Mature Netherland Dwarfs should weigh two pounds, making them one of the smallest breed. They are dense, stout, with a round head and wide skull. Their head is set up high on their shoulders. Netherland Dwarfs have bright, bold eyes. Their ears, about two inches or less. Netherland Dwarfs come in a wide variety of colors. The solid colors are: black, chocolate, blue, lilac, blue-eyed white, and ruby-eyed white. The shaded colors are: sable point, Siamese sable, and Siamese smoke pearl. The agouti colors are: chestnut, chinchilla, lynx, opal, and squirrel. The tan patterns are: tan, otter, sable marten, silver, marten, and smoke pearl marten. Other colors are fawn, Himalayan (which can be black, chocolate, blue, or lilac), orange, steel, and tortoiseshell. A Netherland Dwarf will be disqualified from an American Rabbit Breeders Sanctioned competition if it is over two and a half pounds or if its ears are more than two and a half inches long.
Netherlands Dwarfs are generally quite active. Occasionally they can bite, like most rabbits, but the best way to prevent any rabbit from biting is to handle them very often at a young age. (Biting may be caused by hormonal impulses to protect their cage.) It is recommended that you purchase a rabbit that is five months or older so that you are sure of the temperament. They are not usually mean, but sometimes the personality changes for the worse when they hit maturity. So if you get a young rabbit as a pet, consider spaying or neutering.
Bunnies enjoy toys such as hard balls, cardboard tubes, and boxes to entertain them during the time you are not with them. Most rabbits will use a litter box filled with a non-cedar or non-clumping litter. They need a high fiber commercial diet and enough hay. They also need an occasional brushing.
