Perhaps one of the most prominent representatives of the rabbit species is the Angora rabbit. By “Angora” is meant not a specific species of animals, but many breeds that have one distinctive feature: a long fluff and a soft pile. Angora is not only a source of valuable pile from which soft wool is obtained, but also wonderful pets revered among unusual decorative animals. Angora rabbits weigh an average of 2 to 6 kg. Exact numbers vary by rabbit breed. Keeping animals is recommended indoors, as this directly affects their life expectancy.
Angora rabbit
The fluffy Angora rabbit got its name in honor of the Turkish city of Ankara, which used to be called Angara, where they started to breed pets for the first time. In Europe, they learned about the breed of furry animals in the 18th century, where the French sailors brought them as souvenirs for people of the upper classes. Thus, thanks to the innate temperament and appearance unusual at that time among the French elite and even among members of the royal family, rabbits gained indescribable love and popularity.
The disproportionately long and fluffy fur, due to which individual Angora breeds are more reminiscent of a large downy ball, sets the rabbit apart from the majority of the animal kingdom. The hair of an adult pet can reach 25 cm in length, despite the fact that the maximum average weight of the largest of the breeds (“Giant”) will be relatively small: up to 6 kg, therefore, livestock breeders consider Angora breeds to be dwarf and do not use it to get meat. The Angora dwarf rabbit performs purely decorative functions and such a pet can be brought just for the soul.
Breed description
When considering some features, a flattened and barely noticeable nose can be noted, even though often there is not so much hair in the nose area as on the whole body. Paws of such a pet are large and long, almost never visible due to the large amount of fur. The body shape can be round, oval, wide and somewhat elongated. The ears of the angora are small and rounded, with representatives of some breeds they have tassels.
When stroking a rabbit, it is very reminiscent of good silk, which is why it is of great value.
The integumentary hair, due to its structure and short length, promotes the growth of soft hair. The length of the villi may have different. For example, in Belgian breeds, the pile can reach 8 cm, in French - 6 cm, in German and English - up to 5 cm. The color of the pile can be almost anything: from light and beige to grayish, black and red. Naturally, for such a coat, obligatory delicate care is needed to prevent the appearance of warlocks and not hamper the movement of pets.
Varieties of Angora rabbits
- German;
- English;
- French;
- white rabbit angora;
- "Atlas" and "giant".
Each breed has its own individual characteristics, allowing to distinguish them from other individuals.
German breed
Representatives of the German breed resemble Giant rabbits, but, unlike them, they weigh about 5 kg and are mostly light or white, but may be different when mixed with other breeds. Of all the popular breeds, such pets shed significantly less.
If you properly care for such a fluffy, on average, he lives 5-7 years.
English rabbits
English giant pets have a wider head compared to the rest and a slightly flattened muzzle. Breeding of this breed is very popular, especially in Europe. Animals weigh only 3.5 kg, and their body is completely covered with a pile, including the area above the nose and paws. It is recommended to comb English rabbits at least 1 time in 3 days.
French breed
French Angora rabbits have an oval and slightly elongated body, and their weight is from about 3.5 to 4.5 kg, so they are quite voluminous individuals of this kind. Unlike English rabbits, French rabbits do not have pile on their paws, they can have tassels on their ears, claws of the same color. By leaving, they are somewhat less demanding.
Dwarf Angora Down Bunny
Dwarf Angora down rabbit of various colors weighing up to 3.5 kg, and its body length can reach up to 50 cm. These rabbits are bred in the former Soviet Union. Their features include short ears, usually with tassels, as well as the presence of a large amount of fluff, due to the fact that animals do not have a breast. High-quality colored wool in the Angora fluffy rabbit is usually bred as a result of crossbreeding of white downy with other colored breeds.
Angora blue rabbit - Angora blau
How to cut Angora rabbit
The content of Angora rabbits. Art Farm RUSANGORA
Angora rabbit: haircut, combing or manual pluck? / A rabbit grooming
Varieties Atlas and Giant
Atlas rabbits weigh up to 4.5 kg, have a body of medium length and a proportional head size with a wide, oval-shaped forehead. The appearance of these rabbits was obtained by crossing French Angora with other Angora rabbits. Their fur, as is obvious from the name of the breed, is soft and shiny, can be either white or colored, the wool has high strength. The muzzle of the animal is not covered with hair, the claws are the same color.
