At a glance the quick version
ARBA and club standard: maximum 3.5 lb (about 1.6 kg), ideal 3 lb (about 1.4 kg). Wikipedia gives 2.5-3.5 lb (about 1-1.5 kg). PetGuide and WhyRabbits quote a wider pet range starting at 1 lb.
Coat and looks how to spot one
soft wool coat on a compact dwarf body
A small, compact rabbit with a bold, square head (the famous 'mug head') and short upright ears of about 2.5 inches, no more than 3 inches for showing. The body is covered in a soft, dense wool coat that was bred on purpose to be manageable for pet owners, so it needs far less work than an Angora's and no clipping.1346
Personality what they are like
Jersey Woolies are known as sweet, easy-going rabbits that rarely kick when picked up, which earned them their nickname. They tend to be affectionate and playful, ranging from relaxed lap rabbits to busy little explorers. Many learn their names, take well to litter training and enjoy toys and time with their people.14562
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Plan for a few hours of supervised play outside the enclosure every day in a safe, rabbit-proofed space. Toys and things to explore keep this curious breed busy.65
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush the wool about once a week with a slicker brush or wide-toothed comb, and two or three times a week during moults. Clipping is not needed. If the coat gets dirty, spot-clean with a damp cloth rather than bathing. Trim nails roughly every 4-6 weeks.463
Home where they are happiest
Best kept indoors in a spacious cage or exercise pen with a solid floor, soft bedding, a litter box and a hideaway, away from temperature extremes. One guide suggests at least one square foot of enclosure per pound of rabbit, plus a separate play area.645
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Unlimited timothy or orchard grass hay makes up most of the diet, with a small measured portion of pellets, daily fresh leafy greens, occasional fruit or vegetable treats and constant fresh water.645
Company who they like around
A sociable breed that likes gentle handling and regular daily interaction. Woolies tend to bond well with their owners and can also get along with other rabbits.65
The story where it all began
The Jersey Wooly is an American breed created by Bonnie Seeley of High Bridge, New Jersey. Her goal was a small pet rabbit with wool that stayed easy to look after. Accounts of the founding stock differ: the club history on Wikipedia describes crosses of a Chinchilla buck with a black Silver Marten doe (both carrying the dwarf gene) and a Blue doe, with French Angora influence in the early animals and Netherland Dwarfs added around 1981, while several breed guides summarise it simply as a French Angora and Netherland Dwarf cross. Seeley presented the new breed at the 1984 ARBA Convention in Orlando, Florida, and it was formally accepted at the 1988 Convention in Madison, Wisconsin. Broken colours followed in 2004. The breed has since become a favourite on the show table in the US and abroad, and its national club counts members as far afield as Malaysia and Japan.12346
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its square, bold head earned it the nickname 'Mug Head'.3
- 2
It is also called the 'No-Kick Bunny' because it is usually so calm when handled.4
- 3
The breed is named after its home state, New Jersey, where Bonnie Seeley developed it.1
- 4
It made its public debut at the 1984 ARBA Convention in Orlando and was recognised four years later in Madison, Wisconsin.2
- 5
Its wool was bred to be low-fuss: unlike an Angora, it does not need clipping.4
- 6
The national breed club has more than 700 members, including breeders in Malaysia and Japan.2
- 7
Its ears are tiny, around 2.5 inches, and show rabbits must keep them to 3 inches or less.1
- 8
Breeders in New Zealand were working on their own separate version of the breed as of 2004.1
Recognised by the official bits
- ARBA
- Shown at the 1984 ARBA Convention in Orlando, Florida and accepted as a breed at the 1988 Convention in Madison, Wisconsin. Maximum weight 3.5 lb, ideal 3 lb.2
- ARBA
- Broken varieties recognised in 2004.2
- ARBA
- Recognised in 1988; maximum weight 3.5 lb.3
- National Jersey Wooly Rabbit Club
- Specialty club with more than 700 members in the USA, Canada, Malaysia and Japan.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Jersey Wooly. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingLong wool mats quicklyevery day
- Wool trimevery 8 weeks
- 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.
- Jersey Wooly - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, founding stock, recognition, ears, weight, temperament, lifespan, New Zealand fact
- National Jersey Wooly Rabbit Club - About the Jersey Wooly jerseywooly.orgused for history, recognition dates, weight standard, colour groups, club size
- ARBA - Jersey Wooly arba.netused for maximum weight, breeder goal, mug head, recognition year
- PetGuide - Jersey Wooly Rabbit petguide.comused for grooming, temperament, nickname, colours, lifespan, care
- WhyRabbits - Jersey Wooly whyrabbits.comused for housing space, temperament, lifespan, trainability
- Everbreed - Jersey Wooly Rabbit care guide everbreed.comused for grooming routine, housing, diet, exercise, social needs
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.