Even people who don’t keep pet rabbits may have day-to-day experience with English Angora rabbits.
That’s because English Angoras are (relatively) hypoallergenic.
If you are allergic to sheep’s wool and cashmere, there is another natural fabric that can keep you warm.
It is wool from Angora rabbits, well-known for its silky feel, its insulating power, and its long wear.
More importantly, if you are allergic to wool from sheep and mohair from goats, chances are that you will not be allergic to angora wool from rabbits.
Of all the 11 breeds of Angora rabbits. English Angoras produce the most wool. But people who prize rabbits as pets will enjoy English Angoras, too.
English Angoras have unique facial features, such as hair that hangs down over their eyes, that make them look more like a puppy or a teddy bear than a rabbit.
These rabbits are sweet, gentle, adaptable animals, just large enough to make a good pet for children, hopping around like an adorable ball of (usually) white fur.
English Angoras become best friends forever with the humans who groom them. If you don’t like combing and grooming your pets, however, the Engish Angora is not for you.
Essential Facts About English Angora Rabbits
Scientific name: Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus
Care level, compared to other rabbits: Essential to groom English Angoras twice a week to prevent wool block. Otherwise, easy to take care of.
Temperament: Gentle, docile, affectionate.
Colors: Black, blue, black tort, blue tort, chestnut, chocolate, or tort in solid, broken, agouti, self, and shaded patterns.
Lifespan: 5 to 8 years.
Maximum size: 6 pounds (2.8 kilograms).
Dietary requirements: Primarily timothy hay. Some crunchy vegetables and no more than 3 or 4 ounces (about 100 grams) of pellets daily is acceptable.
Compatible breeds: Gets along with other small or mid-sized rabbits. Do not breed a female with a larger male. She may have trouble carrying and nursing the kits from this mating.
Cages: At least 24 inches by 36 inches (60 cm by 90 cm) of floor space with enough clearance that your rabbit’s ears do not touch the top of the cage. Bigger is better.
English Angora rabbits are too small to keep in the same home with a dog. They can learn to socialize with smaller cats, but you will need to protect their babies.
History of the English Angora Rabbit
Angora rabbits originated near Ankara, once known as Angora, the capital of Turkey.
A pair of Angora rabbits were given as a gift from the sultan to the royal court of King Louis XV in 1723, and they became popular throughout France by the end of the eighteenth century.
Angora rabbits arrived in North America in about 1900. Since their wool feels a lot like cashmere, they quickly became very popular for wool production.
At first, in the United States, there was just one breed of Angora rabbits, commonly known as Angora Woolers.
In 1939, the American Rabbit Breeders Association started classifying Angora Woolers as English Angora rabbits and French Angora rabbits.
English Angoras have long fur on their face and ears. French Angoras have a dense undercoat.
There are currently 11 different breeds of Angora rabbits, only four of which are recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
Appearance of the English Angora Rabbit
English Angoras are small, compact rabbits with flat heads and short ears. They are unusually “wooly.”
Unilke other Angoras, they even have fur on their faces. Their entire body, even their feet, is covered in fur.
Size and Weight
The English Angora Rabbit is the smallest of all Angora breeds. They have a compact body and a broad, flat head with short ears.
These rabbits usually weigh between 5 and 6 lbs.
Coat
It is not for nothing that English Angoras are often described as round balls of fluff.
An English Angora’s coat is wooly but silky at the same time, and very thick. Let unclipped, an English Angora’s coat can grow 6 inches (92 mm) thick in just a year.
If you don’t groom your English Angora rabbit’s coat regularly, it becomes matted and soiled with unpleasant materials.
Color
English Angoras come in a variety of colors, as noted above.
Some of the ARBA accepted varieties include:
- Agouti
- Broken
- Self
- Shaded
- Ruby-Eyed White
- Pointed White
If you are planning to harvest wool for spinning yarn, look for rabbits with solid coats of a single color.
Keep in mind that the offspring of two rabbits of the same coat color can have an entirely different color or color pattern.
Facial Furnishings
What sets the English Angora apart from other rabbit breeds is their unique facial furnishings.
They have fur covering their ears, faces (except above their nose), and woolly feet.
With their thick, woolly, and silky coat, they are not only adorable but require extra attention when it comes to grooming.
It is advised to groom an English Angora at least twice a week to avoid matting and debris in their fur.
Temperament and Behavior of the English Angora Rabbit
The English Angora rabbit is known for its friendly and docile temperament.
They have a calm demeanor, making them an ideal companion for those who are looking for a low-maintenance pet.
Friendly Nature
One of the most notable traits of English Angora rabbits is their friendliness. Their sociable nature makes them enjoy spending time with their human handlers as well as other family members.
As you spend more time with them, they will develop a strong bond with you, especially if you are the one responsible for grooming and caring for them.
Intelligence
English Angora rabbits are not only friendly but also intelligent.
This means that you can engage them in various activities to stimulate their minds and prevent boredom.
Interaction is important for keeping your rabbit happy and healthy.
Docile Temperament
As a pet owner, you will appreciate the docile temperament of the English Angora rabbit.
These rabbits are easy to handle, making them suitable for families with young children.
They are less likely to display aggressive or territorial behaviors, which ensures a peaceful coexistence with other rabbits or pets in the household.
