At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
normal fur on a short, compact cylindrical body
A short, chunky rabbit with a broad chest and hindquarters and a rounded, cylindrical body on sturdy medium-length legs. Its agouti coat is warmed to a chestnut or rusty red, with dark-tipped guard hairs giving a lightly ticked look, a yellowish to tan belly and crisp black edging on the ears.132
Personality what they are like
Described as an even-tempered, sturdy rabbit. It makes a pleasant pet, although most are kept by breeders and exhibitors.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs daily time out of any hutch or cage to run, hop, stretch and dig, plus toys, forage trays or puzzle feeders to keep it busy.5
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A short normal coat needs only a weekly brush, a little more often while moulting. Keep plenty of hay available so the constantly growing teeth wear down naturally.5
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 move, play, hide and stand up fully; a hutch alone is not enough and works only as a base joined to a large run or free-roam space.5
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Unlimited fresh hay as the main food, a daily portion of leafy greens, a small measured amount of rabbit pellets, carrots and fruit only as occasional treats, and constant fresh water.5
Company who they like around
Rabbits are social animals and the RSPCA advises keeping them with at least one compatible neutered rabbit companion, plus calm daily contact with people. Lift them with the back and bottom supported.5
The story where it all began
G.W.A. Ridderhof developed the Deilenaar around 1930 near Deil in the Netherlands, starting from Belgian Hare-type and Tan rabbits; Omlet also lists Flemish Giant, Chinchilla and New Zealand Red in its background. The Dutch recognised it in 1940, but the Second World War slowed its spread, so Germany followed in 1975 and Britain in the late 1980s.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its warm red tone comes from a yellow-enhancing factor acting on a wild-type agouti coat.1
- 2
The rims of its ears are distinctly edged in black.1
- 3
East German breeders rebuilt the breed in the 1980s from imported animals plus Chinchilla, Sachsengold and Tan crosses.1
- 4
It was recognised in its Dutch homeland in 1940, during the war years.2
Recognised by the official bits
- Netherlands
- Recognised in 1940.1
- West Germany / Germany
- Recognised in West Germany in 1975; introduced to East Germany in 1985.1
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised in the late 1980s; standard N.18 in the Normal Fur section, under the Rare Varieties Club. Not recognised by ARBA.6
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised in the UK in the late 1980s.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Deilenaar. 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.
- Deilenaar - Wikipedia (German) de.wikipedia.orgused for origin, breeder, dates, recognition, weight, coat and body description
- Deilenaar Rabbit - Omlet omlet.co.ukused for breeder area, heritage, temperament, UK recognition
- Deilenaar - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, weight, colour, BRC/ARBA status
- List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight range, colour
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for space, diet, social and enrichment guidance
- Breed Standards - The British Rabbit Council thebrc.orgused for BRC standard number and Rare Varieties grouping
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.