Pet owners go hopping mad for "baby" faced rabbits

Experts from the University of Nottingham have found that pet owners go hopping mad for rabbits with flatter, shorter, more “baby-like” faces.

Having launched the Rabbit Face Survey in July last year, researchers also found that people preferred bunnies to have generally short fur that appeared soft and medium-light in colour.

The 20,000 replies from all over the world meant researchers could also compare people’s preferences by region, with people from Europe and Oceania preferring extremely flat-faced rabbits less than people from the rest of the world.

Animal welfare experts hope the results of the survey will be used to help guide potential owners about the risks associated with breeding rabbits with more extreme facial features.

Flatter-faced bunnies are at a higher risk of health issues such as painful dental problems.

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