Rex rabbit, Mini Rex rabbit, Astrex Rex rabbit, Dalmation Rex rabbit, Nutria Rex rabbit, Opossum Rex rabbit, Satin Angora rabbit, Giant Angora rabbit, German Angora rabbit, French Angora rabbit, English Angora rabbit, American rabbit, Alaska rabbit, Flemish Giant rabbit, British Giant rabbit, Britannia Petite rabbit, Netherland Dwarf rabbit, American Polish rabbit
Description: The Rex rabbit is one of the most popular breeds of rabbit for pets as well
as for show. Their most defining point is their genetically
'mutated' velvety-feeling fur caused by the under fur being just
as long as the guard hairs. Their coat also does not lie flat against their
body, but instead sticks straight up even against the most diligent of
petting. An average Rex rabbit has a friendly and easy-going temperament,
an average weight of 6 to 10 pounds, with females normally being a pound or
two larger than males, and straight proportionate ears. Since the Rex breed
is already defined by its unique type of fur, this leaves mostly the fur
coloring and patterns as a guide for further distinction. The colors are
many and varied with the official 'recognized' 16 being: Amber,
Black, Blue, Broken (AKA, tri-color), Californian, Castor, Chinchilla,
Chocolate, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Black Otter, Red, Sable, Seal (AKA, Dark
Siamese Sable, distinguished from regular Siamese Sable by being just very
dark brown as opposed to varying shades of light-to-dark brown) and White
(AKA, Ermine). 'Unrecognized' colorings can include: Cinnamon,
Fawn, Fox, Harlequin, Havana, Himalayan, Marten Sable, Marten Seal, Orange,
Satin, Siamese Sable, Silver Seal, Smoke Pearl, Tan, and Tortoiseshell. Eye
color is different and varient per fur coloring.
Facts: The 'mutation' of a Rex's fur was once considered an
unacceptable genetic 'defect' that randomly showed up from
time-to-time in new litters of meat rabbits. Before being formally tested
and then classified as an official breed by Desire Callion in France in the
early 1900's, the Rex was just stamped as a useless, tasteless,
defective runt and then 'disposed of'. Today, the Rex is an
extremely popular and very much loved pet and show rabbit mainly because of
that very same genetically unique, soft, velvety fur and numerous color
varieties.
Description: The Mini Rex rabbit is an adorable ''mini'' version of
the Standard Rex. This much smaller, yet still friendly and easy-going
breed is quite possibly more popular than any other Rex. While continuing
to maintain the typical velvety 'rex fur' (caused by the under
fur being just as long as the guard hairs, and it stands up straight
instead of lying flat against the body) on its 4 pound frame, their
slightly bigger-than-body, straight, thick ears only serve to make them
look more endearing. Mini Rexes come in just about as many colors as their
larger counterparts. 'Recognized' colorings include: BEW (or,
Blue-eyed White), Black, Blue, Broken, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate,
Himalayan, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Otter, Red, Sable Point, Seal, Tortoise, and
White.
Facts: Facts: The 'mutation' of a Rex's fur was once considered an
unacceptable genetic 'defect' that randomly showed up from
time-to-time in new litters of meat rabbits. Before being formally tested
and then classified as an official breed by Desire Callion in France in the
early 1900's, the Rex was just stamped as a useless, tasteless,
defective runt and then 'disposed of'. Today, the Rex is an
extremely popular and very much loved pet and show rabbit mainly because of
that very same genetically unique, soft, velvety fur and numerous color
varieties.
In 1984, Mona Berryhill bred the first Mini Rex in Texas, United States, by
breeding a Dwarf Rex and a small Lynx Rex. In 1988, the Mini Rex was
recognized as an official breed.
Description: The Astrex Rex rabbit is a very unique Rex rabbit with a very unique coat.
Along with the typical velvety 'Rex fur' (caused by the under fur
being just as long as the guard hairs, and it stands up straight instead of
lying flat against the body), a 'wave gene' has also mutated its
coat even further to produce gorgeous, velvety, AND curly fur. This
'wave gene' is only found in Rex and Harlequin breeds. The Astrex
Rex is a very classy looking, average, 6 to 8 pound rabbit with
proportionately straight ears. They make rare but good pets with normal
temperaments. Their colorings include: black, blue and lilac (being the
most common) colors.
Population status: Very Rare
Facts: The 'mutation' of a Rex's fur was once considered an
unacceptable genetic 'defect' that randomly showed up from
time-to-time in new litters of meat rabbits. The addition of the 'wave
gene' didn't help. Before being formally tested and then
classified as an official breed by Desire Callion in France in the early
1900's, the Rex was just stamped as a useless, tasteless, defective
runt and then 'disposed of'. Today, the Rex is an extremely
popular and very much loved pet and show rabbit mainly because of that very
same genetically unique, soft, velvety fur and numerous color varieties.
The curly Astrex version of the rex was being bred in England in the
1930's and 40's, and also appeared in America in 1945 for a very
brief time. The breed all but vanished for awhile and is just now starting
to make a tiny comeback within the past decade or so.
