How to Sell Lionhead Rabbits in the United States

Pet for Sale7 min read

A litter of young Lionhead rabbits beside their mother in a clean pen

To sell Lionhead rabbits in the United States, breed only healthy rabbits with sound teeth and clean coats, record each kit's mane type at birth, and keep the kits until they are at least 8 weeks old and eating hay on their own. Then write an honest ad that says whether each kit is a single or double mane, price it within the typical range, and screen buyers for the grooming a woolly rabbit needs before an in-person handover.

The mane is what most buyers want, and it is also what most often disappoints them when a fluffy single-mane kit grows into a sleeker adult. This guide covers the rules, mane genetics, which rabbits to breed from, preparing kits, pricing, the ad and the handover.

Key points

One copy of the mane gene gives a single mane and two give a double; PetMD says a single mane often diminishes with age.
Record mane type at birth, when PetMD says double manes show a V-shaped mark on the back.
The Merck Veterinary Manual advises against breeding rabbits with malocclusion, so check every kit's bite before it leaves.
Small hobby rabbitries are usually exempt from federal licensing, but state and city rules still apply.
The Vet Desk's 2026 price guide puts Lionheads from a breeder at $25 to $125.

What rules apply when you sell Lionhead rabbits in the US?

Most rules are state and local. North Carolina, for example, makes it a misdemeanor to sell or give away rabbits under 8 weeks old as pets or novelties, and Boston bars pet shops from selling commercially bred rabbits. Check your city's limits on animal numbers and home businesses, and any HOA rules, before you breed.

Federally, the Animal Welfare Act covers rabbits, but its regulations exempt people who keep four or fewer breeding females and sell only offspring born on their premises, and people who sell rabbits only for food or fiber. A larger rabbitry selling pets should ask USDA APHIS Animal Care whether it needs a license. Live rabbits cannot be mailed through the US Postal Service, so plan for buyers to collect in person.

How does the mane gene affect Lionhead litters?

Each rabbit carries no copy, one copy or two copies of the mane gene. Two copies make a double mane, one makes a single mane, and a rabbit with none has a normal coat even if its parents are Lionheads. Each parent passes on one of its two copies, so the pairing sets the odds.

Expected mane types by pairing, on average
Pairing	Double mane	Single mane	No mane
Double x double	All	None	None
Double x single	About half	About half	None
Double x no mane	None	All	None
Single x single	About a quarter	About half	About a quarter
Single x no mane	None	About half	About half

Real litters vary around these averages. PetMD says double manes can be identified at birth by a V-shaped mark on the back and keep a thick mane for life, while single manes have a wispy mane that often diminishes with age. Write down each kit's type when you first check the litter, because by 8 weeks a single can look almost as full as a double.

Which Lionheads should you breed from?

Sound teeth. Merck calls malocclusion probably the most common inherited disease in rabbits and advises against breeding affected rabbits. PetMD notes the Lionhead's small head and slightly longer lower jaw, so check the bite of both parents and of every kit.
Clear noses and eyes. PetMD says Lionheads may be more prone to upper respiratory infections because their tooth roots sit near the sinuses. Do not breed a rabbit with recurring sniffles or discharge.
Healthy skin under the wool. No mites, bald patches or chronic mats.
Correct size and condition. ARBA's maximum is 3.75 pounds. Feel each adult under the wool: neither thin nor overweight.
Calm, handleable adults. Every kit you sell will need brushing and rear checks for life.

How should you prepare Lionhead kits for sale?

Separate kits by sex before 3.5 months, when Merck says small breeds become sexually mature, and have each kit's sex confirmed by an experienced breeder or a vet.
Keep kits until they are at least 8 weeks old and eating hay and pellets on their own.
Check the bite, nose, eyes, ears and rear of every kit, and hold back any kit with a problem until a vet has seen it.
Start short, gentle brushing sessions and rear checks, so each kit is used to the routine its new owner will follow.
Ask your vet about RHDV2 vaccination. USDA says a conditionally licensed vaccine is available, and a vaccine record reassures buyers.
Write a care sheet: hay first, brushing two or three times a week and daily during molts, no baths, and how to spot mats and a soiled rear.

