All About Lionhead Rabbits
Before considering getting a rabbit, you should research the differents breeds. There are over 50 breeds of rabbit recognised worldwide, and they all have different requirements so it is important that you have a basic knowledge about the particular breed you are interested in. Lionheads are considered a relatively new breed and have become very popular because of their fluffy, teddy-bear appearance. Due to their coat type, they require a lot of grooming, so if you are planning to get a lionhead, you need to be prepared to brush them regularly, sometimes everyday. Their name hails from the 'mane' that grows around their head, resembling that of a lion, and they are one of the smaller breeds of rabbit, known as dwarf rabbits.
Grooming Lionheads
Lionheads can have a single mane or a double mane, although many lionheads can loose their mane as they get older, and this is especially common in male lionheads. Double maned lionheads are very fluffy around their heads, having a thick mane of wool, a 'bib' of wool under their head/neck, and a 'skirt' of wool around their body. They require a lot of grooming, because due the amount of wool, they can easily get matts and bedding can get stuck in their coat. You should check each day for any matts and brush/comb them out. Single maned lionhead still require a lot of grooming, but once a week is usually sufficient. You can check whether a litter of lionheads is going to be single maned or double maned a week or so after birth, as double maned lionheads will have V-shape of fur on their backs, but single maned lionheads will have fur covering the entire back. If both parents are double maned, then all the offspring will also be double maned.
Below are two photos of Kiara (almost 4 months old) after being groomed.
Below are two photos of Kiara (almost 4 months old) after being groomed.
Lionheads can get ' wool block', which is caused when they ingest too much fur as a result of self-grooming. Small amounts of fur will occasionally pass easily through the digestive system and be extreted from the body, but if too fur is ingested, it will cause a blockage. As rabbits cannot vomit, they cannot get the mass of wool out of their system and will need help. Wool block is a bigger problem for long-haired breeds as there is a lot more fur, especiallly during molt. If your rabbit suddenly starts eating less and going to the toilet less, this is a sign of wool block. To prevent wool block, brush your rabbit regularly to remove all the loose hair. The diet can also be supplemented with fresh pineapple, which helps to loosen any lumps or balls of fur in the G.I. tract.
Showing Lionheads
When showing rabbits in the UK, you must be a member of the British Rabbit Council (unless you are just showing a pet). All rabbits are judged according to their breed standards, and will be marked on several areas, and can gain up to 100 points. For lionheads, the mark scheme is:
To view the full breed standard for Lionhead Rabbits, follow this link: http://www.thebrc.org/standards/F11-Lionhead.pdf
Before your rabbit can be shown, it needs to be rung. The British Rabbit Council provide metal rings of specific sizes according to the breed that will be wearing it. The ring will have an identification number on it. If you are buying a lionhead rabbit that you intend to show, then you need to let the breeder know that you want it to be rung, as you cannot ring it yourself. You can only ring any rabbits that you have bred yourself, as they will be registered under your name. When you buy a rabbit that has been rung by the breeder, you will be given a ring transfer form that the breeder should have filled in. You should fill in the new owner section and send it to the BRC with the ring transfer fee. If you are selling any rabbits that you have bred yourself and rung, you need to give a ring transfer form to the new owner. Lionhead Rabbits require a ring size C.
Rabbit can enter shows from 12 weeks old, and they will be enter into an under 5 month class (displayed on show advertisements as U/5). Rabbits that are older than 5 months will be entered into the Adult Class. Before a show, you need to make sure your rabbits coat looks perfect.. no matts, no knots, nothing stuck in the fur, remove all the loose hair; you might also have to clean their feet and you must make sure that they nails are well-trimmed. Before entering a lionhead into the Adult Class, you need to remove all the skirt, as this is only accepted in young lionheads. Gently brush it out or use your finger and thumb to remove the skirt.
- Type- 25 points,
- Mane/Chest- 30 points,
- Coat- 25 points,
- Colour- 10 points,
- Overall Condition- 10 points.
To view the full breed standard for Lionhead Rabbits, follow this link: http://www.thebrc.org/standards/F11-Lionhead.pdf
Before your rabbit can be shown, it needs to be rung. The British Rabbit Council provide metal rings of specific sizes according to the breed that will be wearing it. The ring will have an identification number on it. If you are buying a lionhead rabbit that you intend to show, then you need to let the breeder know that you want it to be rung, as you cannot ring it yourself. You can only ring any rabbits that you have bred yourself, as they will be registered under your name. When you buy a rabbit that has been rung by the breeder, you will be given a ring transfer form that the breeder should have filled in. You should fill in the new owner section and send it to the BRC with the ring transfer fee. If you are selling any rabbits that you have bred yourself and rung, you need to give a ring transfer form to the new owner. Lionhead Rabbits require a ring size C.
Rabbit can enter shows from 12 weeks old, and they will be enter into an under 5 month class (displayed on show advertisements as U/5). Rabbits that are older than 5 months will be entered into the Adult Class. Before a show, you need to make sure your rabbits coat looks perfect.. no matts, no knots, nothing stuck in the fur, remove all the loose hair; you might also have to clean their feet and you must make sure that they nails are well-trimmed. Before entering a lionhead into the Adult Class, you need to remove all the skirt, as this is only accepted in young lionheads. Gently brush it out or use your finger and thumb to remove the skirt.
Some exhibitors use a mesh grid at the bottom of the show pen to make sure that no wood shavings get stuck in the rabbit's coat after it has been groomed. You can also buy plastic grids. When going to a show, you need to take a water bottle with you, and something for your rabbit to eat as it will in the show pen for several hours.
Useful Links
http://www.thebrc.org/ <--- The British Rabbit Council Website
http://www.lionheadrabbit.info/index.htm <--- The National Lionhead Rabbit Club
http://www.lionheadrabbit.info/index.htm <--- The National Lionhead Rabbit Club