I have put together some information on breed standard should you wish to show your Lionhead, you can also find some information about care and housing for your bunny.
Breed standard as stated by The British Rabbit Council
| Mane/Chest The mane should be between 5-7cm (2-3 ")in length extending to a "V" at the back of the neck, falling into a fringe around the head, with longer fur on the chest to form a bib. Coat The coat to be dense, of medium length, roll back and even all over, often with a finer flank line of slightly longer fur running down the length of the rabbit to tail extending in a line to the groin. Small amount of extended fur around the flanks permissible on under five months exhibits. Colours All colours as long as they conform to a recognised colour and pattern. It is important to remember when judging colour on the Lionhead rabbit that the fur of the mane will be the undercolour in that area of the coat. |
Condition
The exhibit should be in a perfect health and bodily condition, free from all soiling, particularly on feet, ears and genital parts. Free from knots and mats around the mane. The coat should reflect the overall good health of the exhibit, which should appear alert and vigorous.
Faults
A Long narrow head, pointed or weak muzzle. Narrow or long body, chopped off or undercut hindquarters, any specimen that shows raciness. Ears too long. A mane that is thin or sparse in appearance. Excessive fur on flanks.
Disqualifications
Malocclusion, lack of mane or chest fur, furnishings on top of ears, wall eye, putty nose, incorrect coloured toenails. Adults over 1.7kg (3lb12oz) in weight.
Weight 1.36 - 1.70Kkg(3lb- 3lb 12oz
Caring for your Lionhead Rabbit.
Feeding your Bunny the correct diet is very important - particularly for teeth and gastrointestinal system. Grass/Hay should form the main part of the diet whilst a bunny mix/pellets may be used to complement this. A hay net is a good addition for your bunny's hutch/run as pulling the hay out is good for their teeth.
Green foods are important for rabbits of all ages but should be introduced a little at a time, you can begin whilst weaning.
New foods given in excess could possibly cause diarrhea which can be detrimental to your bunny's health. Most green foods and root crops are suitable but should be introduced carefully, carrot tops are great too.
Introduction to a new diet should be done gradually, over a week or so.
Your Bunny may enjoy treats such as strawberries, apple, bananas and other fruits. Also they may enjoy hard bread crusts to chew on. My bunny's love fresh mint and lemon balm leaves from my own garden!
Clean, fresh water should always be available for your Bunny.
Housing - your rabbit should have lots of space to move around, as you can probably imagine being squashed into a small space will neither be healthy or comfortable.
There should be enough space for your bunny to stand up full height and stretch out in the bedroom area as a minimum requirement. There should be adequate room below the hutch for ventilation, living area at approx waist height is great for your bunny to be able to see what's going on around him/her.
The hutch should be placed in an area where it is protected as much as possible from strong winds and should be suitably weather proof. You should inspect for holes and leaks regularly.
You may be tempted to bring your bunny indoors during bad weather which is fine but remember, they come fully equiped with their own furry coats and will be perfectly happy outside in the right kind of hutch! They love to play in the snow and are very good at keeping clean after a run around in the mud! It is equally as important to make sure your bunny does not become too hot.
It is very important to keep the hutch clean to prevent ilness/disease. Generally, to clean out the toilet area every day and the whole hutch once a week is a good rule. In the summer this is especially important to ward off flies and insects. (flies can be very dangerous to bunny's causing fly strike which can kill) a good hutch cleaner/disinfectant is a good idea whilst cleaning the hutch.
If your bunny is not using one particular area as their toilet, they can quite easily be trained by placing some droppings into one corner everyday until they get the idea.
Fly/flea treatments and repellents can be bought in most pet stores for bunny.
Regular grooming is also necessary as your Lionhead will develop knots/tats otherwise - this also gives you a chance to spend some quality time with your bunny :-)
Rabbits don't necessarily like to be picked up so don't panic if you cant catch him! Chasing him round and round will only make him more jumpy and more reluctant to come to you. Sitiing with your bunny and feeding him from your hand is a good start to bonding. When you do pick him/her up he needs to feel well supported and secure or he will struggle,scratch and try to jump down. Body and back feet should be well supported so that he does not kick out. Never pick your bunny up by the ears as you could hurt or damage them.