Grooming and Bonding
Grooming plays a significant role in the life of an English Angora rabbit. Their long, fluffy fur requires regular care to prevent matting and tangling.
As a result, they will bond more strongly with the person responsible for their grooming.
By establishing this routine, you will not only keep your rabbit clean and healthy but also strengthen the emotional bond between you.
In conclusion, the English Angora rabbit’s temperament and behavior make it a delightful pet for various age groups.
Their friendly, intelligent, and docile nature contributes to a positive and enjoyable relationship with their human companions.
Care of the English Angora Rabbit
The first thing you need to know about taking care of any Angora rabbit, and especially an English Angora rabbit, is how to groom them without causing them pain.
English Angoras have very long hair.
If you let them go without harvesting their wool for four or five months, each hair can be as much as 6 inches (15 cm) long.
If you do not groom your English Angoras twice a week, they will try to groom themselves by licking themselves.
These rabbits inevitably swallow their own hair.
Like a cat, the hair a rabbit swallows can form a hairball inside its digestive tract. Unlike a cat, a rabbit cannot vomit or cough the hairball out.
A mass of hair can grow so large that it internees with the digestion of food and the rabbit colon’s ability to absorb water.
It is not unheard of for rabbits to die of dehydration and constipation when they are not groomed.
So, prevent this potentially fatal problem—called wool block—by grooming your English Angora twice every week.
Here’s how.
First, gather your tools. You will need a steel comb or a bulb-tipped brush. If you plan to cut your rabbit’s wool, make sure your scissors have short blades.
You will also need two buckets, one for usable wool and the other for matted wool you will later throw away.
Gently brush your rabbit. Pluck any loose wool.
If you decide to shear your rabbit, keep the blade at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 12 mm) away from the skin.
Wondering when you need to pluck wool off your rabbit?
Pluck your rabbit when you see wool on the wires of its cage or trailing on its back.
Housing
English Angoras are well suited to living outdoors in hutches during the winter, but they suffer in the summer heat.
It will be especially important to keep an outdoor hutch well-ventilated and to provide your rabbits with plenty of water if you keep them outdoors in the summer heat.
Unlike some other breeds (with long toes), English Angoras do well in cages with wire floors.
The floor should be made of 1/2″ x l” ( 12 mm by 25 mm) wire. The sides can be 1″ x 2: (25 mm by 50 mm) mesh wire.
Alternatively, you can train your rabbit to live in a crate. This makes it easier to take your rabbit to the vet.
Health Problems of English Angora Rabbits
If you keep up with grooming, your English Angoras will probably stay healthy.
Be sure to provide them with plenty of fiber-rich dry hay and crunchy vegetables, about 70 percent of their diet hay, and 20 percent vegetables. Always provide cooling.
English Angoras that eat lots of high-fiber diets usually do not ever develop the wool block.
If you keep their coats clean by wiping them with a damp cloth as needed (never give your rabbit a bath), they will not have problems with flystrike, parasitic flies laying their eggs in manure, or debris on their skin.
Popular Bunny Names for English Angora Rabbits
Here’s a table with popular English Angora Rabbit names, reflecting their breed characteristics.
The English Angora Rabbit is known for its fluffy, wooly coat and gentle temperament.
Many of these names are inspired by their unique appearance and friendly nature.
| Boy Names | Girl Names |
|---|---|
| Fluffy | Fuzzball |
| Wooly | Cotton |
| Cloud | Snowball |
| Puff | Luna |
| Marshmallow | Angel |
| Cuddle | Daisy |
| Snuggle | Whisper |
| Breeze | Aurora |
| Frost | Pearl |
| Hopper | Honey |
These names emphasize the soft, fluffy coat and gentle personality of the English Angora Rabbit breed, making them fitting choices for your rabbit.
Also read: Named for Pet Rabbits/Bunnies
Frequently Asked Questions About English Angora Rabbits
How much will an English Angora rabbit cost?
Expect to pay US $50 to $250, depending on whether you want a show rabbit.
Where can I find an English Angora rabbit?
Check with the National Angora Rabbit Breeders Association.
How often will my English Angora rabbit shed?
Your English Angora rabbit will only shed about one every nine months, but it will shed a lot. It is much better to groom them regularly.
How much wool will an English Angora produce every year?
Both English and French Angoras produce 10 to 16 ounces of wool per year.
Because their wool is very light, this small amount goes a long way for home spinners.
What is the best way to remove matted wool?
Cut matted wool off your rabbit with scissors. Don’t pull on matted wool.
Will English Angora rabbits get cold outside during winter?
As long as you provide your English Angoras with protection from the wind (a blanket over their hutch will work), they should be fine.
How can I keep my English Angora rabbits from suffering during the summer heat?
Freeze or chill a bottle of water. Place it unopened in your rabbit’s cage.
Provide one bottle of chilled water per rabbit in their cage. Replace the bottle every morning.
Can I train my English Angora rabbit to sit on my lap?
You can train an English Angora rabbit to snuggle up beside you if you sit next to it on the floor.
English Angora rabbits instinctively always look for an escape route in case a predator comes along, so they will be uncomfortable in your lap when you are seated in a chair.
Other articles you may also like:
