The Markings on Dwarf
Hotots May be Simple,
but They are Definitely Eye - Catching
by ROGER A. COTA
"The eyes of the fancy" was the motto chosen by the American Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Club when it was organized in 1983 for the purpose of promoting the Dwarf Hotot rabbit. Chosen because it focused on the unique eye band that distinguishes this breed from other white rabbits,the motto has also proven true as it catches the eye of almost everyone who sees the breed. An all-white rabbit with a band of black fur around dark brown eyes can quickly capture your heart.
The Dwarf Hotot was developed independently by two breeders, one in East Germany and another in West Germany. These two lines were later crossed in the late 1970s. In February of 1980, Elizabeth Forstinger of California brought seven of the West German line to the United States and proceeded to begin to show them in 1981, and work to get them recognized officially by the American Rabbit Breeders Association for showing in the United States. In 1983, her dream came true, and the Dwarf Hotot became officially recognized--and its popularity began to grow.
This charming little animal is pure white with a band of black fur surrounding each dark brown eye. It is this eye band that makes the breed unique from others and so eye-catching to visitors to my rabbitry, as well as when they are displayed in public places. It is common for people who see them for the first time to make a comment about how hard it must be to put on their mascara each day! Such comments are said with a smile, but they do describe the ideal appearance of the band--smooth, narrow and black. I say "ideal" because due to genetics, eye-bands are not always as narrow and smooth as we would like. Other variations in the markings include some animals with a spot on the back of the ear- or elsewhere on the body. Although these animals can't be shown, they still make attractive pets.
Dwarf Hotots with other color eye bands have also appeared in some areas due to the color genetics involved in developing the breed.
The acceptable show weight for the Dwarf Hotot is a maximum of 3 pounds, though you might have one that gets up to around 3 1/2 pounds. This makes it an ideal pet because it is small enough to hold easily. It also means that they can be kept in a small cage--a 24x24-inch cage is more than ample space. If you let your pet bunny out to run (when you are home and can supervise it so it doesn't chew the cord of your television or refrigerator), a cage as small as 18x24-inch would be sufficient. For caging, I prefer a wire cage with a wire floor because it keeps the animal clean, while providing a safe environment with good ventilation.
On the question of feeding, please be forewarned. One outstanding characteristic of most Dwarf Hotots is the ability to convince you and the world at large that it has never been fed! Don't give in! One-quarter cup of quality rabbit pellets is sufficient for the average Dwarf Hotot. They will eat all you give them, but a restricted diet is best. Occasional treats of small bits of carrots or rolled oats can also be given.
Another warning about Dwarf Hotots-they love to play and toss things around, including their food and water dishes. Use good heavy crocks or fasten the dishes to the side of the cage. You can keep your rabbits entertained by providing simple toys, such as a ping pong ball, paper towel tube or even an empty soda can. Your rabbit will spend hours rolling these things around, jumping on them, and even tearing apart the cardboard tubel
This little charmer is rather active and will amaze you by some of its antics. If you come into the room quietly, you might be surprised to see your bunny running laps around the inside of the cage, climbing toward the top of the cage, or rolling over and over from one end of the ca8e to the other. Seeing your pet sitting quietly and then springing straight up in the air and turning around can be astounding, but I have seen several Dwarf Hotots do this! An alert little animal, a sudden or strange noise will often cause one of these little guys to stand straight up on its hind feet, front paws hanging down and ears straight up.
Although active, alert and able to entertain itself, the Dwarf Hotot also loves your attention and will reward you with its affection. I learned early in my years of raising this breed to be careful when opening the door of the cage. One hand is always ready to catch any animal that is so eager for attention that it falls out of the open door! This is particularly true if you have a female with a lot of young running around. It's not unusual for me to find four little ones falling out of the door, eager for attention! Starting when they are 8 to 10 weeks old, Dwarf Hotots can easily be trained to sit calmly in your hand while you walk around.
One night while working on this article, it came time for me to take a break to feed and water my rabbits. When I walked into the barn, I saw an open cage door--one that I most likely didn't properly latch in the morning. A quick count showed that one of the 7week-old bunnies was missing. It wasn't long before it heard my voice and came popping out from under another cage. The game began--the rabbit would approach me, get just beyond arm's reach, sit for a moment and then scamper off. After a few minutes of this, I decided to ignore it for a while and went on feeding the others. It wasn't long before its curiosity and distaste for being ignored brought it to my heels. Soon it was back in the cage with the rest of its family. Dwarf Hotots want your attention and do not like to be ignored. other aspect of Dwarf Hotots that I have learned through the yeats--just as individual human beings have distinct personalities, so do Dwarf Hotots. While one rabbit may love being held in your hand and cuddled, another may prefer sitting on your lap where it can move around while getting your attention. One rabbit may love being scratched between the ears, while another might equally prefer being rubbed under the chin. It will be up to you to become attuned to the personality and preferences of your individual pet.
