Which breeds pair well?

[Emma Nelson]

Hello, I have 2 young, male brother bunnies, neutered and housed separately since they started fighting. I am researching to get them each a female partner and am wondering whether certain breeds adapt best to one another? The brothers are part angora (father), but I'm not sure what breed the mother was - sleek, white and pointy eared! Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

[Katie94]

Breed shouldn’t make much difference whether the pair will work it is more important that you have compatible personalities. Although it is advised to look for a rabbit that is a similar size just because a much larger rabbit could harm a smaller rabbit quite badly if things don’t work out. It is also good to go for a similar age because they will be at the same activity level and to prevent one partner being left alone if the other passes much sooner. A lot of rescue centres offer bonding for single rabbits so you can determine if the pair will work before adopting.

 

[Blue eyes]

Breed doesn't make any difference. The critical factor is that the females are spayed before being introduced. Then it is up to the individual rabbits.

Your best bet is to find a rabbit rescue and have your boys meet other potential bondmates. Let the rescue know that you are trying to bond. Unfortunately, I've yet to find a rescue in the US that bonds a person's rabbit with one of theirs (though I understand it is commonplace in the UK). Rescues here will allow you to bring in your rabbit to pre-screen for potential compatibility. Then you can bring the potential rabbit home and see how it goes. Neutral space is key. If all goes south, they typically allow an exchange to ensure you wind up with an actual bond.

It will be a challenge having to do two pairs at one time. If they are housed in smelling distance of each other, things could get complicated. I wouldn't bring any intact rabbits anywhere near them.

 

[Emma Nelson]

Thank you! Can I ask, why not to bring unspayed rabbits in (excuse my ignorance, I am new to this)? Our local rescue centre can't offer the pre-bonding service, and sadly, we can't offer constant aerial protection to our bunnies which the centre require (it's really hard to rescue a rabbit! But, my thinking is that offering a good home to any rabbit for sale is a rescue). (Our bunnies have loads of space on our smallholding, but we can't aerial protect the enclosure as we are renting the space.)

 

[Emma Nelson]

Breed shouldn’t make much difference whether the pair will work it is more important that you have compatible personalities. Although it is advised to look for a rabbit that is a similar size just because a much larger rabbit could harm a smaller rabbit quite badly if things don’t work out. It is also good to go for a similar age because they will be at the same activity level and to prevent one partner being left alone if the other passes much sooner. A lot of rescue centres offer bonding for single rabbits so you can determine if the pair will work before adopting.

Thank you!

 

[Katie94]

Ah sorry rescue bonding is very common where I live I know at least 3 rescues within 1 hour drive that do it. As you are bonding yourself you will need to be able to house all rabbits separately until all are fixed and then start the bonding process which will require neutral space so you’ll need lots of room. I believe it is very important to keep pairs completely separate as well so they can’t smell the other rabbits other wise it can cause fighting. Sounds like you are in the same situation as us we now have 2 male/female pairs because 2 brothers fought! We have one pair inside and one pair outside to make sure they can’t smell or see the others!