Angora rabbits are usually bred for their long, soft wool, but they make great pets as well. Their origins are uncertain, but the generally accepted theory is that French sailors brought the rabbits back to Europe from Ankara (then known as Angora), Turkey, because they wanted to create the same beautiful shawls that the native women wore.
The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes four different Angora rabbit breeds: French, English, Satin, and Giant. The English breed is distinguished by fur on its face and ears. The Satin version has finer and softer hair than the other breeds, and the Giant Angora is the biggest breed, weighing at least nine and a half pounds.