Select the small animal breed you are interested in from the list below.

Rabbit - Belgian Hare

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You may want to post any specific questions that you have about this breed in our Pet Talk area to ask people with first hand experience.

General
Other Names
Lifespan		On average the Belgian Hare can live to 5 years or more.
Breeding		The ideal age for the female Belgian Hare to start breeding is about 9 months of age. The first litter must be born before the female is one year old. The reason for this is that after this age the pelvic bones fuse and she would not be able to give birth naturally. They should have no more litters after the age of three years.
Average Litter Size		The Belgian Hare can produce large litters, usually between 5 to 12 in a litter.
Gestation Period		The gestation period is between 28-31 days. On average they give birth at 30-32 days.
General Physical Description		The Belgian Hare is a rabbit. They are very similar in looks to the hare, having a long, thin body, legs and ears. They are commonly red in colour.
Size		The average weight of the Belgian Hare is 5 to 5.5kgs.
Feeding		The mainstay of a rabbit’s diet should be large unlimited amounts of fresh hay, fresh fruit and vegetables, a well-balanced dry rabbit mix and plenty of clean water. Rabbits have quite delicate stomachs so when feeding fresh fruits and vegetables make sure they are added to the diet one vegetable at a time and eliminate specific varieties if they cause diarrhoea. An earthenware bowl is the best type of feeding dish to use, as they are harder to knock over than the plastic ones, also they not chewable. A water bottle fixed to the outside of the cage, with the water tube going into the cage, ensures a fresh water supply is available.
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Cage & Bedding		As the Belgian Hare is a large rabbit any hutch or cage used for housing should be large also. For an outdoor rabbit the ideal home is a wooden hutch made of a heavy wood with a waterproof roof, and raised off the ground. If the rabbit is going to live indoors then a wooden hutch can also be used or a cage. The cage would have a plastic or wire base with a wire lid fixed to the base. All rabbits must have an adequate exercise area, whether it is an outside run or an enclosed area in the house. Wood shavings should be used for the floor of the hutch or cage. Fine sawdust can cause eye irritations so this should be avoided. Bedding material should be provided especially in cold and wet weather for the outdoor rabbit. The best thing to use is straw on top of a layer of the wood shavings in the sleeping compartment. The rabbit home should be cleaned out weekly and any old food removed. If it is necessary to wash the home then only use a cleaner specifically designed for cleaning rabbit hutches. An earthenware food bowl and a drinking bottle will also be required to feed and water the rabbit.
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Characteristics
Suitability For Children
Character & Temperament
Sleeping Habits		Rabbits are most active in the morning and at night; they generally sleep during the day.
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Toys & Exercise		Rabbits need things to climb on, crawl through, dig and chew. It is possible to provide plenty to entertain this rabbit with using household items, such as toilet roll tubes and boxes. Several boxes can be put together with holes in them so the rabbit can go from box to box, just like being in a warren. Ramps can also be put against the boxes so the rabbit can climb up; they like to have a lookout post. The Belgian Hare must be given plenty of exercise in order to keep it fit and healthy.
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Grooming
Types of Coat		Thy are have a dense, short haired coat.
Colour		The Belgian Hare is usually red in colour, with hazel coloured eyes.
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Other
Intelligence		The Belgian Hare is one of the most intelligent rabbits. Rabbits can become trained to learn their name. They are more intelligent than guinea pigs and hamsters. They can even be trained to go to the toilet in one specific area, which makes cleaning up after them much easier.
Show Characteristics		The Belgian Hare has long legs, ears and body. They must be fit, lean and healthy for showing. The coat should shine and gray hairs are undesirable in the coat. They should appear graceful with an arched back. They eyes are deep hazel in colour and blend with the coat colour. The ears are long, narrow and erect. The Belgian Hare should appear alert and be fine in bone.
Country of Origin		Flanders