Jersey Wooly

NJWRC records that Bonnie Seeley of Highbridge, New Jersey, introduced the breed at the 1984 ARBA Convention in Orlando and achieved recognition at the 1988 Convention in Madison. ARBA confirms the developer, the 1988 milestone and the aim of a small pet rabbit with wool that was easier to care for. This documented history is more reliable than guessing ancestry from coat or size.

ARBA describes the breed’s distinctive broad ‘mug’ head and luxurious wool. NJWRC sets 1.36 kg as ideal and 1.59 kg as the maximum and lists multiple recognized colour groups. FGF5 research supports a genetic basis for the long-hair trait in Angora-derived rabbits, but a woolly coat, dwarf size or photograph alone cannot verify a pedigree Jersey Wooly.

NJWRC says the breed is known for friendliness, but labels such as ‘no-kick bunny’ are not an evidence-based guarantee and are not used here. Assess each rabbit’s health, fear and handling history, introduce grooming gradually with rewards, support the body securely and provide space to run, stand, hide, rest and interact with a compatible rabbit.

Part the coat to inspect the skin behind the ears, under the chin, at the armpits, groin, tail and feet; remove small tangles before they tighten and record the schedule each animal actually needs. Provide unlimited grass hay and fresh water, suitable leafy greens and measured complete pellets. Regularly check incisors, eating, droppings, weight and body condition under the wool.

Wool can hide wounds, parasites, urine scald, sore feet and loss of muscle or fat. MSD explains that swallowed hair normally passes with gut contents, while pain, inadequate fibre and reduced eating are important stasis factors. A fall in appetite or faecal output, bloating, pain, lethargy, a wet rear or skin damage requires prompt rabbit-experienced veterinary assessment.

Verify pedigrees and the current governing standard rather than selecting only for a round head, small size or wool. Record mature weight and body condition, teeth, eyes, feet, skin, matting, grooming time, handling response, pedigrees, matings, kindlings, kit survival and doe recovery. Do not chase smaller bodies below healthy condition or claim guaranteed temperament and litter size.

• Keep the 1.36 kg ideal distinct from the 1.59 kg maximum.
• Measure coat manageability through mats, skin health and care time.
• Do not breed unexplained dental, foot, skin or digestive disease.