvety coats. No one can resist cuddling with this rabbit breed so it’s no wonder why it’s so popular and in demand.
The Rex rabbit is a large rabbit breed that traces its roots back to France. Rex rabbits can weigh from 8 to 9 pounds and they have short, dense fur that points out of their bodies.
The breed has 16 recognized coat colors; therefore, prospective owners will not lack choice when they decide to own this breed.
Rex rabbits also made it into our list of the most affectionate rabbits so this breed has the personality to go with their good looks.
Rex rabbits are highly intelligent and playful. They can be trained to do tricks and use the litter box.
If you’re sold into owning this breed, you probably want to start with the National Rex Rabbit Club to learn more about this brand, and then you can check out the Rabbit Breeders USA for a full list of Rex Rabbits for Sale for reputable breeders.
2. Mini Rex Rabbit
The Mini Rex is just like the Rex rabbits albeit smaller.
They both have plush velvety fur that is so cuddle-worthy, it takes a steel will to resist crushing this breed with love.
The Mini Rex was first bred by Monna R. Berryhill of Texas. The Mini Rex came to be by crossing a black Dwarf Rex Buck to a small Lynx Red doe. The physical descriptions of this breed are similar to their bigger cousin however, Mini Rex rabbits can only weigh up to 4.5 lbs.
The Mini Rex also comes in a variety of colors.
It’s no wonder the Rex comes highly recommended and remains one of the most popular breeds of rabbits. Just like the bigger Rex, Mini Rex rabbits are considered to be a docile, friendly breed.
They are, however, more fragile than the Rex rabbit due to their size. Families with small children should be supervised whenever they play with these rabbits.
To get a Mini Rex these days will usually cost between $50 to $100. The National Mini Rex Rabbit Club might help you connect to one of their members who has a Mini Rex Rabbit for Sale.
3. Holland Lop
The Holland hop is one of the cutest and most popular breeds in the United States. The popularity of this breed gives reason to its price tag as well.
This small breed of rabbit is more famously known for its compact body and droopy ears. They are one of the smallest breeds of rabbits that exist. They only weigh 2 to 4 lbs. fully grown, very reminiscent of Peter Pan but with bunny ears and hops.
Holland Lops are docile and gentle and are very easy to care for. However, due to their size, they are needed to be considered and handled as fragile creatures. So if you have children then careful supervision is needed if you’re thinking of owning this pet.
Holland Lop Prices can range from $50 to $200 and more depending on the breeder.
For a full list of Holland Lop trustworthy breeders, The Holland Lop Rabbit Rabbit Specialty Club has a breeders directory that might just have available Holland Lop Rabbits for sale.
4. Harlequin Rabbit
The Harlequin rabbit is a rare but popular rabbit with an intriguing history.
The Harlequin rabbit has both French and Dutch roots. They were believed to have come from France by crossing rabbits with the Dutch rabbit breed but were originally known as the “Japanese Rabbit”.
The Harlequin rabbit is characterized by the unique color patterns of its fur. The coat of this breed looks similar to a Harlequin’s mask. The coat of the Harlequin has alternating bands of two colors that are split down the middle.
There are two recognized color types for this breed: the Magpie Harlequin and the Japanese Harlequin. The Magpie Harlequin has bands of color that alternate with white and their bellies are white as well while the Japanese Harlequin has colors that alternate with orange. They have orange bellies too.
Harlequins love to be held and are considered to be a very affectionate breed.
Due to the Harlequin’s popularity, good temperament, and beautiful features Harlequins are known to be available in the market for $900 to $1000 depending on their pedigree. Of course, you can find non-pedigreed Harlequin rabbits for less, but even those will cost you $50 to $200.
If price however is not a problem for you the American Harlequin Rabbit Club has a list of regional clubs that you may contact to check if they have Harlequin Rabbits for Sale.
5. Lionhead Rabbit
The Lionhead Rabbit is popular and easy to recognize because of the fluffy wool mane that circles its head just like a lion mane.
The breed came from Belgium when breeders were trying to cross a Swiss Fox and a Netherland Dwarf. The result of this breeding was a genetic mutation that became the Lionhead’s most distinct feature.
A Lionhead can have a single mane or a double mane. A single mane Lionhead means that they do not maintain their manes their entire lives. Their manes are also wispy or thin. A double mane Lionhead however is the exact opposite. These breeds have thick, luscious manes that circle their heads and even their flanks.
A Lionhead rabbit’s ears are held upright and are slightly pointed at the top. They also have heads bigger than their compact bodies. They can weigh up to 3.5 lbs.
Lionhead rabbits are known to be one of the most affectionate and friendly rabbit breeds although they are recommended to be raised in an environment that isn’t too boisterous or rowdy.
