Description of the Angora rabbit breed
Perhaps one of the most prominent representatives of the rabbit species is the Angora rabbit. Under "Angora" is meant not a specific species of animals, but many breeds that have one distinctive feature: long down and soft pile. Angoras are not only a source of valuable nap, from which soft wool is obtained, but also wonderful pets, revered among unusual decorative animals. Angora rabbits weigh on average from 2 to 6 kg. The exact numbers vary depending on the breed of the rabbit. It is recommended to keep animals 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 was formerly called Angara, where they began to actively breed pets for the first time. In Europe, they learned about the breed of fluffy animals in the 18th century, where French sailors brought them as souvenirs for people of the upper classes. Thus, thanks to their innate temperament and unusual appearance at that time, among the French elite and even among members of the royal family, rabbits won untold love and popularity.
Disproportionately long and fluffy fur, due to which some Angora breeds more resemble a large downy ball, makes the rabbit stand out from the background of most of the representatives of the animal world. Wool of an adult pet can reach 25 cm in length, while the maximum average weight of the largest of the breeds ("Giant") will be relatively small: up to 6 kg, therefore, rabbits of Angora breeds are considered by livestock breeders to be dwarf and are not used for meat production. Angora dwarf rabbit performs purely decorative functions and such a pet can be got just for the soul.
Description of the breed
When considering some of the features, a flattened and barely noticeable nose can be noted, even though there is often not as much hair in the nose area as on the whole body. The 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. Angora ears are small and rounded; some breeds have tassels on them.
When ironed, rabbit wool is very similar to good silk, and therefore is of great value.
The top coat, due to its structure and short length, promotes the growth of a soft coat. The length of the villi can be different. For example, in Belgian breeds, the pile can reach 8 cm, in French breeds - 6 cm, in German and English breeds - up to 5 cm. The color of the pile can be almost anything: from light and beige to grayish, black and red. Naturally, such a coat requires compulsory delicate care in order to prevent the appearance of tangles and not impede the movement of pets.
Varieties of angora rabbits
- German;
- English;
- French;
- white angora rabbit;
- "Atlas" and "giant".
Each breed has its own individual characteristics that distinguish them from other individuals.
German breed
Representatives of the German breed resemble Gigant rabbits, but, unlike them, they have a weight of about 5 kg and the color is mostly light or white, but when mixed with other breeds it can be different. Of all the popular breeds, such pets shed much 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 this breed is very popular, especially in Europe. Animals weigh only up to 3.5 kg, and their body is completely covered with nap, including the area above the nose and paws. It is recommended to comb out English rabbits at least 1 time in 3 days.
French breed
Angora rabbits of the French breed have an oval and slightly elongated body, and their weight is about 3.5 to 4.5 kg, so they are quite voluminous individuals of this type. Unlike English rabbits, French rabbits do not have pile on their paws, they may have tassels on their ears, claws of the same color. They are somewhat less demanding to care.
Dwarf Angora Down Rabbit
The dwarf Angora downy rabbit of various colors can weigh up to 3.5 kg, and its body length can reach 50 cm. These rabbits were bred on the territory of 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 dewlap. The high quality colored wool of the Angora fluffy rabbit is usually derived from the crossing of white downy with other colored breeds.
Varieties Atlas and Giant
Rabbits of the Atlas breed weigh up to 4.5 kg, have a body of medium length and a head of proportional size with a wide, oval-shaped forehead. The species 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, it can be either white or colored, the wool has high strength. The muzzle of the animal is not covered with hair, the claws are of the same color.
Rabbits of the Giant breed stand out among the rest for their large weight, reaching 6 kg, and are considered the largest among the Angora. Their fur is white, with tassels on their ears. The giants do not shed as much as the rest.
Angorka is a popular pet in Europe. They are friendly, not aggressive at all, and smart enough. The gentle nature of animals and love of hands allow them to be kept in families with children.
When training pets, you should not raise your voice or make unnecessary sudden movements on them. The rabbit gets used to the gentle and careful attitude, affection and smooth speech of a person much faster. Angoras are very playful and mobile.
It's always worth keeping some treat for your pet ready, but first, like all rabbits, which are naturally shy enough, he needs to be allowed to sniff his hand before stroking or picking up so that he can recognize the smell of a person.
Content rules
Keeping angora rabbits is not difficult, 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, unlike other rabbits, which are less demanding in this regard. This is because the fur of an animal in a dirty cage can easily get dirty or tangled, which can negatively affect the process of brushing or trimming.
Angors are sheared exclusively by hand, sometimes the wool is simply plucked out. Again, the frequency of clipping and brushing depends on the breed.The coarser coat is the most in the Giants, Atlases and French rabbits. They are not so whimsical to care for, 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 mats, which makes frequent combing them vital.
The fur of such animals is trimmed once a month, and the rabbits are combed with a special brush once a week. The content of a fluffy pet is not limited to one clean cage. Equally important is the setting of the room in which the animal's cage is located. Closed rooms with low air humidity and good ventilation are most suitable. Failure to follow these rules will lead to the fact that the rabbit may catch a cold.
Diseases
Acute intestinal diseases are a common cause of death of an animal under 5 years of age. To avoid this, it is necessary to regularly visit the veterinarian and do the necessary vaccinations: the first must be given when the pet is 1.5 months old, and the second is carried out 90 days after the first. It is necessary to be vaccinated every six months. While 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 the active and curious animal.
Angorkas by their 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 a disease. The eyes of the animal should shine. Periodically, animals need to be hygienically trimmed. Sheared Angora rabbits look very funny and outwardly look like small dogs.
Feeding pets
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 eat both grain and wet food. The pet is very fond of root crops, cabbage, carrots, beets from vegetables, and sedges, clover from herbs. In winter, the pets are given hay of cereals and legumes, while removing all thorny plants that can damage the sensitive stomach of the rabbit.
In summer, it is better to diversify the diet with shoots of young plants and recently cut grass. Before you buy a rabbit, you need to observe how it will behave, take it in your arms. It is also worth exploring the Angora rabbit and the description of the animal, read reviews and see photos.
How much do Angora breed 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, while 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 leave a healthy rabbit and sell it inexpensively, while in some well-known nursery, not entirely healthy animals will be sold at a high price. A fold-eared Angora rabbit or a female 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 wool of the angora rabbit and its condition.