Oryctolagus cuniculus
Also called The Little Aristocrat, American Polish
From England (western Europe). The name is misleading: the breed is not thought to come from Poland. It appears in English writing by 1860, and one breed guide also mentions Germany as a possible early home.1234
ARBA maximum 3.5 lb (about 1.6 kg) with an ideal near 2.5 lb (about 1.1 kg); Wikipedia gives 2.5-3.5 lb for adults over 6 months. PetMD gives 1.2-1.7 kg. Same standard for both sexes.
short, fine coat on a small, compact, fine-boned body
A small, neat rabbit that is not counted as a true dwarf, so its build is a little less cobby than a Netherland Dwarf. It has a short head with full cheeks, big bold bright eyes, and short upright ears (around three inches at most) that sit close together and touch along their length. The hindquarters are rounded and slightly wider than the shoulders, and the body tapers smoothly from back to front.12345
Usually a gentle, settled little rabbit that enjoys interaction once it trusts its people. Polish are curious and personable, and many become quite tame with regular, calm handling. Like all rabbits, each one has its own character, shaped a lot by how much friendly contact it gets when young.436
Even a small rabbit needs room to hop, stretch and explore. Plan for daily time outside the enclosure in a safe, rabbit-proofed area, with toys, tunnels and things to chew for enrichment.41
The short coat needs only a quick brush now and then, a little more often while moulting. Check nails and teeth regularly. Polish handle cool conditions well but should be kept out of hot sun and warm rooms, with shade and good airflow in summer.14
Give a roomy enclosure despite the small body size, plus regular free-roam or pen time. Indoor housing is advised where predators are a concern, and the space should stay cool in warm weather.14
Unlimited fresh grass hay forms the bulk of the diet (around 80%), topped up with daily leafy greens and a measured portion of pellets. Fresh water should always be available.41
A sociable, interactive breed that enjoys regular gentle attention from its people. Daily contact and handling help it stay relaxed and friendly.4
Small white rabbits of this type were already being written about in England by 1860, and despite the name, breeders generally credit Britain rather than Poland as the birthplace. Early on they were larger animals kept partly for the table, and for a long period nearly all Polish were white, with either ruby or blue eyes. The breed reached the United States around 1912, when W.E. Dexter of Boston brought stock over. American breeders then slowly added colours: the Ruby Eyed White was the first ARBA variety, Black and Chocolate were accepted in 1957, Blue in 1982, Broken in 1998 and Lilac in 2020. Over the same years the American line was bred down to its current maximum of 3.5 lb. Today it is a well-established show breed in the US, supported by the American Polish Rabbit Club, and it should not be confused with the UK 'Polish', which Americans call the Britannia Petite.12345
Despite its name, the Polish rabbit is believed to have come from England, not Poland.2
Its breed club calls it 'The Little Aristocrat' and uses that as the name of its quarterly newsletter.5
The American Polish and the British 'Polish' are two different breeds; the British one is called the Britannia Petite in the US.1
The breed arrived in the US around 1912 with stock imported by W.E. Dexter of Boston.4
Polish were once larger and partly raised for meat before being bred down to today's small size.3
Until the 1950s almost every Polish rabbit was white; the coloured varieties came later, with Lilac only added in 2020.1
The blue-eyed white variety is not an albino; its colour comes from the Vienna white gene, while the ruby-eyed white is a true albino.1
Litters are small, usually two to four kits.3
A typical home-care rhythm for a Polish. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Encourages rabbits to eat more hay while giving them a tasty treat.
How much: One skewer per rabbit per day
Recipe from PDSA
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Your Polish needs unlimited fresh grass hay every day, plus a daily portion of leafy greens and a measured amount of pellets. Furry Diary's starting plan is to refill hay daily and follow the food label for pellet amounts, checking with your vet for your rabbit's exact needs.41 Pet Wiki plan
Unlimited grass hay (about 80% of the diet), daily leafy greens, and a measured portion of pellets are the main foods. Avoid avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, muesli mixes, and any human treats like grapes or raisins, as these are dangerous for rabbits.4178
No, rabbits should not be bathed as it can stress them and harm their coat. Instead, spot-clean any dirty fur with a damp cloth and check the area around the tail daily, especially in summer, as part of Furry Diary's care plan. Pet Wiki plan
Yes, a quick weekly brush is enough for the short coat, but brush daily while moulting to remove loose fur. This keeps your Polish comfortable and reduces hair ingestion.14 Pet Wiki plan
Check nails every six weeks and trim as needed, and check teeth weekly since they never stop growing. Furry Diary's plan includes nail trims every 42 days and weekly teeth checks, with your vet guiding any corrections. Pet Wiki plan
Even a small Polish needs a roomy enclosure plus at least four hours of daily free-roam time in a rabbit-proofed area. Provide toys, tunnels, and chew items for enrichment, and keep the space cool in warm weather.41 Pet Wiki plan
Polish rabbits are sociable and enjoy gentle attention from their people, but their need for a companion varies. Ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet about whether a neutered friend would suit your rabbit's personality.4
A Polish rabbit typically lives between 5 and 12 years with good care. Regular vet checkups and a healthy diet help support a long, happy life.134
Polish rabbits are gentle and curious once they trust people, but they are small and fine-boned, so they need calm, supervised handling. They can be good for older children who understand gentle care.436
Support your Polish's hindquarters and chest securely, never lift by the ears or scruff. Regular, calm handling from a young age helps your rabbit feel safe and relaxed with you.43
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.
Britannia Petite
Netherland Dwarf
Dwarf Hotot
Mini Rex