White Netherland Dwarf Rabbit in a field

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Netherland Dwarf rabbit originates from Holland. Since they appeared in the UK in the late 1940s, they have become a very popular breed due to their small size. They are one of the smallest breeds of rabbit classed as a true dwarf. A rabbit that has one dwarf gene and one normal gene is called a ‘true dwarf’. A rabbit that has two normal genes is called a ‘false dwarf’. They both look similar, but the false dwarf will grow larger and isn’t as compact as a true dwarf.

If you think a Netherland Dwarf is the breed for you, read on for all the information you need to know about this breed including some potential health issues that are useful to know about beforehand.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Facts

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Type
Dwarf
Everypaw's breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
7 - 12 years
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Size
Very small
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Weight
1 kg
Everypaw's breed temperament icon
Temperament
Skittish, nervous, lively
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Exercise
2 hours 2x a day
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Grooming
Medium maintenance

Is a Netherland Dwarf Right for Me?

The Netherland is one of the smallest breeds of domestic rabbit, but just because they’re small doesn’t mean they don’t still need lots of attention, exercise and care.

This breed can be a little nervous and skittish, so don’t expect them to want to be endlessly cuddled. They may take a little time to settle in and become used to their new surroundings. But with time and patience, they’ll soon learn that you’re their friend. Once you’ve built a bond with your Netherland and you have gained their trust, they will become affectionate and playful. They’ll love nothing more than to hop around the house with you and play with their favourite toys.

Cute Netherland Dwarf Rabbit

Life with a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit

Knowing what’s best for your bunny is so important. Dinner time, grooming, training and exercise are all key parts of caring for your Netherland Dwarf. Ensuring they’re healthy and happy is essential for a harmonious relationship between you and your companion. Here are some useful pointers.

Caring for Your Netherland Dwarf

A rabbit’s diet is so important. Get it right from the start and you’ll avoid any potential problems later on. A high fibre diet of high-quality fresh hay and grass is all your bunny really needs. Hay and grass are so important for their digestive system, it keeps it moving and prevents any gut problems. It also helps to wear down their teeth that grow continuously. At least 85% of your rabbit’s diet should consist of hay and/or grass.

Bunnies can also be fed fresh vegetables like carrots, sweetcorn, celery and broccoli. Greens like kale and spring greens, and dandelions contain lots of calcium which can cause problems, so avoid feeding lots of these.

Luckily the Netherland Dwarf has a fairly short coat that doesn’t need much grooming. And rabbits are extremely good at keeping themselves clean. So, unless your bunny is particularly dirty from running around outside, then a quick brush once or twice a week should do the trick. They shed their coat a couple of times a year, so you might need to brush them a bit more often at these times.

Bathing your bunny can be traumatic and dangerous, so unless your bunny needs a bath for medical reasons as determined by your vet, and they have shown you how to do it safely, bathing your bunny isn’t recommended.

Rabbits need plenty of exercise to keep them active and out of mischief. Wild rabbits can roam over 3 miles each day, this gives you an idea of how much exercise your bunny will need.

Your Netherland is going to get a fair bit of exercise roaming around the house, but they will need more than that. Let them have a run and play outside for a couple of hours twice a day. Because they’re so small, always keep an eye on them as their size makes them easy prey for unwelcome garden predators.

Exercise is important for muscles and to burn off unwanted calories. It also stops them from getting bored which can lead to behavioural problems. Other tips to prevent boredom include providing your bunny with lots of toys to play with, chew toys and places to run, play and hide in.

The Netherland can be tricky to train, but it is possible. Litter training can be difficult though, so it’s often a good idea to leave plenty of trays around your house so they have lots of places to go if they get caught short.

Netherland Dwarf looking at the camera

Netherland Dwarf Insurance

We know you want to keep your little Netherland well cared for, and keep them safe and sound. Everypaw’s Lifetime Rabbit Insurance can be there for you if your bunny falls ill or were to ever injure themselves. Our Rabbit Insurance policies are available from 8 weeks old and all come with a range of additional benefits to keep your bunny on the hop.

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Common Netherland Dwarf Health Problems by Vetstream

There are a few health problems that the Netherland Dwarf is prone to. Everypaw has joined up with veterinary experts Vetstream to give you an idea of what to look out for.

