Which Are The 10 Calmest Rabbits That You Can Find?

People often search for the calmest rabbit on the internet to learn about the friendliest breeds of rabbits. The new rabbit parents usually remain afraid that the rabbit might bite them, their children, or scratch people around.  

The other biggest fear that people generally have is about the tendency of rabbits to chew on things like wires, furniture, and several other things. 

However, people make some of the most bizarre decisions even when they remain concerned about these issues. People often prioritize the looks and appearance of a rabbit over its temperament.  

Choosing a calm and well-behaved rabbit is similar to dating. You should always select intellect and brain over looks. The first time owners mostly remain excited about the size of the rabbits.  

Well, again, referring to the dating example and the fallacy of size obsession, do not keep preconceived notions about size. No small bunny does not always mean a calm bunny. A small one can be highly destructive.  

A bigger bunny can also mean a calm one. We at The Pet’s Magazine have brought you the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners. 

What Makes A Rabbit “Calm”?

Here are the main things that make a rabbit really calm. While you seek the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners, you should not forget that the rabbits are not really programmable bots, who would remain quiet for their lifetime, after you have bought them.  

You should definitely train them to be calm and take care of them in the proper way to ensure that they remain quiet. However, the rabbit keepers should better understand the body language of the bunny to ensure that it stays calm.

1. Confidence  

Calm rabbits mostly remain non-reactive and curious about things that surround them. The bunnies feel confident when they stay in a predictable environment.  

The rabbit owners should notice the response of the bunny to the things that happen around them. Moreover, the rabbits are lagomorphs. Hence, they are prey animals. Mostly, the rabbits express themselves differently from canines and other felines. 

Hence, a startle response can often mean fear or trauma. Low startles refer to confidence in the rabbits. 

2. Cuddling  

A calm bunny does not want to get picked like a baby. Again, people should not forget that rabbits are prey animals. Thus, they associate getting picked with being preyed upon.  

Bunnies generally respect boundaries. Hence, bunny owners should always physically interact with them at an acceptable distance and with gentle contact. 

You cannot really cuddle with a bunny like you would with your dog. 

3. Consistency 

The bunnies that show a very predictable behavioral pattern are actually faithful to their owners. The owners should also check if the bunny shows stable behavior after getting spayed or neutered. 

Which Are The 10 Most Calmest Rabbit Breeds For First-Time Owners 

Multiple rabbit breeds can be really great for first-time rabbit owners. Moreover, the larger rabbits tend to be generally calm. Here are some of the top breeds. 

Here are some of the calmest rabbit breeds in the world. 

1. The Gentle Giants  

The larger breeds tend to be less aggressive. They generally feel less vulnerable around larger creatures like humans. Here are the calmest large rabbit breeds for first-time owners. 

A. Flemish Giant

The Flemish Giants have an extremely laid-back temperament. They are best suited as household pets. Moreover, the Flemish Giants are huge, and they tend to have a laid-back temperament. 

They were ginormous in size and friendly, social animals. The Flemish Giants are often called the “Gentle Giants” as they are very calm. 

They interact with you in the most curious way possible. Thus, the Flemish Giant is often called the dog of rabbits. Usually, they can even be trained to play fetch and do other tricks with their owners. 

B. French Lop

The French Lop breed originates from France. The breed was created in the Middle Ages. Moreover, the rabbit was introduced in the United States as a source of meat.  

However, the French Lopp was first exhibited in 1965. The rabbit has since become very popular. 

The rabbit’s weight reaches more than 4.5 kg. Hence, these bunnies are really chunky in nature. The French Lop can be quite placid, despite being a very large breed.  

The rabbit, however, should not be kept within the confines of a limited space. 

Hence, they require larger areas to roam around freely. Households with small children or limited space should not bring these rabbits home. 

2. The Mid-Sized Rabbits

Generally, the larger rabbit breeds tend to be calmer than the smaller ones. However, Several mid-Sized rabbits also show calm traits.  

Here are some of the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners that fall within the mid-sized category. 

A. The Himalayans

Himalayan rabbits are among the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners. The rabbit has a slender build and typically weighs between 2.5 and 3 kg.  

The rabbit has distinct markings, and its nose is generally darker. The rabbits typically have darker markings.  

However, some of them have blue, brown, and lilac markings. There is some confusion related to the origin of the Himalayan rabbit.  

Some say that the rabbit had actually originated in the United States. On the other hand, several people state that the breed actually originated from parts of Russia, China, and India. 