Giant rabbits are distinguished from the rest by their large weight, reaching 6 kg, and are considered the largest among Angora. The color of their fur is white, on the ears there are tassels. Giants do not molt as much as the rest.
Angorka is a popular pet in Europe. They are friendly, not at all aggressive and smart enough. The soft nature of animals and love of hands allow them to be kept in families with children.
During the training of pets, they should not raise their voices or make unnecessary sudden movements. The rabbit gets used to the gentle and careful attitude, affection and smooth speech of a person much faster. Angora are very playful and mobile.
It is always worthwhile to keep ready some kind of treat for the pet, but first, like all rabbits, which are shy by nature, he needs to be allowed to sniff his hand before stroking or picking up his hands so that he can recognize the smell of a person.
Content Rules
Keeping Angora rabbits is a simple matter, it takes a lot of time to care for the long hair of pets. Angora rabbits are required to be kept only in clean cages, in contrast to rabbits of other varieties, which are less demanding in this regard. This is because the animal’s fur in a dirty cage can easily get dirty or tangled, which can negatively affect the process of combing or cutting.
Angors are sheared exclusively by hand, sometimes they simply pluck the wool. Again, the frequency of cutting and combing is directly dependent on the breed. The main fur, which is tougher, is the largest among the Giants, Atlases and rabbits of the French breed. They are not so whimsical in care, because the rigid structure of the hair almost does not allow them to get tangled. The soft and thin fur of the representatives of the English breed, on the contrary, contributes to the frequent appearance of warlocks, which is why it is vital for them to comb out frequently.
The fur of such animals is trimmed once a month, and rabbits are combed with a special brush once a week. The content of a furry pet is not limited to one clean cage. Equally important is the decor of the room in which the animal’s cell itself is located. Most suitable would be enclosed rooms with low humidity and a good ventilation system. Failure to follow these rules will cause the rabbit to catch a cold.
Disease
Acute intestinal diseases are a common cause of death in animals under 5 years old. To avoid this, you must regularly visit the veterinarian and do the necessary vaccinations: the first should be delivered when the pet is 1.5 months old, and the second is carried out 90 days after the first. You must be vaccinated every six months. At a time when the rabbit is at home outside the cage, it is better to remove all fragile and dangerous objects, including wires, so as not to cause any harm to an active and curious animal.
Angorki by nature are very active and restless, therefore, if the animal in the hands does not show signs of proper energy, is calm and does not try to escape from the hands, this may indicate the possible presence of the disease. The eyes of the animal should shine. Periodically, animals need to conduct a hygienic haircut. The Angora cropped rabbits look very funny and look like small dogs.
Pet feeding
In order for the breeding of Angora rabbits to bring a positive result, you need to know how to properly feed these pets. The animal should be fed with both grain and wet foods. The pet loves root vegetables, cabbage, carrots, beets, and vegetables - sedge, clover. In winter, pets are given hay of cereals and legumes, while removing all spiky plants that can damage the rabbit's sensitive stomach.
In summer, it is better to diversify the diet with shoots of young plants and recently mowed grass. Before you get a rabbit, you need to watch how he will behave, take him in his arms. It is also worth exploring the Angora rabbit and the description of the animal, read the reviews and see the photo.
How much do Angora pets cost
How much pets of different Angora breeds cost depends on many factors. The cost does not differ much between nearby regions, but the closer to the capital, the higher it will be. The price sometimes depends on where and under what circumstances the rabbit was purchased. Private sellers have pets from 1000 rubles, when on special farms the price is from 200 thousand rubles. for one individual.
But this difference does not always justify itself, because a simple farmer can go out a healthy rabbit and sell it inexpensively, while in some well-known nursery not very healthy animals will be sold at a high price. An Angora lop-eared rabbit or rabbit can cost more, since the first is a rather rare specimen, and the second can be used for breeding.
When buying, you need to pay attention to the coat of the Angora rabbit and its condition.