Angora Rabbit Glossary

A complete reference guide to the terminology used in Angora rabbit keeping, fiber production, grooming, and breeding. Whether you are a new rabbit owner or an experienced fiber artist, this glossary covers the words and phrases you will encounter across this site and in the wider Angora rabbit community.

Terms are organized alphabetically within each category. Use the category links below to jump to your section.

Breed Terms

Adult: A fully mature rabbit of breeding age. For show classification purposes, the age at which a rabbit is classified as an adult varies by breed and is defined in the American Rabbit Breeders Association breed standard.

Angora: A group of domestic rabbit breeds selectively bred for their long, fine wool coats. The four breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association are the English Angora, French Angora, Giant Angora, and Satin Angora. The German Angora is recognized separately by the International Association of German Angora Rabbit Breeders.

Angora gene: The recessive gene responsible for the long wool coat characteristic of all Angora breeds. Designated as the lowercase letter “l” in rabbit genetics, it causes wool fibers to grow continuously rather than stopping at a fixed length. See our Angora Rabbit Colors guide for more on Angora genetics.

ARBA: The American Rabbit Breeders Association — the national organization governing rabbit breed standards, registration, and showing in the United States. Visit arba.net for breed standards, breeder directories, and show information.

Awn fluff: A type of wool fiber found in Giant Angora rabbits. Awn fluff is slightly coarser than underwool, with a wavy structure and a straight tip. It sits between the underwool and the awn hair in the coat structure.

Awn hair: The coarsest and longest wool fiber type in Giant Angora rabbits. Awn hair provides the coat’s outer structure and protects the softer underwool and awn fluff beneath it.

Buck: An adult male rabbit.

Clean face: A term used for French Angora, Satin Angora, and other breeds in which the face, ears, and forelegs carry normal short fur rather than long wool. Contrasts with the full-face furnishings of the English Angora.

Commercial type: A body conformation describes a rabbit with a strong, well-muscled frame, full hindquarters that gently taper toward the shoulders, and a rounded oval profile when viewed from the side. French and Satin Angoras have a commercial body type.

Compact type: A body conformation describing a short, rounded, close-coupled body with a broad, flat head. English Angoras have a compact body type.

Doe: An adult female rabbit.

Dwarf Angora: A small Angora rabbit breed not currently recognized by the ARBA. Dwarf Angoras typically weigh 3 to 4 pounds (1.4 to 1.8 kg) and carry a full wool coat similar to that of the English Angora. See our Dwarf Angora Rabbit guide.

English Angora: The smallest of the four ARBA-recognized Angora breeds, weighing 5 to 7.5 pounds (2.3 to 3.4 kg). Distinguished by full wool coverage across the entire body — including the face, ears, and feet — giving it its characteristic round, fluffy appearance. See our English Angora Rabbit guide.

FGF5 gene: A gene repeatedly identified as a factor in the Angora phenotype. Mutations in the FGF5 gene are associated with continuous wool growth rather than normal cyclical shedding.

French Angora: One of the four ARBA-recognized Angora breeds, weighing 7.5 to 10.5 pounds (3.4 to 4.8 kg). Distinguished by a clean face and forelegs with wool only on the body. Known for its higher guard hair count, which makes it easier to groom than the English Angora. See our French Angora Rabbit guide.

Furnishings: Tassels, ear tufts, face tufts, and foot wool that appear on wooled breeds such as the English Angora. Furnishings are a key characteristic evaluated in the show ring.

German Angora: A large, non-molting Angora breed not recognized by the ARBA but recognized by the International Association of German Angora Rabbit Breeders. German Angoras weigh 9 to 12 pounds (4.1 to 5.4 kg), do not naturally shed their coats, and must be clipped every 90 days. See our German Angora Rabbit guide.

Giant Angora: The largest of the four ARBA-recognized Angora breeds, with no upper weight limit — typically 9.5 pounds (4.3 kg) or more. Known for its high wool yield, with a three-component coat structure of underwool, awn fluff, and awn hair. Does not naturally molt and must be clipped. See our Giant Angora Rabbit guide.

