Britannia Petite
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Also called Polish (name used in the UK), Petite
From England, where the breed is known as the Polish. It was given the name Britannia Petite in the United States to avoid confusion with the separate American Polish breed. One breed guide dates its development to the mid-19th century.123
At a glance the quick version
ARBA maximum 2.5 lb (1.1 kg); the breed society gives an ideal adult weight of 2.25 lb (about 1.0 kg). Hepper gives 2-2.5 lb (0.9-1.1 kg) and Wikipedia's breed list 1.5-2.5 lb (0.7-1.1 kg). Range spans all sources.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, normal-fur coat on a fine, very small body
A tiny, fine-boned rabbit with short upright ears and a lively, upright stance that makes it look alert and sprightly on the show table. The coat is short and lies close to the body.153
Personality what they are like
An energetic, quick-moving little rabbit with plenty of character. It can be a bit excitable and cautious with strangers at first, so it rewards calm, patient handling, and it usually grows close to the person who looks after it. Its smarts and curiosity make it entertaining to watch.431
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A very active breed that needs generous daily time out of its enclosure; one breed guide suggests about four hours of free-roaming a day, split into two sessions.36
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short coat needs little work: brush roughly every two weeks, and about twice a week during the spring and autumn moults. Check nails regularly (about every two months) and provide plenty of hay and safe items to chew.3
Home where they are happiest
The RSPCA recommends a living area of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high so a rabbit can hop, stretch, hide and play; a hutch or cage works only as a base alongside a large run or daily free-roam time. Use solid flooring with soft bedding, spot-clean daily and change bedding weekly. Keep food bowls away from the litter area.63
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Unlimited hay should make up around 70 percent of the diet, with fresh leafy greens and vegetables, a small measured amount of pellets, an occasional bit of fruit as a treat and constant fresh water.36
Company who they like around
Rabbits are a highly social species and the RSPCA advises they should not live alone; a compatible, neutered rabbit companion plus regular gentle time with people suits them best. It gets on well with other rabbits and gains confidence through regular, gentle socialising.63
The story where it all began
The breed comes from England, where it has long been shown as the Polish. When it was brought to the United States it was renamed Britannia Petite so it would not be mixed up with the American Polish. ARBA accepted the Ruby Eyed White in 1977, and dedicated breeders have since added many more colours, most recently the Himalayan and Tort groups in 2022.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
In the UK this breed is called the Polish, while the rabbit called Polish in the US is a different breed.2
- 2
At a 2.5 lb maximum it is one of the smallest breeds ARBA recognises.4
- 3
ARBA describes it as one of the most showy breeds to exhibit.4
- 4
Only one colour, Ruby Eyed White, was accepted in 1977; more than eight further varieties and groups were added between 1992 and 2022.1
Recognised by the official bits
- ARBA
- Recognised; listed as one of the smallest ARBA breeds with a maximum weight of 2.5 lb. National club: American Britannia Petite Rabbit Society (ABPRS).4
- ARBA
- Ruby Eyed White accepted in 1977 (Warren and Wendy Pocha); Black Otter 1992; Black and Chestnut Agouti 1995; Sable Marten 1997; Broken 2012; Blue Eyed White 2014; Siamese Sable 2018; Himalayan and Tort groups 2022.1
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised under the name Polish (the UK Polish is the same breed as the US Britannia Petite).2
- British Rabbit Council
- Polish listed among the Fancy section breeds.7
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Britannia Petite. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily while moultingevery week
- Nail trimevery 6 weeks
- Teeth checkTeeth never stop growingevery week
- Fresh hayUnlimited hay every dayevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Bottom checkCheck the fur around the tail stays clean, especially in summerevery day
- Free roamAt least 4 hours of running space a dayevery day
- VaccinationsSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- History of the Britannia Petite - American Britannia Petite Rabbit Society abprs.comused for origin, renaming, ARBA variety timeline, ideal weight, body carriage
- Polish rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for UK/US naming
- Britannia Petite Rabbit - Hepper articles.hepper.comused for lifespan, weight, temperament, exercise, grooming, diet
- Recognized Breeds - American Rabbit Breeders Association arba.netused for ARBA recognition, maximum weight, varieties, national club
- List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for ARBA/BRC recognition overview, weight range
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for space guidance, companionship, general care
- Rabbit Breeds - The British Rabbit Council thebritishrabbitcouncil.orgused for Polish in the BRC Fancy section
- Britannia Petite - American Rabbit Breeders Association arba.netused for UK name, temperament, show qualities
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.