There is nothing quite like the lure of an English Angora rabbit to draw crowd of admirers.
There is just something about these fuzzy, adorable bunnies that brings out everyone’s inner animal lover.
But what are they like as pets?
What is the English Angora temperament like?
How long will they live and what kind care do they need?
We’ve got the answers to all these questions plus lots of other English Angora rabbit facts right here!
The Angora Rabbit is the oldest breed of domestic rabbit.
They originated in Turkey and they were first recognized as a breed as early as 1765.
The English Angora is one of four different kinds of Angora Rabbits.
The others are French, Satin and Giant Angora Rabbits.
English Angora rabbits are popular show rabbits.
Angora rabbits are pure bred rabbits that are easily recognized by their incredibly fluffy appearance and super soft fur.
In fact, these rabbits were originally bred for their amazing fur which can be made into wool and then into clothing.
The English Angora rabbits are the fluffiest of the Angora breeds – often it is hard to make out their face due to the dense hair growth covering it!
They are the only Angoras to have this facial hair.
These fluffy bunnies come in a variety of colors.
They are most commonly blue (gray), black, white and fawn (tan).
However, they can come in other colors as well, everything from lilac (which is a purplish tinted grey) to chocolate.
The colors vary by breeder and can range from all different hues of white, off white, cream, black and varying shades of grey or brown.
English angora rabbits can weigh anywhere from 5 – 7 ½ pounds.
They are basically shaped like round balls of fur!
The English Angora is the smallest of the Angora rabbits.
English Angora rabbits tend to be very docile and calm.
They are known for being social and intelligent, like most rabbits they can be trained to understand simple commands
Although they require a lot of grooming, their easy-going temperament makes this easy, especially if you start when they are young.
Because they are a very laid-back rabbit with a sweet disposition, Angora rabbits mix well with careful children.
With any pet, confidence around people depends on being socialized from an early age.
The more time you make to interact with an English Angora bunny, the more affection they will give back!
All pets can get sick at some point.
Knowing what ailments you’re most likely to encounter is helpful for recognizing and treating them quickly.
These are some of the most common English Angora rabbit health problems:
Wool block
These long haired bunnies are particularly prone to a condition known as wool block due to their excessive hair and self-grooming.
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Wool block is when the bunny becomes ill due to being unable to pass fur trapped in their gastro-intestinal tract.
Wool block isn’t caused by the fur blocking their gastro-intestinal system itself, but more that they have a slow digestive rate.
A bunny with a tummy full of fur will cease to eat and drink, become dehydrated, thus becoming sick and lethargic.
These rabbits need a high fiber diet of timothy hay and leafy greens to help push things through.
Daily brushing will also cut down on the possibility of wool block.
Flystrike and mites
Long haired rabbits like English Angoras can also be especially prone to infections like flystrike and fur mites.
That’s because having so much coat to groom makes these bunnies more likely to miss the spot where an invader lurks.
These parasites burrow into rabbits’ skin and can cause serious illness.
A suspected fly or mite infestation must be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian straight away.
You can help prevent them by giving your bunny a hand with his grooming every day.
Dental problems
English Angora rabbits’ teeth grow continuously through their whole life.
A balanced diet of hay, fresh veg and rabbit nuggets, plus lots of toys to chew on will help them keep their teeth short and healthy.
But if they get too long it can cause your rabbit to stop eating and lose weight rapidly.
Check you baby English Angora rabbit’s teeth from a young age to get them used to it, seek prompt help from a vet if you spot any problems.
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a nasty virus spread by mosquitoes and fleas, as well as by contact with other infected rabbits.
The first symptoms are inflammation and discharge around the eyes, followed by difficulty breathing.
Once contracted there is sadly no cure.
Rabbits with any possible symptoms of myxomatosis should be isolated immediately and taken to a vet for end-of-life care.
The House Rabbit Society maintains a list of regions in the US where myxomatosis has been reported in domestic rabbits.
If you live in one of these regions consider keeping your bunny indoors, and ask your vet about flea treatments and insect repellents to give them another layer of protection.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease, also known as viral hemorrhagic disease and rabbit calcivirus is another insect-borne virus with sadly no known cure.
Symptoms include lethargy, fever and spasms, but the disease can act so fast that these may hardly manifest before it proves fatal.
Fortunately, at the moment reported cases of rabbit hemorrhagic disease in the US are highly localized.
Your vet should be able to tell you if there has been an outbreak in your region, and what precautions to take if so.
In the UK all rabbits can be vaccinated against myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease every year.
Baby English Angora rabbits should received their first vaccinations at about ten weeks old.
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Unfortunately these vaccines have not been approved by the FDA for use in the USA yet, and it is illegal to import them.
English angora rabbits can live up to 10 years in captivity.
Due to their unique health problem of wool block, it is essential to maintain a daily grooming regimen.
In addition, a proper and healthy diet as well as good exercise is also vital to extending the lifespan of your bunny.
There are a lot of English Angora rabbit breeders across the country, yet not all are good breeders.
When you purchase a baby English Angora rabbit, find a breeder committed to upholding the breed standards and rearing healthy, well-socialized animals.
There are organizations that support breeders and help them adhere to maintaining the highest quality in their litters, such as the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. (ARBA) and the National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club.
ARBA also keep a register of rabbit breeders which breeders pay to be included on.
Alternatively be searching for local Angora Rabbit clubs in your State or region you might find lists of rabbitries close to you, including ones which specialize in English Angora rabbits.
As rabbits go, English angoras can be expensive due to their show quality.
English Angora rabbit price can vary from $60 for a pet-quality kitten with pet-quality parents, to upwards of $200 for a show quality kitten with show winning parents.
These rabbits require daily grooming using a slicker brush to keep them free of matts, parasites and wool block.
Angora fur can be made into wool to make sweaters and clothing.
Some English Angora owners even sell the wool from grooming their bunnies!
Along with brushing, regular nail trimming is essential to their health and comfort.
Angoras like to play and need time to be able to hop around and get plenty of exercises .
Owners should set up safe play areas, free of electric cord and other dangers, for their bunnies to hop around and stretch their legs.
With their very easy going temperament, these rabbits make excellent pets, as long as you are willing to commit time to interact with them and grooming them every day.
They enjoy grooming, handling, and interacting with their owners, which makes them very good pets.
They are excellent with children too, but ultimately a grown-up must be responsible for making sure all their needs are met.
Provided you’re still feeling confident, an English Angora rabbit would make a wonderful addition to any willing home and a very loving companion!
Are you thinking of getting one, or do you already have one?
Please share your stories in the comments section below!