Guard hair: The longer, coarser outer hairs of the coat that protect the softer underwool beneath. The proportion of guard hair varies significantly between Angora breeds. French Angoras have a relatively high guard hair count, which helps resist matting. English Angoras have very few guard hairs, producing softer but more mat-prone wool.

Junior: A rabbit below the minimum age for the senior show class. Age thresholds vary by breed and are defined in the ARBA breed standard.

Kit: A newborn or very young rabbit, from birth to weaning at approximately 8 weeks of age.

Lionhead Angora: A hybrid rabbit produced by crossing an Angora breed with a Lionhead rabbit. Not recognized by the ARBA. Characterized by a mane of longer wool around the head, combined with a shorter body coat. See our Angora Lionhead Rabbit guide.

Satin Angora: One of the four ARBA-recognized Angora breeds, weighing 6.5 to 9.5 pounds (3 to 4.3 kg). Distinguished by the unique satin sheen of its wool fibers, caused by a translucent fiber shaft that reflects light. Produces less wool than other Angora breeds, but the fiber is the most lustrous. See our Satin Angora Rabbit guide.

Senior: A rabbit that has reached the minimum age for the senior show class. Age thresholds are defined in the ARBA breed standard for each recognized breed.

Underwool: The softest, densest, and finest fiber in an Angora rabbit’s coat. It provides the primary insulation of the coat and is the most prized component of the harvested fiber.

Care and Health

Cecotropes: Soft, nutrient-rich droppings produced by the rabbit’s digestive system and eaten directly from the anus, usually at night. Also called night droppings. Cecotropes are a normal and essential part of rabbit digestion, providing proteins and vitamins that are not fully absorbed during the first pass through the digestive tract. A rabbit that is not consuming its cecotropes may be unwell and should be assessed by a veterinarian.

Condition: The overall physical state of a rabbit in relation to health, cleanliness, coat quality, and grooming. Condition is assessed in the show ring and reflects the general husbandry standard of the rabbit’s care.

Dewlap: A pendulous fold of loose skin hanging from the throat, most common in does. A dewlap is normal in many breeds, but should be in proportion to the overall body size and free from matting or skin irritation.

Flystrike: A serious and potentially fatal condition in which flies — most commonly blowflies — lay eggs in soiled or matted wool. The eggs hatch into maggots that feed on the rabbit’s flesh. Angora rabbits are at elevated risk due to their dense coats. Flystrike requires immediate veterinary attention. Outdoor housing during warm months requires daily inspection of the coat, particularly around the hindquarters.

GI stasis: Gastrointestinal stasis — a condition in which the normal movement of food through the digestive tract slows or stops. GI stasis is a veterinary emergency in rabbits. Symptoms include reduced or absent food intake, reduced or absent droppings, and a hunched or uncomfortable posture. Contact a veterinarian immediately if GI stasis is suspected.

Malocclusion: A misalignment of the teeth in which the upper and lower incisors or molars do not meet correctly. Because rabbit teeth grow continuously, malocclusion prevents normal wear and causes overgrowth, leading to pain and difficulty eating. Also called mandibular prognathism. Requires veterinary management. Affected animals should not be used for breeding.

Myxomatosis: A viral disease of rabbits caused by the myxoma virus. Symptoms include swelling and lesions around the head, face, and eyes. Not currently present in most of the continental United States, but prevalent in parts of California and in wild rabbit populations in some western states. Vaccination is available in some countries but not licensed in the United States. Consult a rabbit-knowledgeable veterinarian about prevention in your region.

RHDV2: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus type 2 — a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease affecting domestic and wild rabbits. RHDV2 has spread to multiple US states. Symptoms include sudden death, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. A vaccine is available in the United States. Consult a veterinarian promptly about vaccination.

Snuffles: A common term for upper respiratory infection in rabbits, most frequently caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida. Symptoms include nasal discharge, sneezing, and matted fur on the inside of the front feet from wiping the nose. Requires veterinary assessment and treatment.

Wool block: A potentially fatal condition in Angora rabbits in which ingested wool accumulates in the digestive tract and forms a blockage. Unlike cats, rabbits cannot vomit, so swallowed fiber must pass through the gut. Signs include reduced appetite, reduced or misshapen droppings, and lethargy. The wool block requires immediate veterinary attention. Prevention involves regular grooming, a high-fiber diet based on unlimited timothy hay, and frequent coat harvesting.

