HORN RAPIDS RABBITRY

THE MINI REX RABBIT

The mini-rex rabbit is a very diminutive rabbit with a maximum senior show weight of only 4 1/2 pounds for does and 4 1/4 pounds for bucks. Its body is rather short and close coupled. The top body line rises gradually from the base of the ears to a high point over the center of the hips and then rounding downwards to the base of the tail. When viewed from the tail end, a Mini-Rex is approximately as wide as it is high. When viewed from above, the body tapers down slightly from the hips to the shoulders. The ears are rather short and thick and are carried erect.

The fur is one of the most notable features of this breed. The guard hairs are the same length as the underfur giving an extremely plush, silky, feeling to it when stroked. The fur has a lustrous appearance and has a distinct springy feel when depressed. The fur type has earned the Mini-Rex the name "velveteen Rabbit."

ARBA standards recognizes many colors/varieties for the Mini Rex including: black, blue, castor chinchilla, chocolate, himalayan, lynx, opal, red, seal, tortoise, white, lilac and broken pattern. Breeders are continually trying to develop new colors.

ORIGINS

The Mini Rex Rabbit was originated by Ken and Mona Berryhill of Wortham Texas in December 1984. Mona won a pair of dwarf Rex in the Rabbit Research and Development auction at the 1984 ARBA convention in Orlando Florida. The buck was bred to an undersized Rex Lynx doe which was purchased at the same convention. The mating produced 7 uniform miniature bunnies with rex fur. Three of these bunnies, does, were bred back to their sire, and, again, uniform miniature bunnies with rex fur, i.e., Mini Rex bunnies, were produced. From there, the Mini Rex blossomed to every corner of the nation.

The first presentation of the new breed to the ARBA Standards Committee was made in Columbus OH on November 1, 1986. The final presentation was made at the 1988 convention in Madison WI where the Breed achieved formal recognition of the American Rabbit Breeders Association.

BREEDING AND RAISING MINI REX RABBITS

The Mini Rex rabbit has features that make it an ideal rabbit as a pet or for show. Its small size , docile temperament, and the pleasurable tactile qualities of its coat cause it to be frequently sought after as a pet by adults and young people alike. Like other rabbit breeds, the Mini Rex rabbit can be litterbox trained and can be kept indoors; also, they are hardy enough to be kept outdoor in suitable cages.

The Mini Rex rabbit is also an ideal show animal. Many people show this breed in 4H, fair, and ARBA sanctioned rabbit shows across America and the competition is vigorous. This competition is promoted by the National Mini Rex Club and by other state and regional clubs through the establishment of sweepstakes competitions. Winners are generally awarded though recognition, ribbons, trophies, and, in some cases, cash awards. Because of the diminutive size of this breed, they are relatively inexpensive to raise and individual exhibitors are able to bring many entries to shows. The numbers of Mini Rex are entered in many shows are surpassed only by the Netherland dwarfs.

From the breeders standpoint, aside from the large demand for the breed, the Mini Rex is ideal, because its small size results in lower feed bill and the ability to use smaller, more space efficient, cages. An adult Mini Rex rabbit can be raised in a cage as small as 24" x 24". A doe and her litter will, of course, require a larger cage, approximately 30" x 30". An adult animal will consume a small tuna fish can (the rabbit breeder's standard of volume) of rabbit pellets per day;a lactating doe will consume 2 times this amount. Since the Mini Rex is intensely line bred, good animal husbandry practices must be employed to assure herd health with particular attention to sanitation, ventilation, and the removal from the herd of animals with poor disease resistance.

Since this breed has an upper weight limit, a breeder has to be constantly diligent to selectively breed only the animals that won't exceed the weight standard. It is possible to visually identify young animals that have a potential for a larger mature weight by ear length (among other things), and these animals are many times sold in the pet market.

If you are interested in learning more about the Mini Rex rabbit or want to find breeders in your area, you are invited to view the National Mini Rex Club Home page.