So you want to raise Dwarf Hotots?

I'm sure some of you know the difficulties of raising Dwarf Hotots if you have followed my blog long enough. As with any breed, there will always be challenges that are specific to one breed or another. I want to be a 'promoter' of this breed because I truly love them and want to see the breed improve as a whole.

As Roger Cota mentioned...
"The promoter will be willing to spend time talking to the new breeder about the thrills and enchantment of the Dwarf Hotot. He/she will also honestly talk about the problems and challenges of the breed that can be discouraging to someone not expecting them."

So what are the thrills and enchantment?
* Curious personality
* Attention craving buns!
* Unique look/markings
* Small in size

So what are the challenges?
BREEDING
* Often difficult to get bred
* Mothering instincts are a gamble, generally they aren't good mothers but there are a few good exceptions
* Peanuts- Double dwarf gene babies that die within 24-48 hours
* Max Factor- Deformed kits that are blind and weak immune systems-generally die
* Hippo kits- Deformed kits, usually born dead
* False Dwarfs- I get a large majority of these-they are commonly known as BUB/BUD
* Mismarked kits- Dutch colored, spots
* Partial eyebands, too thin and too thick are DQs.
* Kits with blue eye spots

HEALTH
* Very prone to Megacolon- genetic condition they are born with, they have large, irregular poops, sometimes diarrhea when stressed. There are no nerves in the lower portion of their colon.
* Malocclusion- bad teeth common in certain lines, butting teeth are common as well
* Wry neck- I've had this pop up for no obvious reason, they seem prone to developing it.
* E. Cuniculi tumors in the eye- again, they develop it for no obvious reason, possibly born with it and doesn't show until around 6-7 months
* GI issues- unfortunately very common since this breed has the charlie gene.

SHOWING
* Spots very commonly develop over time. Usually within a span of a couple of months and the rabbit is older. Spots can develop at any time, especially along the ear ridges and inside the ears.
* Eyebands can develop white hairs inside. Just because a rabbit is showable one year does not mean it will be next year!

So you still want to raise Dwarf Hotots? As long as you don't mind a challenge this breed can bring a lot of happiness to their owners.