Another rather human trait I find in my Dwarf Hotots is that they have moods. There are times that your normally affectionate, responsive and cuddly little pet may indicate that it just wants to be left alone. Don't be alarmed by this, as long as it is alert and eating normally. On the other hand, if such an animal appears list- less and isn't eating properly, then you need to find out why.
This last thought brings to mind a couple of things you need to be aware of with the Dwarf Hotot, as far as health is concerned. One main cause for any rabbit showing a decrease in appetite is a blockage, usually caused by fur because rabbits constantly clean themselves like cats. InBested fur can not be digested and may build up in the intestine. There are warning signs that a problem may be developing. Eating less is one of them. Also, if the drop pings are strung together like a string :;i of pearls, you know your rabbit is developing a fur ball. Treatment at this point is usually simple-squeeze some cat laxative into your rabbit's mouth a couple times a day. This will normally take care of it.
Prevention, of course, is the best thing, and this can be done by removing loose fur. A soft bristled brush works well for this. My favorite method, though, is to dampen my hands and rub the rabbit's fur. Loose fur sticks to your hand, and you can then roll it off.
One other potential problem with the Dwarf Hotot is its teeth. Because it has a short, round head, you need to be aware of potential teeth problems. When purchasing a young tabbit, check its teeth to make sure the upper teeth are in front of the lower. Occasionally, as the animal grows, the lower jaw may grow a bit faster than the upper jaw causing the teeth to butt, or meet head on. This is normal- ly a temporary condition and will straighten itself out as development continues. If this condition persists, it is no real danger or threat to the animal, unless it pulls a tooth on the wire of the cage. The toys I mentioned above can do a great deal to keep your pet entertained so it doesn't pull on the wire out of boredom.
Other than these two areas, your pet Dwarf Hotot is no more susceptible to health problems than any other breed. With proper care and feeding, you can expect your pet Dwarf Hotot to be your entertaining, affectionate companion for seven to 10 years, maybe even more. A favorite buck of mine (because of both personality and show winnings) occupied a very special spot in my rabbit barn for over 9 1/2 years, and the only health problem Little Mac ever had was a broken toe most likely done while doing some of his acrobatics. Before this accident, Little Mat: loved to travel. Whenever I was putting rabbits into carrying cases to go to a show, he would start pacing back and forth in front of his door waiting for me to come and get him! After the accident, he never could accept the fact that he had to stay home, continuing his anxious pacing every time I was Betting ready for a show.
Having sold many Dwarf Hotots as pets over the years, I can assure you that the traits I have discussed can make them endearing pets and companions. At a public exhibit a few years ago, one visitor fell in love with a little buck Z was selling. She tried valiantly to resist buying it, telling me over and over, "If I take this rabbit home, my husband will either kill me or divorce me!" She finally gave in and risked taking it home. When I saw her again at another exhibit a few weeks later, I commented that obviously her husband hadn't killed her. It turned out that when she got home with the tabbit, she took it out of the box, cantiously. Her husband took the rabbit, sat down with it, and soon both were asleep on the sofa with the rabbit sitting on his chest. From that point on, it was "his" rabbit and she was considering buying one for herself!
Another time, a magician visited my rabbitry looking for a small, cute bunny he could use in his act. After he assured me he was not going to pick it up by the ears (besides, it's. hard to pick up a rabbit by two-inch ears), I sold him one. In less than four hours, he called asking if I had a doe to go with the buck. Apparently, when he took the rabbit out and started playing with it, he was so thrilledwith its charm and responsiveness, he wanted to raise them!
Yes, the cute little white bunny with
that distinctive eye band will catch your eye. More important,
however, is that given a chance, a Dwarf Hotot can easily capture
your heart.
Roger A. Cota has been raising and showing Dwarf Hotots since 1983. He currently serves as fhe Secretary and Treasurer of the American Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Club, and is also a licensed ARBA Rabbif Judge and Registrar.