Sable Rabbit: Top Facts & Breed Guide

Sable rabbits are relatively unknown, although they exist since the 1920s and are recognized as a breed since the 1980s.
The color looks interesting and noble, moreover, the small rabbits are very pleasant in character and therefore ideal for families.
However, there are some factors that you should pay attention to when keeping them.

What makes this breed of rabbits, you will learn now!

Profile

Size: 30 to about 40 centimeters
Weight: 2.0 to 3.25 kilograms
Age: up to 12 years
Color: Sable yellow or Sable blue are recognized
Character: active, friendly and curious
Keeping: in small groups and protected from light
The character of Sable rabbits
Sable rabbits are active and friendly animals, which are very curious. Therefore, they quickly become trusting and can be tamed easily.
Moreover, due to their curiosity and intelligence, they can learn a lot.
So, if you want to spend a lot of time with the animals, Sable rabbits could be the right breed for you.

However, keep in mind that the high activity level requires a lot of space and time for the rabbits.

Therefore, they are only suitable as pets for you or your family if daily activity and free running can be provided. Otherwise, even the otherwise friendly and good-natured animals can become aggressive or ill.

The keeping of Sable rabbits

As with other breeds, Sable rabbits are social animals that need conspecifics for a happy life.
They communicate with them, groom each other and even cuddle with each other.

However, the requirements for this are:
enough space
enough exercise
employment
no lack of resources
castration
This keeps the rabbits busy and more balanced. It also keeps them healthy and vital for longer.

Despite the small size of the small rabbits, they need as much space as possible due to their activity level.

They like to play and run a lot. Therefore, the housing should already have a correspondingly large floor space.

If you want to keep the animals in the apartment, plan two to three square meters per animal.

Since this is not possible with a standard cage, you should think about building or purchasing a rabbit home made of wood and Plexiglas.

This is optimal, if it has different levels and thus on the same floor space is offered altogether more area.

However, make sure that the rabbits can not fall.

In addition, offer the animals daily free run in the apartment or in an outdoor enclosure. Here they can really run and you can give them a higher degree of variety.

Favorable for the active rabbits are for example:

• Food games
• Intelligence toys
• luring with homemade treats
• the acquisition of food
• nibbling opportunities
• obstacles and tunnels

Take into account that the floor space still remains largely free and is therefore suitable for running. In addition, nothing should be able to fall over, which could injure your Sable rabbits.

Secure the area well. Because the representatives of this breed are extremely curious and like to explore their surroundings, they also tend to nibble on walls, textiles and cables.
In addition, they can dig in the outdoor enclosure and thus dig under the boundary.

This poses some risks.

Potential hazards include:

• Injuries
• Poisoning
• Electrocution
• Attacks by other animals
• Falls
• Intestinal obstruction

Also, keep in mind that rabbits can jump high. Therefore, a low fence is not sufficient if you want them to stay out of other areas.

A cover should also be placed in the outdoor enclosure. However, not only to keep away birds of prey and other animals. But you will learn more about this in one of the sections below.

The coat colors of Sable rabbits

The coloration of Sable rabbits is actually a disorder of an enzyme and the pigment melanin. Melanin reacts to heat, so that a darker coloration is present in colder areas.

Thus the ears, the nose, the flower and paws are darker colored.
However, this can vary due to breeding, so that some animals have a darker and more pronounced mask than others.

The light base color contrasts with it, but there is a smooth transition and the colors flow into each other.

This clearly distinguishes Sable rabbits from breeds such as Dwarf Pinto and Russian Rabbit.

Health peculiarities of the Sable rabbits
Siamese rabbits often have red eyes.

This indicates albinism.

However, due to the lack of pigmentation, they are therefore also sensitive to sunlight, more specifically UV radiation.

This can result in blindness, sunburn or sun allergies. Therefore, make sure that your rabbits are not directly exposed to the sun. Otherwise, the health consequences can be devastating.

In addition, Sable rabbits are very agile and active. As a result, they have a greater risk of getting injured. Safety should therefore be a priority.

Suitability of Sable rabbits

Due to their activity and their friendly, approachable and trusting nature, Sable rabbits quickly become tame and can be easily incorporated into everyday life.

However, it must be clear that they do not want to be petted and picked up all the time.

This could cause them stress.

However, the already mentioned extensive employment must be possible.

The Sable rabbits can of course move around on their own and pass the time with food games, for example. Nevertheless, they want a close relationship with humans.
Therefore, get representatives of this breed only if you want to spend a lot of time with them. Children should only be allowed to hold and pick up the lively animals if they are able to secure them properly.

Otherwise, the lively animals can very quickly jump off your arm and injure themselves.

The life expectancy of Sable rabbits

With a life expectancy of up to about 12 years, Sable rabbits can live to be quite old.

Therefore, be aware of the responsibility you are taking on.
Good breeders will also help you to place the animals if you can no longer keep them for unexpected reasons. They are interested in the welfare of their rabbits and the rare breed.

The care of Sable rabbits

The coat of Sable rabbits is about 2.5 to 3.0 centimeters long. It is also smooth and therefore easy to care for.

Dirt and litter is not easily picked up, so cleaning is usually limited to brushing and thus removing loose hairs.

If your pet can no longer clean itself due to injury, illness or old age, (dry) bathing of the bottom may also be necessary.

Apart from this, you should also pay attention to the length of the teeth and the claws. Because both grow lifelong and must not become too long.

Another characteristic besides the eyes and the higher probability of skin problems due to sunlight is the darker coloring of the extremities.

This makes some problems harder to spot.
For example, redness of the skin from insect bites and stings or injuries to the skin, among others.

Therefore, check the rabbits daily to detect and treat potential problems early.

Frequently asked questions

Where can you buy Sable rabbits?

Since Sable rabbits are not widely available, your only option is often to go to a breeder.
Occasionally there are also private sales.

In animal shelters or pet shops, however, they are often not to be found. If you are interested in the rare breed, you should therefore contact a breeding association.

How much do Sable rabbits cost?

You should calculate with about 50 dollars for the acquisition.

The price depends on whether the animal is already vaccinated and neutered or even suitable as a breeding animal and is excellent.

Keep in mind that the purchase cost is only a small part of the cost of keeping the animal.

Stable or cage, enclosure, vet, food and toys you must also include in the budget and that for the whole animal life.

When do Sable rabbits become sexually mature?

At the age of 12 to 16 weeks the little animals become sexually mature and are therefore able to reproduce.

Therefore, do not let them live in opposite-sex groups before neutering.

Otherwise there could be unwanted offspring and fights. However, this is also true in same-sex groupings.
So as soon as the rabbits reach puberty and show aggression, you must separate them and have them neutered.

How many kittens do Sable rabbits give birth to?

Three to twelve can be born per litter.

If you do not want to breed in a controlled way, you should be aware that one litter can increase the number of rabbits sixfold.

Since the animals are not easy to place, you should have them neutered at an early stage.