Rabbit

Every breed of domestic rabbit descends from a single wild species, the European rabbit. Rabbits were raised as livestock as early as the first century BC in ancient Rome, kept initially for meat and fur rather than companionship. Formal selective breeding for distinct traits developed later, during the Middle Ages, which is when the wide range of coat colors, sizes, and body types seen in modern breeds began to emerge.

Because domestication traces back to a single wild ancestor, all domestic rabbits -- from show breeds to backyard pets -- remain the same species, distinct from wild cottontail rabbits native to the Americas, which were never domesticated.

Selective breeding over centuries has produced an extraordinary range of rabbit breeds. As of a 2017 survey, at least 305 recognized rabbit breeds existed across roughly 70 countries, bred variously for meat, fur, wool, show, or companionship. Breed organizations such as the American Rabbit Breeders Association maintain standards covering size, ear shape, fur type, and coloration.

Size varies enormously between breeds. Dwarf breeds such as the Britannia Petite top out around 2.5 lb, while giant breeds like the Flemish Giant can weigh over 20 lb, making breed choice one of the biggest variables in a pet rabbit's space and care needs.