Wool mites: Skin parasites — most commonly Cheyletiella parasitovorax — found in Angora rabbits. Signs include flaky skin patches, fur loss, and reduced fiber quality. Wool mites can be transmitted between rabbits and require veterinary treatment. Ivermectin is a commonly used treatment under veterinary guidance.

Grooming

Blower: A pet grooming dryer or forced-air blower used to open and separate the coat of an Angora rabbit during grooming. A blower lifts and separates fibers without causing breakage and is considered by many experienced Angora owners to be a more effective grooming tool than brushing alone.

Carding: The process of using a hand card or drum carder to align and clean fiber before spinning. Carding can be performed on fiber harvested from the rabbit or after the fiber has been blended with other materials.

Clipping: Removing an Angora rabbit’s coat using scissors or electric clippers. Clipping is one of the two primary methods of wool harvesting and is required for non-molting breeds such as the German Angora and Giant Angora. Clipping is typically performed every 90 days.

Mat: A tangled, compacted mass of wool fibers that forms when loose and growing fibers become interlocked. Mats range from loose webbing — which can be gently combed out — to dense, solid masses that must be cut free. Mats cause discomfort, restrict movement, trap moisture, and can lead to skin infection if left untreated.

Molt: The natural shedding of an Angora rabbit’s coat as part of its growth cycle. Molting typically occurs every 90 to 120 days. Breeds that naturally molt — including English and French Angoras — can have their coat hand-plucked during this period. Non-molting breeds — including German and Giant Angoras — must be clipped.

Plucking: The process of removing loose, molting wool from an Angora rabbit by hand or with a wide-tooth comb. Plucking is only appropriate when the rabbit is actively molting and the fiber releases easily with gentle tension. Plucking a non-molting coat causes pain and should never be attempted. Properly performed plucking during a natural molt produces the highest quality fiber with minimal guard hair contamination.

Slicker brush: A grooming brush with fine, short wire bristles set in a flat or slightly curved pad. Used on Angora rabbits to work through the undercoat and remove loose fiber after the primary combing stage.

Wide-tooth comb: The primary grooming tool for Angora rabbits. A wide-tooth steel comb works through the coat from tip to root, separating fibers and identifying mats before they tighten. Always begin combing at the tips of the fiber and work toward the skin in stages, never pulling from the root outward.

Fiber and Fleece

Awn See Awn hair and Awn fluff under Breed Terms.

Denier: A unit of measurement for fiber fineness, expressed as the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of fiber. A lower denier indicates a finer fiber. Angora fiber typically measures 12 to 16 micrometres in diameter — comparable in fineness to cashmere.

Fiber: The term used by Angora rabbit owners and fiber artists to describe harvested Angora wool in its raw or processed state. Used interchangeably with wool in the context of Angora rabbits, though technically, fiber is the broader term.

First-quality fiber: The premium-grade Angora fiber harvested from the back and upper sides of the rabbit. First-quality fiber is the longest, cleanest, and most consistent in length. It contains no hay, vegetable matter, or second cuts.

Fleece: The full coat of fiber removed from an Angora rabbit in a single harvesting session. Also used loosely to refer to the animal’s coat before harvesting.

Halo: The characteristic soft aura or cloud effect created by fine Angora fibers that extend outward from the surface of spun yarn or finished fabric. Halo is most pronounced in English Angora yarn due to its low guard hair content. Higher guard hair content — as in French Angora — produces a more structured halo.

Lock: A naturally grouped cluster of fibers that hang together in a defined formation. Locks are visible in some Angora coats, particularly French Angoras, and indicate good fiber structure.

Micron: A unit of measurement equal to one millionth of a meter (one micrometer), used to measure the diameter of individual fiber strands. Finer fibers have a lower micron count. Angora fiber typically measures 14 to 16 microns — comparable to fine merino wool and cashmere.

