Rabbit Fur
Rabbit Fur is an excellent raw material that is used widely in wool industry. Angora Rabbits have exceptional quality fiber, and hence they can compete with Mustelids in economic importance. There are four types of Angora Rabbits recognized by the Angora Rabbit Breed Association (ARBA): English, French, Satin and Giant. They differ in size, temperament and their fiber properties are different too.
English Angora Rabbits are renowned for their cute doggy appearance, which is because of the dense facial fur and tufted ears. English Angoras are the smallest and most sweet-tempered of the four. French Angoras are larger in size, and they do not have facial hair. It was not until 1944 that the ARBA separated the French Angora from the English Angora. Satin Angoras bear a genetic relation to French Angoras, and they are renowned for their shiny and silky fiber. Giant Angoras are the largest of the four, their weight exceeding 10-12 lbs. They provide more fiber than other Angoras, and hence they are bred primarily for fur.
Besides Rabbit Fur, Angora Rabbits are appreciated for their mellow and docile temperament. They tend to spend a lot of time in their loved one’s lap, and are easy to housetrain. Their coat feels very pleasant, which attracts children. However, if you are considering a possibility of owning an Angora rabbit as a pet, you must be ready to do a lot of grooming. Without due care, their coat gets shabby pretty fast, and may get tangled. Rabbits are naturally inquisitive, so care must be taken that they do not get into trouble. Like all rabbits, Angoras like to chew on things, including electric cords. In order to avoid electrocution, power cords must be kept out of the reach of your rabbit. Although Angoras, especially English Angoras, are generally docile and easy-going, they should not be left around children unsupervised. A scared rabbit, in defending himself, can hurt a child very badly.
Rabbits appreciate clean and healthy environment. Therefore, cages must be cleaned on a regular basis, at least once every two days. A spacious cage with a wire mesh floor and a plastic drop pan will suffice to keep your rabbit satisfied. Angora Rabbits are better off indoors, but they should not be exposed to heat. They should be kept safely away from drought in order to prevent cold. The quality of Rabbit Fur depends on how healthy an environment you provide for your rabbits.