Brachycephalic means a short skull. This syndrome affects short nosed bunnies and can lead to severe dental and respiratory issues. Breeds that have flatter faces tend to have lots of health and welfare problems.

Brachycephalic rabbits tend to have a longer top jaw than the bottom (known as malocclusion), so their teeth don’t line up properly. This causes severe dental problems.

Respiratory problems are also an issue for brachycephalic breeds. Their short face and squashed nose prevent them from breathing properly. Rabbits only breathe through their nose, so if you see your rabbit breathing through their mouth, this is a sign that there’s a problem.

This is where the top and bottom jaws don’t line up properly. This is a common problem in brachycephalic breeds and can be life-threatening if untreated.

Rabbit’s teeth grow continuously, the action of chewing on hay and grass wears them down which maintains a normal length. This can’t happen with dental malocclusion and abnormal wear leads to overgrowth of the teeth. Eating and drinking can be difficult, and if spikes develop along the tongue or cheeks these can cause nasty cuts, ulcers and abscesses.

Overgrowth of the front incisors can be treated by regular burring (filing). This may need doing every 2-3 weeks. It’s possible for the incisor teeth to be removed, but the procedure can be difficult. If any of the tooth is left behind, it will regrow so the procedure may need to be done again. Rabbits cope fine without incisor teeth!

If the cheek teeth are affected, these may need burring every 4-6 weeks, sometimes less often. If your bunny has a problem, you may notice them salivate more or have matted fur on their legs from wiping away the saliva. You might notice your bunny losing weight or just isn’t able to eat at all. Cheek teeth can also be removed, but surgery is complicated so your rabbit might need to be referred to a specialist rabbit vet for treatment.

Respiratory problems are also common in brachycephalic breeds. The short face and squashed nose of the Netherland Dwarf prevents them from breathing normally. This means they can’t inhale enough oxygen through their nose to oxygenate the body’s tissues. Rabbits only ever breathe through their nose, so if you notice your bunny has started breathing through its mouth, this is a definite sign of respiratory distress.

Situations to avoid include hot weather. Make sure your rabbit has plenty of shade to hide in, or on very hot days, keep them inside in the cool to avoid heat stress. If you bunny gets extremely stressed, this may cause difficulty breathing too, so try to avoid any stressful situations where you can.

You should call your vet immediately to get them checked out if you notice that they’re breathing through their mouth.

Injury to the spine is a common cause of injury in pet rabbits. It’s often related to struggling and kicking when being picked up or being dropped. It’s so important to know how to pick up and handle your bunny safely. It’s best to prevent small children from handling your bunny to avoid an accident, especially with very small delicate breeds like the Netherland Dwarf.

Spinal injury is complex, and the prognosis often isn’t good. Ongoing care can be considerable and very expensive. Lower spinal injuries have a better chance of survival, but if paralysis is present, the outcome isn’t very positive. Related medical issues are also common following spinal injury which could prevent your rabbit from having a good quality of life. In these cases, having your rabbit put to sleep may be the kindest option.
 

Quick Netherland Dwarf Q&A

On average, the life expectancy of a healthy Netherland Dwarf is around 7-12 years of age.

Netherland Dwarfs are such a small breed of rabbit that it’s recommended they are kept as house rabbits. They would struggle to survive over winter outdoors, and if left outside at any time of year, their size makes them easy prey for predators.

This breed is very small compared to a standard sized rabbit. They’re a true dwarf breed that only reach around 15-20 cm long when fully grown.

Netherlands need a high fibre diet of high-quality fresh hay and grass. At least 85% of your rabbit’s diet should consist of hay and/or grass. They can also be fed fresh vegetables like carrots, sweetcorn, celery and broccoli. Avoid commercial rabbit food as these can lead to obesity and other health issues.

That’s All You Need to Know About Netherland Dwarfs

A little nervous and skittish, this breed probably isn’t really suited to the first-time owner or busy household. But, once they come out of their shell and you’ve built a bond, they do make great pets. They’re a very small breed, but despite their size they still need lots of tlc to keep them happy and healthy. And they can suffer from some health issues, but nothing a seasoned bunny owner couldn’t cope with given the right veterinary advice.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Lapis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/lapis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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