However, the modern-day Himalayan rabbits could have been popularized through UK. The rabbits have very low maintenance requirements.   

Himalayans are social animals that show a very friendly nature towards other animals. Moreover, they love human company and are one of the most affectionate animals.  

The Himalayan rabbit loves being cuddled by their human companions. You can pet them as much as you want. However, do not try to lift it in any way. 

B. The Dutch Rabbits

The Dutch Rabbits have received their name not because of their origin, but because of the unique markings on their body. Dutch Rabbits feature a white blaze on the face as well as on their chests. 

In addition, the rabbit has white saddle marks on its shoulders. Moreover, adult Dutch Bunnies weigh 3.5-5.5 pounds. They typically have a lifespan of 5-10 years. 

The Dutch Rabbits require plenty of room to exercise or play, despite being a very small breed. Moreover, a cage measuring 24 by 24 inches should meet all the rabbit’s needs and requirements. 

The owners should keep the rabbit outside the cage for an ample amount of time. Hence, this allows the rabbits to get adequate exercise.  

You can keep Dutch rabbits either inside the house or in the hutches outside. However, the rabbits are fragile. Hence, the owners should protect them from predators and other weather-related threats. 

The rabbit owner should keep the bunny indoors when the temperatures remain extreme. Extreme temperatures can kill the rabbit. The Dutch Rabbit is one of the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners.  

C. The Standard Rex

Rex rabbits fall into the medium-sized category. Moreover, the rabbit weighs 7.5-10.5 pounds. The rabbit generally has a broad head, curly whiskers, and extraordinarily soft whiskers.  

Furthermore, they live for more than six to eight years. The rabbits have a docile and friendly nature towards their human companions.  

People can find REX rabbits in 16 different color varieties recognized by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association). 

In France, people referred to Rex Rabbits as the King’s rabbits because of their luxurious fur. The breed originated in France in the 1900s. 

The Rex Bunnies show a very patient and friendly demeanor towards those who interact with the bunny. However, rabbits can kick or scratch when they feel insecure about something.  

The Rex Rabbits are very social animals. Thus, these bunnies enjoy the company of other rabbits.  

The Rex rabbits often develop sore hocks when kept in a cage without proper flooring. Thus, the bunny parents should keep the flooring padded. The Rex rabbit is one of the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners. 

3. The Small And Sweet Rabbits  

It can not be denied that the large rabbits mostly remain calm. However, most people do not have enough space to accommodate the big bunnies.  

Mostly, the people who live in the apartments seek small yet beautiful bunnies. Here are some of the calmest small rabbit breeds for first-time owners.  

A. The Holland Lop Bunnies

Adrian De Cock of Tilburg, Netherlands, developed the Holland Lop rabbit. The breeder bred a larger French Lop rabbit with a Netherland dwarf rabbit. Moreover, the Holland Lop rabbit can live up to 7-10 years. 

The Holand Lops can reach a maximum weight of 4 pounds. Typically, a fully grown Holland Lop has a compact yet very muscular body. People can choose from 30 different coat colors as well as variations in the patterns.  

The rabbit mainly features a large head along with a rounded nose. In addition, the rabbit also has floppy ears. Moreover, the floppy ears fall close to the face. 

The Holland Lops tend to be friendly, playful, and energetic at the same time. They mostly have a calm nature, but at times, they show a bit of skittish behavior. The males tend to go out.  

Males are generally more destructive than females. However, the breed tends to chew on its enclosure and its surroundings.  

Thus, the bunny parents should make the enclosures and the equipment chew-proof.  The rabbit owners should handle these rabbits so that they do not get startled. 

The bunny’s back legs are very fragile. Thus, they can break them at any point in time. They can get injured in the Spine. Hence, this can lead to paralysis in the rabbits. 

Thus, they may not be the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners. However, they can be properly tamed if people treat them well. 

B. The Mini Plush Lop

The American Mini Plush was introduced for the first time in the United States. Device D’Anniballe created the Mini Plush in 1990 in Ohio.  

However, people find it very difficult to get their hands on the direct descendants of the D’Anniballe herd.  

The Mini Plush lops have very beautiful, low-shedding, velvety fur. However, the Mini Plush are primarily of two kinds: American Mini Plush and the European Mini Plush. The American one differs from the European ones in various ways. 

The Mini Plush Rabbits can weigh between 43 and 4.5 pounds. The Mini Plush features a thick velvety coat of short fur and no hair. 

The coat of a Mini plush rabbit feels similar to that of a Plush Blanket or pillow. Mini Plush rabbits often remain susceptible to problems like dental issues and obesity.  

