Lifespan: 5-10 years old
Weight: 2.5-3.5 lbs (True lionheads are typically very small)
Colors: Lolli-Lops focuses on BEWs, VC/VW, Agoutis, and wideband.
Lionheads are a popular new breed that Rabbits USA Magazine says 'are very friendly, easy to train, and make excellent pets.' The Lionhead rabbit is a very unique-looking breed that resembles an actual Lion with its' fluffy mane. In addition, the lionhead rabbit is relatively rare in the United States, as it is a new breed that was introduced in the year of 2000 and has not yet been recognized by the ARBA.
Temperament: The lionhead is typically very sweet and gentle. My lionheads tend to be very energertic and playful, but also love to be scratched behind their ears, and have their manes groomed. I have never had an aggressive Lionhead, but I also believe that much of its' temperament and personality is shaped during its' developmental years, when time and patience is needed to successfully develop between the rabbit and its' owner.
Generations: There are 4 different generations that Lionheads will fall under, depending on how pure its' genes are, as Lionheads are often cross-bred to different rabbits such as Netherland Dwarves to improve their mane, body type and size.
- F1: First generation Lionhead. This is usually a Purebred Lionhead (f4) crossed with a non-lionhead rabbit, such as a Netherland Dwarf. Crossing a purebred Lionhead is usually done to improve mane quality, and body type.
- F2: Second generation Lionhead. An F2 Lionhead results in a cross between an F1 lionhead and another F1 lionhead, or anything greater (F2, F3, F4/PB)
- F3: Third generation Lionhead. An F3 Lionhead results in a cross between an F2 lionhead and another F2 lionhead, or anything greater (F3, F4/PB)
- F4: Finally, a Purebred Lionhead (F4) Results in a cross between an F3 lionhead and another F3 lionhead or greater (another F4/PB). All Lionheads should be Purebred from there on out, unless it is crossed with a non-lionhead rabbit, which will result in an F1.
Mane Type: There are 3 types of Lionheads that will result in each litter. Double, Single, and No mane. In reality, a No-mane Lionhead, is usually not considered a Lionhead at all, but 25% of a cross between two SM Lionheads will result with no mane. In addition: A No-Mane Lionhead does not carry and will not pass the Mane-gene to its' future litters. The difference between Lionhead rabbits and actual Lions, is that the mane is present among both females and males in Lionhead rabbits, as the female Lioness does not. [ Yay for more fluff balls (: ]
- No Mane: The rabbit did not inherit the mane-gene, and will not grow a mane.
- Single Mane: The Lionhead will develop a thinner mane than the DM rabbit; will grow full as a young buck, but will gradually reduce to a smaller mane around its' neck as it matures. Very difficult to tell apart from NM Lionheads when they are babies, as they both look the same, until about 3 weeks when the mane begins to grow longer around its' ears, cheeks, and hindlegs.
- Double Mane: The Lionhead will develop a very thick and poofy mane all around its head and legs. DM kits are easy to tell apart from 1-3 day sold, as there is no fur around the belly, cheeks and legs - which are the areas where the thick fur will grow to produce its' mane. Double Maned Lionheads have very massive manes and are usually used for show. [ My young niece likes to call them 'walking clouds' as they have so much fur around them, that you can't see their feet when they walk/float around the room. ]
DM x SM = 50% DM; 50% SM
DM x NM = 100% SM
SM x SM = 25% NM; 50% SM; 25% DM
SM x NM = 50% SM; 50% NM
NM x NM = 100% NM
