Medium Rabbit Breeds
American Sable
Photo credit: Snowberry
Size: 7-10 pounds
The American Sable is a medium-sized rabbit with the bucks weighing 7-9 lbs and the does weighing 8-10 lbs. The body is of medium length, with the top line of the back forming a smooth and continuous curve from the base of the neck to the tail. Their head is well shaped with eyes that are bright and bold. They have silky fur with a fine, soft, dense undercoat. Nose, ears, feet, and tail are very dark brown, body is a sepia color; ears are long and erect. Because of the thickness of their coat, they may require longer than average time to shed their fur than many other breeds. American Sables are known to be friendly and likeable rabbits that enjoy attention from their owners.
Belgian Hare
Photo credit: Cuniculture
Size: 6-9.5 pounds
This rabbit has a lean racy body that looks more like a hare's than a rabbit's. However, despite its name, it is indeed a rabbit and not a hare. The breed did not originate from hare. This is a popular European breed. The flanks and ribs are well tucked up. The erect ears are thin and fine. The head sits on a slender neck and is narrow. The fur tends to be stiff and close. Belgian Hare has a slightly longer tail than most rabbits have.
Its standup position, together with an alert expression, make this one the most spectacular of all rabbit breeds. No other breed possesses as much fascination for the out-and-out fancier as does the Belgian hare. This is the race horse of the rabbit family.
Californian
Photo credit: Cuniculture
Size: 8-10.5 pounds
A full-bodied rabbit with medium-length and upright ears, the Californian is truly a "made in USA" breed. Californians were first shown at an American breeders' convention in 1923. It was bred from crossed New Zealand Whites, Chinchilla and Himalayan. The latter gave it the characteristic markings of colored nose, ears, feet and tail which were to be as black as possible. The fur has a dense undercoat, with coarser guard hairs of medium length. The type is still the same with an addition of chocolate and lilac colored points.
French Angora
Photo credit: Cuniculture
Size: 7.5-10.5 pounds
This rabbit has a medium-long rounded body and long erect ears. Face, ears, adn front feet have short fur; rest of body has very long wool. Many different colors have been bred. This rabbit must be fed a special diet and carefully groomed every day.
Hotot
Photo credit: Cuniculture
Size: 8-11 pounds
Like the Dwarf Hotot, this rabbit is white with black ringing the eye. Body is rounded and thick, head is narrow, ears are medium-long and upright.
Other medium-sized rabbit breeds:
HARLEQUIN: 7-9.5 pounds. This striking rabbit originated in France. The body is banded with two colors, and the head is also two colors. It has a medium-length body with rounded hindquarters, a rounded head, and long, upright ears.
LILAC: 5 3/4-8 pounds. This rabbit is dove -gray with a pinkish tint. It has a medium-sized body with a somewhat narrow head and medium-long erects ears.
PALOMINO: 8-10 pounds. This rabbit has beautiful fur of a golden or lynx color. Body medium-length, ears medium-long and upright.
REX: 7.5-10.5 pounds. Medium-sized, well-rounded body with large erect ears. Coat is as with Mini Rex, looking and feeling like plush velvet
RHINELANDER: 6 3/4-10 pounds. This is a tricolored rabbit, white with spots of black and orange. It has a rather racy body with a narrow head and long upright ears.
SATIN: 8-10.5 pounds. The coat of this rabbit is dense, soft, and has a sheen to it. It has been bred in many colors. The body is medium slightly narrower in shoulders and head, ears medium-long and erect.
SATIN ANGORA: 6.5-9 pounds. This rabbit has long, fine, glossy-appearing wool covering all its body but the head and the upright ears/ It requires extra grooming and a special diet.
SILVER MARTEN: 6.5-9.5 pounds. Black, blue, chocolate or sable fur with chest, shoulders, flanks, hindquarters and limbs dotted with long white-tipped guard hairs. Body is medium-sized and well-rounded, ears long and erect.
Adapted from:
1. Meg Brown. Rabbitlopaedia: A Complete Guide to Rabbit Care
2. Lucile C. Moore. A House Rabbit Primer