The Polish shares with the Netherland Dwarf the distinction of being the smallest breed of rabbit Other than size, the two could not be more different. Instead of the pug-like physique of the Netherland Dwarf, the Polish is a graceful, elegant breed with the characteristics of a whippet. They're lively - VERY lively - and they're also very smart. Despite their size, this is definitely not a suitable pet for a young child. A Polish obtained from a reputable breeder, who has handled the babies from a very young age and selected for good temperament, is capable of making a very entertaining, active and intelligent pet, even though you'll never persuade a Pole to sit on your knee for a cuddle for more than about 5 seconds. However, far too many Polish are bred by people who keep far too many rabbits; ignore temperament when selecting breeding stock; and rarely handle the youngsters. All of which goes a long way in accounting for why the breed is often written off as being "vicious". Size Tiny - a show rabbit will weigh in at around 1kg. However, some Polish sold as pets are are a bit larger. If they have not inherited a copy of the "dwarfing gene" they may be about 25% heavier. Colour Just about anything that takes your fancy - the Polish in the UK is allowed to be any colour, so long as it is recognised in another breed. The Red Eyed White (REW, or albino) is most popular on the show bench, but probably does have more temperament problems than the "coloureds". The most common colours are sable, smoke pearl, himalayan-patterned "Himpoles", and agouti patterns including chinchilla and opal, but rarer colours also exist. Grooming Short coat - minimal grooming required, during moult only. Temperament You need to take care here. Choose your Pole carefully, handle it lots, and never ever grab it, and you'll be rewarded by a real character bunny whose company you will treasure. Make sure you have female Polish spayed as soon as possible. Health problems None known. Dental problems appear to be very unusual in this breed, incomplete contrast to the Netherland Dwarf. Life span Long. 8-10 years plus. In the house Beware of the very narrow build - they can squeeze into the tiniest spaces and create havoc behind the washing machine! Don't adopt a Pole if you want a rabbit that will snuggle beside you on the sofa. But if you want a cheeky rabbit who will climb all over you, use your shoulder as a launchpad to reach forbidden table tops, and race around the house with the sheer joy of living, do have a look at this breed. Availability Easy to obtain from breeders - rarely found in rescue. Fascinating fact The Polish rabbit doesn't come from Poland... it's a very old English breed, and got it's name from the "polished" glossy coat!
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Breed profile - Polish (UK) 