How much should you charge for Lionhead rabbits?

The Vet Desk's 2026 price guide puts Lionheads from a breeder at $25 to $125. Compare Lionhead rabbits for sale near you and price within that range:

Double manes from show lines, with a pedigree, at the top.
Single manes and other pet-quality kits lower, with the reason stated in the ad.
An RHDV2 vaccine record adds value, as does a spayed or neutered adult.
A known tooth or health problem lowers the price. Disclose it, and sell that rabbit as a pet only.

Do not call a kit ARBA registered. ARBA registers only rabbits at least 6 months old, after a licensed registrar examines them, so a kit can go home with a pedigree and be registered later.

How do you write a Lionhead rabbit ad and choose buyers?

Use a clear title such as: Lionhead buck, 9 weeks, double mane, pet quality. Show the kit's face and mane, its whole body and a parent's adult coat, and give its age, sex, mane type, diet, health checks, papers, price and general area. You can post a free ad on PetzLover, and buyers message you, so you can ask your own questions first.

Who will groom the rabbit, and how often? A buyer who expects a no-care pet is not the right match.
Where will it live? PetMD advises keeping Lionheads between 50 and 77°F and says outdoor Lionheads face a higher flystrike risk.
Who is the main carer? The House Rabbit Society requires an adult primary caregiver for its own adoptions.
Is it a surprise gift? National Geographic reported in 2017 that the Georgia House Rabbit Society gets three to four calls a day about abandoned rabbits in the six weeks after Easter, so be careful in spring.
Does the buyer want breeding stock? Say plainly which kits are pet-only and why.

How do you take payment and hand over a Lionhead safely?

A breeder handing a Lionhead rabbit in a carrier and a bag of hay to a new owner

Meet at your home or a busy public place in daylight, and let the buyer see the rabbit before paying.
Take cash or an instant payment you can confirm. A buyer who overpays by check and asks for the difference back is running a fake-check scam.
Show the buyer how to part the mane, check under the tail and use a comb.
Hand over the pedigree, health notes, any vaccine record, the care sheet and a small bag of the usual hay and pellets, with a signed bill of sale that includes your take-back terms.

Use the Report Scam button on suspicious messages. Share our guide to buying a Lionhead rabbit with first-time buyers. If you are placing an adult rather than a litter, read how to rehome your Lionhead responsibly or how to list a Lionhead for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to sell Lionhead rabbits?

Usually not for a small hobby rabbitry. The federal Animal Welfare Act regulations exempt people who keep four or fewer breeding females and sell only their own offspring. Larger pet-trade breeders may need a USDA license, and your city or county may require a permit.

How old must Lionhead kits be before I sell them?

At least 8 weeks old and eating hay and pellets on their own. North Carolina, for example, bans selling or giving away rabbits under 8 weeks old as pets. Waiting also gives you time to check each kit's bite.

How can I tell a single from a double mane Lionhead?

Look at birth: PetMD says double manes show a V-shaped mark on the back. By 8 weeks both types can look fluffy, so record each kit's type early and state it in the ad.

Can I sell a kit with no mane from Lionhead parents?

Yes, if you describe it honestly. Two single-mane parents produce about a quarter of kits with no mane, on average. Sell such a kit as a pet and say clearly that it will not grow a mane.

How much do Lionhead rabbits sell for?

The Vet Desk's 2026 price guide puts Lionheads from a breeder at $25 to $125. Compare current listings near you and price by mane type, quality, papers and health checks.

Should I breed a Lionhead with crooked teeth?

No. The Merck Veterinary Manual calls malocclusion probably the most common inherited disease in rabbits and advises against breeding affected rabbits. Keep it as a pet, or sell it as a pet only and tell the buyer about its dental care.