Second cut: Short fiber pieces created when a section of the coat is cut twice during shearing. Second cuts reduce the average staple length of the harvested fiber and decrease its spinning quality. Careful, single-pass clipping minimizes second cuts.

Second-quality fiber: Angora fiber is harvested from the neck and lower sides of the rabbit. It may contain some vegetable matter and is shorter and less consistent than first-quality fiber.

Skein: A loosely wound length of spun yarn prepared for storage or sale. Skeins are typically formed by winding yarn around a niddy noddy or hand winder and then tying the loops at intervals to prevent tangling.

Staple length: The length of an individual fiber from root to tip at the time of harvesting. Longer staple length generally produces stronger, more consistent spun yarn. Angora fiber grows approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) per month.

Third-quality fiber: Angora fiber is harvested from the buttocks, legs, and other areas prone to felting and soiling. Third-quality fiber is shorter, coarser, and often matted. It has limited spinning value but can be used for felting.

Underwool: See Underwool under Breed Terms.

Breeding

Dam: The female parent of a rabbit. Used in pedigree and breeding records.

Gestation: The period from conception to kindling. In Angora rabbits, gestation is typically 28 to 32 days, with most does kindling around day 31.

Kindle: To give birth. A doe that kindles has produced a litter of kits.

Kindling: The act of giving birth in rabbits. They typically prepare a nest by pulling wool from their own dewlap and chest in the days before kindling.

Litter: All the kits produced by a doe from a single pregnancy.

Nest box: The enclosed box placed in the doe’s cage before kindling, in which she builds her nest and gives birth. Nest boxes are typically filled with layers of shavings and hay and should be introduced approximately 27 to 28 days into the doe’s gestation.

Pedigree: A documented record of a rabbit’s ancestry, typically tracing back three or more generations. Pedigrees are important for show and breeding programs and are required for ARBA registration.

Peanut: A kit from a dwarf breed that carries two copies of the dwarfing gene. The double-dwarf combination is always fatal. Peanuts are typically very small at birth, fail to nurse effectively, and die within the first two weeks. They can be identified at birth by their extremely small size and pinched hindquarters.

Sire: The male parent of a rabbit. Used in pedigree and breeding records.

Weaning: The transition of kits from the doe’s milk to solid food. In Angora rabbits, weaning typically occurs at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Kits should not leave the breeder before 8 weeks of age.

Housing

Colony housing: A housing arrangement in which multiple rabbits share a large common enclosure rather than living in individual cages. Colony housing allows for more natural social behavior but increases the risk of fighting, injury, disease transmission, and fiber quality issues — particularly matting from social grooming and contact.

Hutch: An outdoor rabbit enclosure, typically constructed of wood and wire mesh with a covered sleeping area and an open wire mesh front. Hutches must be weatherproof, predator-proof, and well-ventilated.

Wire cage: The most common housing type for Angora rabbits kept for fiber production. Wire cages provide maximum ventilation — essential for Angora rabbits prone to overheating — and keep the rabbit off soiled bedding, which protects coat quality and reduces the risk of flystrike.

Showing

Condition: See Condition under Care and Health.

Disqualification (DQ): A defect, deformity, or blemish that renders a rabbit ineligible for competition or registration at an ARBA-sanctioned show. Disqualifications vary by breed and are listed in the ARBA Standard of Perfection.

Fault: A characteristic that detracts from a rabbit’s show score without disqualifying the animal from competition. Faults are assessed by the judge relative to the breed standard and reduce the rabbit’s overall point total.

Grand Champion: The highest level of ARBA registration, earned by rabbits that have won legs at a minimum of three ARBA-sanctioned shows under at least two different judges.

Pose: The correct show position for an Angora rabbit — typically placed on a show table with the coat assessed for volume, texture, density, and length, and the body evaluated for type and condition according to the breed standard.

Standard of Perfection: The official ARBA publication that defines the breed standard for every recognized rabbit breed in the United States — including physical conformation, coat requirements, color varieties, weight ranges, and disqualifications. The current Standard of Perfection is available through arba.net.

Did not find the term you were looking for? Contact us through our contact page, and we will add it to this glossary.

For full care and breed guides, visit our blog. For answers to the most common questions, see our FAQ.