The Lionhead rabbit an amazing breed of rabbit. They have a mane like a lion. Both the Bucks and the Does have manes. The mane is the only mutation in rabbits since the early 1900s when Satin fur appeared. The mane gene is a dominant gene. It only takes one of the parents with the gene to pass manes on to their offspring.
It is thought that the Lionhead rabbit first appeared in Belgium. It was later imported into England. The Lionhead wasnt brought into the United States until around 1999. Because of the Lionhead being such a new breed, it has yet to have its own class to be shown in. Currently it can be shown under the Purposed Working Standard. This allows for five colors. The colors are Black, Chestnut Agouti, Tortoise, Siamese Sable, and the Ruby Eyed Red. This is the maximum allowed by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) for a new breed. The maximum weight that Does can be for showing is 3.4lbs and 3.12lbs for Bucks. The Lionhead rabbit is currently being bred in many more color than are allowed for showing. In Britain 60 different colors are accepted.
Lionhead rabbits tend to be very friendly and easy to handle. As a breed the Lionhead is healthy overall. The Lionhead is also relatively easy to breed. Most Does have no problems having their babies. The Lionhead Does are also good mothers and tend to have plenty of milk. They have an average of 3-9 kits per litter.
Newborn Lionheads with a double mane or two mane genes look a lot different than other newborn rabbits. They have extensive areas on their bodies that have no fur or hair coloring at all. Double mane Lionheads manes are slow to catch up with the rest of their fur. It comes in by about 1 month. Many carry wool all over their bodies until 6-7 weeks when only the skirt remains. It sheds out at about 10 weeks. It should be gone by 16 weeks. Some never shed enough to allow them to be shown under the American Standard. If the Lionhead is to be a single mane Lionhead (having only one gene) they look like other breeds of rabbits until their mane comes in at about 3 weeks.
Lionheads are in my opinion the most interesting thing to have happened to rabbit breeding in a long time. They are a pleasure to be around. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family has.
Bluebell |
