Vienna Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Also called Vienna, Vienna Coloured, Vienna White, Vienna Blue, Wiener
From Austria (Vienna). The Blue was developed by Johann Constantin Schultz and shown around 1895; the White was bred by Wilhelm Mucke and first shown in 1907. Vienna Coloured reached the UK in 1995 and Vienna White in 1999.1234
At a glance the quick version
Vienna White 3.5-5.25 kg and Vienna Coloured 4.2-5.25 kg (Fur & Feather); German standards give Blue 4.25-5.25 kg and White 4-5 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short to medium normal fur
A medium-to-large rabbit with a slightly long, cylindrical body and upright ears about 13 cm long. The White has a pure, glossy white coat paired with pale blue eyes, while the Coloured comes in solid blue, black or agouti.1435
Personality what they are like
A docile rabbit that can be taught to use a litter tray with some patience.4
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs daily time to run, hop and explore, with puzzle feeders, tunnels and toys to keep it busy.6
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short coat needs only occasional brushing. Routine care is mostly regular hands-on checks of coat, nails and teeth plus grooming to keep the coat in good order.56
Home where they are happiest
Needs a secure living area of at least 3m x 2m x 1m with room to hop, stretch, play and hide, plus toys, tunnels and foraging chances for enrichment.6
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Plenty of hay forms the base of the diet and keeps the constantly growing teeth worn down, with fresh leafy greens and a measured portion of good-quality pellets. Carrots are best kept as an occasional treat.6
Company who they like around
A sociable animal that is happiest living with at least one other rabbit; the RSPCA usually rehomes rabbits in pairs.6
The story where it all began
Viennese railway official Johann Constantin Schultz bred the Blue Vienna in the 1890s, and it was recognised in 1897 before spreading to Germany. Fellow Viennese Wilhelm Mucke spent about 15 years creating the blue-eyed White, first shown in 1907, while a Black was added for the fur trade after the First World War.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The Vienna White is not an albino: it has blue eyes because its white coat comes from leucism.1
- 2
Both founding breeders, Schultz and Mucke, were railway officials in Vienna.1
- 3
Wilhelm Mucke worked on the White for about 15 years before first exhibiting it in 1907.1
- 4
The Black variety was created for the fur trade shortly after the First World War.2
- 5
Its upright ears measure around 13 cm.4
Recognised by the official bits
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised as two breeds: Vienna Coloured (Blue, Black, Agouti) and Vienna White; both looked after by the Rare Varieties Rabbit Club.2
- British Rabbit Council
- Vienna White listed as a recognised breed.3
- ARBA
- Not recognised.4
- German standard
- Kept as separate breeds by colour (Blue, White, Grey, Blue-Grey, Black); the Blue was recognised in 1897.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Vienna Rabbit. 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.
- Wiener Kaninchen (Blaue Wiener) - Wikipedia (German) de.wikipedia.orgused for breeders, dates, German standards and weights, leucism, varieties
- Vienna Coloured - Fur & Feather furandfeather.co.ukused for Vienna Coloured origin, UK introduction, colours, weight, club
- Rare variety breeds (page 2, Vienna White entry) - Fur & Feather furandfeather.co.ukused for Vienna White origin, UK introduction, eyes, weight
- Vienna rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight, temperament, ear length, lifespan, ARBA status
- List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight, fur type, colours, BRC recognition
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for general rabbit care: space, diet, companionship, exercise, grooming
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.