At a glance the quick version
ARBA working standard: senior bucks and does 4.75-6 lb (about 2.15-2.7 kg); juniors 3-4.75 lb.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short flyback fur
A short, compact, cobby rabbit with well-filled shoulders and hindquarters and a smoothly rounded topline that rises to the hips. The short fur springs back into place when stroked. It has the classic Californian look: a pure white body with coloured points on the nose, ears, feet and tail, and pink eyes.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Like any pet rabbit, needs several hours a day of space to run, hop and explore outside its sleeping area.4
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short flyback coat needs only light brushing, a little more often during moults. Check and trim nails regularly.35
Home where they are happiest
Welfare guidance asks for a secure living area with enough height to stand fully upright, room for several hops in a row and a sheltered, cosy sleeping spot, plus daily exercise space.4
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Mostly good grass hay with fresh water always available, plus a daily portion of leafy greens and a small, measured amount of quality pellets.5
Company who they like around
Rabbits are social animals and do best living with at least one compatible rabbit companion, plus regular calm daily contact with their people.5
The story where it all began
The Mini Californian was developed over several years by a group of breeders who wanted the look of the Californian, itself created in California from 1923, in a more manageable size. ARBA accepted it as its 53rd breed, and it is looked after by the same specialty club as the full-size Californian.126
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It became ARBA's 53rd recognised rabbit breed.1
- 2
It shares its national specialty club with the full-size Californian rather than having a club of its own.1
- 3
Its parent breed, the Californian, was made by crossing New Zealand Whites with Chinchilla and Himalayan rabbits.6
- 4
At a 6 lb maximum it weighs well under the full-size Californian's 10.5 lb ceiling.3
Recognised by the official bits
- ARBA
- ARBA's 53rd recognised breed (2020s). Maximum weight 6 lb; supported by the National Californian Rabbit Specialty Club.1
- ARBA
- Working standard: seniors (6 months and over) 4.75-6 lb, juniors 3-4.75 lb; commercial normal (flyback) fur; pink eyes; white body with coloured nose, ears, feet and tail, black preferred.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Mini Californian. 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.
- Mini Californian - American Rabbit Breeders Association arba.netused for recognition, max weight, history, club
- The Mini Californian, ARBA's 53rd recognized rabbit breed - ARBA arba.netused for history, development
- Mini Californian working standard - ARBA arba.netused for weights, body type, fur, markings, eye colour
- Rabbit environment - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for housing and exercise
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for general diet and social care
- Californian rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for parent breed history
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.