If you’re looking for a small and adorable pet rabbit, the Dwarf Hotot is an outstanding choice. While they might look like a Hotot Rabbit and a Netherland Dwarf, they’re a completely different breed with their own unique traits and characteristics.
They’re a fun breed to have around, so you’ll want to learn a bit more and keep reading about them here!
Size:
Miniature
Weight:
2.5–3.5 pounds
Lifespan:
7–10 years
Similar Breeds:
Netherland Dwarf and Blanc de Hotots
Suitable for:
Beginner rabbit owners, first-time rabbit owners, people wanting an indoor pet rabbit
Temperament:
Playful, outgoing, loving, sweet, and energetic
The Dwarf Hotot Rabbit is a cross between a white Hotot and a Netherland Dwarf, and they retain many of both breeds’ signature traits and most sought-after traits. They’re outstanding choices for first-time rabbit owners, and they generally get along great with everyone in your family.
They’re also relatively affordable, so you don’t need to break the bank to get one and bring it home!
Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Breed Characteristics
Energy:
Trainability:
Health:
Lifespan:
Sociability:
How Much Do These Rabbits Cost?
Dwarf Hotot Rabbits are extremely abundant, and you can find many Dwarf Hotot breeders, and because of this, you shouldn’t need to spend a ton to get one. Generally, you can find a Dwarf Hotot for between $15 and $50, and this is if you get them directly from a breeder.
You can also find them at shelters quite often, and it’s possible you can find a breeder or pet owner giving one away if they have too many or don’t want them anymore.
Overall, you shouldn’t expect to spend much for a Dwarf Hotot, and if someone is trying to charge you more than $50 for one, you should consider finding another breeder unless you know they’re extremely reputable.
Image Credit: Nektarstock, Shutterstock
Temperament & Intelligence of the Dwarf Hotot Rabbit
The Dwarf Hotot Rabbit might be on the smaller side of things, but they have big hearts and are absolute sweethearts for their owners. They’re an excellent choice for first-time rabbit owners, generally getting along great with everyone if you take the time to socialize with them properly.
They’re not as easy to train as a dog, but they know what’s happening and how to ask you for what they want!
Do These Rabbits Make Good Pets?👪
Yes! Because of their sweet temperament and loving nature, the Dwarf Hotot Rabbit makes a great pet. They’re small and lovable, and if you take the time to spend time with them early on, they get along great with all family members.
However, keep in mind that while these rabbits get along great with other family members, their small size means you need to pay special attention to them when they’re near smaller children.
Does This Rabbit Get Along With Other Pets?
With proper socialization, they can get along great with other pets in your home. Not only do they get along great with other pets but they’re social creatures that often do best with a partner in their habitat with them.
But keep in mind that while the Dwarf Hotot Rabbit usually gets along great with other pets, that doesn’t mean other pets always get along great with them. Always pay special attention to dogs, cats, and other large pets when they’re near your rabbit, as they can easily wind up hurting them.
Before you bring a Dwarf Hotot Rabbit into your home, you need to be aware of several basic care requirements. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted some of the basic requirements that go into caring for one of these rabbits for you here:
Food & Diet Requirements🥕
A Dwarf Hotot Rabbit’s diet is generally pretty straightforward. Around 70%of their diet should consist of fresh hay, and they should have between 1/8th and 1/4th cups of pellets. From there, you can supplement their diet with fresh fruits and veggies, especially leafy green vegetables like kale and cabbage.
Habitat & Hutch Requirements🏠
While the Dwarf Hotot is a smaller rabbit, that doesn’t mean you can give them a super small home. A rabbit’s hutch must be at least four times their size, and for smaller rabbits you shouldn’t get a hutch smaller than 24” x 36″.
If you plan on getting more than one rabbit, they need even more space, and we recommend a hutch with multiple levels to increase the available space for your rabbit. But even with a large enough hutch, your rabbit still needs time out and about to stretch their legs.
Pet rabbits need tons of space to roam, and the Dwarf Hotot Rabbit is certainly no exception. They need at least 3 hours of free roam time outside of their habitat each day. Otherwise, they can’t stretch their legs enough to meet all their daily exercise needs.
This time outside their habitat can either be outside in a fenced-in area or inside your home. As long as they have plenty of space to bounce around, that’s all they need!
Training 🥎
You likely don’t think of a bunny doing tricks, but with a high intelligence level, you can teach a Dwarf Hotot to complete all sorts of activities if you stay consistent with the training. Not only can you teach them simple tricks, but you can also litterbox train a Dwarf Hotot, making cleanup a lot easier.
While you shouldn’t need to complete a ton of grooming activities for your Dwarf Hotot, you should brush them out every week or two to keep their coats in good condition. They will shed some, but compared to many other rabbit breeds, the amount they shed is minimal.
Lifespan and Health Conditions🏥
The average Dwarf Hotot will live between 7 and 10 years, which is on the shorter side of things for a pet rabbit. But while they don’t have extremely long lifespans, they usually don’t suffer from a wide range of ailments.
Still, there are some conditions you’ll need to look out for, and we’ve highlighted those for you just below.
Serious Conditions
Cancer
Heat stroke
Gastrointestinal problems
Coprophagy
Minor Conditions
Upper respiratory tract infections
Internal and external parasites
Dental problems
Urinary tract infections
Male vs Female
If you’ve never owned a pet rabbit before, it’s probably a good idea to get a male instead of a female. While both can make great pets, males generally make better first-time pets since they crave more attention and want to spend more time with their human counterparts.
This makes them a bit easier to socialize, and it means you get to spend more time with your pet rabbit without annoying them! Not only that, but males tend to have slightly less destructive tendencies.
The Dwarf Hotot is one of the most loved and sought-after pet rabbits in the world today, so it’s no surprise that there are tons of fun facts to pick from. We’ve highlighted three of our favorites for you here:
1. The American Rabbit Breeders Association Recognized the Breed in 1983
The first Dwarf Hotot came about in the 1970s, and by 1983 the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) had already officially recognized the breed. It’s clear that these adorable rabbits have been popular since day one!
2. They Originate From Germany
The first Dwarf Hotot came from a cross between the white Hotot and the Netherland Dwarf rabbit, and they were bred solely for pet purposes. Breeders in Germany are responsible for the breed, and we’re all thankful for them today.
3. Dwarf Hotots With White or Black Spots Near Their Eyes and Ears Can’t Compete in Shows
White or black spots near a Dwarf Hotot’s eyes or ears are extremely common, and many people find them cute, but if you want your rabbit to compete in a show, they can’t have them! They might look cute to us, but technically they’re a disqualifying “imperfection.”
We simply love the Dwarf Hotot, and if you bring one home or spend any time around one, we’re sure you will too. They get along great with everyone and can’t seem to get enough of your attention, and they’re small enough to fit in the palm of your hand even when they’re full-grown.
Cute, loving, and affectionate, it’s everything you could want in a pet rabbit and then some, and it’s why they’re among the most popular and most common pet rabbits in the world today!
Adam is a professional freelance writer and animal enthusiast who has rescued countless animals through the years. He's been a freelance writer for ten years and has been rescuing animals for even longer! Adam is also a proud father of three and is always up for a challenge and adventure!