In the market, a lionhead rabbit usually costs $75 to $150. If you’re interested in looking for Lionhead Rabbits for sale, the North American Lionhead Rabbit Club got you covered.
6. Netherland Dwarf Rabbit
As its name suggests, the Netherland Dwarf came from the Netherlands and it’s very small.
This breed is considered one of the smallest rabbit breeds. This breed of rabbit came about by breeding the Polish rabbit and wild rabbits.
Their Polish rabbit ancestry is also one of the reasons why they are often confused with the Polish Rabbit breed. The breed made its debut in the United Kingdom in 1948 and was then imported to the United States in 1969.
The Netherland Dwarf is known for its stout body and disproportionately large head. It has short ears that stand upright on its head. The features of this breed are also considered brachycephalic, which means that its skull is significantly shorter than the rest of its body.
You can say that the Netherland Dwarf stays forever as a baby. Due to its dwarfism gene, the Netherland dwarf retains much of its “baby face” features all the days of its life.
Netherland dwarfs had a history of being aggressive and biting. However, this trait has been bred out of the breed since, and now they are considered to be docile pets with a sweet disposition.
Netherland Dwarfs are also not recommended pets for very small children mainly due to their size. They are fragile bunnies that need to be handled with great care.
Netherland Dwarfs cost from $30 to $90.
The American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club has lots of information about this breed and a list of affiliated clubs that might help you get in touch with reputable breeders that have Netherland Dwarfs for Sale.
7. Mini Lop Rabbit
A Mini Lop, also known as the “Little Hanging Ear”, is a small breed of rabbit. They have trademark ears that hang down below their jaws just like the Holland Lops.
This breed of rabbit weighs from 4.5 to 6 lbs. The Mini Lops was bred in Germany by a breeder named Klein Weider when he crossed a German Lop with a small Chinchilla.
This breed’s popularity is due to its affectionate and sweet disposition.
They are fun, playful rabbits for families with children. Although the breed is known to be jumpier than other breeds it is important to know that playing with Mini Lops should not involve sudden movements and loud noises.
Today Mini Lops can cost anywhere between $150 to $250. The Mini Lop Rabbit Club of America has a full list of breeders across the United States for anyone looking for a Mini Lop rabbit for sale.
8. Dwarf Hotot Rabbit
The Dwarf Hotot is part of the dwarf family of rabbit breeds. They are best known for their white fur and black eye markings. They only weigh from 2.5 to 3.5 lbs when fully grown.
This breed of rabbits comes from the bigger Blanc de Hotot Rabbits. However, their history is much more interesting than that.
You see, two breeders were both trying to create the perfect miniature version of the Blanc de Hotot Rabbit. One breeder crossed the Blanc De Hotot with a Netherland Dwarf while the other used a Dutch Rabbit instead of the Blanc De Hotot. The resulting rabbits from both of these initial tests were then further cross bred and voila! The Dwarf Hotot was born.
Dwarf Hotots are small in size, they are not as active as other breeds.
You might have heard of their previous history of biting judges during rabbit shows. Do not worry however, this trait has been bred out throughout the years. The Dwarf De Hotot is now known more for its laid-back disposition and friendly temperament.
Dwarf Hotots will cost between $50 and $100 depending on their pedigree. The American Dwarf Hotot Club has a list of reputable breeders that you can contact for any available Dwarf Hotot Club for sale.
9. Polish Rabbit
The Polish rabbit Breed is one of the smallest rabbits to exist but is not considered to be part of the dwarf family. They can only weigh approximately 3.8 lbs when fully grown. They also have a mysterious past as their origins are unknown.
Polish rabbits are popular and are the rabbit of choice for magicians. They are gentle and laid-back so they’re perfectly happy always being pulled out of a hat.
Polish rabbits are best known for their chubby cheeks, large clear eyes, and short ears. They have short fly-back fur that comes in a variety of colors. Polish rabbits can come in 6 varieties of coats: Blue, Red-Eyed White (REW), Blue-Eyed White (BEW), Chocolate, and Broken Patterned.
Polish Rabbits is a relatively healthy breed that is affectionate and playful. They do not have an aversion to being picked up and petted by their owners.
Polish Rabbits cost $50 to $100. For a list of trustworthy breeders, the American Polish Rabbit Club can help connect you to a breeder that has a Polish Rabbit for Sale.
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It is important to remember that many costs come from owning a rabbit. Getting your choice of rabbit breed is just one part of the cost.
To provide a good quality of life for our pets, it is important to take into consideration the maintenance cost of owning a pet bunny. Here is an article I wrote about the total cost of getting a bunny.
Do you know some reputable breeders in your area?
Any interesting stories about these expensive rabbit breeds?
What’s the most you’ve ever seen someone pay for a rabbit?
Share your stories in our comment box below.
~Stacey
