The Angora rabbit is one of the oldest domestic rabbit breeds. They are known for their long, soft fibers of their coat also known as Angora wool. There are several types of Angora rabbits including the English Angora, French Angora, German Angora, Giant Angora and Satin Angora. Each have their own advantages and differences in the way the wool is gathered and the body type of the rabbit. The English Angora is the smallest with the softest wool.

Angora wool does not consist of the same allergy-causing qualities that other animals do and grow a beautiful wool known for it’s softness, warmth and ease of processing. There are many different colors and color combinations of Angora fiber. It is common for the color of the rabbit to lighten as they age.

The wool of the English Angora is obtained by shearing. Contrary to some beliefs, this is not a tortuous ordeal; it’s the same as a haircut. The rabbits are calm and easy to handle and it does not hurt the animal to be sheared. Some breeds of Angoras shed their coats by plucking or combing to remove long fibers as the new fibers are growing in. This does not hurt the animals either and they become used to wool maintenance and bonding with their humans.

The English Angora rabbit is known for its very long, very soft wool, but they are a small, delicate rabbit that does require a lot of care to maintain their wool. Combing, brushing and/or blowing out the wool weekly or more often may be more challenging and time consuming but is required to prevent matting. The shearing is done 3-4 times a year as their wool grows fast. They also have special dietary requirements for healthy wool growth and gut health.

The smaller average size of a litter is 3-5 kits. They grow and mature quickly, often ready for their first wool gathering as early as 8-10 weeks old. The Angora can be a litter trained and make a good pet if the time is allowed for proper wool care.

Some Angora rabbits can be used as meat rabbits, but our English Angoras are only raised for their wool production.