Overfeeding often leads to weight gain. Thus, this can lead to problems like arthritis and other issues in their later life. The owners should provide the rabbits with hay or grass, as this allows the rabbits to grind their teeth. 

C. Polish Rabbit

The mention of the Polish rabbits can be found in the literature of mid-1800s England. However, the experts have not been able to trace back the exact origin of the breed. Moreover, people say that the breed originated from the white hutch rabbits.  

People also say the Polish Rabbit is linked to the ruby eye rabbit. Thus, this makes ther rabbit a breed of historical relevance. 

The modern-day breed of rabbits remains very small, and hence it does not weigh over 3.5 pounds.  

Often, people confuse the Polish Rabbits with the Netherlandish dwarfs. However, the Polish rabbits are very different from the Netherland Dwarfs. 

The Polish Rabbits are small in size. However, they do not carry the dwarf gene despite their size being really small. 

The rabbits are docile. The rabbit’s small size and easy care make it a wonderful pet, especially for small or confined spaces. 

They are best for people who want a small and low-maintenance pet suitable for a small apartment. 

D. The Sussex Rabbits

The Sussex Rabbit has gained immense popularity in recent times. The breeders developed the breed in the early 1980s by crossing the Lilac and Californian rabbit breeds. 

People like the breed for its teddy bear-like appearance. Moreover, this rabbit has a unique cream-and-gold coat.  

The breed has a lovable personality. Thus, people love to interact with these bunnies. Hence, it is one of the most loved companions in the United States. 

The head of the rabbit is really short. On the other hand, the legs are short as well. Hence, the bunny is really rounded. In addition, the ears of the bunny are held upright.  

Sussex rabbits often gain a lot of weight. Hence, this can cause problems for the rabbit later. 

E. Havana Rabbits

The Havana Rabbit does not derive their name from their place of origin. Ironically, the rabbit did not originate from Cuba. The origin of Havana Rabbit can be traced back to Holland, when a brown rabbit was born in the litter of a Dutch Doe in the late 1800’s.  

Thus, the rabbit’s deep coloration inspired breeders to develop it as a new breed. The rabbit’s distinctive deep coloration makes it really popular among people who want something unique and beautiful. 

People call it the Havana rabbit, as there is a unique resemblance between the color of the rabbit and that of the Cuban cigars. 

Typically, a male Havana rabbit can weigh up to 6.5 lbs. The rabbit tends to have a very short and rounded body.  The caregivers should provide the Havana rabbit with a diet that consists of at least 70% hay. 

People can keep Havana Rabbits indoors and outdoors. However, they should have ample space. 

Breeds To Avoid If You Want A Calm Rabbit

Beginners in the hobby should avoid rabbits like the Checkered Giants. Moreover, the rabbit has high energy.  

This can be disastrous for a beginner. On the other hand, the Netherlands Dwarfs are highly reactive. They often overestimate their size.  

They have a Napoleon complex, so they have a skittish, biting-and-scratching nature whenever they get angry. 

How To Choose A Calm Rabbit?

There are certain things that people should consider before picking up a calm bunny. Hence, there are certain tips to investigate the situation.  

Here are certain tricks you should use to check the rabbit’s personality. These tricks allow you to pick the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners. 

1. Put The Hand On The Cage  

Place your hand on the cage and check the rabbit’s temperament. Moreover, a calm rabbit shall always investigate to satisfy their curiosity. 

On the other hand, a bunny who is afraid will get startled by your hand and hide. Thus, always pick up the bunny that shows curiosity. 

2. Adopt An Adult Bunny  

The personality of an adult bunny has already matured. Thus, they show traits of calmness. On the other hand, the younger rabbits generally go through the period of Hormonal Adolescence.  

Hence, this can save you from a bratty teenager who bites, nibbles, and scratches people all the time. 

Things To Consider While Seeking The Calmest Rabbit Breeds For First-Time Owners

Rabbits are not programmable bots. Hence, you cannot expect it to behave in the same way throughout its life. Several hormonal changes often trigger terrible reactions in the rabbits.  

The behavior of the rabbits often differs markedly from that of cats or dogs. They are prey animals. Thus, they can feel insecure.  

People should not do certain things, like picking the rabbit from the top or behind. The rabbits mostly associate this with predatory behavior.  

Always keep in mind that the larger breeds are the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners. However, they require ample space to explore their surroundings properly. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about choosing the calmest rabbit breeds for first-time owners.