Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by Admin
The Angora rabbit has a distinctive long and fine wooly coat that has a 14 to 16-micrometer diameter and grows 3 centimeters per month. This particular breed is one of the oldest domestic rabbits originating from Ankara which is presently in Turkey. There are 5 main Angora rabbit breeds namely the English, German, French, Satin, and Giant Angora.
Other less-known breeds include the Russian, Chines, Japanese, Korean, St Lucian, Swiss and Finnish Angora. This article takes a look at some of the popular breeds, their care, diet, lifespan, housing, grooming, and whether they make great pets.
Types of Angora rabbits
English Angora
The English Angora weighs between 4 to 7 pounds and is one of the smallest of its kind. This particular breed has wool covering its entire face including the ears apart from the nose and its front feet. English angora wool is dense and prone to mats. Therefore, it needs grooming at least once a week. This particular angora breed is known for its gentle and laid-back temperament. Lastly, they come in various colors such as shaded, agouti, white, broken, self, and ruby-eyed color.
German Angora
The German Angora weighs between 7 to 11 pounds and produces the most wool among other angora breeds. They specifically produce around 2 to 4 pounds of wool per year. Just like their counterpart the English angora, they have fluff on their ears and face. They have a laid-back temperament and come in a wide range of colors namely Agouti, Albino, black, brown, chinchilla, tortoiseshell, and yellow.
French Angora
This particular Angora breed has almost similar colors as the English Angora. They include Agouti, pointed white, ticked, broken, shaded, self, and wideband. However, the French Angora breed is slightly bigger in size compared to the English Angora. It typically weighs between 7 to 10 pounds. The fur around the French Angoras face and feet is silky and soft. However, it has a dense undercoat that needs less maintenance compared to other Angora breeds. Lastly, French angoras have a calm and docile personalities making them ideal pets.
Satin Angora
Satin angoras are a crossbreed between the French angora and the satin rabbit breed. This bunny weighs between 6 to 10 pounds and they have soft textured wool. However, satins just like the French Angora’s lack furnishings on their ears, face, and feet. It’s worth pointing out that this particular breed produces the least wool compared to other angoras. In addition, satins require regular combing since their coat easily gets tangled. They come in various colors such as white, broken, black, brown, blue, cream, lilac, and tortoiseshell. Satin angoras generally have a curious and friendly temperament.
Giant Angora
This particular bunny is the largest among the Angora breed. They weigh between 9 to 12 pounds. The Giant Angora is a crossbreed between the German Angora, Flemish giant, and French lops. This breed has a dense coat that doesn’t naturally shed and it has one color variety available which is white. Lastly, this gentle giant has a calm personality making them ideal indoor pets.
- Angora rabbit care
All angora rabbits generally need extra care compared to other rabbits, in addition to a healthy diet and a conductive leaving space. Below are some of the essentials you need to consider when it comes to all Angora rabbit breed care.
- Angora rabbit grooming
It’s advisable to groom your angoras more often than you would other bunnies. The more frequent the number of grooming sessions, the better. However, it should be done at least once a week. Proper grooming entails combing their fur, plucking loose wool, and cutting tangles, which should take around an hour.
What grooming tools do I need?
Some of the best grooming tools ideal for angora grooming include a slicker brush, wide tooth, or steel-toothed comb. In addition, a pair of scissors and a pet blower are also recommended tools. Just ensure that the latter allows you to blow your bunny’s coat open to distinguish its coat from its skin.
How do I groom an Angora rabbit?
Regular wool maintenance is necessary since Angora’s molts after every nine months. When it comes to grooming, place the bunny on your lap or a flat surface. Using any of the recommended grooming kits and a pet blower, gently brush their coat. Don’t forget to brush their legs, ears, and other areas that rub against each other.
When you find knots, try to untangle them with your fingers and if they’re webbed, comb them further. If you’re still unsuccessful, use a pair of scissors to carefully cut them off. When it comes to trimming their toenails, clip them at least once a month. Just be careful not to cut their veins.
- Angora rabbit diet
Angora rabbits’ diet should be high in fiber. In other words, they should mainly eat hay, small amounts of greens, and pellets. A high-fiber diet essentially helps with a rabbit’s bowel movement by providing enough roughage. Lastly, always ensure that there is a constant supply of clean fresh water.
- Angora rabbit housing
Angora bunnies are more sensitive to heat in comparison to other breeds. Additionally, they’re also likely to suffer from extreme cold. It’s therefore pivotal for them to have proper housing. An ideal hutch should measure 30’’ by 30’’ nonetheless a 24” by 30’’ is also sufficient. Always ensure that their cage is clean and dry to prevent them from soiling or wetting their fur. Alternatively, you can purchase a wired floor cage.
In hot summer ensure that an outdoor Angoras’ hutch is well-ventilated and if possible, under a shade or away from direct sunlight to prevent them from getting heatstroke. On the other hand, in chilly weather provide them with a warm blanket, low wattage heater, or bring them indoors.
- Angora rabbit health and lifespan
One of the common health issues related to angoras is wool ingestion during grooming which leads to digestive blockage. Some of the symptoms associated with wool block include loss of appetite or reduced excretion. If left untreated this particular condition can be fatal. Other than trimming or sheering their fur, switch their diet to hay only until their blockage is cleared within a week.
Other common ailments for angoras and other rabbits, in general, include dental diseases, viral infections, parasites, and bladder problems. It’s therefore, advisable to take your bunnies for annual veterinarian checkups. In other words, doing so increases their lifespan and they can live 7 to 12 years.
Conclusion
Do Angora rabbits make good pets? Yes, they do. However, compared to other rabbits, they require a lot of grooming and maintenance. In addition, all angoras regardless of breed type are not convenient for small children or a good choice for new rabbit owners. Other than that, Angoras are arguably one of the cutest fluffy bunnies that are great companions.
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