10/25/2025
Many Domestic Rabbits Suffer from Extreme Breeding
Main Brachycephalic Rabbit Breeds are:
-Netherland Dwarf: Characterized by a very short head and compact body, highly associated with dental malocclusion and respiratory issues due to skull conformation.
-Lop-eared breeds (Mini, Dwarf, and French/English Lops): Lops often have shortened faces and skulls, and their ear structure (floppy, poorly ventilated) makes them prone to chronic ear problems as well as the usual brachycephalic issues.
-Lionhead: Their rounded, short heads and flat faces, paired with dense fur, increase their risk for dental, respiratory, and ocular problems
Health Problems from Extreme Breeding:
-Dental disease: Short faces mean the same number of teeth must fit into a much smaller jaw, leading to overcrowding, malocclusion, jaw deformities, abscesses, and inability to eat properly.
-Respiratory issues: Narrowed airways and soft palate elongation lead to noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, and heat sensitivity.
-Eye problems: Bulging eyes from brachycephaly can increase risks for glaucoma and ocular trauma.
-Tear duct disorders: Shortened skulls distort tear ducts, increasing the likelihood of dacryocystitis.
-Ear disease: Especially pronounced in lop breeds, chronic infections, wax buildup, and abscesses are far more common due to anatomy
Welfare Concerns:
Breeding for flat faces, lop ears, excessive fur, or extreme size (dwarfs or giants) increases lifelong health risks and suffering for pet rabbits. These traits compromise natural behaviors, comfort, and the ability to communicate and thrive
You can thank your local breeder for their continued extreme breeding. Instead of helping they continue to cause rabbits to suffer just to look different.
Sources - Everypaw, Rabbit.Org Foundation, Gentle Touch Animal Hospital, Vet Help Direct, Baby Blue Bee Bunnies, Burgess Pet Care, The Webinar Vet
Donations needed (& appreciated) - go to ↩️
Linktr.ee/rabbittracktrailrescue (see our Bio on IG) for donation links
We are not veterinarians. Always seek your rabbit savvy veterinarian's advice!
