Mini Rex is a rabbit breed derived from in France in the late 19th century. The Rex mutation is recessive and causes the hair to protrude outwards from the body, instead of lying flat, and the guard hairs to be shortened to the length of the undercoat.
The small size, plush coat and friendly personalities of mini rex rabbits make them one of the most popular rabbit breeds in the United States. They were first recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1988, and have been very popular with exhibitors ever since. They weigh from 3.5 to 4.5 pounds when fully grown. They are short and rather close coupled. The ideal length of fur is 5/8 inch, and the fur is to have a lustrous appearance, good body, and a plush-like effect which offers a distinct springy resistance to the touch.
Facts about the Mini Rex
-
Black – dark, rich, lustrous black, running deeply towards the skin, blending into a dark blue under color. Eyes are dark brown.
-
Blue – dark blue, running as deeply towards the skin as possible, with a medium blue under color. Eyes are a blueish grey.
-
Castor – a rich chestnut color tipped with black. The under color is slate blue or white with an orange intermediate band of color. Ears are laced in black. Surface color of the belly is cream, as well as the eye circles and jowls. Eyes are brown or black tinted with blue.
-
Chinchilla – sparkling mix of pearl and black. Slate blue under color, white belly color. Ears are laced with black, and eye circles are pearl. Upper of tail is black, bottom is white. Eyes are brown or blueish grey.
-
Chocolate – lustrous chocolate brown. Dove-grey under color. Brown eyes.
-
Himalayan – body is bright white. Ears, feet, tail and nose dark blue or black. Dark toenails, pink eyes.
-
Lilac – dove grey lightly tinted with a lilac shade. Matching toenails and blueish grey eyes.
-
Lynx – light fawn color tipped with lilac. White under color. Eye circles, jowls, belly, inside of ears and underside of tail are white. Eyes are blueish grey. '
-
Opal – medium blue top color, fawn intermediate color and grayish blue under color. Underside of tail, jowls, belly, inside of ears and eye circles are to be white of cream. Eyes are blueish grey.
-
Otter – Mainly gray, blue, chocolate or lilac, with tan under belly, chin, tail and circular eye markings..
-
Red – rich red with as little shading as possible. White or cream belly color. Eyes are brown.
-
Sable – light brown body, with even darker ears, nose, tail, & feet. Eyes are brown.
-
Sable Point – lighter brown all over and darker ears, nose, tail, feet. Eyes are brown.
-
Seal – dark, dark brown body, fading to lighter brown on the belly and chest. Eyes are brown.
-
Tortoise – rich orange with dark shading on the belly, feet, rear, sides, face and ears. Eyes are brown.
-
Red Eyed White – pure white. Eyes are pink.
-
Blue Eyed White – pure white, eyes blue.
-
Broken – Any accepted variety in conjunction with white.
-
Tri-Color – white with Black & Orange, Lilac & Fawn, Chocolate & Orange, or Blue & Fawn.
-
Pattern – a broken with a balanced nose marking, eye markings, colored ears, colored tail and body spots. Colored area covering 10% to 50% of rabbit.