Description: Just as it's name portends, the Dalmation Rex is an enjoyable mixture
of white fur dotted with black, blue, brown, fawn, and/or orange spots,
with eye color often matching it's spots. It is a Rex in every way,
from the typical velvety 'Rex fur' (caused by the under fur being
just as long as the guard hairs, and it stands up straight instead of lying
flat against the body), to it's docile, friendly nature, to the 8 to
10 pound frame, and to the very tips of their straight, proportionate,
black ears (although, there is a white-eared variety).
Facts: The 'mutation' of a Rex's fur was once considered an
unacceptable genetic 'defect' that randomly showed up from
time-to-time in new litters of meat rabbits. Before being formally tested
and then classified as an official breed by Desire Callion in France in the
early 1900's, the Rex was just stamped as a useless, tasteless,
defective runt and then 'disposed of'. Today, the Rex is an
extremely popular and very much loved pet and show rabbit mainly because of
that very same genetically unique, soft, velvety fur and numerous color
varieties.
Description: The Nutria Rex is among the most prized of all Rex fur colorings (closely
followed by the Black Rex). It's shining golden topcoat is combined
with an undercoat of pearl grey. The result is absolutely stunning, as the
Nutria just seems to literally radiate and shimmer. It is a Rex in every
way, from the typical velvety 'Rex fur' (caused by the under fur
being just as long as the guard hairs, and it stands up straight instead of
lying flat against the body), to it's docile, friendly nature, to the
8 to 10 pound frame, and to the very tips of their straight proportionate
ears.
Population status: Rare
Facts: The 'mutation' of a Rex's fur was once considered an
unacceptable genetic 'defect' that randomly showed up from
time-to-time in new litters of meat rabbits. Before being formally tested
and then classified as an official breed by Desire Callion in France in the
early 1900's, the Rex was just stamped as a useless, tasteless,
defective runt and then 'disposed of'. Today, the Rex is an
extremely popular and very much loved pet and show rabbit mainly because of
that very same genetically unique, soft, velvety fur and numerous color
varieties.
The Nutria Rex has had a more difficult time of it as its golden coat was
much coveted in the fur trade. Since the popularity of the fur industry has
since fallen, the Nutria Rex has all but become extinct. Still,
occasionally, one will be born in from a 'mutation' in a litter
of Havana Rex rabbits.
Description: The Opossum Rex is among the most interesting of Rex colorings. It has an
inch of base color on the bottom of its fur strand, followed by white for
the top half-inch. Their ears, face, and feet are the same color as the
base color. The base color can be any color, but is most often black. It is
a Rex in every way, from the typical velvety 'Rex fur' (caused by
the under fur being just as long as the guard hairs, and it stands up
straight instead of lying flat against the body), to it's docile,
friendly nature, to the 8 to 10 pound frame, and to the very tips of their
straight proportionate ears.
Facts: The 'mutation' of a Rex's fur was once considered an
unacceptable genetic 'defect' that randomly showed up from
time-to-time in new litters of meat rabbits. Before being formally tested
and then classified as an official breed by Desire Callion in France in the
early 1900's, the Rex was just stamped as a useless, tasteless,
defective runt and then 'disposed of'. Today, the Rex is an
extremely popular and very much loved pet and show rabbit mainly because of
that very same genetically unique, soft, velvety fur and numerous color
varieties.
The Opossum Rex has a complicated breeding history starting with a Mr. T.
Leaver, from Kent, England in 1924. He bred a chifox Rex with a chinchilla
fox Rex rabbit. Argentes were then introduced and crossbred, which is what
makes the Opossum Rex silvery.
Description: The Satin Angora rabbits fur is the most shiny, silky, strongest fur of all
the Angora breeds. It is also lighter, thinner, and less coarse. They are
also quite shy compared to the others. Satin Angora rabbits weigh around 8
pounds and come in a large amount of different colors and patterns such as:
black, blue, blue cream (blue tortoise), chestnut, chinchilla, chocolate,
chocolate agouti (cinnamon), chocolate chinchilla, chocolate tortoise,
copper, cream, fawn, lilac, lilac chinchilla, lilac cream (lilac tortoise),
lynx, opal, pearl, red, sable, seal, smoke pearl, squirrel, steel (black,
blue, chocolate, and lilac), and tortoise. Other versions of the white
variety include pointed white, which is the Himalayan pattern, blue-eyed
white, and ruby eyed white.
Facts: The Satin Angora was first bred from a copper Satin and a fawn French
Angora in Canada by L.P. Meyer. They became a recognized breed in 1987.
Description: The Giant Angora rabbit is the largest Angora rabbit breed by weighing at
least 10 pounds. Their long fur covers their whole square-shaped body,
including their large square faces, and their long ears can stand up
straight. Giant Angora rabbits only have one coloring: white with ruby
eyes.
Facts: The first Giant Angora was bred by Louise Walsh in Taunton, Massachusetts,
United States. They became a recognized breed in 1988.
