Himalayan rabbit
The Himalayan rabbit is a small breed of rabbit with similar markings to the Californian rabbit. The body is white with colored points, recognized colors are black, blue, chocolate, and lilac. They are one of the oldest and calmest breeds. Adult Himalayans weigh 2.5 to 4.5 pounds (1.1 to 2.0 kg), with an ideal weight of 3.5 lb (1.6 kg). They are the only 'cylindrical' (shown posed in a stretched-out manner) rabbit breed. The history of the breed is partially a mystery, as there are no definite records that clearly state where the breed may have originated. Some speculate that their origin may be in the Far East as opposed to the Himalayas, as their name suggests. When Himalayans are raised in cold climates, they can exhibit black coloration of their coats, making them a phenocopy of the black rabbit. Himalayans are also known as the Chinese, Egyptian, and Black-nose. They are posed stretched out, and their body is to be 3.5 head lengths. They have fine bone and a skinny body, and, unlike many other breeds, were never raised primarily for meat. The breed's main purpose is for show, but in its past, it was raised for its white pelt. Also, they are the only rabbit breed that commonly has an extra set of nipples. They are the ancestors of Californians, one of the most common meat rabbits.
| Life Span | 8-12 years |
| Weight | 2-5 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Himalayan rabbit
Finding a responsible Himalayan rabbit breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells rabbits commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Himalayan rabbit. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Himalayan rabbits appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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