Pet Breed Guide NZ
Rex Rabbit
The Rex Rabbit is celebrated for its distinctive, plush velvet-like fur, a result of a genetic mutation that causes its guard hairs to be the same length as its undercoat. Originating from France, these medium-sized rabbits are known for their calm and friendly disposition, making them wonderful companions. With a typical lifespan of 5-6 years, they require a commitment to proper care. In New Zealand, Rex Rabbits are generally legal to keep as pets, offering Kiwi families a unique and affectionate addition to their home, provided local regulations are checked.
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NZ Ownership Snapshot
Verified NZ Status- Noise Level
- quiet
- Social Needs
- pairs
- Animal Type
- rabbit
- Diet Type
- Hay-led herbivore diet with vegetables and pellets
- UVB Required
- No
Verified MPI pet-import pathway: rabbits may be imported as pets only from Australia under MPI requirements. Local council bylaws and animal welfare obligations may still apply.
Breed Snapshot
- Size
- medium
- Lifespan
- 5-6 years
- Origin
- France
- Care Focus
- Social rabbit breed that needs gentle handling, secure housing, and daily enrichment.
- NZ Price
- NZD $50 - $150 (for a single rabbit from a reputable breeder or rescue)
- Annual Vet Cost
- Estimated annual vet/care costs can range from NZD $150 - $400, covering annual check-ups, vaccinations (if applicable for specific diseases not yet in NZ, or for general health), and potential minor health issues. Emergency care or complex treatments could be significantly higher. It's important to note that access to exotic animal vets in New Zealand can be limited, particularly outside major urban centres, which may impact cost and availability of specialised care.
Personality Scores
NZ Lifestyle Fit
Rex Rabbits can adapt well to various New Zealand home types, from spacious suburban sections to larger apartments, provided they have adequate indoor or outdoor enclosure space and daily exercise. In Auckland's humid climate, ensure good ventilation to prevent overheating, while in the colder South Island, robust, insulated shelters are crucial. They need protection from harsh sun, strong winds, and predators. There are generally no specific regional restrictions on Rex Rabbits within New Zealand, but always check with your local council, as bylaws can vary. Legally sourcing a Rex Rabbit in NZ typically involves reputable, ethical breeders found through word-of-mouth or online rabbit communities, or by adopting from local SPCA NZ branches or dedicated rabbit rescues. Avoid impulse buys and always ensure the seller is responsible.
Verified MPI pet-import pathway: rabbits may be imported as pets only from Australia under MPI requirements. Local council bylaws and animal welfare obligations may still apply.
About the Rex Rabbit
The Rex Rabbit, a medium-sized small pet, traces its origins back to France in the early 20th century. Discovered as a natural genetic mutation, its unique fur quickly captivated breeders and enthusiasts alike. With a typical lifespan of 5-6 years, these rabbits offer a moderate commitment for pet owners. They are known for their robust health and generally calm temperament, making them a popular choice among rabbit aficionados. As a social species, Rex Rabbits thrive when kept in pairs, fostering companionship and reducing loneliness, which is crucial for their overall well-being. Their intelligence also means they can be litter-trained and even taught simple tricks, adding to their appeal as interactive pets.
What They Look Like
The most striking feature of the Rex Rabbit is undoubtedly its luxurious, velvety fur. Unlike other rabbit breeds, the Rex possesses guard hairs that are shortened to the same length as the undercoat, giving it an incredibly soft, plush texture that feels like velvet to the touch. This unique fur comes in a wide array of colours and patterns, from solid blacks, whites, and reds to broken patterns and Californians, making each Rex Rabbit a visually appealing individual. They are a medium-sized breed, typically weighing between 3.4 to 4.8 kilograms, with a sturdy, well-proportioned body, strong legs, and characteristically upright ears. Their expressive eyes often reflect their gentle nature.
Personality & Behaviour
Rex Rabbits are renowned for their docile and friendly personalities, often described as calm and affectionate. They generally enjoy human interaction and can form strong bonds with their owners, often seeking out cuddles and gentle strokes. While not overly energetic, they are playful and curious, enjoying exploration and enrichment activities. As social animals, Rex Rabbits are best kept in pairs or small groups to satisfy their innate need for companionship. A lone rabbit can become lonely and stressed, which can lead to behavioural issues. They are intelligent creatures, capable of learning routines, responding to their names, and even being litter-trained, making them relatively easy to integrate into a household. Their quiet nature also makes them suitable for various living environments.
