Havana Rabbit Breed Info: Pictures, Traits, Facts

Despite their island name, the Havana rabbit does not in fact hail from Cuba. Just where is this rabbit from, and why would it be named after the capital city of an island nation near the United States?

We will be answering all those questions and more in this guide to the compact and cuddly Havana rabbit breed. After covering its history and origins, we will fill you in on helpful tips and hints for aspiring Havana owners. When you are finished reading, you’ll know just what it takes to care for this popular rabbit breed!

History & Origin of the Havana Rabbit Breed

Born and bred in the Netherlands, the Havana takes its name only tangentially from the more famous island. Originally known as the “Castor” breed after their resemblance to the color of a beaver, a Frenchman renamed them after the color of rich Cuban cigars in 1903.

One of rabbit breeding’s “happy accidents”, the Havana comes from a chance mating between two equally non-descript rabbits on a farm in the Netherlands. By some miracle of genetics, these two rabbits produced a litter with attractive dark brown kits. Subsequent inbreeding deepened the color of this coat, giving it the richness that eventually led to its name.

Arriving in the United States in 1916, this breed’s plush fur and gentle disposition won it many fans. It’s been a popular rabbit for both shows and as a house pet ever since.

Havana Rabbit Overview

Small and compact, the Havana is neither quite so small as a truly miniature rabbit (like the Netherland Dwarf) nor large enough to be considered a standard size. This in-between size has made it popular as a house rabbit, where it takes up little space but has the mellow personality of a larger rabbit.

Thick and luscious fur makes them a joy to pet, groom, and hold. Thankfully, most Havanas enjoy being handled and will easily take to being carried if introduced to it from a young age.

Nutrition and Health

Smaller rabbits are generally less prone to degenerative health problems and enjoy a longer life span than their larger counterparts. When given a proper diet and exercise, a Havana rabbit will likely live over a decade.

Fresh, filtered water and timothy hay should form most of your rabbit’s diet. Always make them available to your rabbit in multiple places in your home. Supplement this with a daily serving of greens for extra vitamins and minerals and keep sugary treats to a minimum.

Though they are small, it is especially important to give your Havana plenty of room to move, explore, and stretch in their enclosure. When possible, litter train them so they can roam more freely around your house.

Grooming

The thickly textured coat of a Havana requires more frequent grooming than most small rabbits. For most of the year, aim to brush them at least twice per week. As soon as spring’s shedding season starts, expect to increase this frequency to up to 5 times per week. This will help avoid any problems that could occur from your Havana ingesting too much of its own hair.

Temperament

Many smaller rabbit breeds have a reputation for being quite zesty, even bordering on aggressive – but not the Havana! These incredibly sweet rabbits are possessed of a gentle disposition and often love to cuddle both humans and other rabbits. They require truly little emotional maintenance or training and make excellent pets for first-time and experienced rabbit owners alike.

Final Thoughts

Whether named for their resemblance to a beaver or a fine Cuban cigar, the Havana is surely a kind and gentle rabbit that has brought joy to many pet owners. If you are looking for a smaller rabbit that is sweet and kind, it is among the best choices of breed that you could adopt.

Featured Image Credit:  Petar Starčević, Pexels