Hotot

Hotot Rabbit

Photo: Vera Zinkova/Shutterstock

Characteristics

Hotots are easy to differentiate from other rabbit breeds as they have two special features: they have white fur and a thin black line around their eyes. It looks like someone put eyeliner all around this bunny’s eyes. This makes Hotots look graceful, elegant and a little mysterious and exotic - like the Egyptian Pharaoh Cleopatra.

In this factsheet, we describe the white Blanc de Hotot as well as the Dwarf Hotot. The Blanc de Hotot is a medium-sized rabbit bred by crossing the Dwarf Hotot with the Netherland Dwarf.

But first: where does this rabbit get its name? And how do you say it? Hotot-en-Auge is the name of the town where this rabbit was first bred (find out more under “History”). The pronunciation of Hotot is kind of like “ott-ohh”, not unlike the name Otto but with more emphasis on the last syllable.

Photo: Sindii/Shutterstock

Personality

Hotots are friendly and even-tempered as well as wonderfully playful. They like to explore their surroundings but aren’t quite as active as other breeds that spend all day darting about. Their curious nature means they’re always full of surprises, so it’s fun to just watch them go.

Health and Care

Hotots are suitable for beginners as they need less attention than other rabbits. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t underestimate the effort needed to keep rabbits, and beginners should definitely learn all about the needs of their little cottontails. It’s a good idea to buy or borrow a book.

Appearance

Eyes

Hotots have brown eyes with black markings all around.

Ears

The Blanc de Hotot’s upright ears are 4-5 inches (11-12 cm) long, while the Dwarf Hotot’s may grow up to 3 inches (7 cm).

Face

Their foreheads and noses are broad.

Fur Color

Their fur is white and shiny with long kemp. Hotos always have white fur - if you’re going by strict breeding rules. Staggeringly, their fur is actually brown but the rabbit has such large white piebalds that there are no brown patches and the fur is completely white. But you can also get Hotots with black or dappled black ears or Hotots that look more like the English Spot, which have lots of small dark dots on their fur. Even Lionhead Rabbits can have these characteristic eye circles.

Photo: Sindii/Shutterstock

History and Origin

Hotots were first shown in 1922. This rabbit was named after the town where breeder Eugénie Bernard lived, a small community in northern France by the name of Hotot-en-Auge. The Blanc de Hotot has been recognized by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) since 1979. The Dwarf Hotot first arose in the ’70s in Germany. Blanc de Hotots were crossed with Netherland Dwarves. This breed was officially recognized by the ARBA in 1983.