English Angoras have a time limit to their show coats. It has changed over the many years that I have had angoras. 3 to 5 months was long for a buck's coat back 20 years ago and 4 inchs was a long coat. Does could grow to 5 to 6 inches and last about 6 months. Show rabbits these days almost don't molt anymore and can wear their original coats from birth to 12-15 months. When they are in full coat it is a beauty to behold and they are often refered to as "The Big Girls".
That doesn't mean they are pretty at the end of the old coat's life. It is hard to remove a coat that you have cared for during this long time. When they have gone to the extreme length of coat, it will loose density and leave just the guard hair behind. It can still be very long and when groomed will look pretty but it tends to deflate once the blower stops. And sometimes the bunny will make the decision for you. GC Shepherds Iris has decided that she wants babies and started to make a nest with her beautiful long coat even though she has not been bred. I got the hint and will be taking her coat off over the next few days. We are having very warm weather so it will not be such a shock for the bunny.
If it was colder and I would have to remove a coat, I could make a little sweater for the bunny by taking an old sweat shirt sleeve and cut out the front legs and angle it away from the back legs. We use these same little sweaters on our baby goats. Some talented people I know knit little sweaters for their goats out of scrap wool. They look so cute frolicing around the fields in multi-colored outfits. As one group of angoras move from the showroom to retirement and baby bunnies, the next group move forward to try their luck in the showroom. The number one thing I think you need when raising angoras is patience.
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