Description: German Angora rabbits make having an Angora a breeze. They require very
little grooming, have an extremely calm nature for easy sheering, and they
have extremely strong, thick, long wool producing two to four pounds of
wool a year. They weigh anywhere from 6 to 12 pounds. A true German Angora
has pure white fur and red eyes. Anything other than pure white is actually
a German Hybrid.
Facts: German Angora rabbits originated in Germany. For over 60 years they were
bred under strict guidelines for wool and body type, and any German Angora
that did not meet the critera was simply not bred. It is believed that this
is one of the reasons the German Angora produces over four times as much
fur than other Angoras produce.
Description: French Angora rabbits are an extremely popular Angora breed for pets
because of their wonderfully outgoing and friendly nature. Also, they are
among the easiest of Angora breeds to take care of because they don't have
the long "Angora hair" on their face or paws, and the wool is
coarser than the other breeds making it easier to take care of. They weigh
between 7 and 10 pounds and the hair on their body (minus face and paws)
grows about 8 inches. French Angoras come in many colors such as: black,
blue, blue cream, chestnut, chinchilla, chocolate, chocolate agouti,
chocolate tortoise, cream, fawn, lilac, lilac cream, lynx, opal, pearl,
red, sable, seal, smoke pearl, squirrel, steel, and white.
Facts: French Angoras originated in France and are older than English Angoras.
Description: English Angora rabbits make great pets because of their gentle and friendly
nature. They are the smallest breed of Angora (5 to 7 pounds), but still
maintain the typically long and silky ''Angora coat''
which requires a lot of work to keep it from matting and tangling. They
actually have less guard hairs compared to wool, thus classifying them as
''wool'' producers rather than
''fur'' producers. The English Angora also comes in
lots of different color variations and patterns. The most common are:
agouti, pointed white, shaded, self, solid, and ticked. Others include:
black, blue, chinchilla, chocolate, cinnamon, cream, fawn, golden, gray,
lilac, pearl, sable, tortoiseshell, and white.
Facts: It is thought that the English Angora originated in Ankara Turkey and were
brought to Europe centuries ago.
Description: The American rabbit is a very popular breed due to its very gentle alive
personality and beautifully thick coat. They average around 10 pounds and
come in blue or white colors. The blue variety has blue eyes, and the white
have pink eyes. The American rabbit has a very distinct arch to its back.
Facts: The American rabbit breed originated in the United States in 1917 by Lewis
H. Salisbury.
Description: The Alaska rabbit is a short and stout breed, once bred specifically for
its beautiful silky thick hair. It averages 6-8 pounds and has a very sweet
personality making the Alaska rabbit perfect for a family pet. The fur is
mostly jet black with a slate blue undercolor, except for its brownish
black ears
Facts: The Alaska rabbit was first bred specifically for its silky fur in Germany
from a cross of Argente and Himalayan rabbits in the 1920's.
Description: The Flemish Giant is one of the most gentle and laid-back breeds of rabbit.
With their average 22 inches and 16 pounds, these charming and delightful
rabbits make great companions for even small children. They aren't nearly
as energetic as British Giants, though, so carrying them around can get
tiring fast, especially since the heaviest recorded Flemish was 26 pounds.
Thick glossy fur and ear length of at least 5 inches makes these big fluffy
friends even more adorable. The natural and most common color of Flemish
Giant is a sandy color. But, they also come in black, blue, light gray,
fawn, steel gray and white.
Facts: The origin of the Flemish Giant is unknown, but it is rumored that they are
possibly descendants of an Argentine breed called Patagonian. Dutch traders
brought the Patagonian to Europe in the 16th century, but the earliest
recorded ''Flemish Giant'' was in the early 1860's.
Flemish Giants made their first appearance in America in the 1880's, but
didn't become very popular until 30 years later.
Description: The British Giant is among the largest breeds of rabbits. With average
weights of 12 and a half pounds (and kudos for 15 or more pounds!), this
gentle and friendly bunny carries it proudly on it's huge body and thick
front and hindquarters. It has nice thick fur growing up to an inch long
sometimes, which needs regular care to keep it from tangling and matting.
Ears are proportionately large, long, and broad. Their eye and fur color
range is very extensive and fascinating. Colorings can include: white (a
very bright white with blue or pink eyes), black (jet-black to blue-black
with black or blue eyes), dark steel gray (with dark blue undercolor,
sometimes a white tummy, and brown eyes), brown gray (with white tummies
and blue, brown or grey eyes), blue (with blue, brown or grey eyes), and
opal. Opal colors are the most intriguing as they have a pale blue top
color, a fawn coloration in the middle, and a slate blue color as the
undercolor. Their opal looking eyes are a pretty mixture of colors to match
their fur color. Opals also have blue-laced ears. Over the undercolor,
around the eye circles, the tummy and underneath the tail are all white.
British Giants make great pets for people who have room to let them
exercise enough!
Facts: It is unknown where the British Giant was first bred. It was developed
mainly as a large breed for its fur, which is thick and smooth compared to
the Flemish Giant which is a large breed as well, but doesn't have as long
of fur. Today, with its sweet and mild personality, people all over the
world enjoy British Giants as large pets and fun show bunnies.
