English Angora Rabbit: Complete Breed Profile, Care Guide, and What US Owners Need to Know

How we researched this guide: In October 2026 we checked every fact about the English Angora against the breed standard summaries published by the National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club (the ARBA specialty club), ARBA’s list of recognized varieties, and veterinary and reference sources. Each fact links to its source, and all sources are listed at the end. See our editorial policy. Last reviewed: October 2026.

English Angora Rabbit: The Short Answer

Quick answer: The English Angora is the smallest of the four ARBA-recognized Angora breeds, at 5 to 7.5 lb. It is the only one with wool on its face and ears, which gives it its round “ball of fluff” look. That coat is beautiful, but it needs very regular grooming, and the PDSA recommends daily care.

At a Glance

	English Angora
ARBA recognized	Yes, in white and colored varieties (ARBA variety list)
Senior weight	5 to 7 lb for bucks, 5 to 7.5 lb for does (NARBC)
Ideal weight	6 lb for bucks, 6.5 lb for does (NARBC)
Face and ears	Heavy wool “furnishings,” with bangs, side trimmings and tasseled ears (NARBC)
Grooming	Daily, according to the PDSA
Average lifespan	7 to 10 years, according to the PDSA

History

All Angoras were once shown as a single breed. According to Wikipedia’s history of the Angora rabbit, there was one breed of “Angora Wooler” before 1939, and in 1944 ARBA officially separated Angoras into two breeds: the English Angora and the French Angora.

Appearance

The breed standard describes a “short-coupled and compact” body that should look like a round ball of fluff when posed. The head is wide, and the short ears form a tight V with tassels at the tips.

What makes the English stand out is its furnishings: dense bangs and side trimmings of wool on the face, plus wool on the ears. Wikipedia notes that it is the only Angora breed with hair covering its eyes. The wool itself should be silky and fall freely, without parting down the back.

“Full-Face” Angora: The English Angora’s Woolly Face

If you have searched for a “full face Angora rabbit”, you are almost certainly looking at an English Angora. It is the only one of the four ARBA-recognized Angora breeds with wool on its face and ears. Wikipedia describes it as having “growths of wool on the ears and the entire face except above the nose” (source).

Breeders call that facial and ear wool “furnishings”. It gives the English its round, teddy-bear look, but it also needs regular grooming, especially around the eyes. The grooming section below covers how to manage it. Curious what extreme ear furnishings look like? Meet Wally the Angora rabbit.

Colors

ARBA recognizes the English Angora in two varieties, white and colored, and each is shown in its own classes. Color is a small part of judging, worth 5 of 100 points in the standard summary from the NARBC.

Temperament and Personality

Wikipedia describes English Angoras as “gentle in nature” and notes that the breed is more common as a pet than other Angoras, because its woolly face gives it a puppy or teddy-bear look (source).

That gentle nature comes with a condition: the same source says English Angoras are not recommended for people who do not groom their animals. A calm rabbit that is used to being handled makes daily grooming much easier, so ask the breeder how much the rabbit has been handled.

English Angora Wool and Harvesting

Good English Angora wool should have a silky texture and “fall free”, without parting down the back, according to the National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club. Texture matters to owners too. Wikipedia notes that when the texture is correct, maintenance is relatively easy, but a cottony coat needs a great deal of work. It also says beginning spinners may find English Angora wool challenging.

Like other Angoras, English Angoras are harvested every three to four months, by plucking loose wool or by shearing (source). For a fair look at both methods, read Angora wool and rabbit welfare. Spinners can see our Angora yarn guide.

Grooming an English Angora

Of all the Angora breeds, the English is the most work to groom, because the wool covers its face and ears as well as its body. The PDSA says the breed needs regular, extensive daily grooming because its fur mats easily. Sources differ a little here: Wikipedia suggests brushing about twice a week. If you are new to the breed, daily checks are the safer habit, especially around the eyes, chin, ears and bottom.

• Work through the coat gently in sections, from the tips of the wool toward the skin.
• Never pull out mats. Rabbit skin tears easily. Ask a vet or experienced groomer for help with bad mats.
• Keep the wool around the eyes trimmed or tidy so the rabbit can see clearly.
• See our step-by-step Angora grooming guide and our pick of the best brushes for Angora rabbits.

Summer warning: long-haired rabbits are at higher risk of flystrike. The PDSA advises checking every rabbit daily in warm weather to make sure it is clean, dry and free of fly eggs. If you see maggots or eggs, call a vet straight away.

Health

The PDSA lists dental disease and hair balls as health issues for the English Angora. A diet based mainly on hay supports healthy teeth and digestion, and regular grooming reduces the amount of wool a rabbit swallows. Our Angora health guide covers the warning signs to watch for.

Two more problems are worth knowing about. Angoras are especially prone to wool block, a blockage of the gut that can be fatal, and Wikipedia says clipping or plucking the wool every 90 to 120 days helps prevent it. Angoras also commonly carry wool mites (Cheyletiella parasitovorax), which cause flaky patches and fur loss (source). If you see either, call a rabbit-savvy vet.

What Show Judges Look For

If you plan to show, wool counts for more than half the score. The National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club summary of the standard awards 57 points for wool (density, texture and length), 33 points for general type (body, head, ears, eyes, feet and legs), 5 points for color and 5 points for condition. Judges want a short, compact body that looks like a round ball of fluff when posed.

Wikipedia notes that broken colors, such as white with black spots, are not accepted under ARBA standards and lead to disqualification at shows.

English Angora Price and Where to Buy

Of the Angora breeds, the highest asking prices we found were for pedigreed English Angoras. When we checked breeder listings in October 2026, prices ran from about $150 to $500 at one Oklahoma rabbitry, $500 to $750 at a North Carolina breeder, and $400 to $1,950 at a Wisconsin breeder. Prices change often, so always confirm with the seller. Our Angora rabbit price guide links to every listing we checked, and our directory of breeders, rescues and vets can help you find one near you. Adopting from a rescue is another option worth asking about.

Is the English Angora Right for You?

The English Angora suits owners who enjoy grooming and can commit time every day. If you want the Angora look with less work around the face, compare it with the French and Satin Angoras, which have clean faces.

See all five breeds side by side in our types of Angora rabbits guide, then read how to find a good breeder and what Angoras cost.

Related reading: dwarf Angora rabbits and Wally the Angora rabbit.

FAQs

Sources

1. National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club. English Angora Rabbits, checked October 2026.
2. Kansas State University 4-H. ARBA Recognized Breeds and Varieties (updated December 2024).
3. PDSA. English Angora breed information, checked October 2026.
4. PDSA. Flystrike in rabbits, checked October 2026.
5. Wikipedia. Angora rabbit, checked October 2026.

This guide is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from a vet. Read our disclaimer.