Among the oldest breeds of rabbits, the Himalayan rabbit has been linked back to ancient times. Also known as the black nose, Chinese, Egyptian, and Russian rabbit, it is considered to be a great pet. Typically, the Himalayan rabbit is white in color with a dark ears, nose, tail, feet, and sometimes dark spots on its body. It is considered a friendly rabbit breed and usually craves attention and affection.
Generally, an adult Himalayan rabbit will weight between 2.5 and 4.5 pounds (about 1.1 and 2 kg). Although the body is usually white or silver in color, its ears, nose, feet, and tail are typically black, chocolate, blue, or lilac in color. Historians claim that the black-colored Himalayan rabbits are the only true breeds, while the lilac, chocolate, and blue varieties were created through cross breeding. In most cases, the rabbits are white in color when they are born, but become darker as they age, particularly on their nose, ears, feet, and tail. The eyes of this breed of rabbit can be blue, but they are usually pink.
Breeders normally classify the Himalayan rabbit as cylindrical. This classification is the result of their tube-like or cylindrical body shape. The shape of their body is especially prominent when they stretch out, in a resting position. In fact, the hips, when the rabbit is stretched out, are often the same in width as the rabbit’s shoulders. In addition, the ears are usually upright and thin.
Because the Himalayan rabbit is such a tolerant and calm breed, it generally makes a good pet. Because it is friendly, it is often considered to be a good breed for families. The coat is short and simple to maintain. In most cases, brushing the rabbit with a slicker brush on a weekly basis will suffice. During its seasonal shedding period, it may be necessary to brush this breed of rabbit twice a week.
Although a Himalayan rabbit can be purchased from a pet store or from a breeder, there are several other sources that may be considered. For example, humane societies, rescue centers, and other rabbit-saving organizations often have Himalayan rabbits available for adoption. In some cases, a person may not be certain whether or not a rabbit is the right pet for her. In those cases, many of these organizations have foster programs, allowing people to care for a rabbit and possibly adopt it if the match is good.