Life in New Zealand
For prospective Kiwi owners, the Rex Rabbit is generally legal to keep as a small pet in New Zealand. However, it is imperative for owners to consult current Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) guidance and their local council rules before acquiring one, as regulations can vary. Providing a suitable environment is key, whether you live in a suburban section or a rural property. They need protection from the elements, especially the colder South Island winters and the humid Auckland summers. Sourcing Rex Rabbits legally in New Zealand typically involves reputable breeders or animal shelters, ensuring the animals are healthy and ethically obtained. Integrating them into a Kiwi home means providing a secure, spacious hutch or indoor enclosure, ample exercise space, and a consistent diet of high-quality hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets.
Is This the Right Pet for You?
Bringing a Rex Rabbit into your home is a rewarding experience, but it requires commitment. Their 5-6 year lifespan means a long-term responsibility for their care, health, and social needs. They thrive on companionship, so consider adopting a bonded pair or ensuring you can provide significant daily interaction if you choose a single rabbit. Their unique fur requires regular, gentle grooming, and their diet is specific, primarily hay-based. While generally calm, they do need space for exercise and exploration. If you're looking for an affectionate, relatively quiet, and engaging small pet with a distinctive appearance, and you're prepared for the commitment to their well-being, a Rex Rabbit could be a wonderful addition to your New Zealand family.
Fun Facts
Fact 1
The Rex Rabbit's unique velvety fur is due to a genetic mutation first discovered in France in 1919.
Fact 2
Unlike other rabbits, their guard hairs are the same length as their undercoat, creating their signature plush feel.
Fact 3
Rex Rabbits come in an impressive array of colours and patterns, making each one visually distinct.
Fact 4
They are known for their calm and docile temperament, often making them excellent companions.
Fact 5
Despite their luxurious coat, Rex Rabbits are considered relatively low-maintenance groomers compared to long-haired breeds.
Related Breeds
Angora Rabbit
The Angora is a long-coated rabbit from Turkey, grown for a dense, soft wool that covers the whole body and, in lines such as the English Angora, the face and ears as well. Angoras are medium rabbits of roughly 2.5 to 5.5 kg and typically live seven to twelve years. Temperament is calm and gentle rather than boisterous: they tolerate handling well when it is regular and unhurried, can be litter-trained for indoor living, and are sociable enough that most settle better kept in pairs. The coat is the real commitment. Daily brushing and regular shearing prevent matting and wool block, and the rear end must be kept clean and dry, since a soiled coat invites flystrike in warm, humid weather. Mites and overgrown teeth are the other things to watch. An Angora suits an owner with time for grooming every single day, not someone wanting a low-maintenance rabbit.
New Zealand White Rabbit
The New Zealand White is a calm, well-muscled medium rabbit with a dense, pure white coat; most are albino with red eyes, though blue-eyed whites also occur. Adults usually weigh 4 to 5.5 kg and live 5 to 8 years. The breed was developed through crosses in the United States, with ties to New Zealand as well, and was first kept for meat and fur before becoming a show and companion animal. Temperament is docile, and the breed is curious enough to explore readily and bond closely with its people, staying most active around dawn and dusk. Digging and chewing are natural behaviours here, so digging boxes and chew toys earn their place. Daily needs are a hay-led diet, three to four hours of supervised exercise in a secure, rabbit-proofed run, spot-cleaning, and nail trims every four to six weeks. It suits a patient household with floor space and room for a bonded pair.
Abyssinian Guinea Pig
The Abyssinian is the rosetted guinea pig: at least eight whorls of coarse, short to medium fur set across the shoulders, back and hips, giving every animal its own tousled pattern in colours from black, white, cream and red through tortoiseshell-and-white and roan. Adults weigh around 700 to 1200 grams and live four to seven years. Abyssinians tend to be more outgoing and mischievous than smooth-coated guinea pigs, busy and talkative animals that wheek at feeding time, purr while being stroked, and popcorn about the cage in sudden joyful jumps. They are strongly social and should live with at least one other guinea pig. Daily needs are straightforward: unlimited hay, vitamin C-rich vegetables such as capsicum and parsley, a measured serving of pellets, spot-cleaning, and an hour of supervised floor time. The coat itself asks little beyond routine checks. A good match for a family wanting an interactive small pet with plenty of personality.
African Pygmy Hedgehog
The African Pygmy Hedgehog cannot legally be kept as a pet in New Zealand — there is no lawful import route (MPI allows only rabbits and guinea pigs from Australia and chinchillas from the UK), and DOC treats hedgehogs in NZ as an animal pest that preys on native lizards, invertebrates and ground-nesting birds. This page explains the species and the NZ legal reality; it is not a care guide for keeping one here. Typical lifespan overseas is 3-6 years.