English Spot Rabbits

Everything you need to know about the English Spot Rabbit breed

English or English Spot rabbits are a medium sized rabbit breed. Purebred English rabbits are uncommon in rescue, but their markings of bold spots on a white background are unmistakeable.

Appearance

English Spot Rabbits usually weigh in around 3kg. They should have long upright ears and should not be flat faced. They should be lean and athletic in appearance.

Their coat colour is their distinctive characteristic. Their body should be white with a coloured stripe down their spine, spots across their haunches and up to their shoulders, they should also have coloured ears, coloured around their eyes and across their snout. They can also come in “self” solid colours including black and orange.

In rescue we see many English-marked bunnies of other breeds including Lop and Lionhead, this colour pattern is also known as “butterfly” or a “broken” pattern.

Behaviour

The behaviour of any rabbit will vary depending on their history which must always be considered. With good husbandry, English rabbits can be curious, affectionate and active rabbits.

Health

Health of any rabbit will depend on their history and breeding. Unfortunately English rabbits have one huge genetic disadvantage. With that gorgeous coat, comes a hidden problem, mega colon disease. This is a serious gut disorder that has been genetically linked to the English Spot colour pattern. Managing mega colon can be hard and may require many vet visits to have diagnosed and a proper management plan put in place, there is no cure.

Sadly through crossbreeding for the colour only in other rabbit breeds, this has meant mega colon now can appear in any rabbit breed, and they don’t necessarily have to have the English coat pattern, as it can be hidden recessively. Indeed, not every rabbit with the English coat pattern has mega colon, but every rabbit that does have mega colon is either English marked or has it in their family tree. You can read more about mega colon on the Rabbit Welfare Association website here.